For two months, I trudged through the slush-ridden sidewalks of Erie with my “A Lie of the Mind” script in hand, making my way to my new home at the Schuster Theatre.
Now, this wayward son has to carry himself elsewhere.
After countless rehearsals, multiple costume changes and seven performances, my stage debut swiftly came to an end Sunday.
I chatted for a bit with my dad and grandpa, who had made a surprise visit to see the show, before setting to work on the stage that bore my Vaseline-covered feet for so long.
The cast and crew descended upon the pair of houses, dismantling the set like carpenters possessed. After the wood sheets, remnants of two-by-fours and the army of bolts and screws that held it together were removed, I stared at the sparse space left from the feverous deconstruction session and realized something:
I was finished.
No more blankets, no more free shows. It was time for me to leave.
I knew after our final bow to the audience that “Lie” would be no more, but the gravity of the situation didn’t truly hit me until the theatre space I had become so accustomed to became the naked space it was during my very first rehearsal.
Multiple people told me that the end of the show would be bittersweet, but for the rest of the night, I had trouble finding the sugar on my newfound lemon rind. The Schuster had become a second home, and now, I had to leave.
Even now, I still feel this draw to the stage I helped bring down. But I know that all things must end in time.
Now, I can look back and be happy with the adventure I faced over the semester and say just two simple words to those who helped guide me through it:
Thank you.
To all the wonderful cast and crew who aided me through my first acting experience, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I got lucky enough to get stuck with a group of people who could guide me through such an exciting time.
In my brief time at the theater, I encountered crayfish, buffalo, Tasmanian devils, a bunch of crazy eyes and so much more.
Baylor may not have been the happiest camper on stage, but I can guarantee you that the vessel that brought him to life was holding back a smile the whole time.
Although “Lie” may be over, I know that I still have a place at Schuster.
Thank you, places.
