I am happy to report that I have regained the ability to breathe again.

The Variety Show was a sweet success that was tempered with love, hard work, helpful people, and good deals of stress, screaming, and alcohol.

But it is complete.

We got a crew together, got the tech done (although it wasn't what we had originally wanted, it worked fine), and let the performers go.

I apologize to everyone for the bitchy!Nikki that everyone got to live with for the past 4 weeks while I dealt with Closer and the Variety Show.

Highlights:

• MC opening Brokeback sketch was great- Chris Berube in tight pants= scary
• Intro video made my Jocelyn and Ann = AMAZINGLY FUNNY
• Mel and Mike = beautiful
• Kat Lucas = my jealous face
• Heather = so good!
• Blaise = violin master
• Mad Artists = entertainment and afros
• the fantastic finale with our own Johnny on vocals

Also memorable is during the old school rap (whose name i shall not mention) when they gave the mic in the audience to David and he said "Fuck off". I am still laughing inside. We were all debating in the booth whether or not we should cut their sound and lights but thought that rather tactless.

Still, unforgettable.

We went for a few drinks afterwards where I bought some of my techs some drinks for thier help. But Alas! We were falling asleep in the bar and left around 1:30- early night, says I.

Now Chris is in Paris, I can go to class again and finish my essay, I am going to see V for Vendetta in half an hour, and I shall attempt to live without theatre.

Now I present a short summary of my theatre experiences this year:

1. The Most Massive Woman Wins- 1st time as a director, 1st show to call mine and had creative control, 1st success on stage at university
2. Everything in the Garden (VCDS)- 1st production at college, 1st time as ASM (of stage left, this time), 1st experience at an amazing alcohol drenched cast party.
3. Play Alive! (VCDS) 1st time as sound tech (unless you count my short stint in the grade 10 junior drama night), 1st time being in a play that killed the competition, winning 5 out of 6 awards
4. Hot and Bothered Erotic Poetry Night- 1st time designing lighting, set, and operating it during the show, 1st time at an erotic poetry show
5. Closer (VCDS)- 2nd time as ASM (stage right this time), 1st time with so many damn scene changes
6. Vic Variety Show- 1st time as Stage Manager, 1st time in helping deisgn all tech for a large production, 1st time giving horrible speech to tech crew, 1st time writing thank-you cards to all my crew