Seeing a play can be one of the most entertaining experiences. No matter the style or genre, the audience can be completely captivated and entranced by what they see onstage. It can open their minds to other worlds, let tears wet their eyes, and sometimes just pull laughter straight out of their mouths. Being in the audience of a well-done performance is a great experience, especially when you want to relive what you just watched all over again. But, as live theatre goes, there will never be a performance exactly like that one again. That's it. There may be other performances that weekend, maybe even that day, that the same company will perform, but they will all differ slightly. Behind the scenes--even onstage--there is so much that happens that the audience doesn't see.
Starting even before the production preparation begins: the auditions. Reading the script for the first time, weighing characters and who to go for, selecting a monologue that is just right. The actual audition, feeling nervous but relieved after it's over. Refreshing and refreshing and refreshing your email in anticipation for the callbacks list. Trying not to imagine every little possible outcome. Doing it anyway.
Cast and crew list comes out. First read-through takes place. Discuss upcoming rehearsal schedule, background/style of the play, what to look for in establishing characters. Joke around, flub lines. Laugh. Get excited.
Rehearsals commence...as do production meetings, costume fitting appointments, work calls for set construction, appointments to run lines with Assistant Stage Managers, and on and on and on.
Things break. Costumes rip, lights go out, sound monitors go silent, props fall apart. It happens. You get through it. Sometimes in the middle of a show, sometimes at the worst possible moment, but you get through it.
Tech week and dress rehearsals bring stress and excitement. Mostly the former at the beginning, slowly shifting to the latter (hopefully) as you continue. Cue-to-cues, figuring out what needs to be where and when and who is moving it there. Practicing quick changes and the fastest route to get from point A to point B.
Laughing backstage. One of my favorite things.
Getting ready before the show. Seeing everyone's faces transform as the stage makeup is caked on. Watching hair go from twenty-first century to nineteenth century. Putting on clothes that transform posture and attitude and that tell so much of the story. Or putting on the black that blends you into backstage and makes you feel like a superhero come set changes.
Warming up. Company meetings. Photos. Hugs. "Breathe; you got this." Staring at the wall, getting into character, or waiting for the cue to ring the giant bell or fly in the chandelier.
Waiting for your turn to go on. Hearing how well everyone is doing from backstage. Being unable to help beaming with pride and excitement for this show.
The audience doesn't get to see the running jokes about the characters that form. They don't get to see the satisfaction of finally figuring out how to deliver that line. They don't get to see the moment your heart swells because you start to feel it all coming together. Being part of a show is something so incredibly special. When the audience enjoys it and reacts, it brings a very humbling satisfaction. A wave of gratitude rushes over you as you look back at the work you have put in and the people who have done it with you. The audience is so well appreciated. The audience can't see most of a show's preparation--but they should see this.
