Here is the Crew

I wanted to show you the entire cast and our writer/director, manager person and choreographer. What an amazing group of people. This was just today after our three run throughs of the show. Lots of work, so fab today. Michael, our choreographer left after rehearsal today. boo. He will be back in a week to see how things are going. Our first day of production went really well. Very productive but so much to learn.

Here is the sweet picture. Oh and pray for Brandon, he rolled his ankle today while dancing, a little swelling but hopefully will heal soon.



(Back row, left to right- real name and character name)
Troy (Archie and Jerry Gourd), Kyle (Larry), Michelle (Pa Grape), Meredith (manger person!), Karen (writer, director), Andrea (Jessie our Host), Jerrad (Dancer/Tour Captian), Michael (Choreographer), Me (Jimmy Gourd), Brandon (Dancer), Crystalyn (Junior), Charlene (Bob), Shannon (Mr. Lunt).

One Week Down.

I am utterly amazed at the process that we have gone through in the past week to get the show to where it currently is. Would you believe that you can rehearse and complete a show in ONE WEEK? All choreography and blocking is complete, everyone has their lines down (well...mostly) and we are all getting used to our characters. Now, granted...we still have two weeks of rehearsal to go, and a lot of things to get done. But today we had a day off (well, the cast did, not everyone else) and the production crew moved the stage from one studio to the production studio so we can begin our production rehearsals tomorrow. That's where lights and sound will make our show come to life. I am so excited. It's great too because it will be very nice to have a bit of a change of pace.

I'll be moving downtown for a few days...in a few days. That will be a beautiful moment... I won't have to get up about two hours before i have to be at work. I'll be less then five miles away...oh the beauty! My car and my sleep will thank me!

Here are some pictures i want to show you of the past week.


Oh yes... Those are new shoes! They got us great split soled jazz shoes for the show. This is Brandon, also known "Dancer 1". He's great. That was a fun ride to the shoe store!



Yes indeed... That is me as Jimmy Gourd. I believe that is my first day as Jimmy. What a great experience. I was so excited!



This is me and Junior Asparagus (Crystalyn). Isn't he just the cutest thing! Oh! You should see him come to life! Wow!



This is Michael, my amazing choreographer and myself. Seriously though, he is just so wonderful! Great dancer, funny man and he definetly knows what he is doing. I'm so blessed to work with him. He is a big shot at DollyWood and has worked with Lousie Mandrell for years. Tomorrow is his last day with us...BOOhoo!!!



Brittany was in Nashville for an interview and OF COURSE she came to see me! It is great to see her and Brandon Thronsberry and Allie Hayes have been here to! It's been fabulous!

This has already been an incredable experience. I adore the people I'm working with and can't wait to get to know them better. I'm getting used to Nashville and really starting to like it. I need all of your prayers that God will guide me and give me wisdom, strength and that my words would be "seasoned with salt and filled with grace".

Until later. My heart continues to change and strengthen and learn new things. Although weird at times... life is good.

The girl following her dreams.

Carnegie Was Right...Practice Makes Perfect

It has been seriously freezing in the past few days and my 30 mile drive has been scary at moments to and from Sound Check. I prayed last night that God would allow the roads to be clear today. They were perfect!

I'm here early to learn some new dances for certain songs. We will meet up with the gang a little later to get fit for shoes and then soon we will meet our beautiful costumes! They get in today but their batteries need to charge before we get into them. It may not be until tomorrow before we get our first look at life inside a vegetable.

Last night and this morning my body is telling me "OUCH!"... many muscles that i have not used in a long time are hurting. The archs of my feet hurt because of being on my toes. My sides hurt from weird stretches. It's all good pain though. It feels good to be working so much.

I'm in awe of the people I'm working along side. Some are professional dancers, singers etc.. and then there's me. A college student from a tiny school in Tennessee becoming myself...a professional? I suppose you could say that. All I know, is that considering I don't know what alot of the terms are for dancing moves and such... I may have to work harder but I can't wait to do this and make this look as amazing as I possibly can.

Crazy how you can work hours and hours on certain blocking and dancing, and it turns out to be a 20 second bit. Practice, Practice, Practice.

I'm having a blast! I can't believe this is my job. And I really like Nashville. It's great, and the town i'm living in is beautiful.

What a life.

Natalie

It Has Begun

It all started today.

I got to Nashville yesterday where I am now staying at a wonderful family's house in Thompson Station. I hope to soon move to downtown but until my "roomie" gets in town I have the blessing of spending a few days with this family.

I left the house about 7:30 this morning where I delightfully (kinda) hit Nashville morning rush hour. Oh the joy. But you know what, it can be quite enjoyable when you have a steamy cup of coffee, some David Crowder boosting the mood and plenty of time to get to the desired destination. Today we worked until about 5 o'clock. We mainly did blocking today. Many repeats of the show. It was awesome to see how much we can do in one day. I learned so much about the show and how things will roll for us on this tour. A neat thing... is that Kyle was recast as... LARRY! Pretty great isn't it. Actually, i'm doing some other things on stage as well... but i suppose you need to go see the show to know what that is. :-)

It was a total blast..and in the blast i got tired... so although it's not even ten o'clock yet... my dreams are waiting for me.

Until tomorrow. Ciao

Nat




This is us during lunch. We are rehearsing at a pretty sweet rehearsal hall. I really don't see the light of day until I leave after dinner. At least I love what I'm doing!

My Alias

I know you have been wondering. So here it is.

You now know who i am...



Jimmy Gourd