N Ext Week will mark the 300th performance of “The Empire Strips Back,” a Star Wars-themed comedy and subtle parody show. While this is not the first, I am confident that there are more story points to eventually publish about this experience. Today, I wondered if our audience knows how clearly we can see their smiles, laughter, and snickers. When we smile at you and look directly into the iris of your eyes, do you process our humanity?
I am sure some people will, but I realized that many will not, and I cannot necessarily blame or look down on them for this. We go on stage in outdated stage makeup and silly costumes that you wouldn’t see in the real world, woven with curtains under expensive and saturated airbrushing, under dazzling lights. It’s like looking into a television screen that allows you to peek into another world. I understand this. I have watched my peers at home if light tracks or injuries allocated free time. We truly do not look genuine.
We are beautiful and young women. To be honest, I would be insulted if people saw us as the same kind during the performance. So that’s why they paid to meet us.
In six cities and three hundred shows, I have gathered that by observing the behavior of the audience, I am an immensely fascinating sample of sociology because we can see your faces large and clear. If you bought a ticket to sit in the front row, I can see your Princess Leia costume, the color of your eyes, and the hand of your partner. He is dressed as Han Solo. You may not realize this, but live theater is an exchange. I can feel your energy and, with my vast experience, I can guess what you are thinking.
Contrary to popular belief, despite our intentionally comedic dance dealing with Jabba the Hutt's food, you are watching incredibly intelligent people perform. Being a dancer requires dedication, determination, physical and mental strength from another world. The years of training and strategy we have to do...