Closing night. 

Of course being the last night, I had drama. Whether it was emotions from closing night, or my body playing tricks, I had terrible stomach cramps right throughout the show. My skirt popped open during a scene in the second act. I felt a pop, and thought, "huh, my bustle just popped". Then I realized my skirt was half way down my legs. I gathered it up and put it back together. Thankfully I wasn't the focus of the scene, and I was wearing flesh colored "spanks", so I wasn't naked onstage... But it was still mortifying! 

By the time we got to the final scene, I was battling to keep it together. When I ran down to meet Prospero so that she could set me free, tears were running down my cheeks. She set me free, and I ducked behind the platform for the final monologue. From where I was hidden, there is no way to get backstage, and no way to signal any of the crew/actors without being seen by the audience. I had tears and snot running down my face, and, not wanting to wipe my boogers on my gorgeous costume, I had to work out how to quietly sniff. I felt like a wreck for the curtain call! 

At the end of the show, we packed up the costumes, and started dismantling the set. It was fun to get in with a drill and take out all the screws. We ripped up the gaff tape, picked up the masonite, tore down the calico, loaded all the set pieces onto the truck. The national tour of Memphis was striking next door, and the alleyway was full of crew moving boxes, set pieces, lights, and loading it all onto giant trucks. It was quite a sight to behold at 1am! 

And so, my time on the island has come to an end. My first show out of drama school, my first show in America, and my first Shakespeare. It has been one of the most positive and delightful theatrical experiences of my entire life. Thank you OpenStage, and every single member of the cast and crew, especially Denise. 

I can't wait to do it all again!