We’re Gonna Start With The Baseboards
We’re gonna.
No we’re not.
Well should we?
I don’t think so. I think we should just jump into the end!
The begining.
Are you sure?
I’m pretty sure…yeah I’m sure!…
Monday 8:00pm The ND @501 Studios:
It was warm…80′s…we began to gather outside of the venue. Texas. Beautiful!
I had been watching, over the last 10 or 15 minutes, as person after person, dressed in their specials, began the arrival…ready for something unique, different, entertaining and alive…theatre. Once we had all joined together, buzzing with anticipation for our call we entered.
We had seen the space a handful of hours before when we came for Tech, our final rehearsal with stage hands, lights, and details. It was beautiful, hip, intimate. Dark bar meets theatre space if you will. Nothing too fancy, floor level, very human, we are here, they are here, no risen space above the watchers…interesting…close. Dank hip hop pulling you into an alive vibe.
The house was full. Full of people, energy, movement. We all slowely gathered into the green room, just through the door and around the corner. The space reminded me of some hip old cafe…Portland style in the early 90′s. Cigarette machine…$9.00 a pack to show the times…
We prepared ourselves. Some of the girls dressed with essential oil…placing our head phones…oddly enough we all had them, and if pressed at the right moment, we would all be thrown into the Michael Silverstone world of script. It was all there for us. We had been rehearsing, yet every rehearsal, Michael would change up the script to keep us on our toes, to keep a sense of freshness, a sense of displacement to the whole thing.
I stood just slightly outside of the group, watching, moving my body to that dank beats that were spilling back around the corner…far from nervous…excited…I love the stage. And here I had nothing to worry about. These were not my words, this was not my piece, far from bleeding my own heart on the stage, for everyone to judge. I knew I would be fine…not a twinge of nerves…very relaxing, comforting, yet almost missing something…
It was time. We left the green room and placed ourselves to the far other end of the room, waiting for our que. The lights dropped…One, Two, Three, Press!…and here we go. The piece was only 10 minutes long. It was awesome! Moving about the stage, feeling the reaction of the audience, the energy of the other ladies…only Ten minutes, yet so full of energy…
Then, there we were all lined up and bowing to the people who make it possible to be a performer…the watchers.
How wonderful and amazing…
It was over.
Following our piece, were 7 or 8 other wonderful acts. I watched. I watched the performers, the watchers, the stage hands and the light crew…I felt incredibly inspired! I want to do this…more of this! I not only want to continue acting…I want to write. There were quite a few solo acts. “I can do this” I thought to myself…”I can totally do this!” I want to write my own performance piece!
As I left the Venue I felt full of creativity, wonderment and life. I am so lucky to be here…so lucky to be alive…to be taking part in life…to feel capable and creative!
I woke this morning with a smile on my face. Feeling as though, this last week of craziness, emotions, long hours and sleepy eyes was so much more than worth it! I felt ready!…I am already building my piece. Every time I look in the mirror I can see a small bit of it. I have begun taking notes for myself…putting my energetic feelers out into the world…Here I come I say! Here I come!!
Amazing work. I love your blog. It is always interesting and very honest. I think that performance art will be something you will excel at. I look forward to your next post.
Your writing is extremely vivid in the emotions and the thoughts. Keep them coming!