Holidays Away From Home

While there’s glamour and excitement in the theater life, there are challenges for our actors and creative team when they’re working so hard to make the holidays magical for our audiences that they have less time to enjoy the season with their own loved ones.

Some of the cast of Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity and A Christmas Carol shared some of their thoughts on the holiday season with us, and we thought we’d share them with you.

 

Erin Burniston (Ethel Green | Beautiful Star)

“While in Greensboro and away from home during the holidays, to keep them special I try to keep up as many of my favorite traditions as possible.  My parents and I have quite a few movies that we like to watch during the holidays – instead of waiting until I return home to watch all of them, we pick days throughout December to watch the movies at the same time on our respective couches, and text throughout to share our favorite moments of them together.”

Emma-Claire Frances Johnson (Myrtle Ledbetter | Beautiful Star)

“The holidays are special to me because I get time off of school to be with my family and do what I want to do.  My family has a tradition of having fondue on Christmas Eve so I look forward to that time with my family and grandparents.  I love getting and giving presents and going to church with my family on Christmas Day.  When I’m not at TS I keep the holidays special by helping my family decorate the house, cooking/baking with my mom, watching TV with my brother and spending time with my family when they come into town for the shows!”

Greg Brostrom (Tidence Ledbetter | Beautiful Star)

“All the trappings of the holidays are symbols for the intangible parts of it: being together with those you love among others. So I always try to treat myself to one of the symbols in a small way to remind myself of that and connect to those I care about who may be far away. For example this Thanksgiving here in Greensboro I’m not going to cook an entire turkey just for me, but you better believe I’m going to have a little. No turkey matches my mom’s, but it’s the symbol of it that I care about when I’m away from home.”

David Sitler (Scrooge | A Christmas Carol)

“Not a Scrooge answer but being with family…be it my natural one or the one we have grown into while mounting and performing and ultimately giving the gift of ourselves and talents to the people who come to see us. I love watching the Macy’s day parade especially all the talented Broadway casts that perform before the parade kicks off…while the aromas of the turkey in the oven waft thru out the house.  For a couple of years I was in the parade as part of the Marvel Universe as Robo Cop and other super heroes…but that is another story.  When I am on the road for the holiday I like to help in a soup kitchen or food pantry and find a local church to become a part of their community and service.  “

*This year David found time to help serve lunch on Thanksgiving at the Samaritan Ministries in Winston-Salem. Way to help out, David!

Camille Varenne (Linda Green  Beautiful Star)

“At the holidays I like to:

1. Eat lots of food, especially my Dad’s mashed potatoes!  #favorite  : )
2. I try to give my love.
3. I try to make sure nobody is sad.”

 

 

Paul Gunter (Beggar/Edward Cratchit/Boy on the Street | A Christmas Carol)

“Whenever I do have time I want to take advantage of it. It’s the small things at Christmas that can mean the most. Like family, my family always makes me happy on the holidays.”