How do we survive ten full-cast run-throughs, back-to-back-to-back shows Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon? Ten performances, two weeks in a row?!

What survival tips do the veterans have for the first-time AEID (An Evening in December) cast member?
I brainstormed all the tips and tricks that I have picked up over the years from other veteran cast members, and from John’s notes to the cast. That’s my mindmap on the left. Go ahead and click on the thumbnail to see a full size image.
And the top ten tips are:

1. Name that Tune

Play your practice CD all the time. Memorize lyrics early. (Lisa and I have been known to wear out several CDs…apiece…each season.)

2. Make it a Date

Double-check family and work schedules, block off your calendars, double-check rehearsals, full-cast run-throughs and dress rehearsals. Plan vacations AROUND AEID.

3. “Consider Yourself Invited”

(Yep, I couldn’t resist stealing a song title from AEID 2007.) Invite friends and coworkers early. Get tickets early. The 10,000 seats sell out surprisingly quickly, especially the matinees that are popular with the older crowd and the youngest crowd.

4. Dress for Success

Study the costume guide carefully. Get your costumes checked by Pati (costume-queen). Acquire hard-to-get pieces early.

5. Know Where to Go

Use a scene-by-scene checklist, detailing every stage direction, cue, and sequence. Then, start practicing your timing with the checklist.

6. Take Care of Your Props

Work with the stage managers and crew. “Set your own props” says John. Work together, coordinating with others in the cast using similar props. And, we start our children’s choir early learning the rule of props: “if it’s not your prop, don’t touch it!”

7. Take Care of Yourself

You won’t last the grueling AEID race if your engine isn’t in tune. Nourish your body with healthy foods. Hydrate! Get some rest. Work out to build stamina, strength, and conditioning (especially the partnering guys who do lifts). Hydrate! Take your vitamins. Wash hands often, (we’re right in the middle of cold and flu season). Hydrate! Take your prescribed meds as instructed. Did I say “Hydrate?”

8. Make Memories to Last

Take photos. Exchange phone numbers, emails, myspace, and blogs with similar cast members.

9. “Cry out to Jesus”

(Yes, again, another song title from AEID 2007.) This one should be first and last. Pray for the cast, pray for the crew, pray for those who will come, pray for John and his family, pray for Pastor Ted and his wrap up message, and above all, pray during his wrap-up message.

10. Recover

When John says, “save your energy between the shows,” obey him (youth choir, you listening?). Schedule a vacation day the Monday after the final show. Not only do you need a mental health day, but you probably neglected your household a bit probably during the weeks. Get caught up with all the honeydew lists that you ignored during the run of the show.

So cast members: your thoughts? Feel free to leave a comment.
(note: the mindmap of my top ten items was done in MindManager 7, my favorite tool for thinking, organizing, and presenting information.)

I’m back from the stroke suffered Thursday afternoon (two days ago as I write this). I’m fully conversant, lost only 25% of my vision, and am fairly close to where I was before it hit me. Well, I could use this now as an excuse to cover my personal goofs (”oh, I”m sorry, did I forget something?” “no problem, Andy, it must be residual loss from your stroke.”)

Thanks to all my friends, coworkers, choir and music ministry cohorts, “fellow cast members of “An Evening in December,” and those countless prayer warriors who put out the word that I was out of commission.

Today (Saturday), I joined the cast of “An Evening in December” on stage for the final three numbers. “When I Call On Jesus, All Things are Possible””Sing Noel.” and our finale.

I celebrated what miracles God has done in my life. I celebrated the friends and coworkers who wrote, called, sent flowers, or prayed for me.

I’ll be back soon, up to my usual “no good.” I promise.

So, tonight before you fall asleep, hug a child a little tighter, and give an extra measure of thanks to God.

GeeWhiz

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For more journal entries during the recovery week, see my other blog: geewhiz.wordpress.com.)