Monday, October 22, 2007

It's Not Easy Being a Spider

I'm sure that a bunch of you already read my mom's post about the past week, so you know a little about what's been happening here. When I saw that my mom had written that post, I immediately thought that I couldn't write anything else because she had basically covered everything. But then my mom said that my readers hadn't heard anything from MY view! So here we go!

One of the things that my mom talked about was the "trust fall". Oh gosh, was that the scariest thing. Especially with 4 extra legs! The first time I tried it, I screamed bloody murder.When they told me I should keep practicing till I could do it without the screech, I started hyperventilating. One of the guys who catches me (a former actor in our theater group, also a REAL tease) started showing off his muscles and telling me that "You're going to be in safe hands...because I'm pretty big...." After I had done it a couple more times, I finally stopped screaming as I fell backward. So I was ready to do it for the show.

WELL, that guy with the "big" muscles is full of it. When the blackout came and I scrunched myself up into a ball and fell backwards, he completely let me go! Luckily, the other guy held me long enough for Mr. Big Guns to help me to my feet. This time, I had something to tease HIM about rather than him teasing me for being scared of falling into his tough arms.

Another awkward thing besides the trust fall, is the barn that I sit in the whole show. When I perched myself up there for the first dress rehearsal, I practically started crying because of how uncomfortable it was! No matter what position I put myself in, my legs fell asleep. The only comfortable position was sitting cross-legged, but then you couldn't see me because the spotlights were blocked by the roof of the barn. I came home that night with a crick in my neck, a cramp in my back and both my legs permanently asleep and achy.

My parents and I looked around the house for something, anything that I could use to make that darn barn more comfortable! Finally, I decided on cushions from the back deck's chairs. They worked perfectly. Not only were they more comfortable than the wood platform, but they also made me taller so that I could sit cross legged in the barn and the spotlights could still find me!

Oh, and I just thought of another uncomfortable thing. My costume. Duhh. Wouldn't you think four extra legs would be quite annoying? They get caught on everything, they're heavy, they make me HOT and they shed. My friends have a joke about me "shaving" them, because the black, sparkly hair keeps falling off and the costume committee has to keep sewing it back on. Also, I have big, big, BIG, fake, black eyelashes. Which fall off once in a while, so I have to get someone to REALLY FAST put them back on before my next scene. And don't get me started on all the glitter I have to wear! Man, does that stuff hurt when it gets in my eyes. And when I have to take it off! It cuts into my skin. Ugh. But...it does look good and all the little girls LOVE it!

Speaking of little girls...goodness gracious, I can't get enough of those little girls. It's so much fun to walk out into the lobby after the show and see all of them waiting for "Charlotte" to give them an autograph. I had to learn how to write my name REALLY fast for all those cuties.

Everything's happened so fast, I haven't had time to think. Maybe I'll sort out my feelings for my next post. It really has been a great experience.

4 comments:

Erin said...

The trust fall sounds really scary but also really cool. I love doing weird stuff like that...but if I actually had to DO it that might be a different story. :D

Glitter: I think I'm still finding glitter around the house from the LAYERS AND LAYERS of it that were on my face two years ago as a fairy in "Midsummer Night's Dream".

Little girls: Ah yes. In Velveteen Rabbit this spring, the little kids were one of the best things about finishing a performance.

I can definitely sympathize in the annoying-costume area. Everyone has experienced one (or ten, lol) at least once in their acting lives.

Hope you're feeling better!

Erin said...

P.S. I loved your post. Keep them coming!

Traci said...

your posts are so fun to read and it reminds me of all the amazing (and not so amazing) moments of theater. :D Doesn't acting rule?

The trust fall sounds so so so fun, I would totally want to do it, but I'm not sure if I would have enough courage....

Break a Leg!! (thinks of your spider legs falling off..hehe)

We are Tommy's Advocates said...

What a great post! I love hearing about the play and just wish I could be there to see it! Hope you are feeling better soon!