I am going to the theater this weekend to see the classic Scrooge!. I worked on this exact show last year and I am oh so excited to see it. I long to see the changes that have been made, the new actors that have been cast and all of the songs and dancing that carried over from last year.
But more than anything I am excited to take a friend that doesn't like theater, I want him to see a show that I know will change his mind about seeing shows, and this show will do that.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Possible Withdrawals
Tomorrow marks the first rehearsal of the winter show this year. This is the first show that I have not worked on for the company in three years. It is a rather odd feeling for me. I sit around wondering what exactly I will be doing with all my free time. I look at the positives as well.
I won't have to be in a freezing cold theater trying to stay warm while taking blocking notes. I won't have to drive in the rain and sit in traffic for 45 mins over a ten mile distance. And most importantly I won't have to spend long hours setting up and cleaning up after people.
Man I already miss it. What am I going to do?
Hopefully I will be able to get tickets to go see all my wonderful friends that were cast, because they will make the show amazing. And maybe this time off will be exactly what I need and I can come back even stronger for the summer season.
I won't have to be in a freezing cold theater trying to stay warm while taking blocking notes. I won't have to drive in the rain and sit in traffic for 45 mins over a ten mile distance. And most importantly I won't have to spend long hours setting up and cleaning up after people.
Man I already miss it. What am I going to do?
Hopefully I will be able to get tickets to go see all my wonderful friends that were cast, because they will make the show amazing. And maybe this time off will be exactly what I need and I can come back even stronger for the summer season.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Showmance
Showmance is an odd word. Actually I don't even know if it is a word, but these days everyone makes up whatever language they want and you just have to hope that people can follow along. If they can you might have a real shot at finding your made up word sweeping the internet.
But I digress, so yes showmance. In theater you watch people walk into and out of your life within months. Most of the time you form close bonds and connections with the people you work with. Tight quarters and long hours tend to forge those relationships. There are some people that walk into a show ready to work and luckily end up walking away from the experience not only with new friends but possibly a significant other as well. Lucky bastards!
However, I can never help but be happy for my friends when the showmance works out and continues for more than just the show we were all working on. I am realizing that this is starting to sound like we do shows just to hook up with other people, that is really not that case. It is more a side effect of being with people who clearly have the same passion for theater as you.
But I digress, so yes showmance. In theater you watch people walk into and out of your life within months. Most of the time you form close bonds and connections with the people you work with. Tight quarters and long hours tend to forge those relationships. There are some people that walk into a show ready to work and luckily end up walking away from the experience not only with new friends but possibly a significant other as well. Lucky bastards!
However, I can never help but be happy for my friends when the showmance works out and continues for more than just the show we were all working on. I am realizing that this is starting to sound like we do shows just to hook up with other people, that is really not that case. It is more a side effect of being with people who clearly have the same passion for theater as you.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Opening Night!
I am feeling a bit of nausea at the moment which can only really mean one thing, it’s Opening Night. Luckily I had a brief recess from the nausea I had last night for our Preview. Generally I find that Preview night is always a bit worse than Opening, my nerves are all over the place. I have come to the conclusion that this is because Preview night is the first night with an audience. And they pay to come see the show, but also it is generally the last night that everyone is adding the final touches to this and that and I have to adapt in an instant.
I find that I can adapt well to the change that needs to occur quickly in the theater. Outside the theater change is a different story, but inside I am always ready to move, quite like a ninja! It really is no coincidence that ninjas and backstage crew both wear all black. The cat like reflexes and the ability to hold our tongue and not scream out in pain when we run into a large set piece during a show, is really no different than any movie you see a ninja in. And we all know that ninjas in movies are what it is all about.
But I digress.
Tonight is THE night and no matter how many times I may have practiced calling this show, or have actually called it last summer (well over 21 times) I find that each Opening Night my brain still seems to believe that this is my first show all over again. What the heck brain?!?
Maybe some of tonight’s nervousness is coming from the fact that we only had something like 12 rehearsals this summer. Or perhaps it is the fact that this is a brand new space which is presenting all new spatial issues. Or furthermore, maybe I am nervous that in the 29 year history of this company a show has never been brought back twice and yet here I stand, same script and cues, same cast and director, worrying that this year we might not have people come back to see the show multiple times. This year we might not sell out. This year tornado could come crashing through the theater and carry me off to a far away land. Though I imagine that that particular happening would have been more relevant last year, seeing as the company was doing Wizard of Oz as well.
So many what ifs…
Then, at the end of the show I will get to soak up the applause as well. Sometimes I stand there in the booth and just breathe in the energy of the crowd. It fills my lungs as if I had been holding my breath for the hours since the show has started. And for a brief moment I am rejuvenated. The silence will come and at that time I will rest.
And tomorrow I will do it all again.
I find that I can adapt well to the change that needs to occur quickly in the theater. Outside the theater change is a different story, but inside I am always ready to move, quite like a ninja! It really is no coincidence that ninjas and backstage crew both wear all black. The cat like reflexes and the ability to hold our tongue and not scream out in pain when we run into a large set piece during a show, is really no different than any movie you see a ninja in. And we all know that ninjas in movies are what it is all about.
But I digress.
Tonight is THE night and no matter how many times I may have practiced calling this show, or have actually called it last summer (well over 21 times) I find that each Opening Night my brain still seems to believe that this is my first show all over again. What the heck brain?!?
Maybe some of tonight’s nervousness is coming from the fact that we only had something like 12 rehearsals this summer. Or perhaps it is the fact that this is a brand new space which is presenting all new spatial issues. Or furthermore, maybe I am nervous that in the 29 year history of this company a show has never been brought back twice and yet here I stand, same script and cues, same cast and director, worrying that this year we might not have people come back to see the show multiple times. This year we might not sell out. This year tornado could come crashing through the theater and carry me off to a far away land. Though I imagine that that particular happening would have been more relevant last year, seeing as the company was doing Wizard of Oz as well.
So many what ifs…
Then, at the end of the show I will get to soak up the applause as well. Sometimes I stand there in the booth and just breathe in the energy of the crowd. It fills my lungs as if I had been holding my breath for the hours since the show has started. And for a brief moment I am rejuvenated. The silence will come and at that time I will rest.
And tomorrow I will do it all again.
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