It Takes a Community

The comment Linda shares in a previous blog of “Note the time?” is very true right now; while she had the music buzzing in her brain after she got home, I woke up to the music!   4:18 a.m. and “Be Our Guest” was just a movin’ and a groovin’ in there, and I couldn’t fall back asleep.    As I lay awake half singing, half going over last night’s rehearsal, I couldn’t help but think, “I absolutely LOVE this time of the year.” 

Like Linda, I too am a teacher, but at James Williams Middle School.  I’ve known Linda forever and can understand the demands of being a teacher, mother, wife, and cast member (not necessarily in that order J ).  After a full day of teaching eighth graders English, attending parent meetings after school, taking my two children (Adam, 7 and Erin, 9) to swimming lessons, and then heading home for a fast dinner,  I quickly scoot out the door to link up with Lisa and Roger to ride together for practice that evening.  For the next three hours, I am able to put the cares of the “other” part of my life to the background as I become Mrs. Potts.  Time FLIES!!!!  It does for every show that I’ve been in, and this is my seventh!  But all things must come to an end, and we must head home again.  It’s then (about 10:15) that I begin my schoolwork for the night.  Thankfully, I’m a night owl and manage fine on about five hours of sleep.

Some would say, “Why do you do that?  Isn’t your life crazy busy as it is?  Why add one more thing to the plate?”  Easy answer: It’s the whole “community” aspect Linda refers to.  I love to sing and act and I get to do it with absolutely WONDERFUL people who become a second family to me every year for about three months.  And we get the fantastic honor of being able to share this love with the community.  Every comment made as people come through the receiving line after every show, or in the grocery store, or at the Y makes an impact on our lives and is cherished.

All in all, life is hectic, but it certainly doesn’t compare to what Linda, Mari Lynn, Beth, Michelle, Nancy, Doug and all the other Board members and crew have and still do put in every day.  It’s unbelievable!  But it’s all done to bring about the best show possible.  It’s still early morning, and I’m so looking forward to tonight…only eleven more hours until practice!  Better go back to working on the entrances I have (goofed those up pretty badly last night…)  “It’s a guest!  It’s a guest!  Sakes alive, well, I’ll be blessed! ….” 

Happy Day!