Finale

Yesterday was our last performance.

We had three great shows, a great turnout, and a fun cast party.

After the show yesterday we changed out of our costumes and "struck" the stage -- all the flats had to go back in storage (they'll be painted over for next semester's production), the props had to be put away in the closet, the trash had to be picked up and the equipment for classes put back on stage.  We wrapped cords and returned items (I'd borrowed some huge black frame glasses...I'm a little sad to say goodbye!) and took a few more pictures.

We all went our separate ways for dinner and then met up at 6:30 because our director had rented out a room somewhere for our cast party.

She reserved a Karaoke place for two hours for us!  (Of course, just being in a musical, all we wanted to do was sing!)  There were some hilarious solos/duets:

Schroeder and Charlie Brown singing "Sisters" from White Christmas (priceless)
Our director making everyone uncomfortable (half the group left) with her rendition of "Baby Got Back" (Snoopy and I were the only ones laughing)
Schroeder/Sally singing "A Whole New World" (just beautiful)
Sally and Charlie Brown singing "Somewhere Out There" from Fievel: An American Tale (wonderful)
Linus singing "I'm Still A Guy" to his girlfriend (amazing)

And two other Christmas songs.  We wrapped everything up with all of us belting "Hakuna Matata" (which got us loads of laughs from the wait staff).

I'd never done Karaoke before (neither had half the cast) and so when they begged me to sing, I picked something I thought I knew pretty well: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' "I Love Rock 'N Roll".  "None of you are old enough to know this song," I said, by way of introducing it (they weren't).

I didn't do so hot.

And I realized, whenever I sing on stage by myself, I shake.

And then I realized why rockstars or musicians in general have created personas.

It's because you can't sing on stage as yourself.  You have to create a character that can sing for you.  Performing with others gives you some sort of shield (even if it's just an instrument -- playing harp is waaay less scary), but if you're alone (or in front), it's just you and the crowd and it is TERRIFYING.

This led to a lot of thinking about how Zoe (from my NaNoWriMo project) is going to handle this, because it's definitely something she hasn't thought about (she's never performed live).  Lots of scenes are playing through my mind -- there's tons of potential here.

I wasn't going to sing at the karaoke party last night (b/c I'd never done it before) but then I remembered another writer's advice to do things you haven't tried before because they'll enrich your experience and your writing.  I'm so glad I listened.

So after a hilarious two hours, we trooped back to school and some of us settled down in our director's room to WATCH OUR PERFORMANCE -- another good exercise in honest criticism, humility and natural pride at our accomplishment.  We complimented each other, critiqued ourselves, and laughed at all the parts we hadn't got to watch while we were backstage.

I spent 1:30-11:30 yesterday with these people and I'd do it all again next weekend if I could.

But the play is over and for now, we're done.

I've heard the auditions for next semester will be very competitive, so in order to gain some sort of edge, I need to brush up on a British accent (I found some good tutorials online), shed a few pounds (watching myself onscreen -- I need to be more fit), and memorize a good monologue or two.

I'm sad it's over, but I have work to do -- and I can't wait for next semester!