No Politics, I Promise

As my first blog after one of the biggest, craziest elections of all time, what ELSE would I talk about except...

THE CHRISTMAS CAROL!!

Haha! I (and the majority of America) am absolutely sick of politics, and I have no inclinations whatsoever to discuss them in this blog. Instead... happier things!

In this year's upcoming Christmas Carol, my sister and I have been cast as the Charwomen, two ladies of questionable morality, robbing Scrooge's home and dead body of whatever they can get their hands on. It is one of the few comedic scenes in the play, and there aren't many lines, so it is ideal for me. Also, since it is my sister and I, we work well together and have come up with some silly things to do and say in our little part.

Tonight was the Charwomen's first real rehearsal, and we showed up at the Shuler about 6:00. We were the first ones to rehearse and it didn't take long, but we were in the theater long enough for me to get nostalgic. I know I make fun of Raton a lot, and usually for good reason, but I have to say, one of the best thing about this little town is the Shuler Theater. It's old and beautiful, and I am so glad that I've been able to see and experience it from top to bottom, inside and out. I've been in several productions, and band performances, so I've been onstage a decent amount. But I've also been up in the lighting booth, all over backstage and downstairs, up in the costumes department, and once, even in the men's bathroom!

I remember the year we put on Miracle on 34th Street especially, because I was so involved in helping backstage and up in the lighting booth, where I ran the spotlight. Since I did so much that year, I also had some unusual opportunities, like being in the theater when almost no one else was. I went in one wintry afternoon to touch up some scratches on the stage with black paint, alone except for one or two people in the far-off front office. I stood on the stage, listening to the bitter cold wind howling against the tall building. The lights were up and bright and I stood center stage, looking out into the empty audience. I felt... powerful. There's no better way to put it.

After I finished touch-ups and cleaned the paint brush, I lowered myself into the pit where there is one lone piano. I pushed up the keyboard lid and let my fingers brush against the keys. Down on the bass end of the piano, I began to play the bottom part of "Heart and Soul", the chords ringing out all through the empty theater, over the vacated seats, up to splash against the ornate painted ceiling.

I love the feeling of getting the show's set up and together, and hearing the dull roar of a full audience chatting before a performance. It's a cool sensation to be downstairs below the stage, actors laughing and talking and applying their obligatory stage makeup.

We are lucky to have some REALLY talented people here in Raton! Great actors and beautiful voices, and I think this year's production of A Christmas Carol, directed by Clint Henson, is going to be great!

There's something about Christmastime shows that really get me in the spirit. Please come out to support us! :)

Happy Thursday!

Sarah