What's your hobby? An ode to prop making.

(Bloggers Note: I don't often take time to blog. My school has a staff newsletter and I'm hoping to be featured in the hobby section. Let's see what happens.)

Ever since I was a young child, I never thought that I had a talent. I watched the gorgeous singers, the dancers, the artists all show off. I tried a lot of different things, but nothing ever stuck. It wasn’t until high school that I found something that I was passionate about.

I always had a hard time speaking to strangers, or getting in front of a crowd. In junior high I signed up for public speaking, but that class got cancelled. In High School I decided to try drama. I did half a semester and decided it may not be the thing for me. I decided to try it again as a junior, and got hooked. My drama teacher was the first teacher that truly believed in my ability to succeed.

After high school I started doing shows at the Empress Theatre in Magna. It felt like nothing that I ever could have imagined. It felt like a home away from home where I could be accepted with my “uniqueness.” In 2016 I stage managed a show. While doing so I crafted the props for it. After the show, the artistic director asked if I wanted to stay on as the theatre’s prop master. I had a lot of fun, and enthusiastically took the position. I’ve been their prop master ever since.

Judy and Punch Puppets from The Fantasticks)

Candlestick Phone from Crazy for You

Doing props has become a real passion of mine. I love crafting and problem solving how to create items to be believable onstage. It is fun to look at an object, see the shapes, and find other items that could be put together to create that masterpiece. I am now known among the theatre community in the valley. I have other theatre’s contacting me, asking for help to create unique props for their shows.

Triton's Trident from The Little Mermaid

Ursula's Scroll from The Little Mermaid

I’ve learned with talents and hobbies that it doesn’t matter that you are good at something or not. It matters if you have fun doing it and it gives you the desire to keep doing it.

Bust made for The Music Man

Bomb made for Peter Pan

Cuckoo Clock made for Crazy for You

Dummy originally made for Urinetown, but used in Disaster! and Catch Me If You Can

God's Hand for Spamalot. Super proud of this one. First time I had ever used chicken wire. I did the math and made the measurements off of my own hand. We are all made in God's own image, right?

Falling Chandelier made specially for being able to safely fall on top of an actress for Disaster!

Woven band map of the city made for Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Grateful for where I am

Many of you already know that President Thomas S. Monson of the LDS church announced today that they are changing the age for missionaries to go.  My first thought was, “That’s great, more people will be able to go.”  I then started to get sad because I thought to myself, “If they announced that a couple of years ago, I would have served a mission.” For the next hour I stewed it over.  I then realized, if I had served a mission at age 19 I would have missed out on a couple of blessings:

Tau

Tau was one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in my life.  I met great people, and it helped with networking.  It also helped me get a little more comfortable putting myself out there in new situations.

People I would not have met

I would have missed out on the opportunity of meeting and getting to know Toni Justet, Andrew Thulin, Stephen Barton, and Daniel Atamanzak.  All of them have impacted my life in a positive manor and I know they came into my life for a reason.

Ashley’s Wedding

My sister got married May 2010.  I would have been gone during her wedding.

Manti Trip

Going to Manti with the Sundown Ward was a blast! I got to know Kristy more, spent time with my good friend Aleisha, and got to brave my fears and jump off of a Waterfall.

Random Adventures

Field’s Goodbye Show (One of the teachers that I KNEW cared about me)

At an interesting church in the avenues working the kitchen for a past sister missionary’s wedding. (We are in the elevator of the church)

My cousin Taite got to be in his first show at Hale "A Christmas Carol." He was one of the Cratchet children and one of those creepy kids that got to crawl out of the Ghost of Christmas Present's robe.

Three shows

Beauty and the Beast

I got to be a Silly Girl for Hunter Central Stake’s production.  It was my first show out of High School.  I met many great people and experience the magic of what makes this show great.

 "Is he dangerous?"

Stalk Market

This was the show that got my foot into the door at the Empress. Yes, it was just a one act, but it was a magical experience to perform for my first time on this stage.  If I hadn’t of done this show, I don’t think I would still be doing shows at the Empress right now.

Damn Yankees

(I saved the best for last) I hated this show, I really did. I loved the cast though.  They are the one cast where I’ve stayed in contact with most of them.  I gained lifelong friends.  Amy, Keri, Kristen, Larissa, Dennis, Stephen… You guys are great and would not trade you for anything.  I would not have met you if I had served a mission at 19.

I think what I’m trying to say is… I’m grateful for my experiences and wouldn’t want to change the past. Here's to modern revelation. I am a Mormon, true blue, through and through. Persecutions many arise, mobs may assemble, but I will stand as a witness of God at all times, all things, and all places.