I hope I'm not stuck in a Daytona the rest of my life...

This semester is actually the beginning of my 3rd year here at DSC. Yep, 3rd year of working on my AA and I’m 26; what the hell am I doing with my life? Any who… this semester I signed up for Dramatic Appreciation just because it takes care of my humanities credit or something. I checked out ratemyprofessor.com and you weren’t on there so I just figured I’d give it a shot. :) When you sent out your first email, and I saw your website, I was worried that you were going to be “that theatre guy.” You know the, “you don’t know theatre, I know theatre, because I’m an actor!!!” A la John Lithgow



But the first day of class I found out how wrong I was, you were normal, gasp! Haha. You mentioned the auditions in class and I think I even asked you a question about how the rehearsal schedule would be and I decided to give it a shot. The idea of doing a show with you, when it was your first year was very exciting. You had no preconceived notions about anyone, couldn’t cast because of known abilities, and this also made it more meaningful when I received a part!

When I verified that it was indeed me and not another Nicole Smith. I immediately went to get my script and couldn’t wait to meet my fellow cast members and do our first read through. I thought it went well and you definitely helped me to understand the script a bit more. I think we did one other rehearsal with Leo and then the next night he was cut and Paige read his part. A week later I had a new cast mate and was 2 weeks behind all of the other plays. But I think to all of our surprises Aaron came in almost completely off book (which we were supposed to be by then) and was absolutely fantastic. In one read through I knew that we hadn’t lost anytime and actually (sorry Leo) were better off than before!

As for me, I was taking a long time to get comfortable. I’m not really a shy person, but perhaps maybe I was intimidated by Aaron (coming in and being so fantastic), by you (for being a great director and me not wanting to be judged by my crappy acting and pantomime abilities) and I remember being a little embarrassed in front of Paige when she came to watch. She just seemed so comfortable and I wasn’t. In the end I realize how ridiculous this all is but at the time I just felt like I was the new kid on the block. (oh oh ohohoh, the right stuff...) Everyone seemed to already know at least one other person and I didn’t know a sole. (I realize that you didn’t know anyone either, but that doesn’t count because you were in charge.) :)

I love how I complained about needing props that I eventually got rid of anyway. I was uncomfortable being on stage and not having anything to do. It’s been a while since I’ve done a play and I guess I forgot that you merely have to suggest things, not necessarily do them. I didn’t really need things to clear off of a table, but found other things to do. I don’t know if it all made sense in the end or not, but I could walk around on stage, not really doing anything but feel comfortable as my silly character.

I felt weird having to ask what would my character do, because it seemed like such an easy thing. Be a waitress, I AM A WAITRESS!!!! I guess that’s why I second guessed myself so much. I don’t know.

Should have thrown this in...

AHHH!!! You knew she'd drop the tray but whoa!!!

As for actual performances, you know we had our good and bad. To me it didn’t seem to matter too much. With lights in your face it makes a sort of wall and you can’t see anyone so it was like no one was there. I love that about theatre, people who have never done it, don’t understand. I’ve had people ask me if I saw them waving…. Haha. No, and you’re rude for waving during a production.

Every performance could have just been a rehearsal and that takes the pressure off. Just on some nights you had to pause a moment for laughter that came from nowhere. Except for the first Sunday matinee, there was very little laughter and then I really did feel like I was in the middle of an empty theatre. Then there was one night that I couldn’t tune out the audience and that was because I could hear a friend laughing. That may be one of my favorite things, knowing someone’s laugh and hearing it at all the right places. I actually almost broke and smiled once. But didn’t!!! I love those nights when there is that much energy and you can feel the audience's energy and it's a circle of good vibes and everyone leaves feeling great!

I do love when the unexpected happens (within reason), like the blackout, but I wish I was quicker with something to say or do to save scenes. Afterward I can think of a million things to do, but in the moment, I usually go blank. One time I was doing a show and I had a horrible coughing fit. Luckily we had a bar set up in a living room of the scene and someone brought me a drink. I just sat there! I could have gotten up and got my own drink, or within the scene excused myself, but I was scared!!! Of course I have learned a bit since then, that was about 7 or 8 years ago. Those are the fun things that you remember though...

As far as backstage it was always interesting; setting and clearing Kafka’s damn typewriter! A few nights I came off with smashed banana all over my shirt but it fit with my character so oh well. And then there was the night that I almost cried out and dropped the typewriter because I severely pinched my finger in it. Stupid typewriter… Maybe when we do it again we could get a heavier one… :)



Even during the final performance someone had to run and find certain members of the cast… It drove me insane that people couldn’t take an hour out of their lives to shut the hell up and be where they were supposed to be. You don’t know how many missed entrances and scene changes there would have been without the watchful eyes of Muriel, Melissa and I.

I had a fantastic time, it was a great run, and I can’t wait for the next show! But I think I’ve heard that I need to be brown and have long straight hair so I better get working on that…

So more like this:

Not this: