A Pre-Show Tradition
Theatre people undeniably like our traditions. Our webmaster created this for his former theatre troupe as a reminder of why we do theatre, and to put everyone in the right from of mind.
Feel free to use all or part of our tradition for your troupe, if like it.
Right before the house opens and the cast is sequestered backstage, the entire cast and crew circles up and link hands with inter-locking fingers. One of the Troupe officers (or an Assistant Director, Stage Manager, etc.) gives the following explanation.
CIRCLE LEADER: “The part of our hands in between our fingers (the in-betweenies) are the weakest part of our hand. The knuckles are the strongest. Holding hands in this way symbolizes and ensemble working together to cover each other’s weaknesses with our strengths.”
ALL THOSE THAT HAVE HEARD IT BEFORE: “Aaaaawwwweee.”
Afterwards, the Circle Leader starts everyone off in the following Pre-Show Request.
“Grant us the strength to hit our cues,
deliver our lines, and nail our moves.
May we honor those Thespians who came before us,
and inspire those that want to join us.
Most of all, let us entertain the crowd
and make our friends and family proud.”
(Add “Amen” to make it a Pre-Show Prayer.)
The Tradition concludes with everyone throwing their hands up in the air (and letting go of each other) while calling out “OPAH!”, to honor our Greek roots.
The Pre-Show Request is an original poem/prayer written by C. A. Scott