So, this weekend was Shakespeare Club’s production of Scenes from Shakespeare, of which I devoted many a blog and evening. It was, quite possibly, one of the best nights of my college life.

My best friend Alyssa and her boyfriend Matt made it to campus after some mishaps, as did my mother, and it was great to go on stage knowing people had come just for me. Egotistical but honest, no?

Side note: SVC really, really needs to put up some signs. The school comes out of nowhere, and I had to drive out into Latrobe right before our show to find a stranded, lost, and frustrated Matt and Alyssa. They were only two miles away from school, but SVC is impossible to find for those unused to the area.

But, away from my rant about Latrobe driving, and back to the acting.

The crowd was big and receptive, which is the best kind to have. Everyone had crazy energy, perhaps because the audience was giving back everything it got. Aileen, my Shakespearean partner in crime, and I had a fight scene…and it worked flawlessly. It’s the first act I’m in—Taming of the Shrew—and once it went so well I felt the tone set for the night with me.

When I went out for my next scene, Sparknotes vs. Shakespeare, I was shaking I was so nervous. Full on trembles of terror here people, but I think I masked it decently well. As I knew he would, Pat completely owned the scene. I play to him during that scene, as the kid is pure brilliance. (He was also in Cabaret, which was a wonderful show. It’ll be running again come Parent’s Weekend, and everyone should check it out.)

I was the most nervous about Sparknotes, as it was my baby. I wrote it, revised it, and attacked Pat with it. If it bombed, it was going to be my fault…yet it did not! After Sparknotes I have a quick change, and this time I managed to both put on my shirt correctly AND button my pants before attempting to leave the dressing room—something I’ve never quite managed. I tend to forget in the giant ball of stress that is “get-on-stage-get-on-stage-get-on-stage-NOW.”

The next scene, Pyramus and Thisbe, was hilarious. We had to stop so many times for laughs...it was great. The audience ate it up. And Father Wulfstan? Amazing actor and teacher, that monk.

I am still jazzed, in case you couldn't tell.  

Literally, there is not a single bad actor in the whole club. I am so happy I decided to do this show…I needed it, I think, and I definitely don’t regret it.

If I could give anyone advice on what to do in college, beyond the whole “go to class” and “sleep occasionally” deal, it’s this: join stuff on campus. Human Rights Organization has introduced me some lovely ladies, Shakespeare Club to some heavily talented individuals, and cross-country to some of the funniest kids on campus. It takes a lot of time management to balance that and classes—because yes, school should come first—but, it is well worth it.

And if you’re reading this, and saddened by the whole “I missed Shakespeare,” you should be. And probably shunned. But, rest assured: you can still make it. There is another show come Saturday, this time in what I have dubbed the big kid theater, also known as the Carey Center. Come in, enjoy the free show, and please don’t heckle my little scene too much.

But now I go, because after a long weekend, Aileen and I are off to watch Disney movies and then fall into a deserved coma. We’re starting with Hercules, and have plans for Mulan, but I have a feeling we’ll be out like lights long before that.