That's What Friends Are For

When I hatched this whole "Ooo! I'm going to move to NYC!" idea, my mother was, understandably, less than thrilled at first. Among her concerns, she was worried I'd spend much of my out-of-school time alone in my apartment or listlessly wandering the streets of the city. So, she bought me three goldfish. Radcliffe, Lola and Cosette (more effort was put into naming these fish than I like to admit). As of today, Lola is the only one still alive (go figure, the showgirl survives). We should have known that three fish for $1 was too good to be true. Good thing I don't depend solely on goldfish for an exciting social life....

So, besides having a handful of fellow CFHS graduates in and around the city whom I'm looking forward to getting together with sometime soon, and quite a few visitors in my first few weeks here (thanks Jackie and Susan!), I've managed to make some new friends in my on-camera classes. The professors of our section continue to comment on how "diverse" we are. And it's true. It's like the U.N. There are 13 people in my section and here's where each of us call "home": Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Italy (although he's the most New York-sounding Italian I've ever met....), Ireland, Iowa, Minnesota (woo!), Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, Miami and Brooklyn. Imagine the accents I hear everyday. Very entertaining.

Also, I'm SO lucky to have Joan and Katie, two of my dear "Drowsy Chaperone" cast mates, interning right across the street from my apartment.

 From the Minnetonka stage....

To TONY Award night in Times Square :)

There are lots of Shake Shack dates in our future :)

Lastly, my classmates and I have made friends with the many "ghosts" that inhabit the American Academy of Dramatic Arts Building. Seriously. The building was constructed in 1904 and was home to the Colony Club, the first social club for women in New York City. 

AADA Building - 120 Madison Ave.

With that kind of history, it's no surprise the building lends itself to great ghost stories.  Lights flicker, doors swing open and shut by themselves and unexplained shadows dart across the ceilings and stairway corridors. Our instructor actually called out a shadow going across the ceiling and told it to get out of class because it wasn't on the roster. Besides being a complete musical theater geek, I also LOVE a good haunting ;)

So, I already have a ton of people to call up in the city... including a few friendly ghosts and my good friend and neighbor, Harry Potter ;)

-B