A Night to Remember

It was Friday, the second production night of the Merchant of Venice. It was towards the end of the second act, right before I went on for the last time. The trial scene of the play was a highly emotional time for the entire cast, and because of my character, I was unable to participate in this scene. I was always regretful that I couldn't be in a scene that demanded so much connection and emotionality from everyone. The last time I appeared was directly after the trial scene, in the very last part of the play. I played Lorenzo, and it was just me and Jessica on stage for several minutes, in which I was charged with communicating the most intense feelings of love for Jessica. This was always a challenge for me. The show had opened the night before and we had been rehearsing late every night that week. I was very tired, and I remember feeling glad that the show was almost over. It was in this mindset that I was preparing to go on stage; needless to say, this was a very bad way to be thinking in preparation for a scene. As my time grew near, I rethought the situation. I reconsidered how I was thinking, and decided that it was truly an honor to be part of something as wonderful and deeply engrossing as theater. I remember thinking that my love for Jessica had to be real, and I had tol apply myself to the emotions and feelings of this deep love. For the few minutes remaining, I thought about love, and thought about the people I love and the people Lorenzo loved. I purposely blurred the borders between my loved ones and Lorenzo's loved ones, so that when I finally went on stage, I was simply in love. I played the scene and even tried to convince the actress playing Jessica that I was in love with her, if only for a second. I have never felt so in touch with a scene, and I have never had so much fun on stage. This was the first time I experienced such connection with someone on stage, and I will continue to strive throughout my acting career to replicate this feeling every time I am on stage doing anything.