The build-up of ten weeks. Ten weeks of memorizing lines, blocking the stage, and getting everything ready. Backstage is chaos above all things. Performers are getting into costumes. They are running around fixing makeup and hair. My director is scolding a group of ensemble performers for eating goldfish in costume. I let out a snicker when they continued, and she walked away hurriedly to help the crew with the set. Open house in 20 mins. We can do this. I go to the clothes rack and find my costume. When I see it, I put it on delicately, making sure not to rip it. My costume fits perfectly around my body shape. I run to the mirror to make sure my makeup is not smearing. Everyone is at the mirror trying to put on makeup they should have put on before arriving at the theatre. 

"Ok, everyone. The house is opening." Someone on the crew announces.

We all fall into a comfortable silence. Knowing not to speak and letting the audience hear us as they fill in the seats. Everyone begins to fidget, running through their lines in their head. Or at least that is what I'm doing. I'm starting to build up nerves that weren't there before. My hand started to sweat. Some of us are whispering to each other to fill the unbearable silence, which makes us all more nervous. 

"Curtain up in 5," the director calls.

"Thank you 5," we all reply in unison.

I have to sit through all of the first act because I don't come in until the second act. Once the first act has finished, there is a 30-minute intermission. Everyone who was in the first act is all giddy from doing such a good job and only messing up a couple of times. The second act started, and I was about to go on stage. If I look hard enough, I can see my mom and brothers a couple of rows back. My mom waves and winks at me, while one of my brothers smiles at me. The line to cue me onstage is coming up, and I am getting nervous. My hands start to shake, my pulse starts to quicken, and heat starts to rise in my face. The cue line is said, and I enter, saying my first line. My body is on fire, and I'm scared people will notice. The lights are blinding, making it impossible to see anyone past the front row. I start to get into the groove of the scene, and I forget there is an audience watching my every move. What if I forget my line? I hesitate on my line, forgetting it while thinking about forgetting it. Finally, the scene is over. The next scene starts in a flash, and just like that, I am back into the flow. Before I know it, the show has ended, and we are taking our bows. I can't stop grinning from ear to ear. Hearing the roar from the audience makes my insides flutter and sends chills down my arms. This is my happy place. My world.