Slice of Life 4

             Tonight is opening night. What we’ve been rehearsing for since last Saturday, the actors even more so. This time, instead of the empty risers there are chairs, chairs filled with almost a hundred people. Right now people have just started to trickle in from the gym. At first it is a rush, like a river after a storm but soon it mellows. Now, all of the early arrivers are pooling in the theatre; throwing clothing over certain chairs as to get the best seats and then standing up to converse with many acquaintances; parents, family, teachers. One or two of them are even taking pictures of the set, the bright flashes light up the back stage. With every minute the pool is getting bigger. More and more are arriving, groups coming dangerously close to the fragile set. Even now, some of the kids are getting impatient; they’re exited for the play and while talking with their friends may seem like an enjoyable activity, they easily tire of the conversation and fidget in their seats. Who would have thought that it would take so long for people to find seats for an hour long show. Its like a logic puzzle: if your child wants to sit with this group of friends and parents want to sit with their acquaintances than just how many seats must you save with your two jackets. Its all so loud, the more people that trickle in the more exclamations of “Sit here! We saved you a spot”. Frankly its all very amusing, the crowd has no idea of just how much there actors are freaking out or how many times we have had to yell at them to not run across the echoing gym floor.