“Theatres are curious places, magician’s trick-boxes where the golden memories of dramatic triumphs linger like nostalgic ghosts, and where the unexplainable, the fantastic, the tragic, the comic and the absurd are routine occurrences on and off the stage. Murders, mayhem, political intrigue, lucrative business, secret assignations, and of course, dinner.” ― E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly.
In the middle of vocal rehearsals, my mind kind of wandered away from what I was supposed to be paying attention to (singing ensemble soprano parts), to something that was drawn on the wall…
Needless to say, my mind spent a great portion of this rehearsal wondering where was the traditional lucky pineapple (or duck) going to placed in the set during this show, how the heck the dancers are going to sing with all the choreography they have to learn and perform (that’s why we use backstage singers…aka, myself and 8 other talented individuals), and then trying to picture it onstage, which is still a little pre-emotive on my part.
Then I remember how lucky I am to be in this theatre, with the caliber of people that I work, rehearse and perform with. I remember the history of the Empire Theatre, and the people who have been involved with its operation, past and present. The fact that the theatre is associated with the world renowned actor, Geoffrey Rush, is a real privilege too. not many people can say that they feel truly blessed to be able to be in this theatre and learn the things that I have learned.
The thing about doing multiple shows, is that one tend to get a little nostalgic, or distracted…or both, especially when caffeine deprived. All these thoughts came to me after staring at a chalk outline on a backstage wall.
Oh, the places my mind wanders to…
Sarah Talbot 
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