Personal Day

Sunday, I took a personal day away from the show.  It was the first show I have missed since my opening night back in July.  I had been planning the day for quite some time.  I wanted to make a quick trip to Iowa to see my sister in her high school musical.  She’s a senior this year and would be playing the part of Marty in Grease. So exciting!! I was disapointed last year when I missed her playing Dorothy because I had an important audition for Spring Awakening.  I planned a flight early Sunday morning so that I could be there in time for her matinee.  Then I would  fly back Tuesday morning to make it in time for my Tuesday evening performance.  I couldn’t wait to see my family!  This was the kind of moment as a big sister you don’t want to miss!!

Something crazy started happening as my personal day grew nearer; I got nervous about leaving and even though I wanted to see my family, I didn’t really want to miss two shows that Sunday. 

Over the last few months, I’ve started to take on more and more ownership over my role in the show.  When you do the same show eight times a week, you develop a lot of specific special moments.  There are places where I look at certain actors onstage with me.  There are pauses in scenes where I take a breath with whoever is speaking.  I have thoughts from my own life that run through my head night after night as I sing certain words of certain songs.  Who would do these things while I was gone?  I knew Super Swing Alice, who would be going on for me, would be an amazing Anna.  She’s totally adorable and energetic and has an awesome voice!  But these moments that I’m talking about aren’t blocking.  They aren’t things learned in rehearsal. They have taken months to discover and develop. They are mine. 

I knew that Alice would have moments of her own. Maybe they would be really brilliant.  Maybe some of my special moments would still happen without me there to witness them.  I was afraid to miss something!

I tried explaining my nervousness to Super Swings Morgan Karr and Alice Lee, “There’s this one line in Song of Purple Summer where I always think about this house I lived in when I was growing up in Nebraska.  Who will think about Nebraska while I’m gone?!?  Nobody else in this cast in even from Nebraska!!” 

Morgan laughed and said, "It will be a different show, but it will still be good and I’ll miss you, but it will be nice for you to have a day off and see your family."

Alice tried to help and said, “How about I think about “YOU IN Nebraska during that line in Song of Purple Summer?” 

“I’m going to Iowa.”

“Oh….Aren’t they kind of the same?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

I knew Super Swings Morgan and Alice were right.  I had no reason to be nervous.  The show would be different, but still great even without me and my little moments.  Someone would fill me in if something crazy happened while I was away.  And of course, I was excited for Alice to get a chance to show her stuff after working so hard in rehearsal day after day.

The day away from the show turned out to be pretty great!  My sister was amazing and funny as Marty.  It was great to meet all her friends and teachers and see her high school.  There was even time to go to Target.  My mom made some yummy soup and I got in some good conversation with my dad.  Although I was enjoying myself, I wasn’t able to completely leave Spring Awakening that Sunday.  As my sister’s show started at 2pm, I couldn’t help but think of how the cast was backstage getting ready to go on.  But after that, I was able to get caught up in the wonderful hormonal mayhem that is a Midwest high school production of Grease.  Those highschoolers had so much energy!  It was surprising to hear so many great voices in one small town school.  It was inspiring to see these kids take such pride in their work and watch their proud parents cheer them on.  My sister was amazing and my mom took lots of pictures. 

My personal day ended up being a great thing for my body and brain and family.  I felt refreshed and winked at Super Swing Morgan as I stepped back onstage Tuesday night.  

--  Emily Kinney

Comments

[Katy Kinney]

Ahhh, I'm glad you came to my show too Em!

[evelyn]

Em--I have a friend who's going to see the show! Yay your show!!!
Good for you for taking a personal day. Always important to take care of oneself. Huzzah!
eve