Grazie, Italy

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Well ,  just like that my time here in Italy has come to a close (for now at least). These past 7 weeks have been filled with many memories that I will never forget. My time here started out with me working at Chille de la Balanza as well as taking Italian language classes at the Florence University of the Arts. I made friends with my classmates and other students of FUA, including my roommates, and I also became part of the family at Chille de la Balanza during these first three weeks. The next month my schedule freed up quite a bit since there were no more school classes. With this extra time in my days, I was able to hang out with my roommates and explore Florence even more. Not soon after classes ended though, both of my roommates had left Italy. It was at this time that I started to leave Florence on the weekend for day trips to other places in Italy. By the end of my time in Italy, I was able to go to Venice, Naples, Milan, Rome, Siena, Bologna, San Gimignano, Pisa, and Lucca. Th
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Chille de la Balanza

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Hello, and happy Tuesday! Today I thought I would post about my typical work day at Chille de la Balanza. Although I switched from evening to morning shifts halfway into my time here in Italy, I still work 4 hours a day, Monday through Friday. I start walking to work at 9am so that I can get there for my 9.30am start time. Once arriving, if the coffee has not yet been made, I will make everyone in the theatre coffee (a skill and task that Matteo, my supervisor, says is the most important in not just the theatre but in all of Italy).

Depending on whether or not there is an upcoming show or concert, my tasks throughout the day can differ. If there is a show, there might be morning rehearsals. On these days, I will observe the rehearsals as well as work on my own show that I am to put on this week. If there is a concert or outdoor event to set up for, I normally will just work on my personal show during this time as well. There have also been days where I help the actual building, or deconstruction, of sets and props. This can include things such as painting and waterproofing poles, taking down and labeling stage structures, and building, sanding, and painting a table.

Recently, however, I have been focusing and working a lot on my own show with the help of Matteo and Gabriel. I am set to show everyone at the theatre this performance by the end of the week, so that is why there has been a large focus on finishing and cleaning it recently. Matteo and I will rehearse for most of my shifts whenever the morning is free. For the past week, we have been working out all of the technicalities of the show during tech rehearsals. Matteo has planned for me to show the rest of the people at the theatre this show on Friday.

While putting together this performance has been a lot of work and I am excited to show the rest of my theatre family it, it also makes be a bit sad since it also signifies that my time at the theatre and Italy is coming to an end. Still though, there are many other things that I am looking forward to in the future, and I will never forget all that I have learned and experienced at Chille de la Balanza.






XOXO,
Louisa

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