All the World's a Stage :)

I fell in love with live theatre from the seats of the Red Barn Summer Theatre.  My "Grammy" would take us there each year to the musicals.  I didn't just love the shows--I loved the smell of the stage makeup, the costumes they wore, the scenery, the crickets chirping through the converted barn windows, the fish swimming in the pond out back, and the summer night sky on the drive home.  When I arrived home, I would quickly rush up to my bedroom and perform each song and scene (as well as I could remember them anyway) in front of my mirror, paying close attention to imitate the facial expressions they used and how to make my voice change to match my emotions.  Those actors were my heroes, and I wanted to be JUST.  LIKE.  THEM. 

It's no surprise that as I got older, I sought after a spot on that very stage.  I will never forget the first time I got to perform at the Red Barn.  I was entering my junior year in college, and they were doing "The Pajama Game."  It was OPENING NIGHT.  I arrived at the theatre, checked my props and costumes, and "C.A." (our business manager) walked back and handed me....wait for it...A CHECK.  MONEY.  I was getting PAID to do what I had always DREAMED of doing!  What???!!!!!  I was all, "What is this???"  C.A. was all, "It's a paycheck, Julie.  We are a professional theatre company.  We pay our actors."  Huh.  You doan't say.  "Well, I'll be dipped."  Then, I took said paycheck out to my car, climbed into the driver's seat and BAWLED.  I seriously had no idea they were going to PAY ME to act on their stage.  I was overcome with gratitude for a moment I had been anticipating with such longing for most of my childhood. 

I have since had several wonderful opportunities to be on stage performing.  I totally love it.  Like more than any THING else I can think of.  I was part of a 10 minute play festival a year ago, and it was the first time I had been on stage in a year and a half.  The best way I can describe that experience was like being HOME.  I felt alive again.  And, now, I am back for the second year in the 10 minute play festival, feeling like my soul is being FED from the challenge and excitement of performing. :)  I am so grateful for each time I get to be under those lights, pretending to be someone else for a little while.  Although I love being me :) I also love becoming someone else for a smidgen of time.  And I love that there are other actors who will pretend alongside me and create a story with me on a stage, in front of a live audience.  So.  Awesome.  

And....SCENE. 

http://lafayettecivic.blogspot.com/2014/05/in-wings-second-annual-10-minute-play_9221.html