Musty curtains with a decade of dust
And a pock-marked floor
A dressing room door that won’t quite shut
Graffiti on the green-room walls
A secret door that leads to the boiler room
But I know every story this place has to tell
I know every line, and cue
Each chord and step and prop for the action crew
My costume fits just right and
I am so ready for this night to just begin
What I love is that you get to be someone different than you
See things from another’s point of view
Dress like you’re a tree sprite, a go-go dancer, or a chivalrous knight
It’s odd but by being someone else, you seem to be the purest form of yourself
After weeks of preparing I’ve learned the whole thing
My lines, his theirs hers, but I can’t seem to remember what happens first
My mind goes blank and I fear the worst
I’ve been totally chilled all day, like a Colorado peak.
But for some reason my cool has melted, triggering an avalanche of panic.
All the moisture in my mouth has migrated to my hands
I know this, my first line is……… “hi?”
No that’s not it, man, what can it be?
I knew I should have brought my script with me.
Did I place my props? Where’d I put my shoes?
Is my entrance locked? It is!! What do I do?
Oh wait, that’s the closet.
I glance at the director and smile
I feel like I’ve just walked for miles and miles
I’m exhausted and I haven’t even begun
The lights go up
This is where I belong