Meaning, that opening night is not the only important part.  And whether every seat in the house is full does not determine the success of a show.  It means that EVERY rehearsal is important to the outcome, as well as being part of the fun!   Every dance rehearsal, every crew painting session, every tech rehearsal, and even the strike is part of the overall performing arts experience and part of the fun.

 

In fact, when I sweep the stage all alone at the end of a successful run has always been one of the proudest and most nostalgic parts for me.  I like to compare it to Carol Burnett's final show, where she came out into a pool of light on a bare stage as her Cleaning Lady character. 

 

It can be very poignant to stand on the very spot where only moments earlier hundreds of people were focusing all their attention.  But the spot is no longer important to anyone.  That's the true magic of theatre.  And to me, the auditorium still seems to ring with the echoes of applause as you quietly sweep and reflect on the lingering energy of the performance.  It's an odd feeling.

 

Plus there is a bittersweet feeling of knowing that, while all those exhausting hours are FINALLY over, the "living work of art" that once was your production, is now gone forever and just a memory.  You can never go back.  If your best friend missed the show, "sorry", it's too late.  You can never have THAT cast and THAT set and THAT audience together in one place ever again.  Unlike fine art that hangs in a gallery for hundreds of years, our chosen form of "performance art" is very fleeting...

 

All you can do is grin and daydream about the next production coming up soon.  -Dana

 

 

"Accept no one's definition of your life.  Define yourself."