After the show…..

I woke up this morning with the inner knowledge that I can do anything and nothing can stand in my way, nothing can stop bringing my dreams into reality. So many things happened in less than an year – so many things I had little faith I could ever accomplish. A debut eBook in English, available worldwide, dream holidays in California, people telling me I inspire them to follow their own dreams, my debut as an actress, staging my own writing.

I know that there are a lot if “I” and “my” in this opening paragraph. But believe, on one hand, I have to pinch myself in order to be sure I’m not dreaming and, on the other hand, I wish all the people in the world would have the guts and confidence to be true to themselves.

What can I say about the 22nd of August? So many things I could fill not one but ten blogs. So, I would  rather go for some highlights now and leave the rest for a chapter in my next book 🙂 :

Rehearsals

* My acting teacher warned me that things could get pretty tense during a technical rehearsal. I left home around noon (the show was scheduled for 8 pm) absolutely determined to keep calm and give my best. And I did because…

* I worked with a most amazing, wonderful team! The sound and lighting was provided by Five’s International – they are kick-ass professionals! We had a wonderful time together, ate pizza, laughed and rehearsed, of course! Their good vibe and energy helped me get over my stage fright, although the lounge – by-the -lake where we performed was open and people came in for lunch while I was up there, saying my lines. Fernando – my stage partner is not only a fantastic musician and accordion player but also a wonderful man, very supportive and fun to be with. And so is my long time friend Catalin, who created the wonderful video projections, but also took pictures and footage during the whole day of 22nd. In theatre, like in television, team is very important. I was lucky that most of the professionals who put together this show are friends, liked the projects and did everything with enthusiasm and an open heart!

On TV

* The house was packed; people seem eager to discover new, original cultural experiences  and fresh faces. This only proves me that I was right when I wrote that these are wonderful times for those who want to create, to explore, to crossover conventional art boundaries. And no, I don’t mean a toilet seat exhibited at Guggenheim as a work of art. All of you, explorers, prepare your ships and start sailing! Your time has come!

Iubi’s moment

*Right before I got nervous. What if I’m no good? What if I can not bring life into character, a 30 something career woman who gets fed with a 9 to 5 job and a poor romantic affair and flees to the seaside, just to enjoy being? Acting takes a lot of imagination and forces you to be very present at that very moment. After learning the words by heart, each time you get up on stage, you have to simply forget them and rediscover them again. And together with the vowels and the consonants, every bit of feeling and emotion. Actually see the sea and the stars and take the audience with you, make them see, too. Stir emotions, raise questions.

Catinca & Cosmin

* Before going on stage, I took some deep breaths, sang and patted myself, to get the blood running faster through all my veins. Became as sharp as a panther, preparing to jump, focused as a boxer who wants to win.

Th writactor in action

*Time flew by; I had no idea when we were done! Did what I knew I had to do but also followed my instinct. I enjoyed every minute of it and can’t wait to do it again! Fernando warned me: being on stage is pretty adictive!

* After the show, I became an author again and autographed books. It was great! I guess the greatest moment of all was when a beautiful, gifted, wonderful girl of 10 or 12 came to me and confessed that she, too, had often thought about escaping from the conventional world. And that it was the first time she dared to say it out loud….