Over the summer after sophomore year, I moved into my first apartment and got a job as a camp counselor at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center working with K-1 kids on science related programs, and I got a job as a server at 411 West Italian Cafe. Morehead was a great program to be a part of because I got to interact and be silly with the coolest and most intelligent kids I’ve ever met. I also had the pleasure of being introduced to two amazing ladies Karen and Kristen! Karen was a coordinator of the summer camp and Kristen was the sensational materials manager! There was an instant connection between us all at once! Now Kristen is in Chicago teaching and Karen is headed off to Costa Rica! What exciting lives we lead! Thanks for helping to make Morehead a home!
 The three of us Morehead staff at the Durham Bulls Baseball game! |  Karen and I on my last day at Morehead. |
I have been at 411 for almost two years now and I have truly loved the relationships I have formed both with fellow staff members and members of the Chapel Hill community. The management and staff have been very supportive of my artistic ventures. Alex, Vahid, Tmac, Lutz, Taylor, Jordan, Deborah, Abby,Trey, Claire, Andrea, Patrick, Brittany, and so many more, you have made my time incredibly memorable and I hope to one day be fortunate enough to find a similar establishment that brings me such joy. Not to mention, 411 West has a killer menu, it has been amazing to eat all of the wonderful dishes for the last two years! I could not have been more excited to have my graduation dinner there.
Me, Lutz, Vahid, and Tmac at the opening night gala for "Diary of a Somebody." Amazing people.
My junior year at UNC started on the highest of notes! I had auditioned at the end of my sophomore year for a New York based theatre company called “Ground UP Productions” which is run by Kate Middleton who is a well-accomplished actress, director, and artistic director. The group consists of a bunch of UNC Alumni and puts on shows as well as readings of new works and very often mounts them in NYC. I spent two weeks in NYC in Washington Square rehearsing Richard Greenberg’s “Three Days of Rain” with the amazing Kate Middleton, my best friend Melanie Johnson, and the wonderful Zac Moon.
 The gang in Madison Square park moments away from enjoying my first "Shake Shack" experience! |  A day of rehearsal in the city! Me, Mel, Kate, Catya, and Zach. |
 Stephanie Linas, Melanie Johnson, myself, and Ashley Gunsteen at the UNC Networking Party. Now all UNC Alumni! |  Members of Ground UP, the cast, and some crew for "Three Days of Rain" at the UNC Networking Party! |
The show was unlike anything I had ever done. It involved playing two different but related characters. If you don’t know Greenberg’s work go out and see something and read his plays, you will experience something profound. That production will always be so special to me because it formed my relationship with Melanie Johnson.
 Melanie and I in line to hear Michelle Obama speak at Carmichael Arena in 2012. |  Mel and I on graduation day walking to Kenan Stadium for the big event! May 12, 2013. |
This girl is not only an incredible actress, and friend, but such a beautiful human. Her plans are sending her to LA after graduation and I could not wish her more success and happiness! All of the silly voices we put on, drag shows we attended, and dance floors we lit up have prepared us for this next step. I cannot wait till we share the stage or screen together again!
After the amazing time in New York, the shows, and the networking parties, we flew back to Chapel Hill and put on one hell of a show! And perhaps the most appropriate part of the whole Ground UP experience was that the show was right during a horrendous hurricane which detained several members of the artistic team. Regardless, we still had an incredible run and waited out the literal “three days of rain” in glorious celebration!
My thanks to the whole Ground Up team and Kate for opening their doors for undergrads and opening their hearts to us as friends. My love goes out to the entire company as we all recently lost the remarkable and irreplaceable Dan Wheeless. His work and his memory will live on in all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him. I dedicate this post to you Dan. Thank you for sharing your talents and your heart with us all.
After the amazing time in New York, the shows, and the networking parties, we flew back to Chapel Hill and put on one hell of a show! And perhaps the most appropriate part of the whole Ground UP experience was that the show was right during a horrendous hurricane which detained several members of the artistic team. Regardless, we still had an incredible run and waited out the literal “three days of rain” in glorious celebration!
My thanks to the whole Ground Up team and Kate for opening their doors for undergrads and opening their hearts to us as friends. My love goes out to the entire company as we all recently lost the remarkable and irreplaceable Dan Wheeless. His work and his memory will live on in all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him. I dedicate this post to you Dan. Thank you for sharing your talents and your heart with us all.
Dan and I after the closing night performance of "Three Days of Rain."
To be continued...
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