Unscripted - A Blog for Actors - Backstage

You Gotta Earn It

When I was playing Little League as a child I could always hear my Mother rooting, "You gotta want it!" from the bleachers. The final weekend of our China tour wouldn't pass by without obstacles. I really wished she could be there backstage, cheering us all along.

Hong Kong

Our 15th and final city in P-Roc! A new excitement fills my body as I pass through customs for the first time in three and a half months. This is the city everyone in the Winnie the Pooh company has been anticipating. And we have a whole week and a half off!

Happy Kingdom

 
My bad. The Happy Valley here in Shenzhen is actually called Happy Kingdom; and for good reason! The place was absolutely huge. After our last show in mainland China, Isaac, Shavar, and I treated ourselves to a celebratory afternoon.

The theming was just as impressive as the sister-park in Beijing. There were many more sections here to explore, and just about as many people.

Shenzhen

Only three more weeks in China! Besides the excitement of returning home, Shenzhen held many exciting moments: our Halloween party, Happy Valley, the 60th Anniversary of New China, our 100th show, my first understudy appearance, and our final performance in Mandarin-Chinese.

Wuhan

 
In lieu of a weekend of shows, we spent our mini-break in Wuhan. They call this place "The Oven of China". Thankfully that sold front was holding strong.

Things Change

 
Fifteen minutes before our check-out time in the lobby, the phone rings in our hotel room. Shavar looks at me, a concerned smile on his face. "Xi'an has been canceled. We are staying in Jinan."

Jinan

A nautious mix of excitement and nerves controlled my psyche Thursday morning. I would finally be getting approved in my understudy role. All I had to do was not screw up.

Obviously I can't be too specific about the details (that whole Disney Magic thing again), so I will just skip to the part where I proudly inform you that I was approved with flying colors! It was my first time performing in such a capacity, if you follow. It feels really great to tack another notch in my Winnie the Pooh belt of accomplishments. I believe I will place this one in-between my notches for tumbling and juggling.

Tianjin

In preparation for the Japanese portion of our tour of Asia in early 2010, I was able to film my first professional commercial!

Opening Night Party

Is two months into a tour too late to finally have your opening night party? Nonsense! After 64 performances in China, Winnie the Pooh celebrated the kick-off of the 2009-2010 Asian tour.

Happy Valley

Excitement rushes through my body as Shavar and I pull up in our taxi. The familiar sight of crowds of people and ticket booths in the morning light tickle me; I was at a theme park here in Beijing!