Guestbook

Guestbook

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I am Sarah T. Bloom and I am an UpStage Player!
I started doing Theatre with UpStage Players when I was in the fourth grade. I acted and then did tech
through high school. When I came back from college, I picked up where I left off, eventually holding
positions that include a Board member, Stage Manager, and Director of Volunteers. Currently, I am a
Board member and Director of Alumni. UpStage Players has helped me throughout my college and
professional career. In high school, UpStage helped me get a role in my high school theatre. It also helped
me when I tried out for cheerleading since I already knew how to audition. It helped me manage my time
to balance the demands of working, being a student athlete, and maintaining my grades, which led me to graduate as a Valedictorian. With my volunteer experience with UpStage Players on my application and
the confidence I acquired running the tech crew in high school, getting into college and, more importantly, getting scholarships, was a lot easier! Throughout my college career (it was long: undergrad, law school,
and grad school), I constantly found myself talking about my experiences with UpStage Players. I talked
about the friends I made when I was a child that are still my friends today. I talked about my experiences with the children, actors and techies, that brighten even the darkest day. I talked about how we solved the problems of a dog on the stage and how we turned trash into treasure like creating munchkinland from old tires. I talked about the lessons that I learned about life and the theatre workingwith the adult volunteers. I still talk about these gifts from UpStage every day. Now I am an Assistant Attorney General for the State
of Ohio and UpStage has helped me every step on my journey. I did not end up in a theatre profession; I
practice environmental law, my other love. But that does not mean that my experiences with UpStage are not directly reflected in my day-to-day work. Every day I use the knowledge that I gained while working with UpStage. I used my audition skills in my interview. I use my communication and mediation skills from directing volunteers and working as a go-between for the Artistic Director and set construction crew
when I talk with opposing counsel and conduct negotiations. I use my acting skills, such as annunciation, projection, and connecting with my audience, when I make presentations and argue in the courtroom. Every good story proceeds full circle so at this time in my life, I would like to thank UpStage Players for the opportunity to help other children succeed. I had the chance this year to be a mentor to a young UpStage
Player who came down and worked with me at my job for two weeks before graduating high school. Of all
the gifts that UpStage Players has given me, the most important was the first gift, a home. As a child, I
was very poor and shy and often felt that I did not fit in at school. Our neighborhood in Collinwood was rough. Home life was hard too. Until UpStage, I had no place to go to express myself and no opportunities
to build confidence and make friends. We could not afford to pay for extra-curricular activities.
UpStage provided these wonderful experiences free of charge and with a no-cut policy. The Walsh Family
and UpStage Players provided me a place where I could feel at home, feel safe, and feel valued. This is a very special gift that has helped me weather many storms. It showed me that outside of my role in my family or
at my job, I have value. When there are fights or changes, obstacles or disappointments, UpStage has
helped me define myself as a whole person, independent of my surroundings. That might not make sense
to a lot of people but I bet there are some UpStagers that can relate.
Thank you, UpStage, for your time, today and throughout the years.

Edwin Pouncival Smith
Have you even been a part of an organization that thrives for excellence? Have you ever been a part of an organization that appreciates the work that you contribute to its success? I can honestly say that I have,
now that I have UpStage Players in my life. UpStage has helped me to continue my philosophy in theatre
which has assisted me in moving on with my goals in life. I love helping people. Joining UpStage as a staff member has allowed me to share my theatrical expertise with the kids and it has allowed me take part in preparing the kids to move on to the next level in theatrical performance. UpStage Players has made me r
ealize that I need to be in a career where I can constantly give assistance and lend a helping to people when
they need it the most. UpStage has routed me to the healthcare field. This is where I can really put my care giving skills to work. UpStage has made me realize that I have the talent to pursue a career in nursing or physician assisting. The most important factor that UpStage contributes to my life is the fact that everyone involved cares about what everyone else is doing. Everyone takes time out of there busy lives to recognize
what the people in the UpStage community have accomplished. I could not have chosen a better organization
to be involved with because I feel like I am part of the UpStage family! I personally would like to thank the staff for always being there when I need them and for supporting me in whatever it is that I want to pursue!

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Carrie Walsh-Hilf said: February 3, 2012 4:33 pm PST

I am proud of you all. Keep working hard. You are doing a great job. Love, Mrs. Walsh-Hilf

Lauren teresita B :) said: January 27, 2012 8:26 pm PST

tommorow IS pajama day right?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??????? :O

Rachel said: January 27, 2012 3:59 pm PST

i am so excited for this years play!!!!!! i love it so far! by the way JETS RULE!

Lauren teresita B :) said: January 26, 2012 2:39 pm PST

ima use my upstage skillz for our school play ;) not tooo sure about how much i can say tho so...stay tuned lol

Sara Morgan said: January 15, 2012 5:42 pm PST

HI everybody hope you like the part you got! We are gonna rock on stage! Break a leg everyone!

MARY said: January 12, 2012 6:32 pm PST

No thank you, ooo oooble-ooo.

Lauren teresita B :) said: January 11, 2012 2:36 pm PST

were so into the play that were forming jet shark(and techie) groups at school XD LONG LIVE THE SHARKS!!!

Sarah South as Anxious said: January 7, 2012 5:28 am PST

hey everybody! i had a lot of fun on thursday. i know not getting a bigger part is dissappointing, but it means im only gonna work 10x harder. good job everyone!

Erin as Anybodys said: January 4, 2012 11:44 am PST

hi guys! i am SO EXCITED to be ANYBODYS!!! i hope you all like your parts! this year will be BEAST!! Break legs! See ya on SaTURDAY!!! :) / erin

michael said: December 29, 2011 6:29 pm PST

channel 5? why???

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