It has occurred to me that there are a lot of newbies in Smash this year, and because I love you all I am going to make you a list. A list of “what?” you may ask? I’m going to make you a list of things I wish I had known when I started Smash a few years ago. Note that some of it is a joke, but some of it is real advice I suggest you take. Enjoy!

1. Learn your lines! Now, I’m sure your thinking “I know, I know!”   It is REALLY important that you have them down cold AT LEAST a month before the show.

2. Though Shakespeare is dead, Pastor Sam often makes statements like “Shakespeare hates…”  and “Shakespeare would never..” regularly, so just go with it. Don’t argue, just go with it.

3. Shakespeare HATES gum! So please, try your best not to be the one caught with the pink sticky stuff in your mouth. Because if you are, you better be prepared for a lecture.

4. Unless told not to, ALWAYS stand in a 3/4 stance on stage. This means with one foot pointing to the audience and the other to who ever your character is speaking to.

5. Never stand with your back to the audience. Just don’t do it.

6. Just accept that Smash will take over all your spare time. No exceptions.

7. On performance night PLEASE remember to brush your teeth, wear deodorant, shower, and wear clean underwear. I know you will be rushing around, trying to get your stage make up, costume, and hair ready but it is SUPER important that you remember to make time to do these 4 things.

8. Keep your health high on your priority list. Eat well, get plenty of sleep, drink orange juice, and take your vitamins. We do NOT need a sick cast member on show night.

9. Pastor Sam is your director, and he has a pretty good idea of what will make you and your part shine. So take his advice, no matter how silly you feel.

10. Don’t be afraid to make small suggestions and ask questions about your role.

11. Remember to pack nice snacks during “crunch week.” You don’t want to be hungry
or drained. Trust me, its gonna be a long week.

12. Get in character! But first, get to know your character.

11. Be social! What fun would Smash be without all  the fun and laughter?

12. If your costume is too big or too tight, SAY something about it! You do not want to be uncomfortable on show night. Not to mention, our costume ladies are pretty much made of awesome.

13. Be nice to your Mum, she does a lot for you, especially when it comes to Smash. Same goes for your Dad of course.

14. Be nice to all the other cast members, you will be working pretty close with them, so make them your friends not your foes.

15. PROJECT! Speak clearly and loudly! We want to understand you!

16. A romantic role can be awkward, I understand, but have fun with it! Remember you are in character.

17. Embrace your character. Even if you are a gorgeous young lady and you are playing a smelly old male role.

18. If you need help with lines, or just about anything else, talk to the other cast members. We are all here for each other!

19. Remember Christ is the reason we do this,  we are here to let Christ’s love shine through everything we do.

20. Your directors love you, they want you to be the best you can be. So if you feel like they are pushing you, it’s only because they know you can be amazing! And they strive to push you to be your best!

21. Altoids, mouth wash, and Tic Tacs are your best friends. Pickles, onions, and garlic are not.

22. On performance night we will be packed into a small stuffy room we call the “Sardine Can.” It is VERY important to be as quite as possible when in the Sardine Can because the audience will be able to hear you.

23. Remember that you are in charge of making sure you have your props in place on show night. Props are not toys. Above all, be there for your cues!

Like all good stories, I will start at the beginning and end somewhere close to the end. I suppose the beginning starts with my love affair with the 1950′s.  One day I was at the local Barns and Noble and saw a book, Barns and Noble is in fact filled with such things, but this book was special.This book was plastered in photos of Marilyn Monroe. Now don’t get me wrong, I had seen pictures of the glamorous Monroe many times before, but never had I seen her like this. She was so beautiful in every picture. I flipped through every page fascinated by her wild blonde hair, lovely red lips and stunning figure, but more then that, I loved her clothes.

The early 1950′s was just so dazzling. I knew from that moment on I wanted to look like those girls. But I had one problem, I didn’t have the money to spend on such a retro look.  So instead I did what I always do when I see something I really truly want, I googled it, and googled it, and googles it. I must had seen a billion sites and looked through dozens of magazines and store windows just dreaming about my future look.

Then one of my dear friends called me with the news, his sister had dropped off a box of stuff, and inside was a retro 1950′s dress! I’ve never been so excited about a box of hand-me-downs is my life. I hopped on over there as soon as I could, burst through the doors, and went straight for the cardboard box sitting on the table.  There it was, covered in glamorous spots. 

Hand-me-downs can be cool.

Thank you for reading! Let me know in the comments if you or a loved one have ever made “art” on a weird surface as a child, I’m itching to know! Please don’t forget to look before you sit, eat fruit and make Mason feel famous and subscribe!

Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to subscribe and make my boys feel famous!

This post may have a part 2 if I find the frog, so stay tuned! Leave me comment if you have any idea where “Zombie Frog” could be and don’t forget to make Mason feel famous and subscribe! Thanks!