My Old Stompin’ Grounds

The Fine Arts Center lobby. I wandered around, staring at all the posters – shows from before my time, shows during my time, and shows after. They’re all still there. And that lobby!! How many fights did I have with boyfriends in that lobby. How many embarrassing public meltdowns. How much I have gossiped in that space, whispering with Mitchell, being completely annoying because we couldn’t believe what good friends we were. We drove everyone crazy. How many classes did I cut – sitting in that very lobby. LIke: Sheila. You have a class IN THAT BUILDING. If you’re going to cut, at least get off the premises!! How many nervewracking waits for auditions – that’s where we all would pace and wander, before being brought into the various auditions. How many improvisations were done – with Mitchell and David and Jackie – crazy stuff – David picking us all up over his head and whipping us around. A wonderful advertisement for what it was to be a theatre major. It’s a beautiful space and I love how much it has NOT changed.

The box office

Posters for The Five Brothers and The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds – two shows I was in.

Poster for The Gingham Dog. David starred in that one. I played his bigoted sister.

Poster for Reckless. David and Nancy starred. Mitchell was hysterically funny as the ridiculous cheeseball gameshow host. I played David’s deaf (or pretending to be deaf) paraplegic wife.

Poster for Anne of Green Gables. I played Anne with an “e”. The highpoint of my college career.

Poster for Edwin Drood. I think that was my favorite theatrical experience in all of college. I just played a music hall girl, no big part … and it was the most fun I’ve ever had. Jackie and I, as music hall sluts, were joined at the hip. We danced, we laughed, we did stupid bits, we heckled each other, we strutted about … we had an absolute blast.

And now … looking back: on my past, seen through the lobby.