Big Days for Big Shoes

This post is from Cameron MacManus. He is pictured here being hoisted up by the other Open Dreamers in the role of Alexander.

This week we are starting to take Big Shoes on the road. There is something really cool about meeting in the UNCSA parking lot before dawn. The air has this certain energy and a feeling of anticipation at the approach of first light. Still, the cast predictably looks a bit groggy. Everyone sips on a morning coffee or breakfast smoothie and compares notes on sleep quantity and quality. Then, right at the appointed time, we all pile into the van and head out on a new adventure. Some of the passengers stake out a space to sink down into for a few moments of repose. The van rolls into a school or theater parking lot and we all work to unload the gear, arrange our props, and then get our voices and limbs in working order. When showtime arrives we are ‘on it’ - ready to spring into action to deliver a performance that will stick with our young audiences forever. Today we were in Hickory, and then it's on to Mocksville and Cherokee. I have such wonderful memories of exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway and swimming in a frigid creek with last year's cast, and I hope we will have the opportunity for a hike with the entire cast during the mountain portion of our touring schedule this year. Time to catch some ZZZs. There is a big day ahead!