





You see, once I got the marketing job at Book-It, I paused my acting track a bit. Accepting this job in graphic design was a no-brainer and I think I’m exactly where I should be, but I’m not going to say the decision was made without a fair bit of sadness as I mourned my hiatus from the stage. Ask any actor: being off the stage for too long, being without a project or a script can get under your skin. Makes you itch.
But all that aside, HERE I WAS! Cute mousy nose in place, pencil skirt looking awesome, lines totally memorized – ready to act again!

My part had me running back and forth on that ramp, each time with different props, a slightly adjusted costume. I'd run on, squeak out a line, and run off. On my second entrance I ran in to give my monkey boss his coffee, and suggesting a possible workplace romance, we flirted over the cup of coffee for a moment. When I turned to leave, my boss made a playful grab at my little gray tail, eliciting a happy, "Oh! Hehehe!" from mousy secretary as I ran back down the ramp.
My tail got pulled, the laugh from the audience was loud, my skirt didn't allow my legs much mobility, and in thrill of the moment I chose to maintain eye contact with monkey boss, looking backwards over my shoulder as I scuttled down the ramp.
And then I ran right off it.
I fell hard. My knees hit the edge on my way down and I landed headfirst into someone eating their dinner. The audience (top Seattle socialites, remember?) who had been mid-laugh, now drew a sharp, vocalized breath in unison, "HuuuOH!" There was dead silence for a moment and then the woman I had fallen into asked, "Are you ok?" I stood up, knees shaking, and forced myself to look out at all of those horrified faces.
Oh right! Still acting acting acting what should I do do do do oh worst moment of my life life life life just beam me up Scotty oh God God why have you forsaaaaaken me my knees hurt bad bad bad bad and everybody's still staring at me-"SQUEAK!"
Yup, that was my great cover. Mousy secretary fell off the stage, stood up and squeaked. Everybody laughed, probably relieved that I hadn't died, and I took my real exit, more gingerly this time.
Adrenaline kept me going and I didn't even feel my knees begin to throb until afterwards.


All Guilty Pleasures photos by Alan Alabastro Photography.
I was Uncle Gayev in the Cherry Orchard and I wore a monocle. Once I went on stage without taking off my glasses and when I went to polish and place my monocle, I found myself in an awkward bind. But in the end the people enjoyed the show, I'm certain no one remembers the mishap, which admittedly is no where near the caliber of yours, but still I'm sure your crowd had a good time. When they remember you they will remember you as part of their excellent evening.
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