House Lights Down

What if life is a play, and each stars in his own? Every play has its stars, ensemble, and crew; every story has its good guys, bad guys, lovers, mysteries, and laughs. Every show has a director, unseen, to hold each strand together. And inevitably, every show has an audience.
There are those who criticize and dwell on the mistakes. Some are supportive parents who are unable to find fault, blinded by their fondness. Still others are just looking for entertainment and find themselves drawn in, mesmerized by the gracefully woven tales and harmoniously realistic, and at the same time fantastic, voices. These tend to be those who most enjoy the show, because it took them by surprise.

To create this hypnotic other world is no magic task. Some, those cast as “stars,” receive both a blessing and a curse—a chance to shine at the cost of many a free evening. The ensemble, the “supporting roles,” are often just that: support. Though a star could likely perform the show themselves merely from their knowledge of it, the supporters are there to cover those bases; to together be strong so that the stars can go that much further. And of course, frequently unnoticed, is the stage crew: those who make the show what is truly is, a show, a theatrical creation. Without light or sound a performance is worth very little.

The true quality of a play lies in the quality of its story. An uneventful tale lacking strong characters will hold not even the proudest parent’s attention. There never has been, nor will there ever be a story without conflict, and conflict is always tied to some sort of search for truth. A protagonist is always at odds with an antagonist, who nearly always believes himself in the other role. And few plots are strong enough to survive without a touch of laughter and love.

All this is placed in the hands of the director. It is in this person’s power to select the people involved and what sort of adventure they will be leading the unsuspecting audience into. In fact, that is the one thing the director is not totally in control of—who takes a seat at the curtain’s rise, and who walks away somehow affected.

I am the star of my own play, and God is my director. He cast me in this role because I have certain qualities that no other actress can bring. He has chosen me a fantastic ensemble and crew, a network of faces who support me, who make me who I am, who add those extra effects to my life—in fact, He has also selected me to several other supporting roles, in other shows. He has written me a gripping plot, to the point where occasionally I forget the ending myself; but it is also a beautiful, lighthearted script full of love and smiles. Several enemies are warming up beside me, sure of their lines and blocking. However, I too am well-rehearsed, and I know the ending well. Perhaps I will forget a few lines, but I am confident that I can improvise with those final scenes in mind. None can say who will fill the seats on opening night, but my Director chose me for a reason, because I can affect them like no one else. I have practiced intently and I’m ready for the opening night drawing so near, so quickly; ready to take a few by surprise, to show my God that He chose the right star.

And when I reach curtain call, the first of many, in four years, I can only pray that I will be able to say of my own life: “so ends our tale of love, mystery, and a fair bit of silliness. I hope all your endeavors end as well as ours did.” And when the curtains fall for the final time, wherever and however that may be, I can only imagine that standing ovation that I might receive, because I know who has been watching me.





looking for something to do next weekend?
come see Rumplestiltskin!
Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th
Tallmdage High School, 7:30 p.m.
tickets $5 for students and $9 for adults
totally family-friendly! and funny just the same!
cheer for the stage left curtain... that's me :)