The play

It went well tonight, better than I had expected it would.  I woke up this morning with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.  My stage fright is an overachiever, just like me.  Of course, it was my first time ever acting on stage, so I think my nerves were justified.

The play, for those of you who were wondering, is Henri Gheon's The Way of the Cross.  It's not entertainment; in fact I tell people who ask that it's not really a play, but more like a dramatic meditation.  It's a drama based on the Stations of the Cross, but we actors (there are only five of us) don't play the parts of Jesus and Mary, but rather of random bystanders reacting to what is happening.  It's like we're seeing the Crucifixion happening, but the audience can only see it through our reactions to it.

I have the part of the reciter, which is the smallest part - I give each station a four-line introduction, then remain silent until the next one.  Not a huge responsibility.  However, at the beginning of each station I am standing alone, a spotlight comes up on me, and I have to speak into the silence.  It's nerve-wracking.  I was scared all day, although an hour in the chapel and some deep breathing helped calm me.  Michael came home from work in the middle of the afternoon to bring me flowers and spend some time with me because he knew how stressed I was.  That helped the most.

I'm feeling euphoric now, simply because I was afraid that I would not even be able to get through tonight's performance, but I did.  And did well, according to those who were there to see it.  Now I know I can do well tomorrow night, and Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon.  Thank you for your good wishes.  I will sleep well tonight.

Comments

[Mary Poppins NOT (Renee)]

Hi - congrats on your successful performance. I was just reading through some of your past posts, and your Love Story was lovely. I loved your description of engagement, as that was our experience as well. We got married in our late 20's, so I thought it was our being "set in our ways" that caused the strife. Guess not. Again, lovely re-telling of a true love story.