Working on a show is one of the longest periods of a theatre kid's life. You go to rehearsal the same time every day for a solid two months, spend a week working on all of the technical aspects, and then you finally get to perform the show, presenting all of the hard work you've put in.

It can either be the best thing that's ever happened to you, or the beginning of your downfall (hopefully the former).

Finally you've reached opening night. This is the night you find out whether or not the past couple of months were worth it. However, there's a very large number of unusual things that occur on the day of the first show, and if you're a current or former theatre kid, you'll remember when some of these happened to you or your department:

1. You'll wake up as excited as you do on Christmas.

Your alarm isn't set to go off for another hour or so, but you can't hold back how excited you are.

2. You'll hear someone saying "Happy Opening!" everywhere you go.

It's great how supportive everyone is.

3. It's okay to treat yourself to better food or dessert today.

You've put in a lot of work and this is the least you could do for yourself. You deserve it.

4. Something will break.

It's inevitable. Something will fall or get smashed before the show.

5. Something will be lost for a bit.

The Stage Managers and Assistant Stage Managers will be frantically searching for something that's right in front of them. Just let it happen. There's nothing that can be done.

6. There's always that one person who's late for call.

Whether their car wouldn't start or they just took an extra ten minutes to nap, it wouldn't be a show day without a late arrival.

7. Water will be spilled somewhere.

Another thing that can't be prevented. It'll happen somewhere.

8. You'll be so excited that you wish time would go by faster.

It's proven that time actually slows down during those thirty minutes between when the house opens and showtime.

9. The audience will be amazing

The opening night audience is usually the best audience. They know when to laugh, when to cry, and provide an overall hype for the actors onstage.

10. Hearing the applause during curtain call makes you realize it truly was all worth it.

You can't believe you ever doubted this show. It's one of the most amazing things you've been a part of and you won't want to do anything else ever again.

11. Cleaning up will be a hassle.

... but only because you want to go talk to and take pictures with friends and family.

12. Despite how tired you are, you won't be able to sleep.

You'll be exhausted, but you can't wait to wake up and do it all over again tomorrow night.

If you know what any of these feel like, you might be (or have been) a theatre kid. As a theatre major, I am writing this just after my opening night. I know what all of these feel like first hand, and I would not trade them for the world. Thanks for reading!