Hello, all! As promised, here is the story of how I ended up ON stage instead of behind it at a community theater production of “Fiddler On The Roof”.

Well, it all began last year with some irreconcilable differences with the set crew of this same community theater group. :) Despite the fact that I couldn’t work with them, they do put on some really good shows. So, when this year’s audition emails went out, I suggested to my drama-major roommate Karen that she should think about auditioning. When she decided to try out (after watching the movie, downloaded/practicing the music, AND coming up with her own more-creative lyrics to most of the songs— she’s so professional!), I felt really compelled to do the show too. I mean, what could be better than doing theater with my roommate? Since I knew I couldn’t do CREW (see link above!), I had to do the next best thing… act! (?)

And, long story short (too late!), after nerve-racking auditions (I definitely let out a scream halfway through out of nervousness!), callbacks (where I had to face my biggest fear: singing a song I had never heard before alone on a stage in front of people!), and some dues-payments, we were IN! Karen got the exact role she wanted— a sweet, but rebellious daughter named Hodel— and I got the exact role I wanted— chorus daughter #10! Then, of course, we had to convince our friend Troy to play trumpet in the pit, and we were all set. :)

Now, in theory, I should be no stranger to the stage, but it has been about 8 years since I’ve acted, so yeah, the rehearsals were a little awkward to say the least at first. :) I definitely didn’t have the “actor’s mentality” anymore, unlike many of my chorus co-stars, who usually would desperately try to steal the spotlight. (I mostly tried to hide in the back!) When we started doing dress rehearsals, I kept feeling like I should be taking notes and pacing around the auditorium instead of dancing and singing on stage. The other actors teased me quite a bit when I would sit with the techies in between scenes, but they are MY people! I can’t deny it! I am a techie!

Anyways, though, I must admit that by the first performance, I was totally back in my element. I love the laughter and applause of the audience, I didn’t get tripped up in my choreography, and I actually had a really good time. I even found myself trying to sneak up to the front of the chorus numbers and getting a little spotlight myself. And, shoot, it was also nice to be a part of a production where the scenery just appeared one day without me having to do anything! I could get used to that!

So that’s the story. And, by the way, Karen and Troy did marvelous jobs in their roles! I must admit, though, despite all of the acting-hurdles I had to jump over, I pretty much stole the show being chorus daughter #10. I mean, I am not going to let it get to my head or anything, but I am basically the biggest star EVER now. I really feel like the show was lucky to have me, because I pretty much brought the whole production together.

And as proof of that, during tech week, a photographer came in and took about 420 pictures of the show and gave them to us on a cd. I thought it’d be fun to share some with you to illustrate how vital my presence was to this production. I had to pin back my bangs and I am wearing a lot of makeup, so just in case you don’t recognize me, I am in a red skirt and white shirt… and I drew arrows to help you:

:) Actually, those are pretty much all of the pictures of me (out of 420!!) except for one where the entire cast is warming up their voices, singing to the piano, looking focused and excited, and I am in the corner eating a sandwich!

So, in reality, I may not be a famous actress or was even noticed by any audience member who wasn’t looking specifically for me, but it was lots of fun and I made some new friends and that’s all that really matters, right? Of course right!

In case you would like more details of my community-theater experience, don’t ask me, just rent Waiting For Guffman… it pretty much sums it up!