Amy Lu's View

“These glasses aren’t real. I just wanted to look smart. And sexy. Like a librarian. A smart, sexy, librarian.”

–Me, as the character “Stephanie” in the one-act “The Seven Men of Hanukkah”

This weekend I got to say that amazingly appropriate line in a short two-person play that Chad and I performed for a friend’s birthday party.

Or maybe it was a amazingly INappropriate line as I actually AM a librarian and I was wearing REAL glasses (just non-prescription readers, but still).

I’ll just walk away from the question of looking sexy.

But I think I may have buried the lead…I GOT TO BE IN A PLAY.

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HOW was this possible during the pandemic? We performed outside, at a private party for a small group of folks who knew each other, and we maintained social distance from the audience, at least during the performance. I’m afraid that I didn’t do a great job of social distancing when it was time for my falafel feeding frenzy, but it was a really windy day.

Being married to my co-star and director also was an important factor. We didn’t have to worry about contaminating each other during the performance or rehearsals (at least no more than we normally do).

It was so rewarding and fun to be able to perform again. And the audience really seemed to enjoy it, and it was wonderful to share their energy. To again quote my character, Stephanie, “…when the lights went up, it was like anything was possible. It was fun and exciting and playful and more joyful than life.” (Obviously we didn’t have lights in the park but the idea is the same).

Doing our little play was even more meaningful because it’s been six months since we’ve acted in a live setting, and we have no idea how long it will be before we can be in or see live theater again. (Although if you’re interested in a 10-15 Rom Com for an upcoming small outdoor gather you’re planning, please let me know!)

Although if you’re interested in a 10-15 Rom Com for an upcoming small outdoor gather you’re planning, please let me know!

–Me, trying to find more opportunities for Chamy to act

Peforming at a party in a park did present us with some new challenges. As we were outside and it was super windy, we basically had to shout at each other to make sure we were heard, and our props–though minimal–were in danger of blowing away. Thankfully, we performed on a day that wasn’t too hot so we didn’t have to worry about being all sweaty and gross.

We were also trying to surprise the birthday honoree, so neither he nor most of the audience knew that we were going to perform. That gave me the chance to do a little performance art and start setting up for the play like I was just a real (although odd) person setting up for an audition in the park. This pseudo audience interaction (which Director Chad though of as we pulled into the parking lot) was fun and slightly terrifying (but I had the legitmate reason to take a selfie as part of a performance).

We also faced the familar–though no less terrifying–challenge of me forgetting a line that Chad couldn’t cover for. The wind turned out to be a boon in this case because Chad could whisper “thesbian!” at me and unobtrusively remind me of my next line. (Aren’t you dying to see this play now?)

I forgot how much I love getting a new script and highlighting my lines…and how much I love NOT having to worry about learning/remembering lines once the play is over (although since it was just the two of us we did get to play rather fast and loose with this script).

I also forgot how much I love playing quirky, awkward, hyperactive characters. I may be typecasting myself as an actress, but it’s so much fun to play a character in my wheelhouse.

Time to go for my semi-real glasses.