We left Fairfield, IA for Lawrence, KS. It was an easy drive and we had a couple of days to do it so, we stopped in Kansas City and spend two days there. It was good for me to try and catch up on some work! I have been focusing so much time on my research paper for the Society for Teacher Education conference in Norway – this was a great opportunity to try and pull it all together. And it was a great chance for everyone to wash some clothes too!
Karen Christilles and I have been in the planning stages of this residency for almost 18 months. Anthea, the education director, and I had a meeting in January to firm up some of the details and it all came together incredibly well. They were able to arrange two inservice training programs for therapists in two different rehabilitation facilities, a workshop for the Boys & Girls Club, and a workshop for the area Autism Support Group. I received some really heartfelt emails from parents who attended that meeting.
After a very successful time in the Lawrence community (and fairly good weather), it was time for the performance. Tickets had been selling very well (over 1400 in advance) and everyone was expecting a strong walk up at the box office….and then came the snow storm! Yes, day of show it started snowing and snowing and snowing until, by 7pm, there was almost 7 inches of snow on the ground. Roads around the Lied Center were closed by the police department and yet people still drove to see the show – more than 1,000 of them came! They were a fantastic crowd…and they honored us with a standing ovation.
Thank you Karen, Anthea, Tim, and the entire staff at the Lied Center. And thank you Lawrence for coming out in the snow and supporting the show!!