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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Day at Arena Stage With Bethany Anne Lind of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Malcolm insisted he propose to me in front of the green-room-Christmas-extravaganza. This was definitely not my idea at all and I did not drag him in from getting his lunch. He really wanted to be involved in this! He insisted. — PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Day at Arena Stage With Bethany Anne Lind of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Stage and screen actress Bethany Anne Lind is currently starring as Joanna Drayton in Arena Stage's production of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Armed with a fancy camera, Lind takes us through every actor-y, hilarious step of her day.
77 PHOTOS

Good Morning dear playbill.com readers. I made this sign last night cuz I am not so good with mornings and I didn’t know if I’d wanna talk yet. I was right. Good call. — Good Morning dear playbill.com readers. I made this sign last night cuz I am not so good with mornings and I didn’t know if I’d wanna talk yet. I was right. Good call.

Bethany Anne Lind

This is me. Still not talking. I read that selfies in bed are the most despicable kind of selfies in the world. I think this is probably true. — This is me. Still not talking. I read that selfies in bed are the most despicable kind of selfies in the world. I think this is probably true.

Bethany Anne Lind

Alright. Coffee’s ready, got a couple of protein pancakes out of the fridge and all heated up. I’ll be more social soon. Also. Christmas lights. — Alright. Coffee’s ready, got a couple of protein pancakes out of the fridge and all heated up. I’ll be more social soon. Also. Christmas lights.

Bethany Anne Lind

I’ve finally warmed up enough to compose a tweet. To you, dear playbill.com readers. How brave of me in the morning. No one has responded, retweeted or even favorited after an hour. I ponder the reason for my existence. — I’ve finally warmed up enough to compose a tweet. To you, dear playbill.com readers. How brave of me in the morning. No one has responded, retweeted or even favorited after an hour. I ponder the reason for my existence.

Bethany Anne Lind

I just remembered I have a two-show day. That’s why you’re here! This requires a fresh coat of nail lacquer! This color is way too pink for Bethany, but I like it for my character. That is very actor-y of me. — I just remembered I have a two-show day. That’s why you’re here! This requires a fresh coat of nail lacquer! This color is way too pink for Bethany, but I like it for my character. That is very actor-y of me.

Bethany Anne Lind

Next Slide

It’s time for some Insanity! Shaun T yells things at me that I can use later for my acting. Things like: “Dig Deeper!” and “I don’t care if you’ve done this one time or a hundred times. Listen. to. the. cues.” and “Lift from your core, peo — It’s time for some Insanity! Shaun T yells things at me that I can use later for my acting. Things like: “Dig Deeper!�� and “I don’t care if you’ve done this one time or a hundred times. Listen. to. the. cues.�� and “Lift from your core, people!"

Bethany Anne Lind

While I work out, I look at my tiny Christmas tree! My husband and I made Christmas tree ornaments a few years ago and all I made was that cheesy decapitated snowman head but my husband made this beautiful BCEFA ribbon. What a guy! — While I work out, I look at my tiny Christmas tree! My husband and I made Christmas tree ornaments a few years ago and all I made was that cheesy decapitated snowman head but my husband made this beautiful BCEFA ribbon. What a guy!

Bethany Anne Lind

Pre-show smoothie/2nd breakfast! I felt like I was being too actor-y drinking something this green and healthy so I put a stick of butter in the picture to remind you that I’m not just an actor. I’m a person too. — Pre-show smoothie/2nd breakfast! I felt like I was being too actor-y drinking something this green and healthy so I put a stick of butter in the picture to remind you that I’m not just an actor. I’m a person too.

Bethany Anne Lind

I’m about to head to the theater! I take this mirror selfie because I want to document my physical transitions throughout the day for which I must do everything but take hormones. This is what I call my “orphaned-boy-child” look. — I’m about to head to the theater! I take this mirror selfie because I want to document my physical transitions throughout the day for which I must do everything but take hormones. This is what I call my “orphaned-boy-child�� look.

Bethany Anne Lind

I make fun of my kitchen cleaner on my way out the door. For being so method. #nailedit — I make fun of my kitchen cleaner on my way out the door. For being so method. #nailedit

Bethany Anne Lind

This is where I work! Every time I walk across the street and see this place I get a little happy jump in my belly. — This is where I work! Every time I walk across the street and see this place I get a little happy jump in my belly.

Bethany Anne Lind

That’s a giant poster of the play that I get to do twice today! That is the face of Malcolm-Jamal Warner in the corner there. It’s not actually him. They don’t make him sit in there. It’s just a picture. You’ll probs meet him later. — That’s a giant poster of the play that I get to do twice today! That is the face of Malcolm-Jamal Warner in the corner there. It’s not actually him. They don’t make him sit in there. It’s just a picture. You’ll probs meet him later.

Bethany Anne Lind

Look who I run into first! It’s Aaron, our sound engineer. He’s carrying a bunch of brass instruments... Something must be changing in our show that I haven’t been informed of yet... I express my interest in the French Horn. Aaron will not hand it o — Look who I run into first! It’s Aaron, our sound engineer. He’s carrying a bunch of brass instruments... Something must be changing in our show that I haven’t been informed of yet... I express my interest in the French Horn. Aaron will not hand it over.

Bethany Anne Lind

14. My dressing room is on the left and Malcolm-Jamal Warner's is on the right. I mentally text a picture of this moment to 11 year old me. But 11 year old me is just like, “what’s a text?” Ugh. 11 year old Bethany is being a smarty pants again. — 14. My dressing room is on the left and Malcolm-Jamal Warner's is on the right. I mentally text a picture of this moment to 11 year old me. But 11 year old me is just like, “what’s a text?�� Ugh. 11 year old Bethany is being a smarty pants again.

Bethany Anne Lind

Behind this door I hear the sounds of Malcolm-Jamal Warner saying a little prayer. Something like “Dear God, thank for letting me act opposite such a perfect specimen of a human being. I have never met anyone so talented and transformative as Bethany." — Behind this door I hear the sounds of Malcolm-Jamal Warner saying a little prayer. Something like “Dear God, thank for letting me act opposite such a perfect specimen of a human being. I have never met anyone so talented and transformative as Bethany."

Bethany Anne Lind

That Tina Fey book was an opening night gift from my director. He said it was just cuz my CHARACTER is a little bossy. I said “Thank you very much and can you bring me a coffee and please don’t look at me that way when I ask you to do something.” — That Tina Fey book was an opening night gift from my director. He said it was just cuz my CHARACTER is a little bossy. I said “Thank you very much and can you bring me a coffee and please don’t look at me that way when I ask you to do something.��

Bethany Anne Lind

My stage manager Will and our wardrobe supervisor, Emily Grace! More on Will later, but Emily Grace is a shining light of loveliness! She does all the hard work but is still even always nice! Also she is a very great Auburn fan. War Eagle! — My stage manager Will and our wardrobe supervisor, Emily Grace! More on Will later, but Emily Grace is a shining light of loveliness! She does all the hard work but is still even always nice! Also she is a very great Auburn fan. War Eagle!

Bethany Anne Lind

I accidentally wandered into the green room after this. Oh snap! Valerie (you’ll meet her soon) brought these little balls of donuty goodness. I definitely did NOT eat two of those with some coffee. — I accidentally wandered into the green room after this. Oh snap! Valerie (you’ll meet her soon) brought these little balls of donuty goodness. I definitely did NOT eat two of those with some coffee.

Bethany Anne Lind

I come back and drop off some protein pancakes for Malcolm in his dressing room cuz he’s been wanting to try them. I am not above buying love, using the commodity of whey. — I come back and drop off some protein pancakes for Malcolm in his dressing room cuz he’s been wanting to try them. I am not above buying love, using the commodity of whey.

Bethany Anne Lind

AN ACTOR PREPARES: This is Michael Russotto who plays the Monsignor. He prepares for acting by smelling flowers sent to him by someone who loves his acting. This reminds him that someone loves his acting and helps him act better. — AN ACTOR PREPARES: This is Michael Russotto who plays the Monsignor. He prepares for acting by smelling flowers sent to him by someone who loves his acting. This reminds him that someone loves his acting and helps him act better.

Bethany Anne Lind

Eugene Lee prepares for acting by studying a scene he is not at all in. He’s that into acting. Using a pencil too! I am not onstage with Eugenius very much but I like to just listen to him on the monitors because of the goose bump inducing effect. — Eugene Lee prepares for acting by studying a scene he is not at all in. He’s that into acting. Using a pencil too! I am not onstage with Eugenius very much but I like to just listen to him on the monitors because of the goose bump inducing effect.

Bethany Anne Lind

This is Valerie-who-brought-those-darn-donuts! She prepares for acting by making her eyes pop with makeup so you can really see all the acting she does with her eyes. Sometimes when we’re onstage she does it so hard that it actually hurts my feelings. — This is Valerie-who-brought-those-darn-donuts! She prepares for acting by making her eyes pop with makeup so you can really see all the acting she does with her eyes. Sometimes when we’re onstage she does it so hard that it actually hurts my feelings.

Bethany Anne Lind

I come back, turn the Pandora from MIA to Yoga radio, lay out my towel and really start to focus! I am being way actor-y. But also very kindergarten-y with the towel and all. Acting is a lot like kindergarten when you think about it. — I come back, turn the Pandora from MIA to Yoga radio, lay out my towel and really start to focus! I am being way actor-y. But also very kindergarten-y with the towel and all. Acting is a lot like kindergarten when you think about it.

Bethany Anne Lind

This selfie is the most dangerous thing I will do all day (and that includes the stint I had this morning rescuing a kitten from a burning building)! My friend Jenn Lyon taught me all about lashes and all the secrets of looking like a drag queen offstage. — This selfie is the most dangerous thing I will do all day (and that includes the stint I had this morning rescuing a kitten from a burning building)! My friend Jenn Lyon taught me all about lashes and all the secrets of looking like a drag queen offstage.

Bethany Anne Lind

Here’s Mikey our ASM who made the beautiful Christmas miracle you will soon see in our green room! He’s collecting all the valuables. Sometimes I just ask him to put himself in my valuable bag. — Here’s Mikey our ASM who made the beautiful Christmas miracle you will soon see in our green room! He’s collecting all the valuables. Sometimes I just ask him to put himself in my valuable bag.

Bethany Anne Lind

Here’s Tom Key! He plays my dad. Here you see that he prepares for acting the way a dog might prepare for being a dog. It’s very inspiring. I definitely did NOT ask him to pose for this picture. — Here’s Tom Key! He plays my dad. Here you see that he prepares for acting the way a dog might prepare for being a dog. It’s very inspiring. I definitely did NOT ask him to pose for this picture.

Bethany Anne Lind

It’s 15 till curtain! Time to go get my hairs on! Well whadaya know Steven is visiting my hair technician, Vincent! Steven built all of my costumes and is a mad genius of making things fit on people in just the perfectest of ways. — It’s 15 till curtain! Time to go get my hairs on! Well whadaya know Steven is visiting my hair technician, Vincent! Steven built all of my costumes and is a mad genius of making things fit on people in just the perfectest of ways.

Bethany Anne Lind

I have a fall - a half wig, so before the wig goes on I look like an Amish Girl. Also, I wear my robe for this part because I like to remind people that I am very high maintenance. Vincent is extremely excellent at his job and also fun to talk to. — I have a fall - a half wig, so before the wig goes on I look like an Amish Girl. Also, I wear my robe for this part because I like to remind people that I am very high maintenance. Vincent is extremely excellent at his job and also fun to talk to.

Bethany Anne Lind

I catch Malcolm in the hall on my way back. What luck! He’s doing his water bottle meditations. (Sometimes I call him “MalJam” or “Dubbs” and he squints his eyes at me a little bit but he doesn’t tell me not to.) I tell you what. These actors — I catch Malcolm in the hall on my way back. What luck! He’s doing his water bottle meditations. (Sometimes I call him “MalJam�� or “Dubbs�� and he squints his eyes at me a little bit but he doesn’t tell me not to.) I tell you what. These actors PREPARE.

Bethany Anne Lind

Next I make sure to use these things. I gotta smooch on MJW soon. 11 year old Bethany would not be cool with kissin’ all on MJW with stinky breaths. For my little brother Jonny, you can ignore this part. We are totally faking it. — Next I make sure to use these things. I gotta smooch on MJW soon. 11 year old Bethany would not be cool with kissin�� all on MJW with stinky breaths. For my little brother Jonny, you can ignore this part. We are totally faking it.

Bethany Anne Lind

Finished hairs and makeups (so far we have: 1. orphaned-boy-child 2. Amish girl 3. 60‘s ingenue. Who doesn’t believe in miracles??!) and I change Pandora once again to ye olde Bob Dylan station. I count on Bob to to really pull it all together. — Finished hairs and makeups (so far we have: 1. orphaned-boy-child 2. Amish girl 3. 60‘s ingenue. Who doesn’t believe in miracles??!) and I change Pandora once again to ye olde Bob Dylan station. I count on Bob to to really pull it all together.

Bethany Anne Lind

I get lucky and catch Andrea preparing too. She plays Mrs. Prentice. Andrea Frye is probably one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in person and somehow even lovelier on stage. — I get lucky and catch Andrea preparing too. She plays Mrs. Prentice. Andrea Frye is probably one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in person and somehow even lovelier on stage.

Bethany Anne Lind

This is the foot and static clinged leg of the one and only Tess Malis Kincaid! This is the third time she’s played my mom and the fifth play we’ve done together and she is one of my all-time favorite actors in the world. — This is the foot and static clinged leg of the one and only Tess Malis Kincaid! This is the third time she’s played my mom and the fifth play we’ve done together and she is one of my all-time favorite actors in the world.

Bethany Anne Lind

Tess prepares for acting by drinking coffee and pouting about the static cling in her pants. This world of acting is tough but she’s no wimp and ACTS THROUGH THAT STATIC CLING. — Tess prepares for acting by drinking coffee and pouting about the static cling in her pants. This world of acting is tough but she’s no wimp and ACTS THROUGH THAT STATIC CLING.

Bethany Anne Lind

It’s Christmas card picture time for the Draytons! “Merry Christmas! We used to be a little bit racist but we didn’t know it but now we’re not anymore because our daughter made us see the light and changed us and the world forever. Love, The Dray — It’s Christmas card picture time for the Draytons! “Merry Christmas! We used to be a little bit racist but we didn’t know it but now we’re not anymore because our daughter made us see the light and changed us and the world forever. Love, The Draytons"

Bethany Anne Lind

Here’s Valerie with her wig on now. She wears a robe sometimes too because us lady actors are VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE. — Here’s Valerie with her wig on now. She wears a robe sometimes too because us lady actors are VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE.

Bethany Anne Lind

Oh dear, it’s intermission. But Tom refuses to break character and insists that Michael hear his confession. It’s a little awkward but at the same time very interesting. You’d be surprised at how many squirrels Mr. Key has hit with his car on purpos — Oh dear, it’s intermission. But Tom refuses to break character and insists that Michael hear his confession. It’s a little awkward but at the same time very interesting. You’d be surprised at how many squirrels Mr. Key has hit with his car on purpose.

Bethany Anne Lind

First show over! And it’s talkback Wednesday! And the audience who has stayed lets me take their picture! Look how excited they are! They said “what’s up playbill.com readers?” I thought it was cool. — First show over! And it’s talkback Wednesday! And the audience who has stayed lets me take their picture! Look how excited they are! They said “what’s up playbill.com readers?�� I thought it was cool.

Bethany Anne Lind

This is Linda Lombardi, our dramaturg. I hope to be friends with Linda for a long time. She is one smart lady. — This is Linda Lombardi, our dramaturg. I hope to be friends with Linda for a long time. She is one smart lady.

Bethany Anne Lind

Michael and Valerie talk back! — Michael and Valerie talk back!

Bethany Anne Lind

Malcolm gives hugs by request! — Malcolm gives hugs by request!

Bethany Anne Lind

Malcolm also talks back! — Malcolm also talks back!

Bethany Anne Lind

Malcolm insisted he propose to me in front of the green-room-Christmas-extravaganza. This was definitely not my idea at all and I did not drag him in from getting his lunch. He really wanted to be involved in this! He insisted. — Malcolm insisted he propose to me in front of the green-room-Christmas-extravaganza. This was definitely not my idea at all and I did not drag him in from getting his lunch. He really wanted to be involved in this! He insisted.

Bethany Anne Lind

Time for Christmas card pics for the future Prentices! Get your mailbox ready: “Happy Holidayz, dear playbill.com reader! We just got married in Switzerland and acquired this beautiful LED fire place almost immediately. Life is good! Racists suck!" — Time for Christmas card pics for the future Prentices! Get your mailbox ready: “Happy Holidayz, dear playbill.com reader! We just got married in Switzerland and acquired this beautiful LED fire place almost immediately. Life is good! Racists suck!"

Bethany Anne Lind

I thought about trying to get some cheap publicity by starting a rumor and sending this one to the National Enquirer. Then I was like, “no Bethany. Don’t do that. You’re better than that. Definitely go with Us Weekly.” — I thought about trying to get some cheap publicity by starting a rumor and sending this one to the National Enquirer. Then I was like, “no Bethany. Don’t do that. You’re better than that. Definitely go with Us Weekly.��

Bethany Anne Lind

I throw on the shades and go out for a little DC adventure. Cuz I have this nice camera! And I’m in DC! And I’ll nap and do laundry when I’m dead! The shades keep people from mobbing me because I had three lines on “Drop Dead Diva” a few years a — I throw on the shades and go out for a little DC adventure. Cuz I have this nice camera! And I’m in DC! And I’ll nap and do laundry when I’m dead! The shades keep people from mobbing me because I had three lines on “Drop Dead Diva�� a few years ago.

Bethany Anne Lind

I don’t have too long but I metro it out to the Navy Memorial. DC metro ain’t too shabby. — I don’t have too long but I metro it out to the Navy Memorial. DC metro ain’t too shabby.

Bethany Anne Lind

I go through the sculpture garden to get to the museum of natural history. Here’s a sculpture based on the logo from the new "Catching Fire" movie, I think.

Bethany Anne Lind

The sun is doing beautiful things in DC as it sets. I don’t really know how to capture them, but here is a giant spider in front of the sun doing something beautiful. I wonder if this spider has to do towel yoga every morning to do it’s art. — The sun is doing beautiful things in DC as it sets. I don’t really know how to capture them, but here is a giant spider in front of the sun doing something beautiful. I wonder if this spider has to do towel yoga every morning to do it’s art.

Bethany Anne Lind

I stare at these fish for a while. It’s relaxing to watch the fish just be. — I stare at these fish for a while. It’s relaxing to watch the fish just be.

Bethany Anne Lind

I visit a few exhibits in Natural History but especially the dinosaurs because they are SO BIG. CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE?! — I visit a few exhibits in Natural History but especially the dinosaurs because they are SO BIG. CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE?!

Bethany Anne Lind

Upside-down selfie on the way home. Isn’t the moonlight just terrible? #actor-y Also remembered the lashes are still on and I think everyone must believe I am either a very important photographer or a drag queen with a fancy camera. Either way, I like — Upside-down selfie on the way home. Isn’t the moonlight just terrible? #actor-y Also remembered the lashes are still on and I think everyone must believe I am either a very important photographer or a drag queen with a fancy camera. Either way, I like it

Bethany Anne Lind

Embracing my introvertedness, I get a nice little walk in between shows before I go back to hang out for a couple of hours with another 680 new friends. What a beautiful place to get to walk! — Embracing my introvertedness, I get a nice little walk in between shows before I go back to hang out for a couple of hours with another 680 new friends. What a beautiful place to get to walk!

Bethany Anne Lind

I give this sax player some money on the way back. I don’t always do that but he’s playing Christmas music so beautifully and I get to tell a wonderful story two times today and take pictures of dinosaurs and life’s too short not to. — I give this sax player some money on the way back. I don’t always do that but he’s playing Christmas music so beautifully and I get to tell a wonderful story two times today and take pictures of dinosaurs and life’s too short not to.

Bethany Anne Lind

I receive a tip in text form saying Z Burger is giving away free milkshakes with an Arena ID. Look who I run into! Leigh who assisted us during tech! And Kurt who is stage managing Maurice Hines’ <i>Tappin’ Thru Life</i> in the theater next door! — I receive a tip in text form saying Z Burger is giving away free milkshakes with an Arena ID. Look who I run into! Leigh who assisted us during tech! And Kurt who is stage managing Maurice Hines�� Tappin�� Thru Life in the theater next door!

Bethany Anne Lind

Back to the theater. Tess is preparing again by reading cards from people who like her acting. I’m guessing they’re from Streep or Day-Lewis. — Back to the theater. Tess is preparing again by reading cards from people who like her acting. I’m guessing they’re from Streep or Day-Lewis.

Bethany Anne Lind

Lynda is BACK y’all. — Lynda is BACK y’all.

Bethany Anne Lind

Eugenius takes a little nap while drinking coffee because he is just. that. good. — Eugenius takes a little nap while drinking coffee because he is just. that. good.

Bethany Anne Lind

Oh finally! Our dear stage manager Will! I love Will because he warms up just like actors do! Here he is, preparing to call cues by warming up his ear and voice in the hall. This company is SO SERIOUS about art, y’all! — Oh finally! Our dear stage manager Will! I love Will because he warms up just like actors do! Here he is, preparing to call cues by warming up his ear and voice in the hall. This company is SO SERIOUS about art, y’all!

Bethany Anne Lind

Michael and Eugenius are joined by Sean-Maurice on the left as they do a little dance to get that energy up for show NUMERO DOS. — Michael and Eugenius are joined by Sean-Maurice on the left as they do a little dance to get that energy up for show NUMERO DOS.

Bethany Anne Lind

This is a hat that Malcolm gave me on opening! I know it is mine because that is my name on the side. Also it is in my dressing room. And also he gave it to me. So that’s how I know. Whaddaya think of that little smarty pants 11 year old Bethany? — This is a hat that Malcolm gave me on opening! I know it is mine because that is my name on the side. Also it is in my dressing room. And also he gave it to me. So that’s how I know. Whaddaya think of that little smarty pants 11 year old Bethany?

Bethany Anne Lind

The women upstairs get ready for show number 2! Lynda says she’s not doing a show, she was just putting on her apron for the fun times of it and she doesn’t know what they’re talking about when Will calls places cuz she’s not doing another show. — The women upstairs get ready for show number 2! Lynda says she’s not doing a show, she was just putting on her apron for the fun times of it and she doesn’t know what they’re talking about when Will calls places cuz she’s not doing another show.

Bethany Anne Lind

Valerie and Tess think they can just stand there being all beautiful with their arms out and make me jealous of them. But I’m not. I don’t care. So what you’re all beautiful and talented and wonderful and stuff. I can deal. I can. — Valerie and Tess think they can just stand there being all beautiful with their arms out and make me jealous of them. But I’m not. I don’t care. So what you’re all beautiful and talented and wonderful and stuff. I can deal. I can.

Bethany Anne Lind

That’s Jamie! He’s subbing in for Michael tonight who is shadowing Will. I hope no shenanigans go down. Wait. Yes I do. — That’s Jamie! He’s subbing in for Michael tonight who is shadowing Will. I hope no shenanigans go down. Wait. Yes I do.

Bethany Anne Lind

We’re so close to being done! It’s intermission at our second show of the day. I take this opportunity to give a few notes to my fellow actors. They all love this! Hanging on my every word. — We’re so close to being done! It’s intermission at our second show of the day. I take this opportunity to give a few notes to my fellow actors. They all love this! Hanging on my every word.

Bethany Anne Lind

Well, Michael doesn’t take it too well, but he needs to hear it. I have lots of insight. — Well, Michael doesn’t take it too well, but he needs to hear it. I have lots of insight.

Bethany Anne Lind

Tom sort of acts like he can’t hear me while he’s tying his tie but I know everything I say gets to him deep down. — Tom sort of acts like he can’t hear me while he’s tying his tie but I know everything I say gets to him deep down.

Bethany Anne Lind

Malcolm takes notes very well. — Malcolm takes notes very well.

Bethany Anne Lind

He’s very receptive. — He’s very receptive.

Bethany Anne Lind

Second show is over! When the hair piece comes off is when I go into my next transitional appearance: rabid squirrel. — Second show is over! When the hair piece comes off is when I go into my next transitional appearance: rabid squirrel.

Bethany Anne Lind

Valerie, Andrea and Lynda stand outside the theater. Breathing deeply after a long day and two shows and having done what they came to do. — Valerie, Andrea and Lynda stand outside the theater. Breathing deeply after a long day and two shows and having done what they came to do.

Bethany Anne Lind

Goodnight Arena Stage! — Goodnight Arena Stage!

Bethany Anne Lind

Finally home and I sit unwinding with a glass of wine (FOR MY HEART), a bowl of popcorn and my sweet, talented husband Eric Mendenhall. He’s in Atlanta shooting a pilot and we reflect on how thankful we are to both be working at the same time. — Finally home and I sit unwinding with a glass of wine (FOR MY HEART), a bowl of popcorn and my sweet, talented husband Eric Mendenhall. He’s in Atlanta shooting a pilot and we reflect on how thankful we are to both be working at the same time.

Bethany Anne Lind

And I get to see my cat Cranston! She’s a girl named Cranston. — And I get to see my cat Cranston! She’s a girl named Cranston.

Bethany Anne Lind

Eric makes fun of me for wearing a hat inside so I take it off to show him what I look like without it. Final Recap: orphaned-boy-child to Amish-girl to 60s-ingenue to drag-queen-photographer to rabid-squirrel to electric-socket-lady. No hormones. Promise — Eric makes fun of me for wearing a hat inside so I take it off to show him what I look like without it. Final Recap: orphaned-boy-child to Amish-girl to 60s-ingenue to drag-queen-photographer to rabid-squirrel to electric-socket-lady. No hormones. Promise

Bethany Anne Lind

Makeup cleaned off. Final despicable selfie of the day. I really am sleeping here. I don’t know who took this. Creepy. — Makeup cleaned off. Final despicable selfie of the day. I really am sleeping here. I don’t know who took this. Creepy.

Bethany Anne Lind

Good night, dear playbill.com readers. Thanks for spending the day with me. I assure you that 11 year old Bethany would be decently impressed. Probably mostly at text messaging and the freedom to have a milkshake for dinner. Still. Not a bad day! Nite! — Good night, dear playbill.com readers. Thanks for spending the day with me. I assure you that 11 year old Bethany would be decently impressed. Probably mostly at text messaging and the freedom to have a milkshake for dinner. Still. Not a bad day! Nite!

Bethany Anne Lind

Malcolm insisted he propose to me in front of the green-room-Christmas-extravaganza. This was definitely not my idea at all and I did not drag him in from getting his lunch. He really wanted to be involved in this! He insisted.

Good Morning dear playbill.com readers. I made this sign last night cuz I am not so good with mornings and I didn’t know if I’d wanna talk yet. I was right. Good call.

This is me. Still not talking. I read that selfies in bed are the most despicable kind of selfies in the world. I think this is probably true.

Alright. Coffee’s ready, got a couple of protein pancakes out of the fridge and all heated up. I’ll be more social soon. Also. Christmas lights.

I’ve finally warmed up enough to compose a tweet. To you, dear playbill.com readers. How brave of me in the morning. No one has responded, retweeted or even favorited after an hour. I ponder the reason for my existence.

I just remembered I have a two-show day. That’s why you’re here! This requires a fresh coat of nail lacquer! This color is way too pink for Bethany, but I like it for my character. That is very actor-y of me.

It’s time for some Insanity! Shaun T yells things at me that I can use later for my acting. Things like: “Dig Deeper!” and “I don’t care if you’ve done this one time or a hundred times. Listen. to. the. cues.” and “Lift from your core, peo

While I work out, I look at my tiny Christmas tree! My husband and I made Christmas tree ornaments a few years ago and all I made was that cheesy decapitated snowman head but my husband made this beautiful BCEFA ribbon. What a guy!

Pre-show smoothie/2nd breakfast! I felt like I was being too actor-y drinking something this green and healthy so I put a stick of butter in the picture to remind you that I’m not just an actor. I’m a person too.

I’m about to head to the theater! I take this mirror selfie because I want to document my physical transitions throughout the day for which I must do everything but take hormones. This is what I call my “orphaned-boy-child” look.

I make fun of my kitchen cleaner on my way out the door. For being so method. #nailedit

This is where I work! Every time I walk across the street and see this place I get a little happy jump in my belly.

That’s a giant poster of the play that I get to do twice today! That is the face of Malcolm-Jamal Warner in the corner there. It’s not actually him. They don’t make him sit in there. It’s just a picture. You’ll probs meet him later.

Look who I run into first! It’s Aaron, our sound engineer. He’s carrying a bunch of brass instruments... Something must be changing in our show that I haven’t been informed of yet... I express my interest in the French Horn. Aaron will not hand it o

14. My dressing room is on the left and Malcolm-Jamal Warner's is on the right. I mentally text a picture of this moment to 11 year old me. But 11 year old me is just like, “what’s a text?” Ugh. 11 year old Bethany is being a smarty pants again.

Behind this door I hear the sounds of Malcolm-Jamal Warner saying a little prayer. Something like “Dear God, thank for letting me act opposite such a perfect specimen of a human being. I have never met anyone so talented and transformative as Bethany."

That Tina Fey book was an opening night gift from my director. He said it was just cuz my CHARACTER is a little bossy. I said “Thank you very much and can you bring me a coffee and please don’t look at me that way when I ask you to do something.”

My stage manager Will and our wardrobe supervisor, Emily Grace! More on Will later, but Emily Grace is a shining light of loveliness! She does all the hard work but is still even always nice! Also she is a very great Auburn fan. War Eagle!

I accidentally wandered into the green room after this. Oh snap! Valerie (you’ll meet her soon) brought these little balls of donuty goodness. I definitely did NOT eat two of those with some coffee.

I come back and drop off some protein pancakes for Malcolm in his dressing room cuz he’s been wanting to try them. I am not above buying love, using the commodity of whey.

AN ACTOR PREPARES: This is Michael Russotto who plays the Monsignor. He prepares for acting by smelling flowers sent to him by someone who loves his acting. This reminds him that someone loves his acting and helps him act better.

Eugene Lee prepares for acting by studying a scene he is not at all in. He’s that into acting. Using a pencil too! I am not onstage with Eugenius very much but I like to just listen to him on the monitors because of the goose bump inducing effect.

This is Valerie-who-brought-those-darn-donuts! She prepares for acting by making her eyes pop with makeup so you can really see all the acting she does with her eyes. Sometimes when we’re onstage she does it so hard that it actually hurts my feelings.

I come back, turn the Pandora from MIA to Yoga radio, lay out my towel and really start to focus! I am being way actor-y. But also very kindergarten-y with the towel and all. Acting is a lot like kindergarten when you think about it.

This selfie is the most dangerous thing I will do all day (and that includes the stint I had this morning rescuing a kitten from a burning building)! My friend Jenn Lyon taught me all about lashes and all the secrets of looking like a drag queen offstage.

Here’s Mikey our ASM who made the beautiful Christmas miracle you will soon see in our green room! He’s collecting all the valuables. Sometimes I just ask him to put himself in my valuable bag.

Here’s Tom Key! He plays my dad. Here you see that he prepares for acting the way a dog might prepare for being a dog. It’s very inspiring. I definitely did NOT ask him to pose for this picture.

It’s 15 till curtain! Time to go get my hairs on! Well whadaya know Steven is visiting my hair technician, Vincent! Steven built all of my costumes and is a mad genius of making things fit on people in just the perfectest of ways.

I have a fall - a half wig, so before the wig goes on I look like an Amish Girl. Also, I wear my robe for this part because I like to remind people that I am very high maintenance. Vincent is extremely excellent at his job and also fun to talk to.

I catch Malcolm in the hall on my way back. What luck! He’s doing his water bottle meditations. (Sometimes I call him “MalJam” or “Dubbs” and he squints his eyes at me a little bit but he doesn’t tell me not to.) I tell you what. These actors

Next I make sure to use these things. I gotta smooch on MJW soon. 11 year old Bethany would not be cool with kissin’ all on MJW with stinky breaths. For my little brother Jonny, you can ignore this part. We are totally faking it.

Finished hairs and makeups (so far we have: 1. orphaned-boy-child 2. Amish girl 3. 60‘s ingenue. Who doesn’t believe in miracles??!) and I change Pandora once again to ye olde Bob Dylan station. I count on Bob to to really pull it all together.

I get lucky and catch Andrea preparing too. She plays Mrs. Prentice. Andrea Frye is probably one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in person and somehow even lovelier on stage.

This is the foot and static clinged leg of the one and only Tess Malis Kincaid! This is the third time she’s played my mom and the fifth play we’ve done together and she is one of my all-time favorite actors in the world.

Tess prepares for acting by drinking coffee and pouting about the static cling in her pants. This world of acting is tough but she’s no wimp and ACTS THROUGH THAT STATIC CLING.

It’s Christmas card picture time for the Draytons! “Merry Christmas! We used to be a little bit racist but we didn’t know it but now we’re not anymore because our daughter made us see the light and changed us and the world forever. Love, The Dray

Here’s Valerie with her wig on now. She wears a robe sometimes too because us lady actors are VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE.

Oh dear, it’s intermission. But Tom refuses to break character and insists that Michael hear his confession. It’s a little awkward but at the same time very interesting. You’d be surprised at how many squirrels Mr. Key has hit with his car on purpos

First show over! And it’s talkback Wednesday! And the audience who has stayed lets me take their picture! Look how excited they are! They said “what’s up playbill.com readers?” I thought it was cool.

This is Linda Lombardi, our dramaturg. I hope to be friends with Linda for a long time. She is one smart lady.

Michael and Valerie talk back!

Malcolm gives hugs by request!

Malcolm also talks back!

Malcolm insisted he propose to me in front of the green-room-Christmas-extravaganza. This was definitely not my idea at all and I did not drag him in from getting his lunch. He really wanted to be involved in this! He insisted.

Time for Christmas card pics for the future Prentices! Get your mailbox ready: “Happy Holidayz, dear playbill.com reader! We just got married in Switzerland and acquired this beautiful LED fire place almost immediately. Life is good! Racists suck!"

I thought about trying to get some cheap publicity by starting a rumor and sending this one to the National Enquirer. Then I was like, “no Bethany. Don’t do that. You’re better than that. Definitely go with Us Weekly.”

I throw on the shades and go out for a little DC adventure. Cuz I have this nice camera! And I’m in DC! And I’ll nap and do laundry when I’m dead! The shades keep people from mobbing me because I had three lines on “Drop Dead Diva” a few years a

I don’t have too long but I metro it out to the Navy Memorial. DC metro ain’t too shabby.

The sun is doing beautiful things in DC as it sets. I don’t really know how to capture them, but here is a giant spider in front of the sun doing something beautiful. I wonder if this spider has to do towel yoga every morning to do it’s art.

I stare at these fish for a while. It’s relaxing to watch the fish just be.

I visit a few exhibits in Natural History but especially the dinosaurs because they are SO BIG. CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE?!

Upside-down selfie on the way home. Isn’t the moonlight just terrible? #actor-y Also remembered the lashes are still on and I think everyone must believe I am either a very important photographer or a drag queen with a fancy camera. Either way, I like

Embracing my introvertedness, I get a nice little walk in between shows before I go back to hang out for a couple of hours with another 680 new friends. What a beautiful place to get to walk!

I give this sax player some money on the way back. I don’t always do that but he’s playing Christmas music so beautifully and I get to tell a wonderful story two times today and take pictures of dinosaurs and life’s too short not to.

I receive a tip in text form saying Z Burger is giving away free milkshakes with an Arena ID. Look who I run into! Leigh who assisted us during tech! And Kurt who is stage managing Maurice Hines’ <i>Tappin’ Thru Life</i> in the theater next door!

Back to the theater. Tess is preparing again by reading cards from people who like her acting. I’m guessing they’re from Streep or Day-Lewis.

Lynda is BACK y’all.

Eugenius takes a little nap while drinking coffee because he is just. that. good.

Oh finally! Our dear stage manager Will! I love Will because he warms up just like actors do! Here he is, preparing to call cues by warming up his ear and voice in the hall. This company is SO SERIOUS about art, y’all!

Michael and Eugenius are joined by Sean-Maurice on the left as they do a little dance to get that energy up for show NUMERO DOS.

This is a hat that Malcolm gave me on opening! I know it is mine because that is my name on the side. Also it is in my dressing room. And also he gave it to me. So that’s how I know. Whaddaya think of that little smarty pants 11 year old Bethany?

The women upstairs get ready for show number 2! Lynda says she’s not doing a show, she was just putting on her apron for the fun times of it and she doesn’t know what they’re talking about when Will calls places cuz she’s not doing another show.

Valerie and Tess think they can just stand there being all beautiful with their arms out and make me jealous of them. But I’m not. I don’t care. So what you’re all beautiful and talented and wonderful and stuff. I can deal. I can.

That’s Jamie! He’s subbing in for Michael tonight who is shadowing Will. I hope no shenanigans go down. Wait. Yes I do.

We’re so close to being done! It’s intermission at our second show of the day. I take this opportunity to give a few notes to my fellow actors. They all love this! Hanging on my every word.

Well, Michael doesn’t take it too well, but he needs to hear it. I have lots of insight.

Tom sort of acts like he can’t hear me while he’s tying his tie but I know everything I say gets to him deep down.

Malcolm takes notes very well.

He’s very receptive.

Second show is over! When the hair piece comes off is when I go into my next transitional appearance: rabid squirrel.

Valerie, Andrea and Lynda stand outside the theater. Breathing deeply after a long day and two shows and having done what they came to do.

Goodnight Arena Stage!

Finally home and I sit unwinding with a glass of wine (FOR MY HEART), a bowl of popcorn and my sweet, talented husband Eric Mendenhall. He’s in Atlanta shooting a pilot and we reflect on how thankful we are to both be working at the same time.

And I get to see my cat Cranston! She’s a girl named Cranston.

Eric makes fun of me for wearing a hat inside so I take it off to show him what I look like without it. Final Recap: orphaned-boy-child to Amish-girl to 60s-ingenue to drag-queen-photographer to rabid-squirrel to electric-socket-lady. No hormones. Promise

Makeup cleaned off. Final despicable selfie of the day. I really am sleeping here. I don’t know who took this. Creepy.

Good night, dear playbill.com readers. Thanks for spending the day with me. I assure you that 11 year old Bethany would be decently impressed. Probably mostly at text messaging and the freedom to have a milkshake for dinner. Still. Not a bad day! Nite!

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