Now that we have all the heavy stuff out of the way (for now), let’s talk about what has happened since I last wrote in this blog. I’m not sure I can remember the last time I did post something; the most recent article I can remember writing was two years ago. Obviously, there’s a lot that I could cover given that range, but I want to touch on just a couple personal highlights, what’s happening in my field of study, and a look at where this blog is heading in February.
First of all, let’s get the popular question out of the way. This is my last semester of college. No, I don’t know what’s coming next other than I will be living here in Springfield at least for the next two years while my fiancée, who will become my wife in that time, gets her master’s degree at Missouri State. Which lead me straight into the second and, in my humble opinion, biggest highlight for the last two years…
I’m getting married this year! The last time I remember writing for the blog, I had just started dating my best friend, Noel. I’ll spare everyone the sappy details, but every moment since then has been the best of my life. She is still my best friend, so this past November, I asked her to spend the rest of her life with me.
I don’t talk about my artistic exploits enough on this blog, and considering I am trying to make a career out of it, it only seems fitting to discuss what I’ve been up to in that area. When this blog was last updated, I had just wrapped up a production of My Fair Lady here at Evangel. That fall, Noel and I struck out on our own to direct a Broadway revue concert to raise funds and donations for a local elementary school.
Turns out, I love directing almost as much as performing (Did I mention Noel and I got to go on TV to promote it?). To say it was a trial by fire would be an understatement, but there is no education like being right in the thick of things and having no choice but to figure out how to accomplish your goal. It was a very similar experience a year later, fall of 2020, when I became the music director and accompanist for a radio production of It’s A Wonderful Life. These have been two of the most valuable learning experiences in the last four years for me.
Speaking of It’s A Wonderful Life, in my senior year, I have been afforded the opportunity to play two very iconic roles. The music director position came a few days before the first readthrough of the show, and I was already cast in the show as the lovable angel, Clarence. Being the overcommitted person I am, I didn’t think twice about taking both responsibilities on, and somehow, we pulled it together. This semester, I get the second of those iconic roles as I am portraying Schroeder in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. (Shameless plug, we are doing live shows April 8-11; tickets go on sale soon.)
Before I close this, I want to share with you, what I have planned for Given to Words this month. I will be sharing my discoveries and new year’s decisions concerning business, money, and university life. Next week, I’m going talk about the small business Noel and I started last spring during lockdown, what has come of it, and what I’ve learned so far. After that, I will share some decisions I made concerning where my money goes this year, and we will close February with some thoughts on my final semester of college.
If you already miss the more intense posts, don’t go anywhere, I have more drama planned for March.
Until then, thank you for continuing on this journey of creative expression with me.
