As I posted previously, I had absolutely no acting experience going into this. I can do a pretty good job reading stories to the kids; making voices for the different characters, etc. The first rehersal went pretty well, as we simply sat and read through the script, much like reading a story out loud. The second rehersal was a walk through on the stage, minus the props (such as a sofa, chair, etc.). I have to be honest, that was downright HARD. There is a huge difference between just reading and having to walk, stop, change positions, look at people, not loose track of your place in the script, exit on the correct side, etc. I had some pretty large misgivings by the time that rehersal ended. I'm sure Becky, our director, did, too!
Next it was time to choose my "costume". My character, Pricilla, is the "lovely yet shallow daughter of an eccentric millionaire". She seems to have not really gotten over her parent's divorce. She is very disdainful of her father's new "girlfriend"; who is young, fairly ummm, stupid, and doesn't have any sophistication. It was another interesting aspect of this presentation that I had complete freedom to choose my costume. In a way it would have been much easier to have been just told what to wear! I knew I needed heels, as Pricilla accidentally kills a pet hampster (OK, a gerbil, but you won't convince her of that) and the proof was in the wound matching her heel print. I finally settled on high heeled boots, with a brown "split skirt" (I really don't know what you call those pants that come just to the top of tall boots) and a leopard print jacket. My children have taken to calling it my "rich outfit".
The dress rehersal went a little better than the week before, but we still had a LOT of work to do. We were not memorizing the script, and there were moments when I thought it might have been easier NOT to have been scanning for my lines. I have to say we had a great time at all the rehersals. I laughed so much, I figuired the audience would certainly enjoy the show even if we butchered it!
All in all, I think we did pretty well for an amateur cast, with a last minute "understudy" to boot. It was interesting how during the preformance we all started to really "get into it". It was a humor-filled script, and I believe my fellow actors were quite gifted at playing the humor for all it was worth. We even had some improv. thrown in! (Just a disclaimer, I really didn't MEAN to actually pull Candi Bambi's wig OFF. It just sort of happened. But man was it ever funny!).
As far as adventurous new experiences go, I don't believe I will ever forget it, nor the wonderful people who I got to spend some time playing around with. I think I would give acting another try, given the opportunity.
Probably the most touching thing about the evening was my daughter and son-in-law driving 3 1/2 hours one way AND paying $15.00 each to see my theatrical debut. That really meant a lot to me. There are some issues from my childhood that I am only recently seeing how deeply their effect has gone. I was involved in things as a kid, the ususal school stuff, choir concerts, basketball games, etc. My mom faithfully went to them all. My father never once came to see an event. My grandparents, though they lived in the same town, didn't either. So, while I sort of "expect" my husband to come (kind of like Mom in the old days), this was the first time anyone else had made an effort just to see me, and it was quite an effort indeed. I hope that they weren't disappointed!!
So, my October adventure has come to a close. I have a few weeks to come up with the perfect November experiment. I'm toying around with adding epicurial adventures into the mix as well. I don't know that I have found my passion in acting, but it certainly brought much laughter and fun into the last few weeks. I'd love suggestions if you have any ideas for things I ought to try. In the meantime, get out there and have an adventure of your own!
PS I don't know how to put pictures on here. As soon as I figure it out, I'll post some with me in all my animal print glory :-)
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