Today was a crazy day. Crazy but interesting and good.
The following post is only suited for mature audiences. Thank you very much.
This morning I walked in to a girl (very pretty...barbie doll type, one of my students) telling me that her stomach was hurting her and she just wanted to let me know. I told her to take as many breaks as she needed throughout rehearsal, but just to let us know. About 5 minutes later she came up to me and said that she was feeling worse and that she wanted to call her mom because her mom would know what to do. So we went downstairs and she called her mom. She cried while telling her mom that she wasn't feeling well. But the mom seemed not to be able to pick her up right away and told her to try to stay.
So I took (let's call her E) E to the green room to lay down. I got her some water and a cold compress for her head. I then went back and told Sean and Debra what was going on. Sean asked me if E might be feeling bad about the role she was cast and that maybe this upset stomach was from that. I said no, I thought she was happy with her role. I also said that E thought it might be from something she ate. Then Debra looked at me and asked if it might be her period. That she is old enough to be starting it for the first time (E is 13 years old). I first thought that this couldn't be the answer. Debra asked me if I wanted to ask E. I said that I probably could but that I might be a little blunt about it and this is obviously a sensitive situation. So Debra asked E where her stomach pain was, and E pointed to her lower belly....where most girls have cramps. Debra then asked her if she has ever had her period and E said no. Debra then said that this may be her period and that if she needed anything, like supplies, she could just ask me. Debra left and I tried to distract E by talking to her. She was wiggling a lot and was in obvious pain. Then she asked for the trash...so she could vomit in it. I gave her my hair tie and rubbed her back. I also told her it was okay after she told me sorry and that she didn't have to be embarrassed.
After that she went to the bathroom a lot...it seemed to be to check if she had gotten her period yet. In the meantime, Sean came down to ask if she wanted some Sprite or some crackers. E didn't seem to care, so since Sean is so frickin' nice and cares for kids, he got her some anyway.
After she vomited, she called her mom, and her mom said someone would be there soon. Someone got there a hour later.
After the many bathroom trips, E told me she needed the trash again...and again we repeated the vomit game.
Then finally after the millionth bathroom trip, E came out and announced to me, that there was blood. I told her I would be back with a pad asap. So I jogged down to Sean's office and told him that I needed a pad (my backpack was upstairs...so I couldn't get any of mine). Sean said we could get one from the machine...but we didn't have charge. So I found another female intern and asked her for one. And of course she had one. I gave the pad to E and made sure she knew how to use it...not really that hard. After she went to the bathroom again, Sean came down the hall and announced to me that he had "stuff" for me. I looked in his hand and he had a tampon and pad from the machine. :D He was really proud that he had figured out that he has a key to the machine. I love this man.
When E came out of the bathroom she had calmed down quite a bit. Since she now understood that she wasn't dying. She then took a nap. I sat by her reading a magazine. Later she woke up and asked me some questions about being a woman aka will cramps always be like this and will they last forever?!?
Then soon after someone came for her. That person was her wide-eyed step father who was just recently filled in by Sean. What a whole nightmare of a situation for E. :(
E and I went upstairs quick to get her stuff. I then told her that I would have supplies tomorrow if she needed any and that she should not be embarrassed to ask because all girls ask each other for them. Then I told her that when she gets home she needed to take some meds and take a nap. I felt so bad for her. She had such horrible cramps... I don't think I have ever had any that bad.
Later Sean said to me that I handled the situation really well. He also mentioned that this was probably the most important job I have had to do here at CTC so far. Which I have to agree. This girl will remember this traumatic situation for the rest of her life and it was important that there was someone there like me to handle the situation in a positive and respectful way. It's interesting the things you learn that's aren't theatre related on a children's theatre internship. :) But I am thankful this experience. I can now add to my resume: Can deal with females just starting period. :P
After this situation, in another classroom, a teacher accidentally hit a kid in the face. She was gesturing and the kid somehow got behind her and she hit him. He started screaming. His lip was cut over and there was lots of blood.
So Sean's joke for the day: "It was a bloody day." :D I seriously enjoy this man so much.
There were some other minor things that happened in my class...minor injuries but not as important. But the lesson for today was that there was some fucking shit going on.
Lunch was better today. We decided to let them play tag. Which wore the students out and made their afternoon teachers thank us...so we should probably do it tomorrow too.
I had another production meeting for HONK! after the internship today. Nothing too much going on. It was just great to be included and able to see how a professional production meeting is run.
After everything today, I went out with some intern friends: Logan, Lynn, and Melanie out for dinner and to see Little Shop of Horrors. It was a really great evening with great friends and a good show. This was my first time seeing Little Shop, and I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. We are hopefully all going to explore the Mississippi River/St. Paul next week. I can't wait.
Now, I have to get to bed, since it is late here. But I'll write tomorrow of course. Miss all my Michigan friends and family, but I will be home soon enough.
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