Well, hello all!

Soooo, this update is a little overdue. I admit that I haven't been too good about posting what is going on over here in Hankins-land…. Sorry. Forgive me? Hey, my forgetfulness is part of my charm. :)

Anyway….

So this is the latest:

1. I will be starting rehearsals tonight at Stevens Institute of Technology, where I am directing some super-fab college students in a production of Much Ado About Nothing. They are a pretty neat organization; I am officially working for the Steven's Drama Society who has been on campus for 100 years and provide these tech students with an artistic and theatrical outlet. So, my actors are mostly physics, engineering and math majors who have a jones-ing for the stage. Naturally, our student-designers are majorly talented. There will be a working fountain, moving set elements and all sorts of fun things. Yea! They were nervous about doing the show 1940s style (like the TYC production I did of Much Ado this summer), so it is set at the end of WWI instead. Then we get to play with the introduction of the Jazz Age, Flappers, prohibition and women getting the vote.

The show goes up November 17ish.

(If it sounds familiar that I am directing Much Ado, don't worry. You aren't going crazy. I just directed this show for Orlando Shakes teen acting program this past summer. It is my first directing repeat, which is cool!)

2. Teaching – In other news, I am teaching afterschool programs again. I taught at PS 87 (on the Westside in the 70s) last spring, and they liked me enough to bring me in for FOUR classes this fall. Whoa. That's a lot of small fries to inspire! :) I am teaching a Shakespeare class, a class about medieval times, a film class and – get this – a class on Chinese culture. Don't worry I am just assisting on that last one… 'cause I certainly don't know much about China. Guess I'm about to learn! :)

3. Restaurant madness – Yes, I am still welcoming guests to Rosa Mexicano, the pricey Mexican restaurant with great guacamole. It is across from Lincoln Ctr, which means I get to hear about all the cool operas and concerts. Sigh. Luckily, the other great job-ness means this is down to a few days a week, because it was eating my soul.

To be honest, coming back to NYC was a little depressing this August. It is the beginning of my second year here. I am a sophomore, which means I know my way around, but I'm broke and worried that I won't have as much success as my freshman year (which, all in all, was pretty awesome. Hey, I got cast three times and got to play Juliet). There was some random violence in my neighborhood. One of my friends decided to leave the city. Other friends were out of town forever (darn you Margaret!!!) I was working some seriously soul-draining hours at the restaurant. I had a piss-poor callback for a cool role. But with the start of my new jobs, I have perked up and come back out of my shell. Thank god!

Sorry about the ginormous length of this catch-up blog, but I had a lot to catch-up on!

Anyway, drop me a line, a text or just call me and let's go play.

Miss you all and wishing you lots of joy!