It Takes a Community

Sooo…one week to go till opening night! Can you feel the pressure?! I sure can! But it’s the very best kind of pressure–the kind that makes you work your tail off because you want nothing less than jaw-dropping amazingness when the day arrives. I think we’re getting there. I really do. Of course, this is my very first show with the TLTC, so I don’t have much experience to draw on, but I can tell you the energy level is high and details seem to be falling into place. We’ve been practicing with lighting and props this week, and I think that’s really helping me come to terms with the reality that THIS SHOW IS HAPPENING! Not that there was ever any doubt, of course, but it’s exciting to finally see it all come together.

As a TLTC newbie, let me just take a moment to say how much I have LOVED being part of this production. It has always been a dream of mine to participate in community theater (I come from a pretty theatrical family), but I haven’t done any shows since high school. So when I heard about auditions for Beauty and the Beast, I decided to try my luck. I’d forgotten how much FUN it is to be on stage! But that’s not the only reason I love this show. Would it be redundant to express what a joy it is just to be part of a community like this?! The people are what make this show what it is. And not just onstage, but backstage too, as we frequently have to mute our mikes so no one can hear our off-the-wall commentary or outrageous laughter. I feel so privileged to be a part of this group–even if it’s just for a few months. And let me just say that it seems that most everyone in this show is PERFECTLY suited to his or her part! It’s uncanny! Way to go, powers that be!

OK, it’s my turn to answer the Disney character question. This is honestly pretty hard and I don’t think I’ve come up with a satisfactory answer yet. My first thought is Snow White, because my mom always used to call me that when I was little because of my dark hair and fair skin. And, of course, I do enjoy small animals as much as the next person. But that seems fairly surfacy. And it would be cheating to say Chip, as much fun as I have had becoming that little guy for this production. Ooh, I think I’ve got one: Wendy Darling from Peter Pan. Like Wendy, I have two little brothers, I enjoy a good adventure, and I wish I could stay a kid forever–though in the end I have to grow up. Yeah, I think that’s pretty accurate. We’ll go with that for now .

All right, time to go. See you at practice in less than three hours! Whew!

–Melissa G. (Chip)