Just a couple of hours ago we did our first-ever real performance of Endgame for a number of folks. The show overall went well and got a great reception from the audience, but there was one goof. One of our actors forgot one of his lines, which resulted in a minute long pause. Because the script format would probably be a better venue of telling this story than that of narrative:

[MINUTE LONG PAUSE]

AUBIN: Say something!

[BEAT]

MATT: There's nothing to say.

[30 SECOND LONG PAUSE]

All the while I was cooped up in a trashcan. I appreciated their replies to one another - they fit the context of the play very nicely - but damn if it wasn't the most helpless I've ever felt onstage.

As I'd said, the audience really enjoyed the show. However there's something about the schmoozing process that tends to take place afterwards - we bow, the audience applauds, we go into the audience to chat with friends, everyone goes "good job" - that makes me feel terribly awkward. Often times after a performance I am very tired; often times there is nothing more I'd like than to lie down and take a nap. But I realize the importance of chatting with the audience afterwards. It's a far more meaningful way of saying thank you than the bow that takes place at curtain call. If only it wasn't so awkward for me.