Day Eight -- Thursday

Newsflash
Today was our first full day with the Blue Cast in town. Despite having double the people with whom we share showers, cafeteria space, and attention from the directors, Natalie and I have discovered something amazing from these new arrivals: there are no glaring flaws in our social skills. The week previous, we have tried starting conversations, talking to people, etc. but have struggled to make friends. We were worried about this and wondered if we came off as grumpy, unapproachable, or intimidating. But today, we've made friends with several Blue Cast members who were easy to talk to and fun to be around. So the newsflash is that when conversations don't go well for us, it's not our fault. End of story.

Temple Mayhem and (you guessed it) laughing
Tonight was dress rehearsal -- one of the most exciting nights of my experience in Nauvoo. It was the first time we combined every element: lighting, costumes, hair, make-up, blocking, singing, props, etc. to run the show without stopping. Our energy and the Spirit were both very high, and all was going perfectly until the temple. Just like every other year and every other night, the moment when the temple finally went up in it's glory (and it is glorious -- see lds.org for pictures) was one of the most touching parts of the show. Tonight, however, the emotion was tinged with humor as Natalie and I looked back to our temple that was hanging completely lopsided on the stage right-most panel. It was hard to look back longingly at something that was hanging so awry. Being the improvisers we are, Natalie put her head on my shoulder and "cried," if you know what I mean, and I turned my back to the audience (and toward the temple), bit my lip as hard as I could, and tried very hard not to burst out laughing. Luckily, this moment was right before we had to leave the stage, where we were able to gain our composure.
*side note: This has luckily never happened during an actual performance. Only in front of the 1700 people that showed up to our "closed" dress rehearsal. :)