What a difference an audience makes

Tonight we have an audience for the first time for our final orchestra dress rehearsal. I hope that it will bring a newly added "life" into our production. By this time in the process I think that everyone feels we could have been ready weeks ago, whether that may or may not be true... But, tonight we have the opportunity to touch people. Wait, that sounds awful, but I mean it in the best way! It might be one of the most challenging things for a singer - to emote and connect this beautiful music and text, but alas, with no one in the audience!? Its really not the applause (which, I'm not gunna lie, is nice) ...but its more about having the opportunity to interact with the audience on a much higher level that only music can do.

I'm now at the theater in my dressing room. I truly enjoy being in the theater and having the opportunity to focus before a show - whether that means warming up, having a quiet moment to yourself, looking through the score in preparation, or all of the above.

As for other news, my team, the Dallas Cowboys ended up losing to the Washington Redskins this past week in a well fought battle on the grid iron. To all my D.C. readers (hi Kim) - this will NOT be the last you hear from the Dallas Cowboys!! They need to quit worrying about how many touches that TO gets and just play the game. Uggh, I guess that politics are everywhere right now...