Taylor Mali's "WhatTeachers Make"

Long Time, No Blog!

Oy! When did fall get here? Here's the Reader's Digest version of the past month:

In late August, I finished my second summer teaching gig at PS 90 through the YWCA. The dance, drama and visual art divisions teamed up to create a pretty awesome production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The students were PHENOMENAL! They truly exceeded our expectations, and I was once again reminded of how lucky I am to work with this group...

With some of my 4th/5th Grade students!

Part of our amazing cast!

I had the opportunity to shoot a short film that featured my death by carrot (see photo- I couldn't make this stuff up).

(On the set of an untitled short film)

I also performed in a 24 hour play festival with Ex-Libris Theatre which was both the company's premier event, and a fundraiser for the Trinity LES Church's Food Pantry.

(Rehearsing with the cast of Everlasting Life)

After my teaching/performing gigs wrapped up, it was time for some much needed R&R, so I headed upstate to spend some time with my family! I arrived just in time for Courtney's 19th birthday!

My sisters and I with my grandparents at Courtney's 19th Birthday Bash!

I was lucky enough to be home for the 25th Anniversary of the Miss Fonda Fair Pageant, which was my entry into the pageant world, and was a very special tradition for our family. For the 25th Anniversary, all of the former Miss Fonda Fairs were invited to attend (I was Miss Fonda Fair '02, Kieren won in '05, and Courtney won in '08), and it was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends. 

Kieren and I with Lexy Conti- Princess Fonda Fair 2010!

Kieren and I serving at the reception!

As a thank you for all the hard work my mom did to help my sisters and I prepare for Miss NY in June, we planned a surprise roadtrip, and took my mom to her childhood vacation spot, Seaside Heights, NJ! It had been over 25 years since my mom had been, and it was the first time my sisters and I visited. We had a great time, and my mom got to visit the bungalow they used to stay in, her favorite bakery and pizza joints, AND despite the hurricane, we got to dip our toes in the (excessively rough) water!

I hadn't planned any volunteering opportunities over my vacation, but they seem to find me, somehow... I ended up spending about 20 hours at The Glove Theatre helping to organize and clean up their beautiful costume shop. The Glove is a local non-profit theatre with TONS of history- it's in a tough spot financially, and is quite dependent on the generosity of volunteers to keep it running- I was happy to help! A very special  thank you to acting Executive Director Richard Samrov for his boundless and contagious enthusiasm for this local treasure.

They have some beautiful vintage pieces- it felt good to get them hung properly and organized!

I also got to spend some time with my friends and family, and enjoy the beautiful upstate NY late summer/early fall.

Raspberry picking!

I returned to NYC a week ago, and I've had my work cut out for me! This past weekend, I shot What Happened to Peter- a short film based on Der Struwwelpeter (German children's tales).

(On the set of What Happened to Peter, reviewing lines and guzzling iced coffee!)

 This fall is shaping up to be as exciting as it will be busy! Current gigs include teaching dance at PS 209 with the YWCA, teaching drama at Block Institute, teaching creative writing with Community Word Project, researching/ applying to MFA Drama programs, training for the 2010 Tough Mudder Tri-State, and preparing for my upcoming one-woman show!

I can't promise I'll be able to blog too frequently, but I CAN promise to try! :)