It’s supposed to be bad luck to wish actors “good luck” on their upcoming performances, so instead you’re supposed to say “break a leg.”
Most don’t actually intend harm to come to anyone, certainly not to members of the audience.
I’ve been doing the community-theatre acting thing for just a few years, but know enough to ignore what may come from the audience during a performance. People get up to use the restroom, drop a cup or plate, loudly open a package, cough and sneeze, laugh, which is good, talk, which isn’t so good, or even heckle a bit.
Actors are supposed to hold a line they’re saying for a bit if people are laughing, especially in a comedy. Don’t talk over the laughter or else they won’t laugh anymore. Hold until the laughter starts to fade, then go on. It’s a fine balance. But generally we’re not supposed to respond to whatever’s going on the peanut gallery.
But during our final dress rehearsal with members of the Clarkston Village Players serving as the audience, just as I was delivering some lines I saw something out of the corner of my eye and heard a thump.
I stopped talking, broke character, and looked right into the audience to see what was going on. Maybe the line I was saying might have had something to do with it –“There is such a thing as empathy. An ability to identify with other people is a big part of what makes us human.”
One of the more senior members of our group had fallen asleep (sorry about that!), toppled from her seat onto the metal-lined steps, and cut her head.
I play a doctor in the show, complete with lab coat and stethoscope, but didn’t presume to have anything to offer in a real medical situation. We have actual medical-type people there, including my stage wife, Linda Leath, and our producer, Vickie Pike. Someone called 911, and Independence Township firefighters and paramedics showed up quite quickly. The care they provided was impressive, as they treated their patient and carted her off to the hospital. We gave them a round of applause as they left.
Two more weekends for the show, Vino Veritas. For tickets, call 248-425-5842. Hopefully all the action will stay up on stage!