This is currently my favorite picture.
Every time a show is put on, a family forms. A group with a bunch of inside jokes and secrets that only they really get. Non-theatre people can usually spot a theatre person from a mile away. Mostly because the theatre person is shouting at everyone who will (and won't) listen to come to their show.
Because it's really good. I promise. Like, the best thing to happen onstage. Seriously. Come to the show. You won't regret it. ...please?...
The picture above is the 'Act One people' from The Devil and Daniel Webster. But that's not the whole picture. I see the horse collar that someone put Horace Oats on for opening night. I see the scruff marks on the devil's knees from being shoved to the ground every night. I see walls that have quotes and jokes written in Sharpie on the back. I see a podium that, on the last performance, had a microphone and phone taped to the back (a failed attempt at a prank). I see a Daniel Webster who had to down painkillers every night because of a serious knee injury. I see four people who rehearsed a play approximately 30 times and still got along after the fact.
(Shout-out to the ten 'Act Two people' who had to wait backstage for their chance to come onstage and be completely terrifying and awesome. I give extra props to the ones who managed to fall asleep while waiting.)
I just so happened to be lucky enough to get to be a part of the ideal cast. (Twice) And I'm so thankful for the impact these people have had on my life. During this in-between stage of my life where I'm not in school, it was such a relief to be a part of this group that accepted me in all my quiet craziness. There were multiple times when I was just behind the set, listening to the audience during the funny parts of our show, hoping they would laugh, when I thought I'm so glad I stayed home. This is why. This. Right. Here. Being a part of a collaborative effort got me out of my 'all of my friends left' slump (which is totally not true. The majority of my friends either haven't graduated yet, aren't at college, or are a Facebook message away. I just like to feel sorry for myself sometimes.) and back into reality.
Not a ton of people came to see the show. But the ones that came got a good show. I'm not even biased. We put on a good show. So, thank you to my cast mates. Thanks for being amazing. I can't wait to work with you all again.
