October Update!

Wow! So many things going on in Chelsey Land!:-)

Finished an exciting production of Company the Musical by Stephen Sondheim at HART. I played April.  What an amazing cast of friends! Literally one of the best experiences of my life!

The Cast of Company

I love HART, and we are SO excited to be getting married there just shy of a month on November 9th. Also looking forward to next year's productions with them. 

Hart's Season Brochure! Chelsey on the far right in Elemenopea.

 

We still have season auditions to participate in for numerous companies, but already have some gigs booked for the coming year before hip (hip-hooray) surgery in March.  First up will be Oleanna at ACT's 35 below, co produced by myself and my friend Kier, and directed by my long time buddy Chris Allison.  I've been wanting to star in this play for years, just because of it's difficulty and the amazing themes surround it that are incredibly close to home right now.  (Google: waking life saga.)

Photo Credit: Tempus Fugit Design

My next project after Oleanna will be back at my favorite theatre, HART in the Studio!  My cousin and I are finally getting to collaborate on a project!  SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!!

"MISCAST CABARET will feature Dwight Chiles, Chelsey Lee Gaddy, Kirby Gibson and Jay Jay Ponton performing roles they would never "book" because of race, sex, family relation, voice type etc. MISCAST will be an exciting night to reexamine the characters we think we know and to break the mold of how a performer 'should' look or how a character 'should' be played. Expect surprise solos, duets, quartets from the best Classics, Sondheim showstoppers and everything in between. Nothing is off the table tonight!"                                 

 

Also booked a few modeling gigs in the last few months, and I'm loving my continued work with Rodney Smith of Tempus Fugit Design

 

Pippi From "The Great American Trailer Park Musical"

 

Modeling for #goodgirl Jewelry by CARY NICHOLS

 

Group shot of Tempus Fugit Design's 2015 calendar girls

Calendar to benefit "Our Voice" Charity

 

But for now... the only thing on my mind....

 

NOVEMBER 9TH!!!

 

 

 

Stay tuned for more exciting adventures <3 p="">

Peace, love, and diabetes,

Chelsey 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Latest in Hipster Land...

... So... this is a labral tear.

This is another diagnosis to add to my list as a result of hip dysplasia. Party on, right? The is apparently the same injury that Lady Gaga had recently, and is a surgery that should be pretty easy to recover from.  The only apprehension is that with the hip dysplasia ... it might be a waste of time. Because my actual joint  is screwed up too, even if the repair surgery worked, I'm at a pretty high risk for tearing it again. And today they only analyzed my left hip. Who knows whats going on with the right one.

New compounded diagnosis... Moderate to severe Hip dysplasia in both hips, left labral tear, right labral status unknown at this time.

He kept calling me a "tweener." He said..." if you were 20, I'd fix the labral tear and send you off to have a double PAO. (Periacetabular osteotomy...see previous post.)  If you were 40, I'd fix your labral tear and see you in 5-10 years for a double hip replacement. But because you're 31... you should see some other folks before you make a final decision."

So... still a go for a consultation with Dr. Masonis in Charlotte in September.  And if he thinks I need the invasive scary PAO, I may make the drive to Wake Forest or Durham to meet with surgeons there who have done thousands of these surgeries... not hundreds.  Especially since my case is super special and it seems there's a lot of gray areas.  Dr. Boykin, from today, offered to do the labral tear surgery even though the risk is pretty high that it will fail.  At least he was honest. I really would love for someone to tell me exactly what to do, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen.

Lesson Learned: Stop expecting things. ANYTHING for that matter. I expected to have a black and white answer today.  Not gonna be the case for awhile. I expected for this doc to tell me exactly what to do... and that's also not ever going to be the case. I'm going to have to weigh the options on my own.

I'm in pain a lot, but I'm still walking.  This is not a life or death issue... just a quality of life issue.  Pray for me to continue to have the strength to mentally handle all of the decision making I'm going to have to do.  Glad to have a soon to be hubby to get from this side of it to the other side! Sad that I had to find out more annoying bad news on his birthday, but so glad he was born to be my partner in life!!

Wedding blitz!!

Starting to freak out a little bit.... There is a lot to do!! A little photo shoot with Tempus Fugit Design to ease the stress!! 

No matter what the stresses are, at the end of the day.... I love my fiancé!!

My Hips Don't Lie

So... Diagnosis from my specialist in Charlotte today is Hip Dysplasia. Kind of more common in older puppy dogs, but I had to go and be special. I was born with this condition and I just didn't know it.  Glad to finally have an explanation for the weirdness I have felt my whole life. Pretty much, my leg bone is not fully in the socket and that's why I've developed painful bone spurs. It's a treatable condition with a couple of very serious surgeries. but it's treatable. Imagine a normal hip socket as a tiny cup with a ping pong ball sitting inside. My hip joint is more like a ping pong ball sliding around on a saucer. 

That's me^

The angles are totally off, if you know anything about hips... Which I didn't until today.

I think the most depressing part, other than not being in any shows,  is that my tattoos will be totally ruined by some wicked scars. They'll have to cut right where my art work lives :-/ but it's gotta be done or I'm looking at a double hip replacement in my 40s-50s. This guy was a second opinion, and I'm going to get a third, but this fella was top notch. He does 15-20 of these surgeries a year and is the only doctor in North Carolina that does them. 

Essentially, they will have to break my hip and put it back together. They will fracture the pelvis above and below the hip joint and then shave off the bone spurs and reset the joints at the correct angle with 4-5 screws per hip.  Each hip must be operated on seperatly. 3-4 days in the Charlotte hospital, 6-8 weeks in a chair/jazzy/crutches, and 6 months on pain meds, anti inflammatory meds, and physic therapy. PER HIP. It's a little devastating. 

Google ganz osteotomy. That's the technical name...

My acting career will obviously be coming to a halt soon to deal with this. I am starring as April in Company at HART in August,  because I've dreamed of being in that show my whole life.  and then we are getting married in November... then I'll star and co-produce in one more dream role in January with my dear friends. And then... I will be tackling this beast... Probably starting in February next year.

Our wedding has now become a 100% DIY, donation based, byob, you-betta-eat-before-you-come event. It's saddening a little, but we've already faced the fact that it was gonna be tight. Now calling all friends with any kind of heart for donating their services. It's about our love and us... And we're more worried about me walking like a normal person. We will take a honeymoon later, when I'll have screws in each side of me and I'm pissing off every metal detector on the way to our vacay. It's totally on the back burner because this is going to be astronomical, even with insurance. And we haven't even paid off my last hospital visit... Whoops. 

I've been sick my whole life almost... And it's never stopped me. But this is the first time I've been forced to take a break. And such a long one too. I'll be in a new character age bracket by the time I've recovered... Lol. Guess it's time to start working on my album. 

Thank you Dexcom!!

I follow many different groups on facebook and other social media platforms about my Type 1 Diabetes, and am so glad for all of the friends I have met across the world that go through the same daily struggles as me.  I LOVE my dexcom CGM and it has totally changed my life.  Planning on doing a more extensive post later about my Adventures with Sexy Dexy (as she has been affectionately named...) but for today I'd like to share this image.  I've just started wearing my sensor in my arm, and this is a big deal for this super vain chick.  I hate it when people ask a million questions.... "You must have it really bad!" "Does that hurt??" "Oh wow, I would NOT wear that."


This was shared by L Katie Raley on the Dexcom group on Facebook.This BEAUTIFUL child has a life closer to normalcy because of this device.  I wish we all could have one, always, without fear of it costing us an arm and a leg.  It'd be nice if the world spent a little more time to educate themselves too.... but....This kid seems ready to take on the world now, huh?? What an inspiration!  if she can rock the arm sensor, I can too!

My Resume

All official like.  What do you think, interwebs?

Chelsey Lee Gaddy
22 Marion Gaddy Rd., Asheville, NC, 28806
chelseyleegaddy@gmail.com
828.505.5890

Objective
I am seeking a position where I can utilize my skills for multitasking, attention to detail, and customer service, along with my positive attitude, to have a positive impact on a growing business.  

Experience

Polylinks, Inc: Receptionist and Purchasing Officer (October 2014-Present)

Responsibilities:  Greet guests,  Purchasing of all materials for production, Payroll Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable.  Experience with Excel, Quickbooks. Office supply and storage management.  Shipping and Receiving assistant.
Copper River Grill: Hostess (August 2014-November 2014)
Responsibilities: Greet guests, maintain a positive attitude in all client interaction, high level multitasking, clean and clear tables, and facilitate a satisfactory solution to issues as they arose for both guests and fellow staff. Promoted to Trainer within 2 months of hire.

Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show: Stage Manager & Marketing Assistant (May 2011-Feb 2014)
Responsibilities: Organized and executed all details of a nightly dinner theatre performance. Managed the flow of personnel, properties, equipment.Followed up to ensure that all necessary duties were performed daily. Represented the company in various marketing events and conventions. Booked tours and promotional events. Received top reviews on tripadvisor.com and mypigeonforge.com during my tenure with the company.

The Tomb: Egyptian Adventure: Guide, Marketing Assistant, Retail Associate (May 2013-Jan 2014)
Responsibilities: Managed tours of large student groups. Assisted in promotional events as a performer portraying Cleopatra. Spoke knowledgably about the educational experience at all promotional events. Worked in the retail shop doing all necessary retail duties.

Dollywood Entertainment: Entertainer, Show Manager, and Vocal Captain (May 2009-Dec 2012)
Responsibilites: Performed in numerous shows on park while acting as vocal captain and show manager.  Created a positive park experience for every guest with whom I interacted. Featured on multiple nationally televised commercials.  IAPPA award winner. 

McClaren's Irish Pub: Hostess & Waitress (August 2009-March 2012)
Responsibilities: Worked in a fast paced environment while delivering exemplary customer service. Handled multiple roles and multitasked efficiently in a high stress environment. 

Burning Coal Theatre Company: Assistant to the Artistic Director (August 2008-May 2009)
Responsibilities: Worked directly to coordinate with multiple managers to produce plays for a non-profit organization. Managed all box office sales, stage management, and marketing for the company. Acted in educational Shakespeare tours for Wake County Public Schools. 

Other Relevant Skills and Training

• High level communication skills, in person, via phone, and via email.

• Experienced at customer service, especially in difficult situations. 

• Able to learn new systems and software quickly and efficiently. 

• Organized and detail oriented.  

• Skilled multitasker with a talent fortroubleshooting and problem solving.

• Computer Proficient.  Experienced in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Quickbooks.

** References available upon request. **

The Seagull is Coming!!!

"This is not your mother's Chekhov. Beautifully adapted by Henry Williamson , with brilliant performances by (among others) Dwight Chiles, Chelsey Lee Gaddy, and Josephine Thomas. This is a magical evening of theatre." ~ Lyn Donley​

SOOOOO Do you have your tickets yet??? :-)

SING OUT LOUISE!!

My next concert opportunity.... with the Performing Arts Lab and Daniel Hensley.  

Tickets are $12 in advance, and $15 at the door.  

(And YES... that is my best friend Jessica Clark Johnson.  She is back in the game folks!!)

Click below to view our preview Trailer! :)

The LAB Singers Spring Concert Trailer

Endure.

I would just like to say.... Good job you.

You aren't anywhere near finished.  You've still got quite a bit to conquer.  But can you believe you've came this far?


I felt like writing this post today and patting myself on the back a bit.   It has been a rough couple of months for me, personal life, work life, career life... and my health has been simply a pain in the rear.  With all of these things working against me, I truly felt multiple times that I was either about to throw in the towel or have a nervous break down.  My anxiety has truly given me a run for my money lately, and with the combination of deteriorating friendships, moving, and managing to stay sane at my 9-5 daily grind....I've wondered quite a few times what is the point of all of this?

Instead of being a quitter, I have learned more resiliency.  And I've learned to cut out what I don't need and what is doing me a disservice. That's the hardest part... the letting go. but.... That's the only way to survive.  Give it all you've got. That's the point to it all.  We must endure.