5 Reasons why you should not cancel the show!

Hello Gorgeous,

After weeks of rehearsals, costume malfunctions, forgotten lines and crying spells, you may be at the point where you feel the show needs to be cancelled. The kids don't know their lines, the parents don't bring the kids and your set is nowhere to be found. Did I mention today is Tuesday and the show is on Saturday?

I can't tell you how many times I have been here. I have just wanted to walk out on the show and find a beach. On the beach, I would open a drink stand and never where shoes again. I have had this thought more than once.

5 Reason why you should not cancel the show:

1) You’ve already listed your season

If you are like us, your season was decided, printed and promoted months in advance. Whether you believe it or not, there are people coming to see your show. You can't let them down. If you do, then they will not ever come to another show. 

2) You need the money

If you are like us, you have already spent money on the production and you need to get some of your money back. Set pieces were bought, costumes have been stitched and rights have been bought. Going through with the show will bring a return to at least help you break even. 

3) You will regret it

I live with so many regrets that adding another would be devastating. I would think everyday about whether I should have gone through with the show. You know the old expression, "The show must go on." No regrets.

4) The parents will come through 

Sometimes my parents drive me crazier than the kids do. They really believe that their kid is all I think about day in and day out. They take vacations in the middle of tech week. Yes that has happened. I wanted to pull my hair out and then theirs. I have found out that if you really communicate with parents, they will see the vision and provide help. All you have to do is ask, and then ask a few more times. 

5) It will be a great show!

This is my last point. You may not believe it right now but it will be a great show. No one will see the bad costumes, the chaos backstage and know that the lead forgot two scenes. Parents love to see their kids onstage and will be forgiving about just anything. I know as a professional you want it the best it could be but you sometimes just have to accept the way it is. I have not EVER had a good dress rehearsal. EVER! I have now realized that a bad dress is a prerequisite for a good show. 

So, just hang in there and push through. You won't regret it. 

All things creative,

Enrika