It's MAGIC time...not really......

17 years.  

That is the number of consecutive years I have performed in Ballet Etudes' production of The Nutcracker...

...and this is the first year that I am not having much fun.

Performing?  Great!!!  Love it!  Bring on that applause and laughter.

Juggling a high-stress, full-time job with another high-stress, seemingly full-time job?  Not my favorite thing in the world.

With the current state of the economy, I have been in overdrive for the past five months figuring out marketing plans that will prevent BE from falling into a pit of small audiences and devastatingly low revenue.  Fortunately we are doing better than expected which is allowing me to sleep a tad better.  

But then there are the nearly constant phone calls from cast and company members (remind me to never again give out my cell phone number!), late night calls asking for me to write up contracts (hmmmm that's NOT in my job description but no one else wants to take responsibility anymore), feeling like a full-time chaperone (even for ADULTS!) and of course, dealing with stupid STUPID people.

Back in the good ol' days we had 9 shows over a 2 week span.  It is now 17 shows over 4 weeks.  Tomorrow marks the end of our last weekend in Chandler then it's over to the Mesa Arts Center (READ:  "hell") we go.  

::breathe::

Ok, I feel surprisingly better now. :)

It's time to type/print contracts, work on our Good Morning Arizona appearance next Tuesday, set up comp tickets, and print 300 ticket coupons.  Then it is back to the theater for another fun-filled day...

...at least I get to do this: