Special Moments Caused Through Theatre- Page 2

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:46pm

There were SO many moments I've had the pleasure of experiencing throughout my High School theatre career. In the spring of 2005, the lsat performance of Les Miserables, I can recall BREAKING DOWN during "Drink With Me" and that (of course) was the lead-in to "Bring Him Home" -- Neeldess to say, "BHH" was full of emotion (too much, I'd say!) but the audience understood why and it only added to the moment...The ovation I got holding that final high A was incomparable. My body was shaking my voice steady, and I just...felt so proud and accomplished after that moment.

Fastforward to the Epilogue, if you will. I'm standing next to Cosette: "It's too soon, too soon to say 'Goodbye'." She pulls me into her and just SQUEEZES, and she doesn't let go...She's bawling, and I'm trying to maintain my composure, but it's so, so, so difficult. Thankfully, I kept it together until Fantine's "Come to me where chains will never bind you. All your grief, at last, at last, behind you. Lord, in Heaven, look down on him in mercy..." We were hand-in-hand, and we were kind of using one another's inner strengths to keep going. I can't remember seeing much of the audience during curtain call, my eyes were watering too much...but, I was just...torn apart. For that show to end the way it did. Valjean, Javert, Fantine, Eponine, Enjolras, Thenardier, Mme. Thenardier, Cosette, and Marius, all of whom were graduating seniors...Along with several revolutionary women, students on the barricades, townspeople, stagehands, techies, the whole bunch -- totaling 28 seniors who took part in the theatre program. It was a monumental moment for all of us -- Something I will never forget.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 10:13pm

The moment after a unbelievable, awesome, fantastic peformance when the audience has to take one second of silence to let it sink in before jumping to their feet in applause.

My favorite moment in the world.

I love diva's comment. :)

[neomystyk29]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 10:53pm

Those chills that you get in the audience.

Those chills that you get during curtain call after you take your bow.

I live for those chills.

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 1:17am

When i did Side Show recently, i had a really traumatic experience hapen right before the last weekend of shows. I was devestated but was trying not to think about it and hadn't cried or anything. At the 2nd to last showi had to give the speech in circle before we went on, and as i was talking about "how much i loved the community of our theatre company, and how much we support each other", i start to cry. And i NEVER cry at the end of shows.

It was a mixture of everything that i was feeling about the cast, the show ending, that being my last show for a while at that company, and of course all the feelings i was holding back about what had happened to me earlier that week. So with all that emotion i bawled, i mean BAWLED for twenty minutes up until the show started and through the first three numbers until i finally had to sing "the devil you know" and i really needed t stop crying.

What was so amazing though was we started the show on these bleachers, and i was on the top one and the girl playing Daisy sat in front of me. As the overture began (and i'm still crying of course) she reached back and she grabbed my ankle, showing me that she was there for me and that i'd get through it. It was only because of her, that i got through that show. Its funny how such a little gesture was so important to me.

I only found out later that she knew what had happened to me, and just knowing she was there for me no matter what only reinforced everything i had said about friends and castmates in my pre-show speech. Its nice to know that these people you've spent months working with and getting to know, will be there for you. It made me know i want to be around people like that for the rest of my life.

Sorry that was so long.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 1:27am

<---

That was beautifully written. I can't even begin to describe the emotional impact it had, being a VERY sensitive person myself...I actually just completed SIDE SHOW myself (we ran through the sumemr)...I played "The Boss" in my production. Another moment, now that I think about it, came at the VERY end of the last show. The final: "See the bride / Curiousity satisfied / Come and give them a strong ovation / An acclaimation / But no critiques / Come hear how love speaks / Come look at the freaks!" Holding out the "FREEEEAAAAKKKKSSS" over my 25-other castmates and the orchestra was unreal! I was zapped of all energy -- I gave my all, holding that out for 16 beats...and that show, the whole thing, so beautiful...VERY UNDERRATED, and it's sad because the score is sensational!

[gumbo2]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 1:35am

I love reading all of these.

I just love hearing the reaction of the audience when performing. Whether it's laughter or applause or intent silence. It's just wonderful.

And I don't know if anything can beat the feeling after performing Be Our Guest and waiting there for a good 2minutes as people continue to applaud.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 2:00am

Fabrizio,

I have been doing theatre for years. I have resumes in Costuming, Hair and Make-Up, Props, Set Design, Lighting and Stage Managing. I've also been Managing Director for a theatre as well.

I've do everything from directing, to running the follow spot. I come from the old school where you were taught everything.

I was Stage Managing with the booth incident