Ah, the Halloween madness set in to rehearsal today. Some cast members were called upon to escort younger siblings on Trick-or-Treating adventures, some didn't even attend school after being rebuffed by security guards for various costumes and face painting, and some were drawn to the unusually warm day we were having after a nasty streak of cold. So rehearsal consisted of the stalwarts and a gaggle of theater groupies who came to build, paint, and plaster props.
I had to run a couple of errands in the main office, so I put our Stage Manager in charge of the crew. She raised a bucket of paste-and-water and marched off to work with groupies in tow. One of my guys, Joseph, volunteered to corral actors to finish choreographing a song. When I came back from my five minute errands, cast members were everywhere! Groupies were covered in glue! Sheaths of newspapers were flying! And another wave of groupies trickled in from our school's last period class (our students have staggered schedules)! From cries of "ooh, sticky" and "please help, Miss!" and "what can I do?", Jose walked in with a fully decorated pumpkin cake.
Jose's girlfriend, Cristina, managed to get the crew all cleaned up and got them to procure plasticware and plates while I grouped the cast onstage. Sun salutations- the cure for lack of focus. We bent and breathed and stretched, ending up seated on the floor. We completed several rounds of bellows breath together, closing our eyes and letting snot fly! When we opened our eyes, everyone smiled and said, "Man, I've got to do that every DAY!" Then Cristina served them all cake.
Bellies full and minds sharp, we returned to the stage to choreograph two major songs. We ended early to let the evening revelry begin! Tomorrow marks November 1st...and just three weeks before opening night. HONK!