As the curtains opened…

Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?

Although we rehearsed for many weeks, the moments before the curtains opened, and I peeked outside to the auditorium to see the people coming in and sitting down. A fear and excitement comes over you and your mind and stomach churns.

It was not my time on stage or my giving a speech, because each moment stands on its own, and even with preparation I never felt quite prepared, often fearful of forgetting everything I rehearsed for.

The first time I was only six and giving a speech on a little boys take on pilgrims around Thanksgiving time.

Apparently, even after rehearsing and reciting my talk many times to others at home, on the day I began I began firm, strong, and composed. I knew this all from my heart.

Unfortunately, somehow the pilgrims in my talk came from Japan in 1964. The audience, although many younger than me, and quite a few who were not, laughed, and laughed with delight.

Adding to the foray which added to the hilarity of the moment, was my mother sitting behind me, trying to get my attention by grabbing my pant leg to help guide me, and I was brushing her off, and thinking she was the one making them laugh about a serious matter that I had well in hand.

The second time, I was behind the curtain and ten years older. I was one of the main characters in a Christmas play, and my nerves were on the heightened side.

I was afraid, as the curtains opened, and I was blinded by lights and applause as I strained to see the crowd in front of me.

I began with my opening words, and the audience disappeared, and I became the character that I had rehearsed to become.

My co-star forgot to come out onto the stage because she was watching me, and I repeated her lines, because they needed to be said, before I moved on with more of my own, and she hurried onto stage, and whispered to me she was sorry.

The play ended, and it was a success. My sister still occasionally says, she loved the play I was in, some forty years ago.

I never acted again, but did do a couple of commercials, walked a runway, and even ran lights, sound and curtains for others.

The memories which I never forgot, including one where I acted as a presenter or host a couple of times, and told a couple of jokes and warmed up the audience for a wonderful evening.

I still feel these moments intimately, because I am an introvert, who found himself in positions beyond his comfort zone, and survived many wonderful things, when I forgot to be me.