The Longest Shortest Time
EPISODE #82: There’s No Place That’s Home
Ten years ago, makeup artist Christina Tracey got her first touring gig with the Broadway show The Lion King. That’s where she met her husband Mitch, a sound engineer on the crew. Now they both work for Wicked.
Christina gets the awesome job of painting the wicked witch green every night.
She turns actors like Emma Hunton from this…
…into this!
Christina and Mitch go wherever the show goes, which means moving to a new city every 2-3 weeks—sometimes nearly cross-country. Mitch flies because he needs to get to the set quicker; Christina drives. And when she had a baby three years ago, that didn’t change. Her son Mace has been on the road with her (and her dog) since he was 28 days old.
Mace sleeps in his travel crib.
He colors in the car.
He’s seen theater in New York.
He’s had Christmas in Hawaii.
And Christina always takes him out to play during their long drives, like here in White Sands.
Thing is, when no place is home, it’s hard to have a community. Which is hard for parents and kids. In this story, Christina grapples with what that means for her family. Plus, she tells us what it’s like to only have a green witch as a confidante. And how being a makeup artist and a mom are pretty much the same thing.
UPDATE: Since we last heard from Christina, she and her family have (kinda) decided to settle down in one place. But in the process of settling, Christina couldn’t help relapsing to her on-the-road lifestyle. Listen to this update to hear how she wound up driving across 5 states with these 3 dogs.
Want to be virtual travel buddies with Christina?
Follow her and talk to her at @seestina on Instagram!
What are YOUR tricks for getting through long trips with your kids?
Give up the goods! In the comments.
Emma Hunton headshot: courtesy of the Wicked tour; Emma Hunton as witch: Joan Marcus
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