Sommer and myself had a really nice morning on Friday, March 7. We went down to Grand Central Station right before lunch and observed all the people and the amazing architecture of the building. Next, we found the Whispering Corner where we were able to exchange a normal conversation while being on opposite sides of the room.  After we explored the Whispering Room, Sommer and I headed off to meet David for lunch at Monster Sushi. This was by far my favorite meal while we were in NYC and it was the BEST sushi I have ever had to date. I had a rainbow roll, California Roll, Alaska Roll, and Unagi (eel) sashimi. It was amazing and so fresh!! Once lunch ended, we parted ways with David and headed up to the Performance Arts Library by the Lincoln Center. This library was very immense and had a wide, variety of everything about performance, from dance to backstage. I particularly set out to find the book that one of my contacts had written, The Backstage Guide to Stage Management by Tom Kelly.  Now I unfortunately did not have enough time to read the book, but I was able to flip through and it was cool to see something that had been written on a topic that I am very interested about by someone I have just recently met. Once Sommer and I were done exploring the library, we got back on the 1 and headed down to Franklin St. to meet Jess and Lucia for coffee at Pecan.

 Meeting and talking with Jess was really great because she understood better where we all are now; seeing is how she was in our position not long ago. To be able to talk with someone who recently came from college and threw herself into the business was encouraging. She seems to be having so much fun and really enjoying what she is doing while in NYC. We had a really nice talk about living in NYC and starting to meet people and develop those working relationships, but still had a little catch-up time. Once we finished our coffee she took us to The Flee, the theatre where she works. Right now she is SMing a show on their main stage. She gave us a tour of her booth, the stage, dressing rooms, the second stage, etc. Also, she introduced us to her boss who was very friendly and inviting. All the while she seemed so happy and proud of where she worked and I really appreciated seeing her joy.

 When we left Jess and The Flee, we ventured out into the pouring rain to head back uptown to meet William Lang, the PSM of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, at the Westside Theatre. Our talk with him was interesting to me becasue he has been SMing for the same show for the past 9 years and I was fascinated with how it was he keeps the job interesting and exciting on a daily basis. After the interview ended we met Lindsay at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. I have been to this restaurant every time I’ve come to NY and it is just a fun, high energy dining experience. However, I was still really full from my amazing sushi lunch so I didn’t eat that much, but I really just enjoyed the atmosphere. Anyways, dinner was a little rushed because we had to move off into the rain again to get to the Ethel Barrymore Theatre to see Nathan Lane in November. This show was HILARIOUS! I really enjoyed how the show ridiculed and mocked almost every political view without really ever causing any offense. David Mamet was very clever and the actors did a great job in their comedic timing to enhance the humor. I really  enjoyed this show, therefore even though it was still raining outside I stood at the stage door to wait for autographs. Laurie Metcalf and Dylan Butler were very kind and stopped to sign our programs but unfortunately Nathan Lane was unable to stop and chat. After we received our signatures, I booked it back to the hotel for our discussion and to just get out of the rain…finally!!

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