Wait Until Dark #6
12/23/09
We took our final bow a week and a half ago and I still have a hard time figuring out what to do with my new found freedom. I really miss the show....
Roughly 6 weeks of rehearsals, 5 days a week; 5 weeks of performances, 4 days a week; burning the candle at both ends with a full time job; studying for the GRE; applying to grad school; and taking on the most demanding role in a play I've ever been given... and it was all worth it! The final show was really difficult for me to do. I can't honestly say "I never cry on closing night" anymore, because I DID cry. I LOVED getting to the theatre an hour earlier than call time to burn my candle, stretch, listen to my music, put on my makeup, do my hair, set my props, walk the stage, hit my warrior pose down stage center, bond with Chris Utley (my "Sam"), chat with Chris Mertan (my stage manager), greet everyone in the cast, get the ticket sales updates from Cathy (our box office guru), sign the check-in sheet, steam my costume, set my knee pads on my table so I don't forget to put them on during intermission, get my 'break a leg' hug from Geoff (our "Mike Talman"), listen to the opening music on the monitor with Sigal or Chloe (whoever was playing "Gloria" that night) as the show begins, and then head upstairs to get into character backstage as the three thugs open the show with Scene 1.
Playing a role this size and this complex has given me new found courage and self confidence. Not to be confused with arrogance (ha!). There are a few shows coming up around town that I plan on auditioning for that I would have NEVER considered before. I even shyed away from working on certain characters in acting class because I thought I wasn't worthy or good enough to even attempt such complicated characters, but now I'm actually planning on auditioning for those very same roles! Not only that, but I have absolute faith that I will ROCK THE HOUSE at the audition! And that is the biggest gift I've ever given myself. Thank you to Terri Miller-Schmidt (my director) for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, and to everyone involved in this project. Our show was listed in the OC Register as one of the Top 5 shows to see and they were damn right! Happy Holidays Cheers to an amazing 2009