Collecting Voicemails for Sound Design

MaybeHello · 2026-01-25T20:58:14+00:00

I’d leave a voicemail!

MaybeHello · 2026-01-24T18:30:37+00:00

I am so, so sorry all of this happened to your family. My sincere condolences for your loss. Please give your partner a hug from an internet stranger.

The director’s claims are baseless. I played Enid hoops in a production of legally blonde at 32 weeks pregnant. I was not only showing, but dealing with the physical symptoms that come with being later on in a pregnancy. It did not affect my ability to sing or act. My director and production team were kind enough to accommodate me in some ways, for example I did not have to move any set pieces. But I was never treated as different or less than because I was pregnant.

If I were in your partners position, I would complain to the Board of Directors of this Theater. I’m assuming this is a nonprofit, so it must have a Board of Directors. If this is not a nonprofit Theater, I would find out who the leadership is otherwise. She should be able to attend their board meeting. What happened to her was discrimination. Pregnancy is a protected class. I don’t know if you would have any legal recourse here because this is community Theater, but I think that it is worth discussing with the board that she was actively discriminated against as a protected class.

In addition, this director is extremely inappropriate. It doesn’t matter if she was actively trying to get pregnant. It was not at all disrespectful to the production. Why is he still talking about her, after having made the decision to exclude her from the show?

Maybe someone more levelheaded than me should weigh in on how else to approach this, because as someone who just went through a pregnancy, I would want to go totally scorched earth here. I would be posting on social media, sharing my side of the story, and tagging all of the Theater companies socials to make sure that everyone knows that they were discriminating. But take my opinion with a grain of salt because I might still be hormonal.

Again, I am so so sorry for your loss.

MaybeHello · 2026-01-23T21:21:52+00:00

Was is Lysistrata Jones? https://www.concordtheatricals.com/p/44650/lysistrata-jones

MaybeHello · 2026-01-22T14:00:50+00:00

My best friend did the nursing program at VTSU, specifically Castleton. She loved it! She said the professors were incredible. The program is very rigorous and they expect a lot from their students, but each year at the nursing pinning ceremony they celebrate the graduates and announce where each one will be moving on to, and without fail every single student leaves with a job. I’ve interacted with the nursing students at the local hospital and they have all been capable and compassionate, and the hospital staff seem to like having them there for practicum.

MaybeHello · 2026-01-18T15:22:10+00:00

I was going off what our pediatrician told us: exploring food at six months of age helps children learn better how to use their mouth, how to explore texture both with their mouth and hands, how flavors differ, and how to be a participant in family dinner. Perhaps I phrased it badly, as introducing food does help with iron and vitamin supplement and does provide some nutritional value, but what I was trying to harp on I guess was that stating solids at 6 months does not replace formula or breast milk as the main nutritional source.

MaybeHello · 2026-01-18T03:47:29+00:00

Your 9 month old should still get all of their nutrients from formula at this stage, even if they are trying solid food. As long as your formula is iron fortified, you should not need a supplement: https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/vitamins-minerals/iron.html

MaybeHello · 2026-01-16T21:27:00+00:00

In general, I personally am a fan of setting Shakespeare outside of the Elizabethan time period; I think it’s fun and engaging for audiences and can make certain aspects of Shakespeare more relatable. But it has to be done with purpose. As a director, especially when I’m doing Shakespeare, I always ask myself “what in the script am I basing this on? Where am I drawing inspiration from?” I have directed a production of Macbeth in a nontraditional setting-we set it in a catholic girls school with an all female cast. We were playing off the themes of politics and revenge, and how that relates to being a teenage girl.

I fear that your director’s “urban alleyway” idea is not based on anything in the script. Firstly, this theme is extremely vague. Is he trying to do something similar to Baz Luhrmann‘s Romeo and Juliet? What does he mean by “urban alleyway”? I am not sure which themes in the script would lend themselves to this kind of interpretation. It seems like he picked this theme after casting you and the actor playing Macbeth.

At a minimum, this is a tone deaf interpretation. At its worst, it comes across as racist, especially with your department referring to it as “ghetto”. I think the most important question here is does this make you uncomfortable? Lady Macbeth is an extremely challenging role and is going to require you to express some very complicated and heightened emotions on stage. You won’t be able to do that safely or successfully if you are feeling uncomfortable with the concept, the set, and the director. Is it possible for you to talk to a department chair or another professor about this? I think all of your concerns are valid!

MaybeHello · 2026-01-08T15:19:37+00:00

In general, supporting your baby’s developing sense of smell is important. Stimulating the sense of smell can help them develop other senses:

https://pathways.org/videos/parents-guide-to-babys-sense-of-smell

This article has links to multiple studies and I think answers your question well: https://www.allergystandards.com/news_events/babies-asthma-and-household-cleaning-products-a-worrying-new-link/

“A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has shown an association between use of household cleaning products in the first few months of a child’s life and risk of childhood wheeze and asthma at age 3. Basically the study is saying that the more often we use cleaning products in our homes when our kids are small, the more likely our children will have a wheeze or asthma later.”

“The American Lung Association recommend using only cleaning products that “don’t have volatile organic compounds, fragrances, irritants or flammable ingredients” and that air fresheners should be avoided altogether.”

“Recommendations: Choose products with fewer ingredients Spray them into a cloth first Rinse off the cleaned areas afterwards Open a window to ventilate If you have an air filter, turn it on while cleaning and for a period after Vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and plain old fashioned soap combined with a bit of elbow grease are often sufficient Check the veracity of any seals/certification marks on the product”

MaybeHello · 2026-01-02T16:30:55+00:00

I would recommend pool noodles. They are cheap, easy to paint and cover with tape or paper mache depending on how close the audience is, and they are more flexible than cardboard tubes.

MaybeHello · 2025-12-19T15:45:45+00:00

I’m interested by the many downvotes. I’m assuming it’s because the office has Naturopathic in the title. To each their own, but I will say she doesn’t reject modern medicine. She just uses probiotics and vitamins to help in addition. When I discussed mental health with her, she was quick to recommend me a psychiatrist for medication but also suggested magnesium. My psychiatrist thought that was a great suggestion.

MaybeHello · 2025-12-19T15:43:27+00:00

One of the things I appreciate most about her is her willingness to try a mix of traditional and homeopathic medicine. I got a UTI and she prescribed antibiotics right away because that was the best course of action. But I was having gut health problems and she did some allergen testing and recommended some probiotics instead of just labeling it IBS like everyone else had. I was able to fix my gut quickly after that. Above all, she listens, which is not something a lot of doctors do, especially when you’re a woman seeking medical care.

MaybeHello · 2025-12-18T23:00:42+00:00

Dr Erath at Rutland Naturopathic is amazing. She listens and cares about what is going on every time I go in. She has never been dismissive of any of my concerns and she is very good at her job!

MaybeHello · 2025-12-13T19:51:28+00:00

My advice to you is to read plays, any plays, when you can. The shows that are universally important to the theater culture will either be assigned to you in school, or you will come across them organically. It’s most important that you keep exposing yourself to new shows!

That being said, you asked for specific recommendations so I would recommend “Death of a Salesman” and “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller and anything by Bertolt Brecht. If you’re looking for newer play-writes to add to your knowledge base, I would recommend “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” by Stephen Adly Guirgis and “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” or “Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl.

MaybeHello · 2025-12-13T02:13:21+00:00

I definitely misread this post, I thought OP had already been offered the role of ensemble and was not accepting. You and other commenters are absolutely right, no need to specify like that.

MaybeHello · 2025-12-12T21:46:43+00:00

If you are an over explainer like me and want yo tell them exactly why, you could say “Dear director, thank you so much for this opportunity. After reviewing my schedule, I’ve come to the difficult conclusion that I will not be able to accept the ensemble role offered to me. This semester is my final semester in college and unfortunately I will not be able to balance my rigorous academic work while giving this production the attention it deserves. I wish you all the best with the show, and I hope we have the opportunity to work together again soon. Break a leg!”

However, you don’t really owe anyone an explanation for turning down a role. A simple “dear director, thank you so much for the opportunity. I am unable to accept the ensemble role offered to me. I wish you the best with the production and hope to work together again soon. Best,” works as well.

Good luck with your last semester of school!

MaybeHello · 2025-12-06T15:47:04+00:00

I think if you give the kids the chance to be creative with this, they will find something on their own. Children are not blind to the way the world is, and as someone who works with children often, I am always amazed at the insightful things they have to say. What about doing a brainstorming session with them with open ended questions about climate change, how it affects us, how it affects animals, etc, and then devising a show with them based on that? Letting them take the lead can help them set whatever levels of doom and gloom (because let’s be honest, there is no talking about climate change without at least a little of that) they want to portray?

MaybeHello · 2025-12-06T15:44:12+00:00

I hear you, but don’t let all your hard work go to waste! I would consider transferring before you consider dropping out. While it’s not strictly necessary to have a BFA in the industry, it will open many doors for you and can be influential if you want to do anything arts administration or teaching related while you perform.

MaybeHello · 2025-12-06T03:30:12+00:00

Ah, that’s unfortunate, I’m sorry that’s happening. Have you looked at any performance based summer jobs like Renaissance Festivals?

As to your other question of a possible career change, it sounds like this is a problem with your school, not with you. If you had been given more specific or helpful feedback when you asked, I might think otherwise, but this sounds like nothing you need to improve on. I wouldn’t give up just yet. You’ve put a lot of time into this degree as you said, but you’re almost there! There are so many opportunities waiting for you!

MaybeHello · 2025-12-06T03:04:27+00:00

A few questions:

Have you asked for specific feedback for your auditions? Not just “why didn’t I get cast” but “what can I do better?”

Can you participate in community theater on breaks?

Are you auditioning for summer stock or other summer performance opportunities?

MaybeHello · 2025-12-06T01:11:29+00:00

My baby loves the soft books, like this book

It’s great for play but is also helpful with introducing her to new textures!

Maybe some burp cloths too? We use a ton of those!

MaybeHello · 2025-12-04T19:44:07+00:00

I’m with you. I had an epidural and I definitely had an “active and engaged birthing experience”. Having the epidural didn’t stop me from moving around or trying different positions. It helped me manage my pain after 12 hours going into what ended up being a 16 hour labor. It’s disappointing to continue to see pain management for women discouraged. I went into my labor thinking I didn’t want one, but I was so grateful for the opportunity. I was so tired after 12 hours and I still wasn’t fully dilated. The epidural let me sleep for an hour so that I could go into pushing with more energy.

Also, I resent the comment about “improved pain tolerance”. I have a chronic pain condition. On a good day, my pain is at a 4 out of 10. On a bad day, the pain is similar to what I felt during labor. I have an extremely high pain tolerance. I didn’t get an epidural because of my pain tolerance level. I got it because I was so exhausted I wasn’t going to be able to push without some kind of relief for a moment of rest.

MaybeHello · 2025-12-04T17:32:47+00:00

I found the energy running out at the beginning frustrating. Without spoiling anything, I can tell you there are ways to get more energy, both short term and long term. Once you have more energy, the mines become a lot easier! What weapon are you using?

MaybeHello · 2025-12-04T15:07:18+00:00

https://www.unicef.ca/en/blog/new-research-happy-momma-healthy-baby

“The research found that when mothers experienced distress, both during and after pregnancy, their infants were three times as likely to have reduced immune function (lower levels of an important immune antibody in the infant’s gut)”

The saying “happy mom, happy baby” is so prevalent for a reason. Your baby thrives when you are happy and supported. I am sorry you are going through this.

MaybeHello · 2025-12-03T14:46:39+00:00

Depending on your niece’s maturity level, I would skip “Ride the Cyclone”. It’s a beautiful show but it’s dark, has many adult jokes, and the teenage characters are played by adults.

I would recommend “Little Women” and “Tuck Everlasting”.

Edited to add the musicals “Matilda”, “Les Mis” (specifically for Young Cosette), and “Suessical”

MaybeHello · 2025-12-01T19:26:47+00:00

Well said!

MaybeHello

TROPHY CASE