Sophomore Year Featuring A Pandemic!

I just finished my last paper of sophomore year and boy oh boy was it a beast.  That is fitting though since sophomore year was similarly beastly.  A lot happened in a few short months and when I say it went by in the blink of an eye, it truly did. . . thanks COVID.  That being said, lets take this month by month.

August
I came to campus bright and early so that I could work Arrival Survival (move in) at Pitt.  I was super generous and gave people an extra 15 minutes to unload their car. . . until I realized I did the math wrong and actually gave them 15 minutes LESS to get unpacked.  Honestly that was probably my biggest whoopsie moment of the year.

September
I really don't remember much about September except that within one week of class I already knew I was going to love most of my classes (except you rhetoric).  Rhetoric and I have some issues with one another.  I went to exactly 2 football games before deciding that they're not my thing.  I also started rehearsing in my second super artsy German play!  More about that later though.

October
Can you believe it is already later? In October I opened Dr. Faustus Lights the Lights directed by Christopher Staley.  MIHA was my most challenging role to date.  The language of the show was comparable to a crazy complicated Dr. Seuss and to go with that my character switched between 4 personalities.  It wasn't a pretty performance, and it wasn't supposed to be.  I finished the run being the most proud of myself I had ever been after a show. I also finished having to go to the chiropractor.  Wearing one stiletto is not spine friendly. I miss my extra leg, Gertie.  I am thinking of you Gertie. Halloween was spent watching Mean Girls on tour with my best gal pals! So fetch.


November
Ahh that glorious after show slump.  It's okay though because I kept busy enough that I didn't even notice it.  I had the awesome opportunity to do a staged reading of an honorable mention at the Pittsburgh Young Playwrights Festival!  I also watched quite possibly the funniest dinner theater style show I have ever seen.  I got a tattoo on a spot that is physically impossible for me to see without assistance but I love it nonetheless. During Thanksgiving break I learned that my mom taught Humphrey how to bark in a whisper.  Such a good boy.
 *Please note this picture is graduation and the picture next to December is actually for January.  My brain is tired.
                                       

December
I went to a fun and spunky college graduation. I guess Alex knew a pandemic would hit and decided to graduate in December to avoid an online ceremony.  Then, I tried to start working at my former restaurant of employment, but nobody answered my texts or calls so I had a funemployed winter break.  I watched the entirety of "Victorious" on Netflix, ate too many cookies, and finally decided to just go really blonde.  By the end of the month I was more than ready to get back to Pittsburgh and school.  I complain about being busy but I really do love keeping my mind occupied.

January
I am like 90% sure nothing happened in January but I started at Make-A-Wish so that was pretty cool.

February 
Oblivion directed by Sean Cook! I have never been in a show with this few people and it was a really cool experience.  Just four actors on stage making art and fun and memories.  This was a dynamite cast and the script is so raw and real.  I am in the process of convincing theaters in Erie to take on this script, because everyone needs a little Julie and Jesus amiright? I also made my singing debut at Pitt with a fun lil' cabaret that Kate got to see since she was in town visiting.

March
March started off so strong.  I rang in the month at midnight March 1st celebrating my 20th birthday with friends.  I just participated in my first Redeye, was going to see a show the next day, life was good.  My roommate Megan and I signed our lease the day before we left for spring break and that was the best decision we made all year because when spring break came it never left.


April
[redacted]


Nah, I'm just kidding.  God though that is truly what this month has been like.  After getting over the haunting, never-ending anxiety of March, I put my mind to finishing the school year.  I applied for things I never thought I would do and actually saw my goals work out.  I got on E-Board for the Musical Theater Club and got a fantastic scholarship from the Theater Department.  April is almost over though, as is my internship.  Who knows what the next few months in the midst of a global pandemic will look like.  I'm trying to stay positive!


Stay safe and remember that there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel,
Sam