At The Pink Carpet Opening Gala!

Why, hello there! Stacey Mead here. Or should I say PAWS volunteer here? Or should I say recent graduate here? Nope, I should say Emerald City Theatre Intern here.

You see, I wear a lot of different hats, but this summer my most frequently used hat was my Intern hat. And that hat sometimes looked like a zebra-striped umbrella hat, or bunny ears with a hot pink boa, or even a black mask with rhinestones. It all depended on which camp I happened to be interning at that week. The truth is, I loved all the hats. I’ve gotten the chance to be so involved with Emerald City this summer. From donning a pink wig and helping our Pink audience create their very own pinwheels at the Pink Gala (who knew that could be called work?) to hosting an Open Books story-time at a local library and encouraging young learners to be emotionally open with Alexander and the Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, it’s been a whirlwind of fun and learning-for both the kids and me.

A personal favorite experience of mine thus far has been Arts Week 2011 at the Chicago Children’s Museum on Navy Pier. We were invited to participate and bring a craft for all the kids to do. We chose to make crowns out of paper plates, using markers, crayons and foam stickers. Everyone loved them! They became little walking advertisements as their friends came running to our table begging, “Can I make one, too?” The best moment was watching their faces as they looked into the mirror for the first time, admiring their newest creation and feeling like royalty.

At The Chicago Children's Museum!

This summer has flown by and what I’m left with is the pinkalicious taste of pink cupcakes in my mouth, the chocolately smell of Willy Wonka’s factory in my nose, and “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey echoing in my ears. And all I can say is… I can’t wait for next summer.