A Little Spring in January

Yesterday in NYC, it was so warm I was running around most of the day without a coat.  In fact, almost all of the last week has felt more like Spring, than the bleak, snowy sidewalks and freezing temperatures I'm used to experiencing this time of year in the city.  

I also got to experience a little bit of Spring at the beginning of January.  I recently flew back to Nebraska Wesleyan University, where I studied theatre myself, and helped choreograph and stage a production of Spring Awakening.  It was so much fun!!!  I absolutely loved sharing all of my Broadway experiences and getting to revisit an amazing show and one of the best jobs I've ever had!!!  

I could tell that the cast was so excited to be a part of the production.  With twelve-hour days, in just a couple weeks, we put together a beautiful show!!  By the end of my time at NWU, I felt like I really knew all the students and cared so much about them.  I was also sooo impressed.  All the students had so much energy, and were super talented and disciplined.  

One day, I taught them a little warm up using all the naughty words in the show and they surprised me with a rap song.  Yes, that is Wendla beat-boxing.  NWU's Wendla beat boxes.  This is gonna be one HOT production of Spring Awakening.  Enjoy the rap!!  If you are in the Nebraska area you don't want to miss this show.  

 

 

I usually have to brace myself for the depression that sets in after the holidays during the cold, dark winter months, but this year I've been so busy and happy and definitely enjoying a little Spring in January!

--  Emily Kinney

(Picture taken by me of my sweeet Broadway dressing room door.  It's so cool to think about all of  the fun times in that room getting ready to perform!)  

(A whole article about my time at NWU can be found here.)

P.S.-Do you follow me on twitter yet??  This week, I'm guest starring on Law and Order: SVU and moving into a new NYC apartment.   You don't want to miss all the updates!!  Tweet at me:  @emmykinney!!

Comments

[Justine]

Cool! I'm sure the Nebraskans were very happy to have you! And yes, winter can be such a dreary time, so good for you for putting such a positive/energetic spin on it. :)

[Van Rambo]

Hey Emily, just want to let you know that you've got a dude following ya from Denmark. Just saw the final episode of season 2 of The Walking Dead yesterday - I'm really excited to see you all again when the new season starts!

I found your blogging very interesting :), best wishes

[Anon]

Funny, we get summer in spring. Your work in WD season 2 was really good for the small parts you had so I look forward to a bigger role in S3. All the best from Scotland...

[Kendall]

Missing out on the updates hun. Hope everything is good where you are.

[Justine]

Emily! We miss your posts--please give us an update! :)

[Plan]

I was born and raised in New York, and I was offered an awesome job in journalism in Manhattan so I returned. Two things I definitely don't miss: 1) the freezing winters, with snow that turns into that nasty grey-black sludge on the streets and sidewalks, and 2) the filth of the city, from the familiar urine smell in the subways, to the piles of garbage that dot the sidewalks almost every day of the week, to the fact that rats are by far the most populous animal in Manhattan.

If you don't grow up here, chances are you've got a romanticized view of New York thanks to movies and TV. And New York is many of the things people say it is. But it's also disgusting, expensive, absurd and often infuriating.

When people move here from places like southern California, I always imagine what it's like for them that first winter, trudging out at 7:30 a.m. when the wind chill's ten below zero with bone-cutting gusts howling through the skyscraper canyons, the sidewalks are a sludgy goo, the subway smells like pee, and a pan flute band won't STFU on the platform.

Anyway, 2011-2012 was great as far as winter seasons go. No snow, temperatures in the 40s and 50s, and a ridiculously warm spring. If this is global warming, I love it.

[KarenGee]

Hi Emily, I want to know when is your real birthday date? I have looked at many sites and can not find it. i'm your fan #1.I created a page on FB in your honor. I <3 U

[John]

Emily... Emily... Emily... what a wonderful job you are doing with your music and in the role you play in a small little show called 'The Walking Dead'. Good luck in your endeavors.

[Anonymous]

#1. You're ugly as shit.
#2. You can't act to save your life.
#3. You can't sing either.

[Stacy Brasch]

Well, Emily, today, May 1, in Nebraska it's a little like January. Cold and, believe it or not, snowing. I don't know if you remember me, but I lived lived in Wayne until 2006. I am almost positive we went to church together and you and Sarah used to help at Vacation Bible School when I was in charge of that. I also think I coached you, her or both in swimming. I am so happy that a fellow Nebraskan is "making it" in show biz. I thought you looked familiar (I am a Walking Dead" fanatic, but would have never guessed why you looked familiar). We returned to Wayne the other evening for a friend's b-day party, and we got to talking about our favorite TV shows. That's how your name came up. Apparently a recent article in the Wayne Herald? I couldn't believe it. I don't know if you will receive this message or not, but kudos. Your fans in the heartland are proud. Maybe you can return to Wayne State sometime and teach a workshop on acting. Take care!