2018 has had its ups and downs with the Winter Olympics, more shootings, women getting gypped at the Grammy's, where Ben Platt and Patti LuPone gave a masterclass on singing. There's the amazing all-alumni production of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at Berea College (which officially opens TONIGHT!!!). Then, there's the worst possible news one could receive, the death of a beloved family member. So, it's even been a busy and emotional week.
I had gone to the dressing room during our intermission break on Tuesday night when I checked my phone. I had a message from my mom and a missed call from my dad. My amazing grandmother, who'd been struggling with dementia for the past few years, passed away that evening. I had not seen her a whole lot the last couple of years because I was busy with work and shows, and she was not the grandmother I knew who had given me Euros before I studied abroad in Europe or the one who came to my college graduation. She'd been lost a while ago because of the disease, but my love for her never dwindled.
The last time I saw her was a little more than week ago when the word "hospice" was first mentioned and family gathered in her room. We knew it was only a matter of time. She was peaceful and surrounded by her children at that last visit. She was asleep when it was time to leave. That was the last time I saw her.
The news got a bittersweet reaction from me. I was shocked that her death was as soon as we even knew she was close to passing. At the same time, I am so relieved that she is free from dementia and is able to be the Gloria I knew my whole life. I will miss her so very much, and I want to dedicate my performance in Ma Rainey's to her memory. It is my professional stage debut after all. This show is the most proud I have ever been for a production. The other alumni and I have only had a week to put it all together, and it will be FIRE tonight at the opening performance. I cannot wait!
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