Well, that's a wrap folks! "Glam" is over! Done! Finito! After countless Sunday afternoon rehearsals, run-throughs and dress rehearsals, the show is all done. This past weekend "Glam" played for four shows at the Citadel Theatre on Rebecca Street in downtown Hamilton. The end of a musical always seems a little bitter sweet. You are happy to not have to endure anymore six hour dress rehearsals but on the other hand, you are also sad because you won't get to see the cast you have become such good friends with on a weekly basis! Ah, the drama of a performer! Anyhow, the performances of "Glam" went so well! Our first and only dress rehearsal was the night before opening on Friday. I guess you could say that Thursday was sort of hardcore. We ran the show for the first time in the theatre, with sets, mic's, lights, the whole shebang twice that night. This allowed the cast and I to get used to the flow and iron out any fine details that were left in our delivery. The shows on Friday went extremely well and the response was great.
Me singing "Tell It Like It Is"
In the true nature of musical theatre, sometimes you are thrown minor hiccups that you have to deal with on the spot and come up with a solution for. In our case, the Friday evening show had a nice little surprise in store for us. One of my cast mates came to the theatre looking quite pale. Since she's a kindergarten teacher I could only think, "Uh oh". She told us she had been sick since last night and I mean SICK. So, immediately my directors thinking cap went on. The show must go on and go on it did. We had our backup plan in place; one of the girls who knew her songs well enough would go out there and fill in on her solos. We were all a bit thrown by this but just before the show started, my sick cast member came backstage like a champion and got through the show no problem. She was still sick but the audience would never have known. She rocked "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" like it was nothing and the crowd cheered loudly for her.
Full cast intro song "Anyway You Want It"
Overall, this show was such a great success. Some audience members came to see the show one, then twice and even three times! I was humbled to receive great praise for my solos which is always a good sign! Also, sharing the stage with all the talented adults and teens was so exciting and fun. I'm definitely looking forward to keeping my eyes pealed for the next great show to be a part of...
Me 'Vogue-ing' It
The Cast - Closing Night
Glam Matinee Show. If you want to check out my solos, go to 21:45, 48:55 and 1:25:35!
The last week before the big show. Anyone who has ever been in a musical or play before knows what this means. It means.... CRUNCH TIME. To put it into perspective for any non-musical theatre readers, its kind of like the few days before your final exam. A time that is full of anxiety, fear but also excitement because you know if you have studied enough, you are going to kill the exam. This is basically the way performers feel the week before the big show. All of the time you've put in to singing rehearsals, dancing rehearsals and blocking all come down to the live shows. As Glam: the Music of the 80's comes closer, I do get a few butterflies during the few dress rehearsals get to perfect any loose ends. Dress rehearsals allow the performers to perform the show, in full costume and makeup, on the stage which they will perform to the public. It lets the performers get used to the stage, the flow and the traffic of the show. For example, you get to actually see where the risers are on the stage or maybe where the exits are on each wing of the stage. The lights, sound and tech aspects of the show are tested out so there aren't any surprises come show night. This is also the time to perfect any lyric issues, missing dance moves or costume uncertainties. One part of dress rehearsals that IS quite enjoyable is costumes. Especially during this glam show, us ladies get to wear the sassiest, sexiest things we can find. There are lots of leather jackets, sparkly dresses and bright coloured tops that reflect the flare and spice of 80's clothing. One of my favourite outfits that I get to wear is a leopard dress and jean jacket. It's just so 80's and it really gets me into the spirit of the times. As all these things come together, there are few things that I find any performer should tell themselves before they get on stage and perform. Listen closely:
1. You Can Do It!
This may seem super obvious, but if you just remind yourself that you got this in the bag, you will feel much more confident in your performance and abilities.
2. Remember that YOU ARE FIERCE!
Right before I step out on stage, I usually have an internal pep talk with myself. Majority of that pep talk includes this reminder; you are fierce and people are going to love you. It is a major confidence booster to tell yourself before you step onstage! Try it out!
3. All your rehearsals and practices are going to pay off!
Before you perform, think back to all of the hours, time and handwork you have put into practising for this performance. Practice makes perfect, and what you are about to perform for all those people IS perfect. So show them what you've got!
Those are a few things that you can tell yourself before you have a big performance. Trust me, they will help you believe in yourself and will help you to give the audience a performance they will never forget!
