"There are moments you remember all your life..."

The two preview performances were successful, and I was dead by the weekend's end. We were @ the theatre about 11 hours on Saturday, and another 11 hours on Sunday. Needless to say, I felt the dire need to play hooky today. I have no further vacation days, so I will be docked for my laziness. However, I did sleep a total of 12 hours, even through some mid morning hammering by the other half. This sort of dead-to-the-world slumber tends to cement my decision to take the day off from work. Since it has been a small year and 1/2 since I did a full show, I am pleasantly reminded of the wonderful family atmosphere created in the run of a show. One of my castmates, a stunning actress who shall remain nameless (I don't want her to get a big head, and she doesn't read this anyway), and I discussed different items over the long weekend. One thing we talked about was how lucky we were to be in this line of "work". I stated that w/out this to keep our sanity, how would we get by? And how do the "common folk" spend their down time from work? There are moments in a rehearsal process, and I usually get one or two per show, where I really sit back and marvel @ what it is we are creating. I have been doing this so long, that it easily gets taken for granted. It shouldn't. Those of us that do this should take a long step back and review the magic that we are a part of. I also have those moments of joy in which I am content that this is so second nature. It is a part of me, and always will be. That is cool. What do the "common folk" have in their lives that they can say fill the same void? Children? No, theatre folk have kids too. Spouses? No, theatre folk have significant others too. So love it, adore it, embrace it and never take it for granted. The weekend was long and difficult, but oh so rewarding in the end. The question is, why are most theatre people, creative people in general, drawn together to do these (if you really stop and think about it) bizarre things? Acceptance? Family? Creative outlet? Attention? All I suppose. Whatever it is that brings us together, I count myself blessed to be in the select few that can do this and appreciate what it is. Especially when the cast you are working with, (my current one) is so above and beyond petty differences, and juvenile squabbles. We are there to enjoy the process, and work together to create for the audience, but more so to create a family unit. Love, fun. Luck.