Anderson Cooper Meets Volunteers for Hurricane Victims

Dozens of college and university students from around the United States spent an alternative Spring Break volunteering in New Orleans, helping rebuild homes for Katrina-area victims. Partnering with different groups on each campus, students traveled to Louisiana, giving up what could have been a typical week of awesome parties.



Kaity was there with her fellow UA students when CNN's Anderson Cooper broadcast Anderson Cooper 360° as part of his Road to Rescue series. He highlighted the post-Hurricane volunteer efforts while also debating AIG bail-out issues and entitlements with financial pundits and experts. Kaity texted home during the broadcast, and phoned home in-between commercial breaks to share her excitement.

Kaity's Mom and Dad watched the live show together back home, with Mom (me) pointing to the TV screen whenever the camera panned and Kaity waived.

During Kaity's dedicated week of volunteerism (March 15-22), she put her theatre production skills to work building a chicken coop, pouring concrete, caulking decking, and hammering and nailing her way to help folks reclaim their lives. It was a busy, tiring, fact-filled and eye-opening 7 days, with less-than-comfy living conditions, but well worth the trek, as Kaity reports. Kaity would like to volunteer again during next year's spring break.

Stephanie J. Block from Broadway's Pirate Queen

Kaity is seen with actress and musical performer Stephanie J. Block by the stage door at the Hilton Theatre in New York. Stephanie plays Grace (Grania) O'Malley in The Pirate Queen. A few days later on May 31, Stephanie appeared on NBC's Today Show, singing "The Wedding Ring," a song from the musical.

Kaity appeared in an unrelated production called The Pirate Queen at Live Theatre Workshop in Tucson a few years ago. Still, it was exciting to see the Broadway version, with all its amazing costumes and sets. By the way, Stephanie is also known for her role as Elphaba in the musical Wicked, another show that is near and dear to Kaity's heart.

There were several wonderful songs in the Pirate Queen that would make great audition pieces for Kaity. I pre-ordered the cast album on Amazon. It'll be out in July.