The Hardest Game of Would You Rather: Landmark Edition

Inside Disney with Dancer Lindsey Smith: Part 1

Kelsey Glennon

Growing up, my first exposure to song and dance was through the beloved Disney films. I remember singing “Part of Your World,” into my toothbrush to a captive bathroom audience of one. Even my childhood Halloweens were characterized by Disney, including a turtleneck-wearing Princess Jasmine on one particularly chilly Halloween night. 

For most, we don’t expect our at-home performances to morph into a career… But that’s exactly what happened to Lindsey Smith. After spending her childhood creating dances to Disney soundtracks in her garage, Lindsey took the opportunity after college to dance in front of the Disney casting team. As a result of years of hard work, training, and dedication she secured herself a place at “Beauty and The Beast Live Onstage,” at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. 

Today Lindsey is a working dancer and choreographer. When not dancing at Disney, she is choreographing custom works for special events and theaters across the country. She is also passing down her experience and enthusiasm for the stage to aspiring young performers through Disney’s Youth Program Performing Arts Workshops®. 

Unfortunately for my toothbrush (and all those within earshot), Disney’s Performing Arts Workshops were not around when I was aspiring to be onstage. But today, theatre students have the opportunity to learn in an educational, supportive setting by applying to participate in Disney’s Youth Program Performing Arts Workshops®. Workshops of all kinds are on offer from dance to music to theatre, and are taught by working professionals like Lindsey Smith. For more information on Disney’s Performing Arts Workshops and how to apply, visit their FAQ page.

If you’re wondering how to turn your living room performances into a career, stay tuned for our next post. Lindsey answers our questions about her journey through theatre and dance. She also gives invaluable insight on how dance workshops, like those offered at Disney Performing Arts®, can enrich a theatre education. 

Until then, read below for Lindsey’s theatre credits and follow Lindsey on Instagram at @LindseyS.Dance.Session 

Lindsey D. Smith grew up dancing in Utah and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Utah with her BFA in Modern Dance.  While in college, she began her professional career at The Hale Centre Theatre where she performed in shows such as Singin’ in the Rain, 42nd Street, Crazy For You, and Thoroughly Modern Millie.   She was a Rockette for five years and had the opportunity to perform in over 50 cities as well as at the Radio City Music Hall.  While living in New York, Lindsey danced on the Rachel Ray Show as well as with Liza Minnelli for the opening of the TV Land Awards. A proud member of Actors Equity, her regional credits include: 42nd Street and Will Rogers Follies at Pioneer Theatre. Lindsey now calls Orlando her home and has worked for Disney World as well as Universal Studios. Keeping herself busy she gigs, choreographs, and teaches for Metropolis Productions and recently staged her first TV special on PBS. At Walt Disney World, she is on the Choreographer Bench, teaching for Disney Performing Arts, and has been seen dancing in Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage as well as the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular.  

How To Have An Awesome Vacation On A Teacher’s Budget

By Diana Eastman

Everyone knows that teachers don’t do what they do for the money. They don’t get into the teaching profession to make the big bucks; they do it to make big differences in the lives of their students. But all this world changing, lesson planning, test grading, parent meeting and classroom managing can drive any teacher to their breaking point, which is why summer vacations are so vital to the rest and recharge of educational professionals.

But without a surplus of funds, it can seem like the relaxing vacation you deserve is a far off dream. Fear not, world changers, there are plenty of ways to have an awesome vacation on a teacher’s budget. We’ll prove it:

First of all, as you walk out on the last day of school, don’t throw your Teacher ID in the back seat and forget about it all summer. There are so many places that offer teacher and government employee discounts that can help ease the financial strain of fun summertime festivities. All across the country, museums, restaurants, hotels, theme parks and spas offer discounts for educators.

Consider a staycation. Instead of spending all of your hard-earned money on hotels and flights, explore your local area and do fun activities that don’t require a lot of travel. Even if it means making day trips to places a few hours away, you can experience a whole summer’s worth of adventure right in your own backyard. Coming home every night to your nice, comfortable bed will not only ensure you sleep well but will save big bucks on travel accommodations. If you know local friends or family who will be out of town for a while, offer to house-sit for a change of scenery and to explore a completely new city or town.

Don’t be too proud to coupon. Sites like Groupon exist to help people save money, so take advantage of it! Search your area for businesses offering discounts during the summer. Who knows, you may stumble across a new restaurant or attraction that you never knew existed.

Get back to nature. You spend all year surrounded by concrete and fluorescent lights, so why not spend your summer surrounded by trees and the sunshine? Camping is a fun and inexpensive way to get outside this summer, and you can borrow equipment from friends or family to save money on supplies. Since you won’t be spending money on a hotel, find a campground or national park that you’ve always wanted to visit and make the trip. Don’t forget the bug spray!

If you’ve never been on a cruise before, you must add it to your summer vacation bucket list. At first, it can seem expensive, but when you factor in that the price includes all of the food, sleeping accommodations, and activities for the entire family, it is beyond worth it. You don’t have to do much planning, there’s no commuting or driving or hailing taxis to worry about, and you have countless options for fun and entertainment. There’s always the chance you’ll run into a student on the cruise (vacation bummer), but it’s a big ship, and you’ll have plenty of places to “get lost” (Did we mention there’s usually an adults only pool? Hello!)

If you decide to go big and book a flight and hotel somewhere, there are a few ways to keep costs down while you’re away

• Vacation rentals, instead of hotels, can offer much more space than a hotel, and depending on where and when you go, can be much cheaper and more comfortable than cramming everyone into a hotel room
• Skip the restaurants and buy groceries instead. Making a few meals "at home" each day makes a big difference in the vacation budget
• Research activities and buy them in advance. Many attractions and events offer discounts when you buy tickets ahead of time rather than at the door
• Skip the souvenirs. This one can be hard, but spending tons of money on silly key chains and coffee mugs could put a dent in your budget. Instead, take pictures and keep free souvenirs (like maps and ticket stubs) to take home as a memento from your trip
• Be flexible with flights. Since you have the whole summer, click the “my dates are flexible” box when planning your flight online. This may open up cheaper travel dates that will save you money. When it comes to airline tickets, the earlier you buy them, the more money you save

Everyone thinks it's the kids that are most excited about summer vacation, but teachers are just as anxious for a little R&R. If the travel bug has bitten you, don’t let the idea that teachers can’t afford vacations stop you. There are many things you can do to make the transition from “teacher” to “person” that are exciting, convenient, and affordable.

5 Netflix Shows You Finally Have Time to Watch (and definitely should)

Ryan Crowley

During the year, we teachers always put things off until the school year is over. “I can’t do that tonight, but once school is done, I will definitely take you up on that offer!” Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? All of us do that! It’s like summer is our time to do all the fun things that we missed out on during the school year because we were too busy or exhausted. It’s what keeps us going. It’s our safety zone. If we were Ichabod Crane running away from the Headless Horseman, summer would be the bridge that we would have to cross to be in the clear.

For the last nine months, I have been hearing about all of these things on Netflix that I should be watching. I’ve blatantly put them off until summer was ready to begin. I knew I wouldn’t be able to enjoy them during the school year while I was wondering in the back of my mind if my students were getting their homework done or if I should be grading papers instead.

It has caused a bit of a problem waiting this long to watch all of these shows. I can’t count the number of times I have left the room while people have been discussing the shows I have been saving for summer. I wish “Spoiler Alert” would start flashing on foreheads when others start talking about the latest amazing movie they just saw. Its hard to explain in a restaurant when I cover up my ears with my hands and start chanting, so I don’t hear the table next to me proclaiming how great Stranger Things is on Netflix.

5 Shows to Finally Watch!
Here is my list of five things I have to watch now on Netflix to catch up with the rest of civilization. I have been waiting patiently, and my time is now. A few of these may be new to you. Feel free to comment below with any recommendations for shows you believe others would like as well. I do a bit of binge-watching, so I’ll be on the lookout for movies constantly!

1. Stranger Things
Nothing is better than a creepy, science fiction type mystery. Well, except a creepy, science fiction type mystery with Winona Ryder. I swear Winona Ryder does not age! I have not seen her in too many high profile movies lately, so I am glad to see that this multi-episode show on Netflix with fantastic reviews has her as one of the stars. (I actually went on a binge-watching marathon the last couple days and watched all eight episodes of Stranger Things. Definitely worth the wait! I would recommend watching them late at night, and you can since you don't have to get up early in the morning for school.)

2. It Follows
If you like a legitimately scary movie that makes you think, It Follows will not disappoint. I just watched it the other night, and while the premise seems a bit strange (a paranormal entity disguised as a normal person slowly stalks and kills you after you make the bad choice of sleeping with the wrong person), it will definitely have you looking over your shoulder for the next few weeks and second guessing the people walking slowly towards you.

3. Disney’s Moana
I’ve wanted to watch this movie since it has been in the theaters. And now it has been added to Netflix. I know, it's a cartoon, but the Rock plays one of the main characters. Plus, even though it’s a cartoon, Up is one of my favorite movies of all time. I don’t shy away from animated movies.

4. War Machine
This is a Netflix original movie that just came out in May, so I'm not too far behind on watching it. It has an all-star cast of Brad Pitt, Topher Grace, Ben Kingsley, and others. It is about an army general (Pitt) in Afghanistan, and it deals heavy with political satire. I enjoy most Brad Pitt movies, so I am going to check this out.

5. Masterminds
One of my friends recommended this movie to me. It has a good cast with Owen Wilson, Zach Galifianakis, and Kristen Wiig. It’s based on the real events of a bank heist. I tend to enjoy films that are based on real life. We as teachers know that truth is stranger than fiction!

Ryan Crawley is a writer/educator from Illinois. Born into a family of eleven, he spent most of his childhood watching old reruns of Three's Company and Happy Days. He has his Masters in Reading and Literacy, and is a certified Reading Specialist. He spends his free time writing, working out, and hanging with his two dogs Flair and Smoosh Face.