Jerry Blunt and the Affamati Company (The Hungry O

I had my first case of stage fright with this show. The first show I was in I spent most of "unconscious" and then did a lot of screaming. It was hard to mess that up. This one had more lines in it. And I was "paired off" with a veteran performer and theatre major at the beginning of the show. He solemnly gave me our back story: that we had a "thing" going. He used that as an excuse to hug me protectively to his chest at some point. Now, I'm not saying he was bustin' a move on me. For all anyone knew at the time, he was gay. Our opening night, we came out as a commedia del'arte group and I was scared stiff. Came the time for him to squish me unceremoniously to his chest and I discovered that his heart was beating madly. This, for some reason, instantly calmed me down. If he was nervous, it was okay for me to be, therefore I didn't have to worry. I can't say it was the last time I was nervous before a show, but it did cure me for a while of the stage fright. Oh, and the play ... sucks. Perhaps it would be better without the so-called songs. Another thing I remember from rehearsals was Jahan entering doing some tumbles, ending in a cross-legged position, saying, "Wheeeee! I'm Arlecchino!" ... over and over and over and over until he finally asked if he could mark it.… (mehr)