Blog Entry

B A Part!

It's hard to believe it, but the holiday season is fast approaching. It's crazy to think that in a few weeks we will be embarking on our FOURTH Christmas tour. I feel so old!!! ;)

But, one of the biggest challenges is how to keep the show fresh and new. I won't lie! It's not always so easy. So, this year, I'm calling on the troops...YOU... to lend a hand.

In the next week or so, you'll find information here on the OFC about how YOU can be a part of this year's Christmas In The Heartland tour. Seriously, right on stage!

Angela, Quiana, Jesse, Sean, and I have wonderfully fond memories of the holidays, and we want to share them with you. But, at the same time, we want to hear yours as well.

So, this year, instead of telling you the same stories over and over each night, we are inviting members of the OFC to share their stories with all of us over the course of the tour.

It's gonna be pretty easy. Reach back into your memories (no matter how rusty!) and think of some of your fondest and most memorable holiday moments. Funny. Sweet. Sad. Sentimental. All memories are welcome. Tell me about the time you drove to buy your family Christmas tree and when you couldn't tie it the roof you stuffed it in the back seat and drove all the way home with the tree sticking out of both sides of the car windows with the windows down in 15 degree weather! (Really happened to mom, Brett and I.) Or, tell me about the time your brother was away from home for the holidays, so your entire family "held" Christmas until he returned. Move us to tears. Move us to laughter through tears. Write them out in the most creative and narrative way that you can. (If you're not a writer don't fear! So many of your fellow OFCers are, and I know how wonderfully supportive they can be. Ask one of them to help you get it written out in the best way possible.) Think Reader's Digest when you're writing these. Be descriptive and elaborate. No less than five sentences; no more than twenty. ( I feel like I'm giving a homework assignment!)

In the coming week you'll be given information here about how to submit your stories. And, you'll be asked to submit them to the particular show or shows that you know you'll be attending. There is no limit to how many stories you submit, nor is there a limit to how many times you submit the same story to different shows. (Some winners may be asked to share their stories at multiple shows!!!)

After they are submitted, I will personally read each story and will pick up to three stories for each performance. If your story is selected, you'll be invited to tell your story on stage! (or, you can "gift" your opportunity to a friend!)

This is one of my favorite competitions, because I really can't wait to hear all of your creative writing samples and your holiday memories. This competition for the CITH tour has been cleared with TPTB at the OFC, so it's A-OK! LOL! You'll be hearing more soon!

Looking forward to it!

c