By Jody Key — Managing Editor

So here I am, living the dream for one week in NYC. I’ll be posting on social media and pushing out some articles from now until Friday with all our adventures.

If there’s any content you like to see, please let me know in the comments and I’ll do my best to make that happen.

So how is it that I find myself in the city that doesn’t sleep? I’m chaperoning and amazingly talented 15 year old student, Hector Hernandez, who has come up through my theater program at West Hall Middle School and is an extraordinary talent. In January, Hector was awarded Outstanding Performer at iTheatrics’s Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta. As a result, he’s been given a scholarship to perform a new work of a school edition with iTheatrics. This is a huge opportunity for him, and I want to personally thank all who donated to his tuition, airfare and hotel to make this dream come true.

What has been a treat for me as his chaperone is seeing him experience many firsts: flying in an airplane, riding a subway, and experiencing Broadway, Times Square, Bryant Park, The New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, eating delicious cuisine, and enjoying Beetlejuice the Musical (All in one day). Seeing the look of wonder and excitement in his eyes has been revitalizing as someone who has been to the city frequently. It definitely brings back that “first time” feeling of taking in all Manhattan has to offer.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also thank our tour guide, Josh Davenport, an industry professional lighting designer. No one is a better tour guide than a local who knows the city, and Josh took the time to usher us around with his knowledge, expertise and personal anecdotes of working in the lighting biz. We had an incredible time and words can’t express how grateful I am to have such a good friend!

More to come….thanks for your readership and Peace be with You!!