I now understand the importance of Days Off.

So, 80 Days closed. As soon as the curtain went down, I switched over to being SPTP Coordinator full time.

literally, full time. I've yet to have a day off (so, I've been at work for 2.5 weeks straight now, averaging about 90-100hrs/week), and I cannot wait for one.

The work i'm doing, while keeping me very busy, is also keeping me very interested. I've got several projects that i'm juggling, so let's just say I don't have time to get bored.

One of my major projects is acting as labor manager for the summer apprentice company. There are 24 acting apprentices here this summer, and part of their weekly schedule is to put in crew hours. I'm in charge of getting all crews together, tracking how many hours people work, and doing the followup to see how the crews worked.

Another is working with the Next Stage Ensemble, the summer touring company that STNJ produces. Last summer I managed the tour for NSE, and i'm acting as part of the production management team for it this summer. It's interesting to see the process of mounting a tour from a different perspective.

I'm also acting as mentor for the Stage Management interns who are here this summer. This means being available if they need to talk about work problems, answering questions they have about, well, anything, and leading/organizing weekly seminars for them. In general, I really like this aspect of my job, I like being in contact with more people that just the ones I see in the office everyday.

Being a mentor for the SM interns has also presented me with what might be the largest challenge I face this summer. One of the interns came here with the goal of deciding whether or not she wanted to pursue a career in stage management. Since starting her major project, she has decided that stage management is not a job for her (which is honestly a very sane reaction...). I am now trying to figure out how to work with her, and keep her motivated enough to do her job.

Coming up in my work: on Sunday i'm leading a symposium with the cast of The Little Foxes (currently on our mainstage) for all of the people involved with the summer intern program. (I vacilliate between being excited, scared, and apatheic about this). Also, We tech The Tempest, which will be playing on our Outdoor Stage, as well as The Odyssey, which will be one of the 2 shows that Next Stage tours with. On the same weekend. gulp.

Things in my life i'm looking forward to:
- Seeing some of the Michaels this weekend!!
- Hopefully getting to talk to Ben on the phone soon.
- Going to Michigan for Steve's wedding - which also means seeing some old friends!!
- Seeing some of the Gallis this summer ?!?!
- I'm working on arranging a day either at the Jersey Shore, or possibly at Six Flags with some work friends!