This is the time for Revelry

Last weekend was pretty nice. I got a lot of work done class wise and also art wise. I finished my second big art project and I actually do like the outcome. I think it was a total of 19 hours, so that's always fun to put into perspective. Half way through I hated it which is probably the worst feeling ever when you've already put ten hours into it, but by adding more and changing things around it took a turn for the better. I basically was in the library for ten hours on Saturday, which was exhausting but also accomplishing.

Sunday I went out which was really perfect and needed. It was also the day that we got a mini ice storm. Walking out of my dorm was interesting, the entire road was covered with ice, sleet, and it was hailing basically all day. The wind was a nice addition too. Pause not. So Monday was the beginning of Revels Week, always one of the best, if not the best times on campus.

Revels is a Christmas Play that the school has put on for 95 years, as of this year. Every year the seniors audition for parts in September, and get their roles in October. The great thing about the roles are that a.) they've never changed through the years, and b.) it's a total secret, and only the seniors know who is who. That being said, for three months, other students and faculty on campus "revelize" the seniors on who they think they will play in Revels. It's a hard game to play, because the seniors can't admit to anything, even if the guess is correct. The seniors get their scripts and begin rehearsal exactly one week before the actual and final production, which is pretty crazy on it's own. For ten hours a day, they disappear into Kiggins and prepare for Friday night's show. On Friday, tomorrow, the biggest show is finally put on after a year of anticipation. Kiggins becomes the Grand Hall and is completely transformed into something amazing. The underclasswomen and the juniors get dressed up after a half day of classes, and head to Lyon Remington in the evening. Being in Lyon Remington consists of nothing but nice dresses and high pitched, indescribable screaming that you can't understand unless you are actually in the room. For an hour, three classes stand together and scream. That's it. After the hour of near deafness, students are lined up by seniority and walk the processional to the Grand Hall. Faculty stands on the sides and claps and takes pictures, and it's just very sweet and exciting. The juniors get to sit in the front row, then the underclasswomen behind, and eventually the alums walk in, which of course causes for more screaming, and they sit on the floor in front of us. The Dean, Headmistress, and Theatre Head come out and say a few words and then everything gets dark. When the lights come on, and we see our first senior for the first time as their finally revealed role, the room erupts in, you guessed it, high pitched scream. The seniors also wear costumes that have been worn for 95 years by the past identical roles and graduates. For every senior's first burst onto the stage or floor, the crowd screams for them and through the discovery of the part. For two and a half hours, the girls scream and sing to Carol's that have shaken the same hall for 95 years. The play seems to last such a short time, and it's an experience that you just almost can't put into words, which makes it so special. Afterwards, and seniors dress down, face paint and hair still in tact, and meet with all of the other girls to celebrate their show. Another tradition is for the seniors to rub their face paint on to the faces of their underclasswomen friends.

It's such an amazing time, and I'm excited for my second show, and last show before I am on the other side of the stage, next year. Afterwards a few of us are going to Hannah's for a post party, and then I walk back at SEVEN in the morning to catch my flight. Ugh. But none the less, I couldn't be more excited. The fun officially kicks off tomorrow when we get out of class at 11, and head to our common rooms for our house lunches for a big Revels party. After that, it's just time to get ready and pre party.

Then home for 2.5 weeks (lame short break) and back for second semester.


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(awesome bar in Hudsom all Christmasy during Winter Walk)