THE PERPETUAL VISITOR: Sustainable Creative Living.
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • Things I Teach
  • Things I Make
    • The Book: The Perpetual Visitor
    • Wild Unfolding: and other poems
    • New Bird
    • The Podcast
    • Theatre
    • Film
    • Poetry
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • Things I Teach
  • Things I Make
    • The Book: The Perpetual Visitor
    • Wild Unfolding: and other poems
    • New Bird
    • The Podcast
    • Theatre
    • Film
    • Poetry
  • Contact

Opening Night Traditions

9/29/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
Photo by Kyna Hamill

Tonite is opening night for Two Roads Performance Projects' production of 
Letters to Medford and I am getting opening night butterflies already! I love this play and this group of people that I get to play with and our unique "theatre" space,, and feel grateful that I get to spend the evening telling a story in a wonderfully intimate space. The play was originally staged in 2014, and this is the first time I've gotten the chance to revive a role. It's like taking a trip through time both as your character and you, the actor, and an incredible opportunity to have a reunion with the rest of the cast, director, and playwright!

When I was cast in my very first role in a play, a member of the chorus in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, I celebrated opening night by listening to the song "Opening Night" from The Producers--and I've done it for most openings ever since. I can also remember dancing to Abba's "Mamma Mia" and "Dancing Queen" during intermission of the high school musical on opening night and have no shame admitting that I still have a soft spot for their special brand of Swedish flair. 

This year, instead of "Opening Night", I started of the day singing "My Shot" from Hamilton, off-key, as I walked to the morning train, and decided to wear a beautiful skirt and pearl earrings that belonged to my Grandma, who passed away last spring. Just a small way of celebrating, and completely unbeknownst to most people, but it feels like a special way to mark the day. 

What about you? Do you have a regular ritual for celebrating opening night? Any superstitions? I find theatre traditions pretty interesting, and am always looking for different and creatives ways to give a nod to a first performance. 

Above is a sneak peek at a production photo from the show--I play the ghost of Lydia Maria Child, one of Medford's most well known historical figures. Child was a women's rights activist, abolitionist, writer, and domestic guru--I find it fascinating that she became a social outcast after writing articles and books on racial equality AND she advocated for decorating with flowers and playing party games. That's what I like about her though---she's a three dimensional human being.  Oh, and she wrote "Over the River and Through the Woods", but would probably be mortified if she knew that the poem is what we commonly remember her for. 
​
What about you? Anyone performing this weekend or seeing anything special? Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Friends. 
1 Comment
Laura Hobson
12/23/2022 02:47:16 pm

I was really stressed by Acid reflux issues with my newborn and had consulted Chief Dr Lucky. He gave us a thorough consultation and the medicines were equally effective. In a couple of weeks there was big improvement in my son and we are very pleased with the progress. We cannot thank Chief Dr Lucky enough. Highly recommended.

Email [email protected]

WhatsApp +2348132777335
yytsaa

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    My name is Melissa and I'm an actor, playwright, author, filmmaker, and teaching artist who wants to help you discover, cultivate, and care for your creativity. 
     
    What does being creative mean to you?

    How do you play every day?

    This is a space for taking a break, a breath,  and finding ways to flex our imagination and find the joy where we can. 

    ​No one is going to present us with a ready made creative life--we have  to step up and gift it to ourselves. I'm so glad you're here.

    Categories

    All
    Artist Dates
    Creative Recharge
    Creative Risks
    Motivation Monday
    Persistence
    Play
    Success
    Theatre
    Tiny Tips For Creativity
    Whole Artist
    Writing

    Archives

    August 2023
    July 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    August 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    Want to get blog posts delivered right to your inbox? Sign up to receive The Perpetual Visitor below and never miss creative conversation!

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.