Sausages

Sorry again that i haven't been posting but it has been a busy week so I am trying to get as much rest as a can. So I will try my best to catch you up on the past three days. Thursday we had acting class, where we finished up doing the monologues that we all did. After lunch we had rehearsal then, a guy from New York came to talk to us about his company. It is called The Civilians: Investigative Theater. It was really interesting. He talked to us about of they write all of their shows from interviews that they take on a certain point. After dinner we had more rehearsal which was followed by a dance performance. Two companies were in the performance: Nashville in Motion and Dance Theater of Tennessee. It was interesting; there were some good parts and some really good parts and then some not so good parts. All in all I was glad we were able to go. The next day, Friday, was rehearsal all day. There were points were we were all in Anon(ymous) and some points we were all in Cindy which was nice to get some time in the other show. We got a lot done. We did a hole run through and then a scene by scene to see where we all were at the beginning and the end of each scene. Then today, Saturday, we had a mime class from 9-12. It was a lot of fun, I got a lot out of it. The guy, Bill Bowers, was really fun and really good at what he did. He has been in the Lion King on Broadway and he is the mime in the party scene in Two Weeks Notice. We are getting to meet all these people are in the business like it is so cool just to get to meet these people let alone get to work to them. We then had rehearsal in which we started working with a fight choreographer, well I didn't start working with him, but other people did. It was so much fun to watch the process taking place right in front of us. He just came in, we told him about what was happening in the scene and the relationships and he just went. Now I am sitting in the laundry room doing laundry for the third time while I have been here. We have free time until 7:30 when we go to our second make-up seminar. Then we are done. WE GET TO SLEEP IN TOMORROW!! I am so excited. We don't have to anywhere until one. OH, it is so nice. This week is going to be so intense. We are driving to Nashville everyday as a tech week. We are leaving here at 7 and then staying there until 9 or later which will be tiring, but we need to do it, and I can't imagine us not having fun on the bus rides there. So there you go three days in one paragraph. So you keep reading and I'll keep writing. Until next time...

Suddenly I See

I know, I know. I haven't been writing much lately and that is because I don't really feel the need to. Nothing really exciting is happening, and i feel like there isn't a reason to write anymore, but I felt like I had to today cause I hadn't in a while. I guess the last time i wrote was Sunday. Wow, Sunday feels like a long time ago. Monday we woke up and had a dance class, then rehearsal, and then lunch. During lunch i went to check my mail and I had two letters. I LOVE GETTING MAIL. It is so much fun. I don't think there is a better way of showing some one you care while they are away then sending them a card. It really shows you care. Every time i get one my day gets ten shades brighter. I think one of my really good friends and I are going to become pen palls which is really exciting. We then went to theatre apprec where I wrote some letters. We then had rehearsal for the rest of the day with a performance that night. That might we went to the Nashville Film Festivel, well they came to us. They sent us some films or something like that and we got to see some of the winners. SOme of them were really interesting, some were scary, and some were really, really good and then others were all three. Then we woke up the next morning and went to theater class were we are talking about Shakespeare, and as once said on Will and Grace "This is hard!" It is not a easy thing at all, but we are learning so much about it. Mark is a really good teacher, and knows how to say everything in a way that we understand. The rest of the day was rehearsal, nothing else. We basically had a ten and a half hour rehearsal with two meal breaks. They are all fun though, it is my favorite part of the day. So to have it all day long was like a dream come true. Now to today. We had dance class this morning which was really challenging. Then we got to have a Q&A time with all the G-School faculty, which was awesome, and a great learning experience. I am learning so much here. Stuff i don't think i could've gotten any where else. I mean these guys have done it, and are doing it, who better to learn it from. We then after lunch had a quiz show game thing in theatre apprec. And whose team won...oh wait...MINE!!! Then for the rest of the night we had rehearsal. Today we all had this very sad realization that this is all going to be over in a week. I am really going to miss all of these guys. Not seeing them everyday, and not walking to breakfast with them, and not going to rehearsals and classes with them; it is going to be really weird. I am really dreading the day when I have to leave. I mean i want to see all of my family and friends at home, but it is all going to be really weird. But until then i guess i'll just have to soak up all the fun i can. So you keep reading and i'll keep writing. Until next time...

You Say Goodbye, I say Hello

Sorry for not getting a post up yesterday, not that anyone noticed or cared, but it was parents day so i was busy all day long. I woke up Saturday thinking it was going to be a good day, and whose was right...ME. It was a great day yesterday. It was actually a great weekend. Saturday I had a rehearsal in the morning, lunch, nap, then I meet up with my family. It was so exciting. It was great to get to see them. After the little meeting we had to introduce the factuality to the parents we were free. We drove out to Nashville and went to a mall. It was nice just to be away from it all; to have a break. We then ate at California Pizza Kitchen. We then got in the car and headed back, and I slept in the car. When then went to an ice cream place at an outside mall thing, and walked around. It was then time. We drove back to MTSU were we said good-bye one last time. It was bitter sweet, and I am going to miss them. Sunday was great. We got to sleep in. Yes you heard that right, we actually got to sleep in and you better believe that I, Jay Echols did. I went to bed at 12 and didn't wake up until 11:30; it was marvelous. I then took a shower and went to lunch. We had a make-up class after lunch were i discovered that I can't do make-up. We then had a rehearsal in which I didn't do much, but nonetheless it was still fun; that just shows how much I love our rehearsals. After that we had free time until the talent show, in which I ate dinner and talked to people on facebook, and memorized lines, which are due by tomorrow. I think i will be good, but i still have some studying to do tonight. But that was it for today. Not that much at all, but it was still fun. I miss you all and I hope that all of you who read this blog will come see my final performance. If you want or need more information you can e-mail my parents, cause I probably won't get to your e-mail fast at all. But you can facebook me or text and I will try to get back to you, but you best beat is to talk to my parents. Thank you to all who take the time out of your day to read this blog. I know that it can be boring at times, but it is nice to know that some one cares about what I am doing here. Keep reading and I'll keep writing. Until next time...

My name is Roberto

Well today was kinda normal and quiet compared to the rest of the week. We had dance this morning which was better then some other days in my opinion, and after that we had rehearsal. In this rehearsal everyone came to our rehearsal and some lines were past out(there is a chorus in our show like in Shakespeare). It was so much fun. I love the way Mark, our director, is doing it, it's amazing. After lunch we had another musical audition work shop, which is always fun and interesting. Then the next thing was a split rehearsal where we finished working on my scene. I am so excited for this show. It is going to be so good. I can't wait for you all to come see it. After dinner we had free time until the honor's music concert, which was awesome. Two people played the marimbas and they were awesome; I want them to come play at my house all the time. I couldn't help but smile during most of it. OH it was so good. After that some of us had a costume fitting and I realize how ghetto public school costumes can be. I mean these are legit costumes. And that concluded my day. I then came back to the dorm ordered some pizza, hung out with friends, and then went to bed. But nonetheless it was still a good day at G-School. So you keep reading and I'll keep writing. Until next time...

RUN!!!

I am so terribly sorry that I didn't get a post up yesterday. I was so tired and the air conditioning doesn't work in my room and the hot computer was just making matters worse. So this will be a double dose blog where i fit two days into one post. So last night just after midnight there was a knock at my door. I didn't want to get up cause i was sleeping so i just laid there hoping that what ever it was would just go away. All too soon where my hopes smashed when another knock at my door accrued. I, in wishful thinking, stayed in bed again, this time thinking that they would go away or that my room-mate would get it. Neither of those happened when the pounding started; that is when i finally got up. I went to the door and looked through the peep hole. At twelve o'clock midnight, the person out side my door looked like David Couter. When i saw what i thought was him i reluctantly opened the door to see what had brought him to my room this late in the evening. When i opened the door i was surprised, relived, and intrigued to not find David, but a male councilors i had never seen before. He informed me that i was needed. So i searched my room to find my keys and a hoodie just in case it was cold in the night. I was then taken to the lobby of the dorm where a good, new friend of mine was waiting. We then got one other person, another new friend, and were driven to the theatre building, where we were sat down and talked to one by one. They told us that a kid had been kicked out, that we needed to stop whatever we were doing, and that if it continued we would be next. We then were driven back to the dorms and allowed to finish the rest of our night in peace. I then woke up and went to acting class where i got to do the monologue that we had to learn while we were here. I was very relived to get it over with, and i thought it went really well. People got where and who i was, which was the main goal. After class we had a rehearsal which was fun as always. We got to work on a really fun part of the show and we got to have a lot of creative input which was nice. That night i had two honor's rehearsal with a art gallery viewing in between. All of which was great. We got to see art work in progress which was lots of fun.

Now on to today. Today was pretty normal until the end. I got up this morning and then went to dance class which was rather frustrating. The Cindy cast has been learning the dances in their rehearsals. So they had new stuff and changed stuff the rest of us had never seen. So we we asked a question or just said what we knew was right some of the people got an attitude. I just don't get that. I mean it isn't their place. Then some people would be talking and sometimes he would get mad and then with some people he would just laugh with them. I don't like how it isn't consistent with everyone, but life goes on. The rest of the day was kinda normal: theater apprec., rehearsal for honors and the play. Then it happened. All the CCA kids were walking back to the dorms when Nick gets a call saying that some kids have run away and we are on lock down. That's we were started to hurry. We picked up our pace and when we where close to the dorms a woman told us that we needed to hurry and that walking fast wasn't hurry enough. So we then had to stay in our rooms until they came and got us for a meeting where they told us what was going on. I ensure you that i am OK. I am a little stopped up and my head hurts, but other than that i am just fine. So that's what you missed from yesterday and what happened today. You keep reading and I'll keep writing. Until next time...

Po-ta-to

Well today had some high and low levels of intensity. First in our dance class we did push-ups and sit-ups, slow and fast, and we did crunches and lots of stretching in second positions(which in the splits for those who don't know). It was so great to actually have a intense dance class. Then we went to Cindy rehearsal were we learned some of the songs we have to learn. It was great to get to sing bass with some other basses that can actually sing. After that we went to lunch which was awful. I don't know what it is going on besides G-school at MTSU, but what ever it is needs to stop cause there were to many people in there today. Most of the people in there were gross sweaty little kids. I don't know why they are there, and it has been rumored that there will be 680 kids there tomorrow for lunch. I don't think i will be able to handle that. I mean there was barely any food left today and when something new was put out a little ball of pudge would walk up and take it before you even had the chance and you had to be nice cause they were kids, but despite all of that i still had a good lunch time with my new friends. Yes you heard that right, i made friends. Jay Echols made friends ladies and gentlemen, and they are real too you can look them up on facebook if you doubt me. After lunch we had Theatre Appreciation, which i dose off in every time. I don't know what it is, but right at that time is when i get tired and i hate it i wish i didn't happen but it does. Free time was next, which here is like finding a normal person at CCA. That afternoon was filled with auditions that were optional. The first was for the talent show, i didn't do that. The second was for Honors. I don't really know how describe it, but 17 people auditioned and i was one of the 10 that were chosen. We are doing an improve show this Thursday night. Which i do believe you can some and see. After that we went to dinner than to "Hold Fast" which was a one man show that what it lacked in people kinda lacked in interest. Alright maybe that is a little harsh but it still wasn't the best thing i have seen, but it wasn't awful. But afterwards we got to have a talk back with him and that was really interesting. After that i had my first rehearsal for the honor's. That got out at 9:45 and then i headed back to my dorm. But as you can see i had some very high and very low points. But it was a really good day. I got two letters in the mail: one from my aunt and uncle and the second from the cast at lake winnie. both of the were so much fun to get. I love hearing from y'all. So you keep reading and I'll keep writing. Until next time...

Sorry

Today i got back from our trip to Atlanta; it was a blast. We got to see two shows. The first one we saw was "Slasher." It was not the best show ever. I won't go into the plot cause you guys can look it up, but it just wasn't good. The characters were great, they story was too weird, and the set was boring. After the show we stayed the night in a hotel. The next day we woke up and talked about the show with the entire group which was nice. We then ate lunch at Jason's Deli. We then headed over to see Shrew: The Musical. It was better than slasher but still not great. The story was changed to much, they went in and out of iambic pentameter, the songs were oddly placed, sounded the same and weren't very good. But the with all of that aside the trip was really fun. On the way there we each had to pick a favorite song and we took turns playing it for everyone. It was a really nice way of learning something about someone. The only really bad thing about the trip, well two things, was that they taped us in our rooms and then in the morning a hole hall of doors were untapped which meant that they might be sent home, but they didn't leave they're room. The second bad thing was that they treated us like kids on the trip. They made this big deal at the begging about how they were going to treat us like professionals and they didn't. They split some of us up in the theater because they thought we were going to talk. That just upsets me that they would think we were that rude to talk during some one else's performance. I mean we are theater people we know how it feels. But ya, i am still having a great time. I have made some really good friends. So good that it was indeed me and another girl that had to be separated. But i love getting comments on the blog it makes me feel like i am not just writing for the fun of it. So you keep reading and I'll keep writing. Until next time...

Blisters

Today i got my first blister. I share that so you will know that i am doing work. I am not sitting around i am actually doing stuff. Another thing that i am doing other than sitting is i am taking college classes and here is some of the great knowledge that i have learned while i have been here: some one is always better than you and that you can always get better; there is always something new to learn; that when you sing make it to where you have to sing or you will die. I do apologize for not posting last night. i am sure because i have so many readers that all of you were so disappointed that you didn't have something to read before go to bed. Well right now i am sitting out side in the hall while i am in rehearsal. Today was been great. I have laughed a lot and i got to sing today and people said i did really well. Tomorrow we are going to the big ATL and we get to see two shows. i am really excited about it. That is all i can think to tell you right now if you have any questions i will be gald to answer them. So keep reading and i'll keep writing. So until next time...

Quicky

So this is a quick blog before i go to bed. Today was wet. it rained almost every time i had to walk some where. So every time i changed i get wet again. it was exhausting. Although while walking in the rain with out an umbrella i started singing a song that i made up about not having an umbrella and i became quite fond of it; I'm not so sure about the people around me though. Other that that though today was great. I found out that I am the evil guy in the play, Mr. Zyclo. I am really excited about doing it. Then in tonight's rehearsal we did this awesome awesome exercise that i don't remember the name of, I'll get back to you with that. But it was so much fun. It is hard to explain and since i am tired i don't feel like tying it all, but I'll tell you about it at a later date. It was a good day. So keep reading and I'll keep writing. Until next time...

"Audition"

Day number two started off a little hectic. I set my alarm last night, but my room mates alarm is set for earlier then mine and always wakes me up, so in true Jay form i went back to sleep after realizing that his alarm is not the one i have to wake up too. So then i wake up a couple minutes later and my alarm is still not going off, so i reach over to my classes, put them on and see that my alarm is already going off, but that it is just super duper quiet. So i quickly get my stuff and go to the bathroom to get ready for my day. When i get in there i discover that both of the showers are taken and that there is already someone in line, so i get a little worried that i am going to be late. But, being the totally calm and collected me i just start doing other things i need to do: i brush my teeth, i put my contacts in, stuff like that. I got everything done in time thought and i was outside to meet my friends at 7:15 on the dot. This morning we all had a theater class with the director from my show in which we did our monologues from auditions, which thanks to Mom and Dad, were successful. Everybody was really good. It was so much fun to see why everyone got in. It made me feel good to know that i am on the level of these guys. After that we went into rehearsal in which my cast finished our second read through/talk about. After we were finished doing that our director, Mark, let us out early. So i went to the post office thinking that i would be able to check my mail. Little to my know the post office is only open 8-4, too bad i have stuff to do all during those times. So, I'll just have to find a time to get my mail. After lunch included one last rehearsal for the night and fittings for costumes. During the rehearsal we had auditions. They didn't tell us they were but you knew. They had each of read for parts during a scene so we knew. That lasted the whole time and then we got to go sit and wait to be measured, which wasn't the best haven't other people see how big you are, but it wasn't awful. Then i walked about of the building and just stood there. It was dark. and i couldn't figure out exactly where i am. so i stand there. and i look one way, and then i look the other. so i decided to go right. After i start walking i realize that there is a group of people sitting outside that possibly saw me do that whole thing, but i just kept on walking. I eventually found my way back home and saw David outside. we came in thinking that we would be able to skype but the connection kept coming in and out so we finally gave up, and that put me where i am now. sitting here blogging and memorizing a monologue for class. But I am having a great time and yes i am eating well. So don't be worrying. Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts. Keep reading and I'll keep writing. Until next time.

This is the Real Deal

So i am sure you are all wondering what my first day included, well here you go. I woke up at 6:50 and yes mom and dad i did wake up when my alarm went off. I meet my friends to go to breakfast and then after that we went to get out MTSU student ID's made, but while waiting in the line they told us to come back at lunch cause it would be faster. So we head off to dance class. It was great. Richard is great, he is so much fun. The first thing we did was sit in a circle tell our name, where we were from, and an embarrassing moment, i couldn't think of a good one so i used Emma's chair one. We then got up and learned a combo. We went sorta fast, but it was great just dancing again, and i felt good about it. After dance we went straight into our cast meetings. All my cast did was play games, it was great. Then after lunch we went to a theater apresiation class. It wasn't the best thing ever compared to what we had been doing, but i am really looking forward to it. That lasted and hour and 45 minutes. Following that we went back to a cast rehearsal were my cast started by playing more games, one of which i won, and then we read through the script; it is AWESOME. It is going to be epic, i am so excited for it. After dinner we had one more rehearsal in which we read the script one more time and then we were done for the night. I went straight to my dorm cause i had some work to do. I had homework for the acting class we are taking tomorrow, and i had to rememorize a monolouge, so i got straight to work (with a little distraction from facebook, but that was ok.) But now i am sitting in my room with my room mate. I am having a great time and can't wait to see what else we do. So keep reading and I'll keep writing, until next time.

Day One

Today was my first day at G-School. We got here around 10:00 this morning(central time). We got here and went straight to registration. I got my t-shirts and a map and all that great stuff. We then went to go get a key to my room, I am in room 144. We then unloaded all my stuff and (in true Echols form) made a list of what was needed. Lunch and Target were next on the list. We then came back and went to a fabulous meeting to introduce us to the big cheese and her crumbs. Then I said one last good-bye to my parents and was left by myself and David's family. We went to eat lunch at Ruby Tuesday where I had a great burger with endless fries. It was great. We then went back to the dorm and said the last of the good-byes. I then came back to my room to see if my room mate was here and he was not so i went to David's room with him to meet his room mate who he had also not meet. With meeting his room mate we also meet some other theater and vocal people from his school and some dorms near him. They were all pretty nice. We then proceeded to dinner where I had nothing. We then all walked over to our theater meeting where they introduced us to everyone we will work with. We then were told whether we were doing the musical or the straight play, I am in the play. I am excited and disappointed. Excited cause I don't get to do this a lot so I'll get a lot out of it, but disappointed cause they told us that if we couldn't sing that well we wouldn't be in the play. I also brought a ton a music thinking I would be singing, but turns out I'm not, but in the words of so many wise teachers "take what you get and don't care a bit." I am not sitting in my room by my self hoping that my room mate, who I still haven't meet will show up. At 9:30 I have to go to a dorm meeting and then bright and early in the morning I have to be ready for pictures which I will leave to go to a dance class. I am trying to have to best attitude toward everything that comes my way. I thank you for all you prayer and miss you all. Talk to you again soon.

Good-Bye

If you don't know already know, during the month of June I will be at Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts. After auditioning for the dance, vocal, and the theater I am going into the theater department. Many people auditioned, but I was selected as one of the ten boys in the theater department. I leave Sunday, June 6 and get back Friday, July 2. So today was my last full day in Chattanooga until I get back, and let me tell you it was a good one. I am excited and nervous about this great adventure. Excited about learning more about what I love to do but nervous that my shy personality will over-ride my loud side and I won't meet many people, but I am sure that with God by my side I will have nothing short of a fabulous time. I will miss you all dearly and saying good-bye today was one of the hardest things I had to do. We all just have to remember that I am coming back; I am not leaving for good. So keep reading and I'll keep posting.