Offstage

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EDITORIAL W

elcome to offstage. Apologies if this missive comes across as more rambling than usual. I’ve had some of the underlying material in pieces before but this was the first time I’ve seen it come all together in such a concrete object: the magazine that you have in your hands right now. This publication is a collection of experiences, places, people, hard-work and, certaintly, strong feelings. Going through its pages would allow you to see the life in backstage in the front line. If you’re interested in what goes on behind the scenes, then come along to one of our backstage tours where you’ll get to meet the staff, see where the actors prepare and visit the fascinating old and new buildings that make up The Watermill. This publication is a collection of experiences,

places, people, hard-work and, certaintly, strong feelings. Going through its pages would allow you to see the life in backstage in the front line. If you’re interested in what goes on behind the scenes, then come along to one of our backstage tours where you’ll get to meet the staff, see where the actors prepare and visit the fascinating old and new buildings that make up The Watermill. This publication is a collection of experiences, places, people, hard-work and, certaintly, strong feelings. Going through its pages would allow you to see the life in backstage in the front line. If you’re interested in what goes on behind the scenes, then come along to one of our backstage tours where you’ll get to meet the staff, see where the actors prepare and visit the fascinating old and new buildings that make up The Watermill.


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ACT 1 - ACTION

ONE NIGHT IN THE NIGHT CIRCUS


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T

he entire company will forever be my host family into the Ensemble theatre world. Touchstone gave me a place to grow, instilled tough love whenever necessary, and most importantly, always made room for play. Each one of us struggled and failed, yet found the strength in one another to stand up again. One nugget of wisdom that I will continue to carry with me is the gift of collaboration in the absence of compromise. With an open mind and open heart, we can achieve anything. It’s been a tough year. Much tougher than I ever imagined, and for those reasons I’m relieved to close the chapter called “Touchstone.” But I grew. I grew so much. And I can be nothing but grateful for that. Working at an ensemble theatre company gets one accustomed to being around and relying on a family of artists and company members that surround you constantly. When you get home in the evening and the mob isn’t present, sometimes the silence of an empty house can be deafening.


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Wander down the alley, mix and mingle See the sideshows, colored lights and prizes,

Games of chance with carnies calling out their wares so loud Fortune in a hundred different guises.

– will it show the inner you?

Walk the house of mirrors

Can its tricked-up glass change how you feel?

What you look like’s not quite right, and yet you don’t feel blue,

Somehow you can tell it’s not for real.


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THE CIRCUS OF BEIRUT

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esterday I got lost in the circus, feeling like such a mess. And now I’m down, I’m just hanging on the corner. I can’t help but reminisce. It’s been a tough year. Much tougher than I ever imagined, and for those reasons I’m relieved to close the chapter called “Touchstone.” But I grew. I grew so much. And I can be nothing but grateful for that. Working at an ensemble theatre company gets one accustomed to being around and relying on a family of artists and company members that surround you constantly. When you get home in the evening and the mob isn’t present, sometimes the silence of an empty house can be deafening.

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ACT 2

PASSION


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T

he entire company will forever be my host family into the Ensemble theatre world. Touchstone gave me a place to grow, instilled tough love whenever necessary, and most importantly, always made room for play. Each one of us struggled and failed, yet found the strength in one another to stand up again. One nugget of wisdom that I will continue to carry with me is the gift of collaboration in the absence of compromise. With an open mind and open heart, we can achieve anything. It’s been a tough year. Much tougher than I ever imagined, and for those reasons I’m relieved to close the chapter called “Touchstone.” But I grew. I grew so much. And I can be nothing but grateful for that. Working at an ensemble theatre company gets one accustomed to being around and relying on a family of artists and company members that surround you constantly. When you get home in the evening and the mob isn’t present, sometimes the silence of an empty house can be deafening.


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I work hard every day of my life I work ’til I ache in my bones

At the end of the day I take home my hard earned pay all on my own I get down on my knees

And I start to pray

‘Til the tears run down from my eyes Lord, somebody, oh somebody

Can anybody find me somebody to love?


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THE EXPERIENCE OF MEGAN KEY This year has been full of highs and lows. The challenges and rewards have been equally epic.

A

s my year comes to a close, I’ve been asked to take some time and reflect on what we have learned. Each one of us struggled and failed, yet found the strength in one another to stand up again. One nugget of wisdom that I will continue to carry with me is the gift of collaboration in the absence of compromise. With an open mind and open heart, we can achieve anything. It’s been a tough year. Much tougher than I ever imagined, and for those reasons I’m relieved to close the chapter called “Touchstone.” But I grew. I grew so much. And I can be nothing but grateful for that.


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HERE IS THE LIST OF LESSONS I WILL TAKE WITH ME AS I CONTINUE MY JOURNEY.


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THE EXPERIENCE OF MEGAN KEY This year has been full of highs and lows. The challenges and rewards have been equally epic.

A

s my year comes to a close, I’ve been asked to take some time and reflect on what we have learned. Each one of us struggled and failed, yet found the strength in one another to stand up again. One nugget of wisdom that I will continue to carry with me is the gift of collaboration in the absence of compromise. With an open mind and open heart, we can achieve anything. It’s been a tough year. Much tougher than I ever imagined, and for those reasons I’m relieved to close the chapter called “Touchstone.” But I grew. I grew so much. And I can be nothing but grateful for that.


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HERE IS THE LIST OF LESSONS I WILL TAKE WITH ME AS I CONTINUE MY JOURNEY.


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Even when progress can’t be measured, have faith that you are getting somewhere.


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Always pushing through each and every comfort zone.


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AND DO I & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AG

NEV GIVI U


IT AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN GAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN

VER ING UP

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4. It’s okay if you don’t get it the first time; chances are there’s going to be a second, third, or tenth opportunity to get it in the end.


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HAVE FUN WITH THE STRUGGLE. SERIOUSLY... HAVE FUN


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I have emerged feeling invincible. There are no limits to what we can accomplish; we simply must be willing to dive in and ask the question, “Ok, what’s next?”


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