This past weekend, our cast had one of many cast parties. This particular cast party was to celebrate and dress up for Halloween. We have so much fun offstage, maybe too much this past weekend, that makes it even more fun to perform together on stage. These bonding opportunities make for such a close knit bunch of kids that I am so grateful to know and be a part of. We do many other things to bond within the cast as well. With help from Meylar’s creative theater games and activities, and some of our own student made traditions, by time the show rolls around, each cast member feels at home in our crazy family of artists. Usually by this time in the rehearsal process, everyone is feeling comfortable and safe together. Maybe it is because of this comfort, that so many people are willing to do anything possible to make Chicago the best it can be. For example, HAIR! Tomorrow, Nov. 1, many girls in the cast will be chopping off their pony tails in order to have authentic 20’s bobs. Although this sounds nerve-wracking for some, which it is, everyone always ends up loving their new do’s. As for the boys, their hair will also be messed with next Saturday! By cutting our hair and learning to style it for the time period, we are becoming even more immersed in our own characters. I will never forget during JCS last year, when Drew Swenson walked into a Saturday rehearsal in his dreadlocks. It was like the finishing touch to his character development and instantly he had become Judas. This morning, Maddy Timm and I had similar transformations. We are now truly Roxie and Velma, with our bobs and opposite colored hair. I can’t wait to see the rest of the cast’s trust in each other and just how awesome we’re all going to look when the show opens in two weeks. The box office opened today and we couldn’t be more ready for you to buy your tickets and to give you the performances of our lives. Happy Halloween from the cast of Chicago!