Sunday, November 15, 2015

Now It's Time to Say Good Bye...


I started writing this blog post last night as I sat backstage listening to Janelle sing “Kindergarten Boyfriend”. She really rocks that song EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. I have so many emotions coming up to this final performance of Heathers the Musical. I’m relieved that I won’t have to worry about keeping my voice healthy. I’m looking forward to getting back into a real life routine again. But, there are so many things I will miss about this beautiful cast and crazy show.

I will miss watching Zach and Alex dancing in the wings before the show and between scenes. Let me just tell you – Zach’s interpretive dance solos in the dark corners of the theater are frighteningly on point. Abby Lee’s crew has nothing on you. Alex, you brought so much color to the stage. Thank you! You calmed my nerves on more than one occasion and made me smile.

Courtney, Madelyn, and Katherine – I will miss watching you beautiful girls get ready to roll nightly – the giggles, the crud convo, the selfies. THE SELFIES. The selfies. You make it all look so easy and that’s the magic, right, because it’s a lot of work I know! Thank you for sharing the dressing rooms with regular bitches like me and bringing the Heathers to life.

DJ, Austin, and Tim – I’ve been so blown away by your vocal talent and presence on stage. You bring energy to every space you inhabit. You’ve taken three relative small roles and made them memorable. I will miss our silent interactions on stage and passing glances. I’m pretty sure that Dwight has become Ms. Fleming’s favorite student and that she’s called social services on Mr. Bitter Geek, DJ. Tim – that pink sweater! Seriously. Do you think it’s my size?

Todd and Jon have been my anchors in this show – my partners in crime. Jon – thank you for the lifts home after rehearsals and shows. Todd – thank you for not freaking out when I’d forget to move the stairs every other performance. I’m sure that was frustrating for you! I loved that we all were dressed first and waiting for mics together. I will miss your eye rolls, Todd, every time I beg you for a raise silently and in slow motion. And, Jon, those knees! No one rocks men’s short shorts like you, buddy.

Hailee, little Miss Stoner Chick, you brought perspective to the show nightly for me. It made me smile to see you doing homework and studying between scenes. Keep working towards your goals. You’re a bright, warm spirit. So glad I got to meet you.

Sydney it’s been so fun getting to know you after sharing the stage with you all those years ago when we did that benefit for the Carp High Muses together. Your confident, smiling face got me through more than one “dead gay son” scene. And, thank you for covering my bench misses and keeping me on key.

Terry, our resident make up expert and dance captain – thanks for reviewing choreo with this old lady so I didn’t look like a complete idiot nightly. Having you in the show has been a blessing in so many ways. You are always prepared and willing to help where needed. Thank you!

Trevor, you are equal parts creepy and heartthrob. Every night, you bring tears to my eyes when you say your final farewell to Veronica. And, you are such a nice guy in real life. Truly. If someone were to ask me what I thought of Trevor Shor, I would say, “God, he’s such a nice guy.” Can’t wait to see what you do next!

Samantha Eve – you are perhaps one of the hardest working people in the Santa Barbara theatre community. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to perform with Out of the Box. I have really loved sharing moments with you on stage – you’re not afraid to look me in the eye and that doesn’t always happen on stage. Thank you for being fearless or, at the very least, enjoying the rush with us.

To Dr. Kasey Link – I will miss your heavy breathing and kind instruction. Truly – not worthy! You’re on a completely different level. You broke this show down for us into bites we could manage. Thank you. Luis, Paul and Noah – you added so much depth to the show. Thank you!

Maggie, Katie and Brad – we could not have done this without you! Maggie – the outfits! I look forward to see you again in the future just to see what you’ve thrown on your body and deemed worthy to wear. Brad – you know my number and that is, like, theatre goals achieved! Katie – thanks for putting up with this crazy crew. It never ceases to amaze me how your voice can cut through any chatter and motivates movement. That’s not a learned skill. You have to be born with that!

I honestly have loved getting to know our high school volunteer backstage crew, Al, Diana, Clarise, Delson, Rose, and May. However, I owe all my achieved fast changes to, Al. Calm, cool, collected and paced perfectly so that I made it out for my next scene. Thanks, Al!

Lastly, I would be remise if I didn’t mention Jenny, our director. The last three weeks, despite her physical absence, I know she’s been with us in spirit. I miss her excitement and energy. We did you proud, Jenny. We did you proud!

You always feel sad when a show closes. The art you spent so much time creating simply disappears, never to be re-created again in the exact same image. We leave it all on stage – no regrets. Videos will never capture all the moments shared, the magic created, or the bonds formed. But, for the few of us brave enough to take the stage to entertain the masses, the memories will be forever cemented in our hearts.

Farewell, Heathers the Musical. It’s been so very. Six out of eight performances sold out. I couldn’t have dreamed or asked for more. Let’s go be seventeen, one last time.



Wednesday, November 4, 2015

If You're Going Through Hell...


Tech week, also known as hell week, has earned its nickname – it’s always hell no matter what show it is and some shows are more hellish than others. If you haven’t been rehearsing in the theater, you essentially have to re-space the entire show in a matter of days, add lights, add costumes, add make-up, add band, add mics, add sets. You’re meeting new faces and trying to remember their names, your lines, your choreography, and your music. Rehearsals get longer and become more tedious. Everyone’s nerves are fried. Things are said. Lots of things are said. People are constantly reminding you to be quiet, to be patient. Folks get crabby. No one likes hell week. It sucks. No, really. It sucks.
Winston Churchill once said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” That is exactly what a production team has to do in order to open a show. We have to just keep going. And, the moment that you let go and just accept that hell week is going to suck but it won’t last forever, you start to enjoy the process. You notice things that you didn’t notice before during a scene. You get inspired. You remember why you love the craft.
Last night was our first run with all the magical theatre ingredients: sets, props, mics, lights, costumes, make-up, and the band. There were enchanting moments and there were train wreck moments. I blundered a few lines, but I nailed my choreography for the first time. Yay me! I got my pre-show ritual down and felt healthy at the end of the night. Success! And, I must say that this cast looks damn good! The selfie action backstage is pretty epic.
Tonight is our last run without an audience and I think after one more go at this, we’ll be ready for an audience. After all, theatre isn’t truly theatre without an audience. It's the last magical ingredient that makes a show a success!
No more “what ifs” – ready for “let’s do this”. See you on the other side.