Where do I start??

You could say this adventure started when I was really young.  But I would rather jump to 2006.  In 2006 I started at Columbia College Chicago in the ASL-English Department.  I was crazy clueless about ASL, Deaf Culture, Interpreting etc.  During my second semester (which now its 2007) I learn about the National Theatre of the Deaf.  Having a BFA in Theatre and wanting to do Theatrical interpreting I thought "wow that would be a cool job".

Jumping ahead- I am reading the Alumni News from The Theatre School, and I read that a student who had just graduated was about to become the President of NTD.  I was SO excited!!  Now its 2009 and I am volunteering at The Deaf Illinois Awards.  At this awards NTD/LTD (National Theatre of the Deaf/Little Theatre of the Deaf) were performing.  AND the current president was at the event.  Towards the end of the event I went up and very nervously introduced myself.  I started the conversation with "You went to DePaul right?"   But because of my nerves I think I spelled DePaul wrong!!  Ha!  We chat for a short time at one point I said I want to work for NTD.  (NOW you see where this is going!!) 

I stayed in contact with the president and finished up my studies at Columbia.  Due to laws in IL graduating and jumping right into an interpreting job is a bit tough.  I was encouraged by an amazing mentor to get involved with a theatre program here in Chicago who were looking to find ways to merge working with their deaf and non deaf clients.  The Theatre Arts Program with Thresholds and Trilogy works with adults who have mental illnesses.  I jumped at the chance and had a crazy 5 months working with this group.  We created a new show called "Maybe in a Moment".  It was filled with personal stories written by the cast, movement and songs.  

In April I received an email from the NTD President asking me to audition for the company!!  I was florid!!  Shortly afterwords I received another email:

I'd like to offer you a position as an actor in our Little Theatre of the Deaf company for this coming season's tour. If you accept the offer, please contact...  

IF I accept??? Sorry but this is a no brainer!!  YES I accept!!  

SO This is where the New Adventures begin!  

In Aug I move out of Chicago back to Mich to my parents home.  From there I move to Connecticut and start the adventure.  I am going to use this blog to write about my adventures and where I am touring and "all that jazz".

I am still in a state of shock and excitement and all the feelings you have when you move into a new adventure.    

Here we go........