Half Hour Call

In the Merchant of Venice I follow the same and simple routine when I get to the theater. I get there at half an hour before the show and sign-in on a sheet. Even Fang the dog has to sign in. Then I have to get into costume. It takes 10 minutes to get dressed. For privacy, I made a dressing room out of chairs. Next, I hangout for 20 minuets until my “call time”. Over the loud speaker Hanna says, “5 minutes!” I think there is lots of waiting in this show, but at least I have a good book.

Opening Night

The Merchant of Venice opened last night. Every one was happy the previews were over. My dad went to the show and said it was great. Everyone was saying ''happy opening." I had a great time and had a lot of applause. After the show I went to a party at the District Chophouse! The entire cast and crew and their friends were there. I drank ginger ale, ate chocolate and played pool. After the party, my dad and I took a cab home. Opening Night was a huge success!

My costume, Part 2

My costume

In the Merchant of Venice, I play an orthodox Jewish boy from New York City in 1928. My costume has an under shirt and a button-down shirt. I also wear suspenders to hold up my black knickers. My tights are black and my shoes are a brownish color. I have a vest and coat which also are black. To complete my outfit, I have a hairpiece and a small round head covering. My costume is a bit hot, but it looks good.

My Dressing Room

My dressing room is big but small compared to others. It has two mirrors facing each other and a row of lights above each mirror. Then there is a bathroom at the far end of the room which is like the ones you see at McDonald's. My costume is hung up on a pole in the center of the room. We keep the stuff we bring (like books or games) on a long table under the mirror. Finally, there is a green mat in the corner that nobody wants to sit on or lay on because a dog named Fang (who is also in the show) took it over. This summer the theater and the dressing is my home away from home.

Dry Ice

In the Merchant of Venice we use dry ice. When I "play" tag I have to run through the fumes and white smoke it makes, and then I have to sit on the stage near it. The play uses dry ice for a special effect to make the city scene seem dirty and busy. The dry ice smells like strong chemicals. It looks cool but stinks.

1:00 to 11:00!

Last night I was up till 11:00 because of a show I was in. We had a rehearsal from 1 PM until 11 PM. I had to sign my name on 27 posters for the show. All the other cast members signed it too.

The Merchant of Venice opens Tuesday.