It seems like no matter what part I have in a show, whether behind the scenes or in front of the audience, I end up taking half of my possessions to the theatre during the process.
Using your own clothes during a community theatre production is fairly standard practice, unless you are doing some kind of period piece or have to wear something unusual like a policeman’s uniform or a nun’s habit. Add in furniture that you own that might fit the set, or props that are needed that might be at your own house and next thing you know you are dragging half of your life down to the theatre.
The play I am currently stage managing has had lots of unusual things I’ve had to research and learn about. I feel like if I say what all I have had to look up I will sound super naïve, which I have decided I am, and the play will sound super edgy, which it is not.
Suffice it to say that I have learned a lot about things that lots of people my age, who lived through the 60’s and 70’s, were already likely to know. I lived a rather different, rather sheltered life in lots of ways and lots of this “research” was news to me!
On top of that, there is a lot of food in the show, which means many grocery store runs. For people who really know me, you probably know that my least favorite chore is going to the grocery store. Now before you inform me that I can pay a small fee and have groceries delivered (I know that, my son used to use that service frequently and I think it is an ingenious idea) I also have to admit that I feel guilty even thinking about having someone else get my groceries for me when I am perfectly capable of doing it myself. Then again, there is very little in this world that DOESN’T make me feel guilty!!
During the show I put chips and salsa on a platter, make a turkey sandwich, dish up apple pie and serve lasagna for four. I mix numerous bottles of fake wine and I make sure everyone’s glass is full and that bottles are at the ready for more libations all during the show. I even dole out tic-tacs into an old prescription bottle to simulate sleeping pills. Ah- the magic of theatre!
Overall, it is a fun and tiring two hours of running around backstage as the actors run around on stage!
Being a part of a group of people who come together for a few weeks to pretend to be other people and tell a story different from their own is a really weird hobby to have. Creating a world on stage that includes snacks and libations is a ton of work and a ton of fun. Making the environment you have created seem real to the audience is an art and takes a village. That village comes together for a time and then, when the show closes, moves on to new worlds, new stories, new villages.
It is indeed a strange hobby that you either love and understand, put your blood, sweat and tears into asking nothing but applause and laughter in exchange, or you can not fathom why you would go through all of this for a few performances. There really is no in between.
You either commit all of your time to learn lines, do research, stress out at home plus rehearse at the theatre or you will not succeed. You either shut out the real world while you are in the pretend world or you will not be believable. You either concentrate on nothing other than the story you are telling or the story won’t make sense. Being in the moment, letting the cares of the day go and totally immersing yourself in what you are doing is the only way to be an actor. It is the hardest part and the best part!
Things like frozen lasagna, apple pie and fake wine are the only way to totally live in that world. Figuring out how to make a baggie explode or a dress look like it got thrown up on are just some of the things that make a show like this a puzzle to work your way through.
Learning about bongs and how to roll a joint are just some of the skills that a show can bring into your life. OOPS! I told you it would sound edgy! Oh well, now you’ll have to come see the show to see that it is all in good fun!
PSSST! Here is where you can go to get tickets!
