It’s Show Week!
Setting up for The Nutcracker
One thing I remember from being a theatre kid so many decades ago, is that feeling you get before show week—that worried panic that there are just wayyyy too many moving parts, and how can things possibly come together in time for show day?
Doesn’t it always seem to happen this way for every single show?
“We need more time,” is everyone’s lament.
The costumes and sets aren’t ready! Lines still need memorizing…people are forgetting blocking.
But then something magic happens.
Things gel (like when you’re kneading bread dough and the soft, watery ingredients suddenly come together in a glutenous ball of goodness).
The actors become a team!
The collective energy of a few- inspires everyone else to fully show up.
Everyone realizes that the play will only work if each and every person brings 110% to the show. It’s effervescent!!!
And it always comes together beautifully and spectacularly.
And oh that excitement and bittersweet feeling at the cast party after it’s all over is unmatched by anything else. Because each young actor knows in their heart that this moment will never be repeated in exactly the same way ever again. Recognizing the fleeting impermanence of these moments is the essence of the magic of childhood.
It takes being a part of a show a few times to realize this IS the process.
It’s normal.
Things feel disjointed, until they don’t. Then they are magic.
Everyone’s uniquely individual care and hard work comes together and creates a chemical reaction right there on the stage.
How amazing that we have an accessible children’s theatre in our community to teach our kids about these truths?
As a society we often think that children can only learn about teamwork from sports, but goodness…theatre is all about teamwork and supporting one another.
Come out and support these brave children, and celebrate their hard work!
Written by an ACT mom (who loves getting to be a witness to the magic of show week)
Public shows:
Friday, December 8th @ 7:00 & Saturday, December 9th @ 1:00
At Matsqui Centennial Auditorium in Abbotsford BC.
