I booked my first national tour!
I was 13 years old when I first uttered the words “I want to be a performer when I grow up!” Back then people didn’t really take it seriously. They figured I’d grow out of it and move onto something more sensible. Fast forward 7+ years later and I was faced with what felt like an insurmountable obstacles to my dreams of one day performing professionally - being diagnosed with a chronic illness, becoming a wheelchair user, needing a service dog, coming out of the closet … twice. I have dreamt of being in a national tour for as long as I can remember and after 13 long years of showing up and continuing to pursue what sometimes felt impossible, the hard work has finally paid off.
I booked my first national tour. I’ve been in Paducah KY rehearsing for the past two weeks. It still doesn’t feel real sometimes. I cry at least once a day because my god I missed theatre so much and to have my first show back also be my DREAM JOB, well it’s a lot to take in at times.
I’m playing Punky in How The Grinch Stole Christmas Tour. We’ll be touring to the following cities, so let this be your cordial invitation to Whoville.
CHARLOTTE, NC • NOVEMBER 16-21
BELK THEATER AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
WASHINGTON, DC • NOVEMBER 23-DECEMBER 5
THE NATIONAL THEATRE
ATLANTA, GA • DECEMBER 7-12
THE FOX THEATRE
Love,
Meredith
Mandatory Puppy Pic.
Scout being the goodest boy during music rehearsal.
To be honest I haven’t listened to any music other than The Cast Recording of Grinch since I’m still learning all the material.
My current intention: To be present with this contract and not worry about “the next gig”
My must-haves of the moment: Sex Education on Netflix, Scout’s Crates, and my magic bullet mini!
If you’re looking to support a good cause, my cast mate Sadie, introduced me to Dancing Dreams, a 501c3 in NYC that provides dance classes to children of all abilities.
If you have made it this far, THANK YOU, I’m so glad you are here. If you have enjoyed this newsletter and want to support me you can: forward this email to a friend who lives in a city Grinch is touring to, Venmo me at @meredithaleighawells, re-share the cast announcement when it comes out tomorrow or hire me :)
Thanks for being here.
Love,
Mer