After the Matinee on Saturday that cast greeted their guests as usual. We gathered them all back on stage for a Cast,Crew and Orchestra picture. Getting almost 100 kids into place takes a while. They were tired, hungry and HOT under the stage lights. The kids were finally all on stage and a few pictures were snapped when.......
The front row was wiggling and then one of the girls shouted out, "He's out, He is really out!" They rolled a limp body down onto the black stage floor in front of them. I hesitated for a moment or two and then made my way from the house chairs up onto the stage. I could see his chest rising with each breath so I wasn't panicked, but he was not coming around on his own. He looked pale and shocky, but had good pulses (although he was very tachycardic).
There were some good quotes with this incident, one of which occurred when I checked his pulses. One of the girls cried, "Is he dead?"
After giving him almost 30 seconds after I approached, and trying to gently bring him around I gave him a nice sternal rub. He gasped as he opened his eyes. I sat with him while some high school girls "petted" him with all of their genuine love and concern. I waited for him to pull it together, but he wasn't coming around. He continually hyperventilated himself until he started to exhibit physical symptoms of that as well. After being unable to obtain any medical history or contact a family member I suggested to the directors that we should be cautious and call for some back up. (For the record, I really hate being without monitors and all of the nice equipment I'm used to at the hospital.) I hoped along with everyone else that it was nothing more than a fainting episode, but you can never be sure. I was able to keep him oriented to person, but he stated he could not move or feel his arms or legs. I was not able to establish any cause for a head injury, but anything could have happened back stage. So, we kept him still an awaited the arrival of the paramedics. I was relieved to see his strip and vs. BP normal, glucose normal, etc etc. The paramedics dismissed the girls at his side (much to their dismay) and eventually sat him up after a full physical assessment. We were eventually able to contact family and established nothing in his medical history to be of concern. I asked the paramedics if they needed anything else from me and went to leave the stage.
As I approached the stage door, there was a scream and someone yelling, "There is water everywhere!" The door opened and sound of rushing water, along with the visual of inches of water in the hall, now flooding onto the stage made my heart sink to the tips of my toes. I yelled for Pam and for more help. The firemen/paramedics that were on the stage quickly aided us in establishing dams, and moving electrical cords, lights, costumes and the set out of the way of the flowing water.
After what seemed like an eternity, the water was eventually turned off. The assessment of what was damaged started. What could be done to save the show? It was decided that the show could not go on at 7pm. The announcement was made to hundreds waiting to see the show. The cast went up to the balcony and sang a few numbers to their disappointed fans. It was a bitter/sweet moment.
The cleanup started, hauling out soaking wet piles of belongings and costumes out of the dressing rooms. The sight was something that you would think of seeing after a natural disaster. The kids combed through the rubble trying to piece their costumes back together. Cell phone batteries were laid out with dripping phones and IPODS. The kids were stoic, but the sadness hovered like a dense fog.
Initially, it was speculated that there might not even be school on Monday, unless the water to the school could be turned back on. This would have meant total devastation for this cast that had worked so hard. There were so many dedicated people working on the problem, that by the time we were leaving, they had discovered the problem in the pipes and were turning the water on to the other parts of the school. We received word on Sunday that the "SHOW WOULD GO ON"!
There are many things I'm grateful for, but most of all that the paramedics and firemen were right there on stage with us when this happened. I can only imagine the extent of the damage that could have occurred had they not been so efficient in securing the area and getting the water turned off as quickly as they did. The cast pulled together and really helped each other stay positive and get things done. It took many hours of work to repair and wash costumes and put the set back together. I was touched by their integrity and powerful spirits as they made sure that everyone around them was OK. There was a group of girls who stopped in the middle of the chaos and offered a prayer of gratitude for what was un-harmed in the incident. What amazing kids who chose to focus on what they are grateful for, instead of what has been lost.
I was mostly touched by the tender feelings expressed by the directors of the show. Their concern and love for the students and families that they work with was intense and displayed openly to the school administration and the parents. Their passion for the arts and their commitment to the kids is evident in all that they do.
Not only did the show go on Monday night, but the kids were able to perform an additional matinee Monday afternoon. The respond was astounding! The Monday night sold out completely! The energy from the cast is at an all time high!
Tonight is closing night and we are expecting a sold out house again!
I didn't have my camera with me when all of this occurred. Dave had taken it home to download. By the time I started taking pictures we were well into the cleanup. Here are a few pics that we took that evening.
I would like to say that these are the experiences in life that helped me name my blog - You really CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP!