An Ode to My Love of Theatre

[Rachel Winter]

Been working on it for months, making it complete and total perfection through blood and sweat and tears, reciting lines in your sleep until the days tick down to the big night.
Vocal warm-ups and stretches to prepare, zipped and safety pinned into costumes, bobby pins and hairspray, foundation and eyeliner and mascara and lipstick and blush until you don't recognize yourself. Running through it in your mind one last time, embodying the character until there is no you left, you are your character in every way.
"Places" and a hushed pitch-black darkness humming with energy, your body is buzzing as you hear the audience settling into their seats.
You have to give over and realize that whatever happens will happen, adhering to a wiseman's advice of saying "fuck it" before the curtain rises; there is a time and a place for nervousness and this is not it.
Blowing through it just like you rehearsed it but with more energy feeling the vibes the audience puts out as they react, curtain call and you find your niche as the audience applauds, everything falls into place as you stand besides your theatre family riding on the euphoric high.

I had the extreme pleasure of performing in a Shakespeare Showcase this weekend, it made me feel like I was home again. What better thing to six about than home?

[Scarlett Rose]

Love it!

[Rachel Winter]

Thank you so much. I stage managed a musical once, one of the most stressful experiences of my life. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the people behind the scenes though.