#afterworktheater

[l8rhader]

Possibly not the most flattering picture for any concerned party, but I've always been a villains girl, especially the Tremaines and Ursula. I played the Stepmother (in the R&H version) some years ago. Now, we're coming up on a weekend of performances with me as a Stepsister (in Into The Woods, http://m.bpt.me/event/2591879 - cast 2). #excitedANDscared #wdw #ladytremaine #anastasiatremaine #drizellatremaine #intothewoods #itw #awtp #afterworktheater #cap21

[l8rhader]

So, I'm doing this. I think there's still a few spots open if you want to join us. It'll be well worth the journeying! ;) either way, it's gonna be a good time and you all should come! #intothewoods #itw #awtp #afterworktheater #theatre (at Sirovich Senior Center)

[an-american-adventure]

Friendship forming

There are three ingredients sociologists consider necessary for close friendships to develop:

- Proximity; - Repeated, unplanned interactions; and - A setting that encourages people to let their guard down and confide in each other.

This is why the easiest time to make friends is when you're at school and university: others are physically present with you, the interactions are frequent and the prevalence of alcohol consumption means guards are down everywhere you look.  After university, you make friends at work but the third ingredient is often missing.  You may make friends at the gym but that third ingredient remains elusive.  In my experience, there is nothing like performing in a show to make all of those ingredients come together.

The sense of community that comes with a group of people working to achieve an amazing production is special and has turned out to be the main way that I have made friends since university.  Rehearsals provide the first two ingredients, performing in front of each other and post-rehearsal drinks (on empty stomachs, because of all of the dancing) provide the third.  Some of my dearest friends are people I have performed with.

With that in mind, plus the fact that I love to perform, I knew that I wanted to find an amateur theatre group in New York in order to make friends in this new city.  Surprisingly, theatre groups are few and far between here.  Unlike London, where there is no shortage of am-dram, the 'community theater' in New York (specifically Manhattan) is almost non-existent.  Performers are either professional, trying to be professional or they just do classes.  I researched for months before I came across After Work Theater, a group that puts on musicals near Union Square with a sense of community and fun being the main aim.  With a musical revue scheduled to rehearse from January with performances at the end of March, I signed up as soon as I could.

And I was right.  It has been brilliant fun and I have made new friends.  Wine before rehearsals as well as afterwards and a possible new production on the horizon.  Happy times!