The phenomenon of a captivating play is the relating of the cast to the audience. But to describe all the relationships in a successful show would be like numbering cobweb strands. There are relationships between actors and stage crew, actors and director, actors to the playwright, and actors to actors. When all of the relationships are present, a special quality emerges and puts the audience and cast almost into a trance. Performers are addicted to this type of a response. A good night and a good show and a good audience can last a lifetime "Now kids," said the director, "We have a good show." He put his hand in his pocket and jingled his change" "It'll be up to you to make a good production out of it." The students were arranged around him on the floor, sitting Indian style, legs crossed. Schedules were then distributed, and received with mild interest, even though the schedules outlined up to five hours of hard work a night and between five to seven nights a week of rehearsal. "O.K. kids, let's start the blocking," the director intones and the students arise a low babble ensues. From this time forth the students are actors and are often known by their stage names. The director calls the names and the actors take their places. The actors go slowly at first, gradually gaining confidence and finesse. A show is born. 48 Many parts comprise the adolescence of a play - costume fitting, photographs, make-up, dress parade, dress rehearsal and finally, opening night. They each add to the problems that plague every show. The most frightning problems occur on stage. Props break unexpectedly, or fall off the ten foot platform, lights don't work, the curtain comes up too quickly or a wig falls off. These are the "trial by fire" times for an actor, for the events must appear integrated into the show. Once, when an actor's wig fell off on to the floor, he reached down snatched it up, turned to the offending party and said, "Till now, only my hairdresser knew for sure!" and stormed out, leaving the audience convinced it was part of the play. Nothing but a serious event such as a death or an accident will keep an actor from appearing in a show. One actor left his recently stricken father to fill his role. A director involved in a car accident came to direct the show, despite his bathrobe and swollen face. Another actor performed while bleeding internally. The show always must go on. When the last show is over, the cast tears down the set they have all slaved over and clear the stage. They finish about twelve on the night of their last show, then have a cast party sponsored by the Dept. At the party, all the actors laugh and sing and are glad the show is over. But as they leave one by one, at four o'clock in the morning, some of them have a lump in their throats and a feeling of sadness, because a living thing they all helped create has passed away. No one is really surprised when they show up for tryouts only a week later. 49