The rush of adrenaline comes to different people at different times and in reaction to different stimuli. Gearing up for a performance does it for me. I seem to get driven by unknown power to get things accomplished heading into a show. The trouble is that after the performance is over, the adrenaline rush drains away and I am left wilted. That's when I wish I was younger and could bounce back easier.
Though, I admit that doing a production takes a lot out of me, it also feeds me. How I love doing something that takes a lot of creative energy. It makes me feel so alive. To go from basically raw material and turn that into something worth presenting to the public is definitely stimulating to me. I love seeing these young children come out of their shells. I love seeing their talents and abilities blossom.
For example, we had some surprises in our last show. I had written some new material for some older boys that had signed up to do the Camp. But, then those singing boys couldn't do the show after all. So, I had a problem. Do I take a chance on casting other boys in those parts or just eliminate the new song? Do I give a difficult partner song to boys who had never sung in public before let alone had never tried to hold their own while another melody is happening at the same time? In the end, the new boys rose to the challenge and did fine.
The choreographer had her own battles with the little girl dancers. It turns out that some 7-year-olds have interests and skills that others haven't developed quite yet. Instead of six parasol dancers, it was reduced to three. Then one girl volunteered to learn two specialty dances to fill in as the fourth parasol dancer. (That balanced our stage picture better.)
Though, I admit that doing a production takes a lot out of me, it also feeds me. How I love doing something that takes a lot of creative energy. It makes me feel so alive. To go from basically raw material and turn that into something worth presenting to the public is definitely stimulating to me. I love seeing these young children come out of their shells. I love seeing their talents and abilities blossom.
For example, we had some surprises in our last show. I had written some new material for some older boys that had signed up to do the Camp. But, then those singing boys couldn't do the show after all. So, I had a problem. Do I take a chance on casting other boys in those parts or just eliminate the new song? Do I give a difficult partner song to boys who had never sung in public before let alone had never tried to hold their own while another melody is happening at the same time? In the end, the new boys rose to the challenge and did fine.
The choreographer had her own battles with the little girl dancers. It turns out that some 7-year-olds have interests and skills that others haven't developed quite yet. Instead of six parasol dancers, it was reduced to three. Then one girl volunteered to learn two specialty dances to fill in as the fourth parasol dancer. (That balanced our stage picture better.)
I usually don't give speaking parts to 5-year-olds, but this time I had to. And it was a good thing I did, because they were our "cute" factor. They did such a good job!
"A Successor to the Throne" has parts for many children of varying ages and with varying degrees of difficulty. There were many moving parts that had to be coordinated in this show. And, due to the incredible swiftness of a 2-week intensive Theater Camp, I was rather worried that the show wouldn't come together. Yet, these kids were real troupers. Even with intense summer heat, distractions with toys out in the backyard, and not really enough rehearsal spaces, they still pulled off a beautiful show.
I am so proud of my little performers! Apparently, many are already talking about doing next year's show!
(I wonder how long it will take for me to recuperate and get some adrenaline back?)
"A Successor to the Throne" has parts for many children of varying ages and with varying degrees of difficulty. There were many moving parts that had to be coordinated in this show. And, due to the incredible swiftness of a 2-week intensive Theater Camp, I was rather worried that the show wouldn't come together. Yet, these kids were real troupers. Even with intense summer heat, distractions with toys out in the backyard, and not really enough rehearsal spaces, they still pulled off a beautiful show.
I am so proud of my little performers! Apparently, many are already talking about doing next year's show!
(I wonder how long it will take for me to recuperate and get some adrenaline back?)
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