Cards For Sorrow, Cards For Pain

It wasn’t my first closing performance and it won’t be my last.

I walked into The Armory in Kensington this past Saturday with only one thing on my mind: getting things set-up for another show. I was busy trying to clean up the house after Rent callbacks, getting make-up put on, and secretly putting on my costume so I could impress some friends that were coming to the show that night.

I didn’t have any time to realize that it was our last show. It started to creep in my mind as Amy stopped me by the costume rack to tell me how sad she was. By intermission I was trying to sweep the stage in heels for my adoring fans. I didn’t even have time to think about it as the show ended. I was standing by the curtain, ready to shut it after the bows when I was pulled on stage for an encore of the Time Warp:

Now you know why I don’t act, I can’t dance to save my life.

I tried to take a moment then to let it all sink in but the entire cast and crew then had to immediately start striking the set and clean up the entire place. Four hours later we were all laying down on the now spotless floor of The Armory, too tired to move.

When the strike was all finished we eventually left, we exchanged hugs and kisses as we all slowly filtered out of the theatre. It was disappointing that there was no strike/cast party. There would be no going to Ted’s house, no trips to Bonnie Eagle Lake. For some of us, walking out of that theatre would be the last time we’d ever meet again.

It didn’t hit me until I crawled into my car. I started the engine and stopped for a minute. I already turned in my keys to the theatre, there was nothing left for me there anymore. It wasn’t til I was in my car that I started to feel sad that my show was already over.

For some it was more of a feeling of relief, it was a long, tough run with many challenges along the way. I also have my share of relief that I can once again see friends and enjoy life.

This wasn’t my first show, nor was it the show where I had the most success, but I do have to put this show down as one of my favorite shows.

I take a minute to reflect on the culmination of my entire fall as it comes to an end- but I can’t reflect for long. Just like every closing performance I did in high school, I am already working on my next play- excited to see what this new show may bring.

Related posts:

1. Answering Myself While Burning Out
2. How I Decided To Become A Theatre Techie
3. It’s Beyond Me, Help Me Mommy…
4. Why Gen-Y Needs To Learn To Fail (And Why It’s Ok)
5. On Losing My Virginity This Weekend