Yesterday I said you’d probably see less of me this week, because it’s “TECH WEEK!”  Actually things are going quite well.  This is the first time in ten years that I’ve worked exclusively with adults so that may explain it.  Anyway, I decided to share this week’s journey with you as we prepare for opening night on Thursday of this week.

Last night was the first time for using food and other props.  It was especially funny when the food fight occurred.  Brownies, strawberries, carrots and other assorted food stuffs soared through the air, landing on or near each of the participants. In spite of food strewn across the stage, we managed to get to the end of the play without too much trouble, except for an injury incurred by a flying oatmeal cookie which had dried out and turned into a hockey puck.

In one scene, one of the actors is making a smoothie in a blender, adding ingredients like yogurt, banana, ketchup, cereal and a half a can of beer.  He actually took a swig of the finished product without getting sick.

Tonight or tomorrow the pie in the face will be added, which should also be interesting, since I am the recipient of said pie.  “Do theatre,” they said.  “It will be fun,” they said.  I will do anything necessary for the success of the show including taking one for the team.  Don’t you just love the old vaudevillian tricks?

As I mentioned earlier, working with adults puts a whole new spin on things.  Everyone in the cast is doing amazing, except for the old lady who sometimes forgets a line or steps on someone else’s.  There is a difference which is evident in the dedication to do a good job.  Everyone is in it for the fun, yes, but there is something more – an indescribable element somewhat akin to not wanting to make a fool of yourself.  Thus a greater focus on having lines and business all learned by this time.  With each addition of something new, there’s another factor added to the mix which requires added thought and preparation.

To tell you the truth, it’s really good, as a theatre educator, to walk in the shoes of your students once in a while.  Maybe we can learn something by doing so.  Stay tuned for day two of tech.