Everything Happens for a REASON!

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I’m ending week two of my internship, and I can say that I am still grateful and amazed at how much I am gaining from this experience. This week, I had the opportunity to assist in directing the play โ€œJames & The Giant Peach.โ€ As I sat in on rehearsals and director meetings, it taught me how to really understand the process, trusting the first instincts of a director, and always making sure the actors needs are put first.

My actors this week had the opportunity to learn different warm-up techniques from me, and played a series of improvisational games.  In addition, I went to the other main campus of the University of Johannesburg and went to โ€œCulture Hour,โ€ and it was so DOPE. So much talent in one room, I felt as if I was in High School Musical. Culture hour is when the students have a break from 12-2 and they do different things, such as poetry, dancing, singing, painting, and putting on art shows (SEE ATTACHED PHOTO).This week, not only did I learn all of these things, but inspired people as well. The children here in South Africa are always telling me how lucky I am to be doing American Theatre and how they cannot wait until their opportunity comes. It really moves me how ambitious and determined they are to get to the American Theatre and I am honored to be apart of their journey.

Thank you for reading ! See you on week 3 blog :)

Astra Armstrong

<i>Hello in your host country language</i>: Hallo <i>University</i>: Norfolk State University <i>Expected graduation year</i>: 2019 <i>Destination</i>: Capetown, South Africa <i>Program Provider</i>: Study Abroad to Africa <i>Major / Minor</i>: Business Management <i>Demographic background</i>: First-generation, African-American <i>Future career aspirations</i>: To open a theatre for at risk inner city youth <i>Top 3 goals for study abroad</i>: To clear up the stereotypes; To expand knowledge on different cultures; To learn and try new things