Nutcracker

Once again, it is that time of year where I am almost certain that my head will explode if I walk into a store and hear one more note of the Nutcracker Suite. For ten of the last eleven Decembers of my life, we have been involved in Mid-Columbia Ballet's production. (Well, my parents have volunteered for eleven years...but I was in Kenya for one of those.)

My dad works as a stage hand, and my mom and I run props, which translates to collecting party children's gifts, making sure the angels don't stick their candles up their noses, putting together Mother Ginger, and generally making sure that no children - or workers - are run over by moving set pieces, all while trying to watch from behind set pieces while my sisters dance.

It's fun, and I thoroughly enjoy working backstage, but, just like with any show, by the time tech week and a four day weekend of shows is over, there is a collective sigh of relief. Most of the crew would tell you that striking the set is the most exciting part of their week. :D

The stage crew finds ways to entertain themselves, though, and, sometimes, when one of the little angels gets too excited about the whole thing and pees on the stage during rehearsal, the stage manager puts on the costume instead... just to keep it safe.