MA, Here We Come!

Hello friends!

So sorry for the gap in between posts, I've been working hard rehearsing the show and trying to sleep when I get the opportunity.

These past few weeks have been the most hectic weeks of my life. From learning all the blocking of the show to getting ready to head out on the road, I've never been so tired! Lynn Morris, the director of Up with People, arrived two weeks ago, and it's been non-stop rehearsing since then! "Go here, move that mic, stand on this x!" It's what makes a fantastic show, though! The most beautiful part of the process is the diversity on stage. Students representing 19 different countries makes for an incredible cast! I'm very proud to call myself a part of Cast B 2012.

Along with rehearsing, we've been participating in multiple workshops. Today, we learned what being a global citizen really means. It is an acknowledgement of our responsibilities to each other and the earth. It is understanding the need to confront injustice and inequality and having the desire and ability to work actively to do so. It is respecting and valuing diversity. Up with People teaches us to be global citizens. We explore the world and learn about cultures we may not know, and we learn to love every culture and learn how to appreciate our own culture more than we have in the past. Like our songs say, "we party all around the world" and we "come together and rise up".

We will be performing the premier show of Voices on Friday night, where our host families, parents and friends will learn and hopefully we will inspire. It has been a long journey and I am sure the show will be incredible. For now though, I'm going over my mic moves and lyrics!

Talk to you all soon,

Bonnie Waller, USA