The Difference between Performance #1 and #2

The first one was DYNO-MITE! It was electrifying - probably partially bc I was so nervous that those nerves gave me such energy - I had so many friends in the crowd - and it was terrific to look out there and see so many familiar faces - They cracked up the whole way - in places where I thought, "really? is that funny???"

Needless to say, it was a BRILLIANT start!

Then performance #2 came - and boy oh boy.....they made me work for it. They were so quiet. At moments when they were "suppose" to laugh......crickets. I was like, "damn, wasnt that funny??" One woman in the second row even started nodding off - my first sleeper. Its happened to every performer and my director had warned me: "just see....at one of your shows you will have some old person falling asleep in the front row....." when I saw her nodding off, I would make my way over to her and scream my lines toward her to wake her up......the crowd was older too - and simply more quiet. It was a good exercise in telling my story ANYWAY - to all those blank faces, no matter what.......

But, even still, the crowd seemed happy - I talked to most people afterwards and they had really nice things to say. It was just a different crowd from the night before. My producer said that when everyone left the theater - they walked out smiling - a good sign!

Happy or not: I just have to do my thing and not get too caught up in "what everyone thinks." This is about my lessons, my journey, my growth. But, I do admit, a happy audience is a NICE side note......