Making my show biz debut at the PAC
- col-teri-stein
- October 21, 2022
- 814
It’s too exciting to be true, but I made my show biz debut recently with the Blue Man Group at the Kent State University at Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center. I was never in a play, not even during high school, so obviously they didn’t care if they had anyone experienced or not.
I got this extremely minor role because of one thing: Early on I was the only volunteer usher to sign up to work all three shows, and the show wanted the same person to help them each night.
Actually, I had no clue what I was going to be doing until the night of the first show. I had a special usher assignment once before, and it was a meet and greet with one of the performers. I just had to stand there at the head of the line of fans, make sure everything went well and people were moving along. It was pretty low key.
Soon after I arrived at the PAC for the first evening, the assistant stage manager of the show was looking for me. She had a full sheet of paper that described what I needed to do. I was a bit surprised, but it was too late to back out now.
My first assignment was to walk some “late” audience volunteers to their seats after the show had started. The ASM (assistant stage manager — see I already know show biz lingo) didn’t give us any other directions. The ASM gave us the go-ahead. I got out my little usher flashlight and turned it on for effect.
We started down the aisle, and an alarm began buzzing. One of the Blue Men or more, I don’t really know because I’m just trying not to trip or fall, got out some large spotlights and flashed them around until they settled on us.
Did you know you can’t see anything around you when someone is shining a spotlight on you? Then a song started playing, admonishing the couple for their tardiness.
This gag was pretty funny because, as an usher, we like people to be on time even though we’re not going to go to Blue Man extremes if they aren’t. Some shows have a hold on them. People can enter the theater, but we can’t seat them until after a certain time to make sure the show is off to a good, uninterrupted start.
One time a couple coming from out of town got confused and actually went to Kent State main campus for a show. Luckily, they had left early and made it to New Philadelphia in time to see the last half of the show.
But back to the Blue Man Group show. For the other assignment, I was on my own. My job was to help a “married” couple from the bottom steps of the stage to the lobby, where I helped them get out of handcuffs. (Just see the show at your next opportunity if you missed it this time.)
I walked to the front at the appropriate time and waited until the Blue Men handed off the couple to me. I figured we would quietly make our way to the lobby in the darkened theater — wrong. We were in the spotlight again as we traveled up the stairs to much laughter, and the whole scene was broadcast on a screen onstage so everyone could see it.
But I didn’t know about that because, did I say you can’t see anything outside of the spotlight? I found out about it later when I talked with my nephews after the show, who assured me even though I was front and center, nobody was looking at me. I found this reassuring, and once it was all over, I decided it was fun.
And, of course, Blue Man Group was spectacular. They never speak, yet they are so entertaining.
Fortunately, what goes on at the PAC doesn’t stay at the PAC. The shows provide special memories and incredible shared experiences you’ll remember and talk about for the rest of your life. I know I’ll never forget being in the spotlight with an internationally known group.
If you missed Blue Man Group, not to worry — the season is still young. The time to start hinting around for your favorite show tickets for special occasions is now. Or just gift them to yourself. You won’t regret it.
Maybe I will see you there, but hopefully not in the spotlight.