Theater thoughts

[bex77]

Putting on community theater is a lot of work. But it is also a lot of fun. I've been thinking about the current production (the one-acts) and how things have gone, and what the best parts were for me.


I love the money. I admit it! There is nothing like the rush when the treasurer says "We broke even! It looks like we're going to make some money!" Astonishing as it may seem, we've made money on every one of the nine shows we've done in the past 2.5 years....unheard of in theater, and part of the miracle that is Theatre @ First.

I love talking to people. The actors, the crew, the house volunteers, the audience....it seems like "old home week" and people I haven't seen in ages make it to the play, each with their own bits of news and connections to other people's news. It is interesting to see which play people liked - seems like every night if I talk to 10 people they each pick different ones for different reasons. Something for everyone. I come home feeling part of the community and ALIVE!

I love the music. I find myself humming "Don't Worry, Be Happy" or "Waaaaaiting...." at odd moments.

I love watching the plays. Seeing them develop from the read-through to the run-through to the performances. Over and over. I begin to feel sorry for people who only see them once, as there is so much being said and happening on stage, it takes several viewings to take it all in.

I love watching people reading the program and smiling and looking thoughtful.

I love watching the ninja stagehands appearing like magic...making the scene changes in near-darkness...putting the table just so, the prop on the right spot...and slipping away again.

I love the sound effects...the drums of Africa, the doorbell right on cue, and the lights coming up to herald the start of a new play.

I love "the moments." A line here or a facial gesture there will stay with me always. It's hard to tell what will "stick" in my mind, but here are the moments that come back to me now. Some are the laughs, some "the moral" and others random, but I feel richer for each one. Surprises...kisses...eight for the price of one.

"You can kiss me...if you want to."

"It's not the kiss...it's the person you kiss. The person you should be thinking about..."

"Just how offensive is this joke going to get?"

The artist, standing there at the last moment...brush in hand...

The composer walking in.

The roundhouse punch, perfectly synchronized to a brand new song, and the perfect slump against the pole.

"Some plans don't need pants."

"Well...SPLURGE for once."

"Do you have the time?"
"It doesn't take very long.:

"I thought you might have forgotten me."
"Oh...I don't think so."

"PUPPY HATE!"

"I didn't see that one coming!"


Then there is the applause...and I get a lump in my throat. I know...sap! But there are so few moments in life when you can hear the applause and think, "I did that. I had a little part in making that happen." Wow.

Thank you. To each person. For being part of what I love about Theatre @ First.

Comments

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Hugs. That was beautiful. :-)

[muffyjo]

It takes a village to build a play and what an incredible village we have.

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

>I love watching the ninja stagehands appearing like magic... making the scene changes in near-darkness... putting the table just so, the prop on the right spot... and slipping away again

My first reaction on reading that was "Dude, was she watching the same play??" But then I saw that everything else you said matches right up with what I'm feeling, too. So I guess I'll just have to take it as a compliment!

[gilana]

I love watching the ninja stagehands appearing like magic...making the scene changes in near-darkness...putting the table just so, the prop on the right spot...and slipping away again.
Sweeping up the broken glass... :)

That was really lovely. What a great show, and I'm sad it's over. On to the next one!