Open Wardrobes

The opening night of The Hanging of the Greens is almost upon us. We have a final dress rehearsal tonight, a preview tomorrow, and then the official opening on Thursday. The last month and a half has just sped by, it's hard to believe we've almost reached performances already. Last night Claudia said that she thinks we're at the point where we're not only ready for an audience, but need one. I agree. It always amazes me how when a show reaches the final rehearsals, adds the costumes, lights, the set is finished, and so on, how that naturally brings the show to the next level. The last couple of rehearsals have felt really good. Bits that I wasn't quite sure about as an actor have finally come together, the relationships onstage are there, and perhaps most importantly we're all having fun. Last year during Hansel and Gretel I deeply enjoyed the intimacy of the small cast experience, how you come to know and depend so much on each person. This year I am reveling in the big cast experience, the loud raucous nature of it, and the joy of being at home in a big crowd. I have, not surprisingly, become closest to my onstage "family." They are amazing to work with and just the sweetest kids.


So as we prepare to enter into the performance phase of the show, a final thought: I had acting teacher in college, Kurt Schweickhardt, who emphasized the importance during rehearsals of understanding your character, what you're trying to accomplish, why you're saying what you're saying, the physicality, and so on. But when you get to performances, he said, let it all go. If you have done your work it will be there behind you and you can just be the character. We have all done our work and the time has come to let it all go and just be in the moment.