The Diary of Anne Frank

Well, the show is over and done, and now I'll sit down to write my thoughts. My first thought is that I don't know what to do with myself now... I was so busy with the show... its seems wierd to have time to myself... I guess that's why I'm sitting here updating a web page....

Rehearsals were intense... Three weeks of three hours a day. Add to that the schoolwork I get from trying to do a double major *theatre and psych, and you have a very busy girl. And not a little terrified.

As I mentioned, I have done theatre since high school, but always remained backstage, swearing they would never get me on the other side of the curtain. However, for my theatre major, I was required to take a class called Fundamentals of Acting, for which I had a two minute scene project, and a lot of instruction in how to conduct yourself onstage, and what to do to prepare. The class was a lot of fun, and I found myself even enjoying the scene project. I decided to try to audition for the Spring Shows (Fantasticks and Anne Frank). I got up on that stage and had a blast audtioning, and was called back to read opposite other people. I remember the day they posted the cast lists... I had hoped for a part, secretly for Anne, but really didn't know what to expect. I nearly fell over when I saw my name on that list! I ran all the way to Chris' house and then immediately called my folks, who were probably about as amazed as I was!

Over Winter Break I worked on my script, and read Anne's actual diary (see review on my book page) I also read a collection of her stories that she wrote while captive in the Secret Annex. I started to make small connections between her and myself, and was getting excited.

After Winter Break the department concentrated on Fantasticks, which I did some minor tech for (see theatre). We had rehearsal only on Fridays, mostly read throughs, or watching documentaries and biographies.

During Spring Break Chris (who worked as Stage Manager), Scott (who played Peter), and myself went to D.C.'s Holocaust Museum, which (if you haven't been there) is a very powerful tour.

After Spring Break we went into our heavy rehearsal schedule... the set went up really fast, so we did have a lot of time to practice on it. I was comfortable with my lines, and knew my blocking (*patterns of movement onstage) but was still really nervous about how I would handle all those people watching me. Another thing that was really worrying me was my hair (for those of you that know my by my famous long blonde hair... Allow me to reintroduce myself...) It was ultimately my decision... I had to look like Anne... and everyone knew that Anne didn't have long blonde hair. So it was either a wig, or a cut and dye job... The wig was like something out of Satan's Handbook of Torture... really tight, so tight that it gave me a headache, but it still kept sliding back, which disturbed me while I was trying to perform. It was also made of synthetic hair, which is really scratchy and itchy. Uck. They cut my hair to just above my shoulders (the shortest I've had it since childhood) and a few days later, dyed it brown. The colour came out a reddish brown that was too light under stage lights, so the next day I was back in the salon (missing a Psych test, argh!!)

It was a little shocking to see my hair like that. People who knew me before sometimes don't recognise me, which is kinda funny. People that didn't know me before recognise me from the show. All sorts of people have stopped my all over campus (and off) to talk about the show.

Our "psuedo Opening Night" was Thursday, April 6th. That was our invited dress, but for me it was the true test. We gave our sponsors tickets for their support, and most gave them to students from the 6th grade to 12th. And that's always a tough crowd. But we did it! I find that I don't really have "stage fright" like I expected. I guess I expected to completely forget my lines, or faint, or something. Instead, my "stage fright" lasted my first two minutes onstage, and consisted of a fast heart beat, a feeling that I couldn't catch my breath, and a little shake in my hands. After a few minutes, when my body realises that the audience was there to watch a show, and not pelt me with rotten fruit, I calm down and enjoy myself. I actually have a good time up there. There were the usual bumps along the way, but only things that someone who has worked on the show for weeks might notice.

The "real Opening Night" was Friday, April 7th. We closed the show on Monday, April 10th. I had a lot of support from the cast and crew. Chris was wonderful; he really encouraged me throughout the run. Jamie, who was instrumental in getting me to audition, and who was also casted, helped keep me sane. My best friend, Aaron, drove four hours to come see the show. And Erin, my wonderful roommie, tried her hand at tech, and proved to be an efficient force backstage! Over all, things went really well, and I now know that I can handle being on either side of the curtain. I expect I will audition for next year's shows (Moon Over Buffalo, and Midsummer Night's Dream)