Friends

This weekend we had our first visitors come see us from Kansas, our good friends that have become like family through our involvement with CYT Wichita.  

 Grace & Gracie love to read.  They are sweet little friends.

 Easy to see the acting bug is in each of these little characters!

 We have NO idea where they could have gotten it!  Oh My Cow!  :)

 (credit to Dean for this one:) Ladies and gentleman, the new cast of Sesame Street!  

 My dear friend Audra.

 The oldest & the youngest, Moriah & Savannah

 Even the dads are good friends....and so much alike it's scary!

 Gracie x2

 Wedgie moment for Luke

Girls really do just wanna have fun! 

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

CYT.

Christian Youth Theater.

Developing Character....One Stage at a Time

This is a picture of a few of the leads, including Annie, praying together before the show.  

Seeing kids look to God for strength and then give Him praise means A LOT to me!

Maybe...

So maybe now it's time, and maybe when I wake; They'll be there calling me "Baby"...Maybe.

This song is about a little girl who doesn't feel like the orphanage is where she belongs.  She pictures herself in a house all hidden by a hill with a mom that plays the piano and a dad that plays the bills.  

Annie was dreaming of what life would be like if she wasn’t right where she was.  Have you ever been in a place in life where you didn't feel you belong?   Maybe it was a place of pain or a place of hardship or a place you just didn’t plan on ending up.   Maybe it was a job that you didn’t get, or that part in the musical that had to have been written just for you…but then you saw the cast list.  Life is full of disappointments, but the good news is…that disappointment can actually be part of God’s plan in moving you to the next step of His best for your life and future.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

What we don’t see is what God sees.  He loves us so much and as our "Daddy", He wants the very best for us.  (Romans 8:15) He holds us in the palm of His hand and even though it wouldn’t seem that the orphanage was the best place for Annie at that time in her life… it was.  It was also good for the orphans around her that she was there.  She was a natural nurturer.  Who would comfort Molly if she hadn’t been there?  Maybe it’s more about how God can use us right where we are, while we are dreaming of belonging somewhere else.  Maybe it's more about how He's stretching our faith.  Maybe it's more about His will, than ours.  Maybe He allows you to go through the orphanage, so you'll come running into His arms, right where you've belonged all along. 

Maybe…

And [Jesus] withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. Luke 22:41-43


Added later:  Here is something that might put our disappointments into perspective: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate    
Please hold this family up in your prayers. 

CYT Class Peek...

Why does Mrs. Martin think tongue-twisters are so great?

Because they will teach you to E-NUN-CI-ATE!

If I want my diction to be clear and understood-

Lips and teeth and tip of the tongue will help it to be good!

Audition 101 for Kids

Luke & Grace are choosing songs this week to audition for the next show, Seussical. Auditions are in 4 weeks, but it's important to have this song completely memorized and ready to perform, so practice makes perfect!

Choosing songs:

• First time auditioners should choose songs they already know well. We want them to feel as comfortable as possible with what they are singing, knowing they'll be nervous enough being the first time.
• It's best to choose a song from a musical or Disney movie.
• Consider what musical you're trying out for when choosing a song. Don't use a song from that musical, but in the same or similar style of the musical you're trying out for. If you're not sure, search youtube for some high school performances, like this one.
• Find books with CDs like this one, you can practice with that have many songs that you know to choose from. You'll get your money's worth, the more you know & use.
• Find songs in your vocal range; not too high, not too low. Do choose a song that shows how high you CAN sing or how low.

Once you've chosen your song:

• Cut it down to 1 minute. Find the 60 seconds of the song that will show what you've got the best and not seem abrupt coming in or finishing. Have an adult help with this.
• Listen to the demo for the first 5-10 times until you know it well enough to do it with only the accompaniment.
• Copy the accompaniment song onto a blank CD so that it's the only song on the CD. You might want to make a few copies: for the car & for your room.
• PRACTICE EVERY DAY!!!

The way you practice is the way you'll perform it! So remember to practice with these things in mind:

• Sing the notes' full value. Never cut a longer note short, and vice versa. Hold those whole and half notes out and show off your tone!
• Sing at full volume! Don't scream or push too hard, just sing at the highest volume your voice will allow to show that you can sing to the little old lady on the back row of the auditorium!
• Sing so she can understand every word you sing! It's so important to spit out the words! Use every muscle in your mouth to enunciate the words. Even if you can't carry a tune, spit out the words. This shows that you can also speak/act on stage as well!
• Memorize your words and make sure every note is on pitch before adding movement.
• Act out your song! Use hand motions in simple ways. I suggest one per phrase.
• Express your song's emotions on your face! Use your eyes. They are your biggest asset. If your eyes tell the story, the director will want you for a part. Eyes are important!!!
• Practice your audition in front of a mirror. Watching yourself might enlighten you on how you actually look, rather than what you thought you looked like!!
• Practice in front of an audience. Ask family & friends to listen as you perform and ask them to gently and kindly give you advice on what to fix and how to make your audition SHINE!!!
• Practice walking onto stage, smiling at the judges & introducing yourself. Announce your name, your age & the song you are singing. You are being auditioned from the moment you walk on stage. Have fun! Be yourself! SMILE!!!

Audition Day:

• Warm-up & sing through your song a few times, but don't tire your voice singing it all day.
• Drink water to stay moisturized. Stay away from cokes, pop, sodas...
• Choose an outfit that pops! Look like you care how you look. Make your eyes shine, by choosing a complimentary color...something that uniquely says "you".

Audition Time:

• If you watch others audition, don't compare yourself or your song to others. God made you unique and no one else can do what you can! Judges are looking at you for a specific part. Be who you are, so they can give you that part accordingly!
• Look at the back wall. Don't think about what the judges are doing or writing. You have no idea what they are thinking, so don't try. Just do your best.
• Pray. Ask God to calm your nerves, give you courage and strength to do your very best. He will! He gave you this gift and wants you to shine like the stars in the universe, so give Him your best!
• Remember that God already knows what part you're going to get, so leave it in His hands. Encourage others when they get the part you wanted, the way you'd want to be encouraged if you'd gotten it. (I've personally been on the end of meanness from girls who wanted the part I got. It hurts. Please remember that it's God who chose your part, not people, and give Him the glory.)
• Keep auditioning. Always have songs ready to use for your next audition. You will get better at it, but you cannot give up. Press on. Persevere. Have FUN!!!

Get your Tom Tickets!

Tickets available here!

CYT Wichita Presents....

Tickets go on sale today for THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER!

The Martin family would like to invite you to attend a performance of the fall musical "TOM SAWYER". Luke is playing his biggest role yet as JEFF THATCHER, Tom's nemesis and Becky's pesky brother. Luke actually gets to fight Tom Sawyer! You'll have to come to see who wins!

Grace is a Liberty Dancer & the most adorable school child. She loves getting to dance with her friends! You can see it on her face! Her favorite song & dance is Big Missouri! :)

Public Performances

Thursday, October 21st - 7:00 pm
Friday, October 22nd - 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 23rd - 2:00 pm
Saturday, October 23rd - 7:00 pm

Pre-Performance Ticket Info
Student 3-17 years old - $8.00
Seniors over 62 - $8.00
Adult - $10.00

Location: Newman University / De Mattias Performance Hall

Hope you can come! Please let me know which performance you'd like to attend & I'll reserve tickets for you, but I have to pay for them to reserve them so send your check asap made to CYT Wichita to me. (Comment & I'll send you my address if you need it.) The sooner you send, the better seats you will get. Comment or let me know if you have any questions or see the NEW & Improved CYT WICHITA WEBSITE! You can order tickets there too, but our family won't get credit & we are required to sell 15, so ask me first! :)

CYT NARNIA

Daddy & his beautiful little flower fairy (without her wings)!!!

Luke (a Cruelie) & his buddy, Stephen (a Wolf)

Grace and her friends, Nissi & Annie

Another shot of Luke & his cruelie buddy, Luke

CYT is a lot of work for the parents, but this is why we do it.

Amazing Christian friends that become family....

CYT....developing character one stage at a time.

I believe it.

Show Week

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives....

• Everyone getting up around 9 or 9:30 these days after getting home at 10:30ish from rehearsals
• Getting as much done as possible with occasional nausea and no energy in the morning
• 1:30 Start the transformation process of turning Luke into a kind-hearted blond preteen into an old, green, black-haired ogre. Picture to come...
• 2:30 Start the addition process of turning sweet little Grace into a sweet little flower fairy with gold eyelids, glitter on her face and hair, which goes into a sweet little ballerina bun on top of her head. Picture to come...
• 3:30 Gather snacks for dinner and get costume undergarments on...
• 3:50 Leave for Newman University
• 4:25 Check in...
• 9:45 or 10 Back home to start this day again until...

Thursday & Friday: School show performances, & call time is 8:30AM (ouch!) and make up/hair will have to begin here at 6:00am. Pray for us. No, just pray for me.

CYT Presents...

Grace is a flower fairy and Luke is a cruelie.

Watch for them in the the Christian Youth Theater Spring Musical!!!

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES
Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 7:00PM
Friday, May 21, 2010 at 7:00PM
Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 2:00PM and 7:00PM

Tickets go on sale April 29, 2010 at $9/adults and $8/students (18 & under).

Please let us know if you'd like to go. We can order tix for you.

Narnia in May

Mark your calendars for the next Christian Youth Theater production!

Luke & Grace have been working hard rehearsing 3 nights/days a week.

They love it!

Tickets will go on sale April 29.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Peanuts Gang. Music. Wonderfully Talented Kids. Fun times with my Gracie Girl.

This is my life right now.

And I love it.

Coming Soon...

Mark your calendars for Christian Youth Theater's Winter Production "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown", musically directed by yours truly. Grace will be auditioning Friday, so please pray for her.

Performances are February 25-27. Let me know if you'd like tickets.