A Day in the Life in Pictures

To the blessings of busy days!

Moments on the Map: Theatre Edition

An update on some of the shows I've been lucky enough to catch these past few weeks!

1. Beyond Caring @ The Yard Theatre

     First off- this space is really cool. It's a converted warehouse in the Hackney Wick district that's half theatre/half bar which made for a nice, intimate change from all the huge West End venues. The show was a new work that focused on class structures in an "increasingly isolated and individualistic London." I enjoyed the whole cast (which had several East 15 grads in it) but especially liked the physical quirks that several of them used in their performances.

photos via

2. Laban Dance Theatre @ E15

     Students from the BA Contemporary Dance course at the Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music & Dance came to East 15 as part of their third year tour and presented two Laban-style dance pieces. We've studied Laban throughout our first trimester here and I've loved exploring how to use this form for the actor. Taking the work and funneling it into the specific theatre area has given all of us a completely fresh way of tackling text.
     It was interesting to see Laban movement put back into a dance arena. The first work focused around reflections while the other dealt more with memories and how they ripple out to affect others. I was pleasantly surprised to learn during the Q&A afterward that the second piece was almost completely improvised. I won't go anywhere near saying this was my favorite dance genre or performance, but it was interesting to see an expansion of the art form as I knew it.


3. Once @ The Phoenix Theatre

     I went into this show without having seen the movie (which I think ended up being a good thing). I only had heard lovely things, loved the few songs I already recognized from the show, and knew that Baylor Theatre's own Elizabeth Davis originated the role of the roommate (sic 'em!) in the Broadway production.
     Long story short, I loved this show. All of it: the pub setting, the whole cast on stage, the barely-present transitions, the Czech and Irish accents, the not-a-love-story love story, the music - holy religious experience for my ears batman - this MUSIC. Just do yourself a favor and download that album.
     Having a front row seat? Only 25 pounds. Trying not to ugly cry during the last fifteen minutes of Act 2? Priceless...and let's be honest, kinda just a day in the life of Jenny.

The London cast rendition of "Falling Slowly":

(I personally prefer Declan Bennett's voice to Steve Kazee's #sorrynotsorry) 

A look inside the making of the original Broadway production:

4. Nut @ The Shed @ The National Theatre

     The first thing I love about the National? Eight pound student tickets. The second? The Shed - their blackbox theatre space that literally has no bad seat. I also loved that the 3 pound program I bought for this show included the full script!

     Nut might be the best example of black comedy I've seen in person, with lots of emphasis on the darkness. It centers around a depressed, self-harming woman who is visited by the voices in her head. These characters are as established and fleshed out as the actual "people" of the play.

The Shed outside The National - photo via

Photos via

To the blessings of live theatre,

Falling in Love with a London Fall

Winter doesn't officially begin until December 21st, but we're due for our first snow of the year this week. Also, the coming season is predicted to be the worst UK Winter of modern times. Basically, I see lots of falling-down-on-the-icy-street-in-my-cowboy-boots-because-they-are-still-dangerously-not-rubberized moments  in my future. So while it still feels autumny, let's reflect on some of my favorite moments this season has given me, mmk?

In Texas, the leaves change from semi-green to brown in about a week. While I do love the extra satisfying crunchy sound those brown leaves make when stepped on, it's been lovely to watch an actual color transition. These are pictures of my daily walk to campus or the gym.

Halloween is not nearly as big of deal over here as it is in the states. Just recently has trick-or-treating even become a thing. Nevertheless, we decided to celebrate with as much gusto as a stereotypical American tourist. JoJo and I had some of our Norwegian classmates over for pumpkin carving. Believe it or not, this was MY first actual pumpkin carving experience. Don't judge me- I had a great childhood, I promise.

Repping Baylor with my BEARY first jack-o-lantern.

Pumpkin success!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I guess that means a YouTube video would be like...at least half a million. Right? WATCH AND FIND OUT.

On actual Halloween day, we were in class and seeing as I have very little disposable income at the moment, I went as my "one year ago" self....which totally counts.....kinda....

....not really.

This past weekend, Katie and I thoroughly explored the Southbank Christmas Market. You see, since the UK has no holiday to hold off their Christmas cheer (I'm looking at you, Thanksgiving) the spirit is already alive and thriving over here. This market is on the Queen's walk along the south side of the Thames. It was a morning/afternoon combo of perfect weather, friendly people, and way too much good food.

I can't over emphasize the quality and quantity of deliciousness available to me. There should be a tumblr solely dedicated to food from this market. 

Oh, and there was also the atmosphere. It wasn't bad.

To hoping Winter London suits me as much as Fall London,

Moments on the Map

In reflecting on how much life I've lived in my first three weeks of grad school classes, I realize that a blog entry detailing each and every memory will easily turn into a short(ish) novella. Therefore, I introduce a new blog series! (That's right, we're getting official with series and the like on here, y'all.)

1. Loughton - East 15

I can't even begin to wrap my head around the moments, ideas, et al. this place has already given me. For one, having a worldwide cohort provides amazingly unique learning opportunities. My classmates from Norway, South Korea, South Africa, Belgium, and Egypt (just to name a few) widen my views daily in the best ways.

Who's my favorite classmate, you ask? I don't play favorites! Jk, I totally do. Her name's JoJo the Roommate, also known as the best 1 a.m. dance partner ever.

"1st day of school, we're nerdy excited!"

"1st week is over, let's go party!"

"Jk, we're exhausted. Let's watch YouTube videos."

We're in class from 9 to 6 Monday through Friday which can be slightly...exhausting? Exhausting, but in the best possible way. Sometimes there's no better feeling than being bone tired from a day of doing what you love, amirite?

2. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - A Midsummer Night's Dream

On Wednesday night of our first week we booked it into the city to stand in the groundling line at the Globe for their production of Midsummer. Luckily we got right up next to the stage and had this view:

What's a groundling, you ask? What makes the Globe so important and nifty? Click here to read up a little on its history! What made the experience even MORE exciting was the fact that next time we're back at the Globe, we'll be on stage! We have a residency there in November/December that will end in a Saturday performance of two different Shakespeare shows.

Midsummer was ridiculously great. Puck and Bottom were completely fresh interpretations and Oberon was some kind of man beast I'd never seen.

Images via

3. Institute of Contemporary Art - screening of Lebanon Emotion as part of BFI's London Film Festival

Ben, one of my fellow classmates, starred in a movie that was screened at the British Film Institute's annual London Film Festival. What a privilege to get to support your peer at this experience! Plus, the film was really well done. Ben's work was fantastic of course (and I'm not just saying that, y'all).

4. St. James Theatre - Scenes from a Marriage

Unfortunately my phone died this night, but JoJo and I got some great TKTS tickets for this show last minute and loved it. It's a devastating, but completely engrossing performance. The trailer:

5. All Souls Church

On a rec from the states and the fact of it being right off the Central line, I decided to make All Souls my first church visit. It's a completely different experience for me to be in a house of worship with such a rich history in itself. (Click here to read up a little on it.) During the first service, I met a guy from the Bahamas, two men from Ghana, and an Indian couple. We sang in French and the message focused on missions to Europe. Needless to say- wonderful experience.

6. Stratford City - Westfield Shopping Centre
This is the nearest mall to us and is super conveniently located on the Central Line as well. It's one of the largest shopping areas in Europe and is located right next to Olympic village. Whether it's to go get a charger for my mac or an actual winter coat, I'm all over this place. Let's be honest- it just reminds me of 'merica.

Olympic athlete-signed cups at Starbucks

So that's just a bit of what my last three weeks have been comprised of! I hope you liked these first moments on the map. Am I forgetting to blog about something important? Do you have questions that I have very clearly missed answering? Lemme know, y'all. It's casual.

To the many blessings I'm experiencing daily,