Week 5

Week 5: February 7, 2017 - February 12, 2017

Number of Shows: 9

Location: Greensboro, NC

            The train was in walking distance from the arena. In fact, you could see the arena looking out of the train windows. After load in on Tuesday afternoon, I decided to explore the surrounding neighborhood. The area around the arena was rather nice, full of restaurants and small stores. I went into a music store and played some piano and guitar, looked through a costume shop, and picked up a circus book at a vintage book store. After that I decided to take a quick Uber ride to a nearby shopping complex to kill some time. I walked the complex pretty quickly and didn't feel like heading back to the train yet, so I went to see Moana. Wonderful animation and really good music. All around an enjoyable movie.

            Wednesday was opening day. We had our usual meeting in the seats and a brief rehearsal. We had an extremely responsive crowd and the show went really well.

            Thursday was a split show day and in between I was interviewed for a CNN piece on Ringling that will be airing nationally. I'm not sure when the piece will air yet, but I will keep everyone posted. After the show I went to highly rated local artisanal pizza shop called Sticks and Stones, and then walked back to the train.  

            We just had one show on Friday night, so I got to sleep in a little bit. During our weekly clown rehearsal, we presented new gags to production for the preshow. I presented my needle through balloon gag and it got approved to go in! The needle through balloon was the piece I initially auditioned for Ringling with and it then became the opening of my one-man show, so it's pretty cool that I get to do it in the show now.

            Saturday was a three show day and we were completely sold out. A former Ringling clown treated us to a free roll dinner from a barbeque restaurant across the street. It was vinegar based barbeque, which I've never had before. I've never had this style of barbeque before, and thought it was delicious. After the shows that night we had a clown barbeque at the train (we all really like barbeque) and I went to bed.

            Sunday was a two show day, and in between shows we got to sign one of the walls backstage. Signing the walls is something this arena has done for a very long time, and we were all honored to leave our permanent mark there.

After the show I packed up my trunk, and went to 913 Whiskey Bar and Southern Kitchen for grilled cheese and tater tots. Next stop; Atlanta!