Over the weekend, I was sent packing (literally) off to Camp with my talented cast for our Rehearsal Weekend with Adlib Entertainment for our third and final season for 2015, the irreverent Romantic Comedy, 'Green Acres Receptions'.

Fourteen students, three tutors, three days, two nights, a lot of workshops, down time for gaming and many trays of spilled soup later, it was a weekend that left me feeling drained, both emotionally and physically.

While this show has very little drama within it's nearly 60 page script, it can be safe to say that a cast needs to work twice, sometimes three times as hard, to make it work. It's much more difficult to pull off a decent comedy than a drama, as most of my friends in theatrical circles will tell you. However, these guys and girls put in the hard yards this weekend, and I think everyone involved came away feeling very comfortable about where we are in the rehearsal process. I mean, it's not often that you find your show is completely blocked with more than three months to go! It gives us heaps of time for character development, and polish, polish, polish!

We were also able to take in the beauty of the area we were camped out in.

On the border of the Emerald Lake Park Reserve, the Wombat Corner Camp boasts some amazing forest walks, and I took the students up into the wishing well and greenery to conduct a projection workshop - in the middle of nowhere.

Sitting around the wishing well, I had them screaming into the wilds, but they just ran with it, speaking out loud and proud - even when some onlookers screamed back at them!

After all was said and done, it was time to get down to business and focus on the real task at hand: Risk, Halo Edition.

We commandeered a huge trestle table and I took on some of the more hardcore gamers amongst the group, and while the game went on (four hours+) I'm ashamed to say that I was eliminated second out of five... I'm just glad my directing is better than my Commanding of military forces.

With the occasional vulgar Cards Against Humanity session thrown in for good measure, and outdoor workshops under the fabulous Spring weather over the last few days, it was a rollercoaster of epic proportions, but one that I'm incredibly proud to have been a part of.

Using the Amphitheatre for some Impro Games...

Thanks once again to Roxy and Aaron, my cohorts, for putting up with my rambling (that always leads to a point) and to Donna and Peter, for their blind trust in me.

Green Acres Receptions will be performed on December 12 and 13 at the Smtarbright Theatre, and is my homage to the Wedding Industry. I hope to see you there!

Book your Tickets now!

Until next time,

Matt.

Yesterday, to Celebrate my second Father's Day, I was fortunate enough to be off work, and my Family met up with my brother and his growing family for a day out at Melbourne Zoo.

Now that Charlotte, our daughter, is a little older, she could see the animals, really watch them doing their thing in their enclosures, and hearing her giggle and laugh and gasp with surprise as these wonderful creatures that share our world moved about was hands down the best present I received.

Charlotte inspecting the tortoise shell...

Later, as we were heading around the zoo and seeing all of the different enclosures, I was lucky enough to be able to capture the images of the gorillas in their habitat. Again, the care and love shown between mother and child is something truly spectacular.

The brooding, watchful eye of the male was a constant reminder of the power and strength of these beasts, and while there were no issues during our visit, we spoke with a zoo handler who mentioned that there had been fighting amongst them over their newborn.

Watching my little 9 month old nephew experience the Zoo for the first time was equally as pleasing as watching Charlotte enjoy it. Little Caleb was very alert, and with his Dad for the day had a grand time, giggling, smiling and even chewing on toys for most of the morning and early afternoon. He was even picked on by a little butterfly as we made our way through a very busy Butterfly House!

Caleb and his Dad get a visit from a Butterfly.

While we saw other animals, including the tigers and lions in their respective enclosures, we also were able to meet up with and have our families over for an early dinner, which is a rarity these days. Being able to catch up properly with my own Dad was an extra treat, and allows me to appreciate the Family that I have, and the Family that has grown around me.

I think we arrived just before lunch time... Mr. Tiger was on the prowl.

Watching Charlotte grow up and learn, listening to her as she starts to hum, or sing, or copy pretty much everything I say (and I know I need to be careful!) makes me proud of who I am and how far I've come.

Happy Father's Day to not just all the Dad's out there, but also to all the families that were able to be with their loved ones. Don't just catch up because of the special day, catch up often. You never know when you may have that opportunity taken from you.

Until next time,

Matt.

Rehearsals, Wargames & Cards Against Humanity

Father's Day Out

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