We had the final week of performances of "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" last week. I had no lines to say for any of this, just playing the piano on stage and sitting on stage through the whole show. The only drama I experienced during the performances was on the third night when my piano light burned out right after the second (and final) act started. No one noticed my problem except that I started making a lot of mistakes (which the director mentioned afterward, of course). I couldn't leave the stage and it's the only time in my life that I wanted to run off crying. Other lessons learned (besides having batteries)...1. No wonder acting appeals to so many people. You get a chance to say the right thing with the right expression and the right gestures in front of an audience. Unlike real life (for me, anyway) where I think of the exact right thing to say AFTER the moment has past.
2. It is possible to be a bad audience member. (And a good audience member.)
3. All through high school I wondered if I would end up loving the theater if I just gave it a chance. It turns out it really isn't "me." (I don't hate it, I'm just not enchanted.)
4. When I think I should not say anything, I should really not say anything.
5. I'm inspired to learn new music and find a way to perform it so that I actually have to learn it. For years I've been playing the same hymns and all the same stuff that I learned years and years ago.
2 comments:
I'm so sorry I didn't get to see your debut. It sounds delightful. Your theater stories crack me up and remind me that I'm not missing out on anything. See you soon!
Just a note to let you know I am enamored with your site! I read it almost daily, often with loud guffaws and chuckles. My kids often look at me strangely. Thank you for your voice brightening my days. Even after all this time I do not find you a bit "surly," well, after the armpit-groundhog comment perhaps I should reconsider!
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