First performances

(Posted by Jill)

Tuesday was our first performance! We hardly felt ready, but we did it without any major problems. Wednesday's performance was a little less nerve racking, but there were still minor issues.

The part I was the most concerned about was the 4 concentric circles at the end of the evening dance. In none of the rehearsals has that part of the dance come together. Craig and I have to very quickly move from one side of the stage after our circle breaks apart to the other side while the biggest group is still circling. I've often run into trouble (literally) as I try to get around the circle and through all the people at the back of the stage. Being short makes me nearly invisible so I very often get stepped on or run into. Tuesday it all came together and felt great to be dancing will all these people that we have come to know.

One snag we still have to work out is getting props on and off the stage. After the dancing while we are in the relative darkness of the gathering for family prayer scene, Jezi has to go get a lantern, Weston gets a book to hand to Paul (the Robert Laird character) and Erin goes down the ramp off stage to get a dress and another book. During the "prayer" (we are just kneeling, no sound), I arrange the dress and book so that when the lights go out completely, I can quickly dress Meagan, changing her from one character to another and handing her the book. Weston gives his book discreetly to Paul (Robert) as he walks by and I take Meagan's day cap and stuff it up the sleeve of my dress so it is out of sight when the lights come on for the next scene which is the founding of the Relief Society.

Erin, Mom and I have to change our costumes twice during the show. At a certain point we change our bodices to the lighter color, then just before the finale we change our skirts. We go into one of two shipping pods that have been set up as dressing rooms back stage. Even walking by you can hear the sound of ripping velcro as everyone changes. The men also change, usually just reversing their vests to the lighter colored side. The effect is gradual during the show such that most people don't notice until the final. Although we are all wearing shades of beige for the finale with the huge spotlights we all look like we are wearing white.

It's hard to believe that 4 days from now we will be heading for home. It really doesn't seem like we have been here that long. I think it's going to be very hard for me to leave. We will miss all the awesome people we have met, the joy of the pageant, and the city of Nauvoo itself.