[ckissick]

I guess it sort of happened once, although it was for a good reason. I've been in a few plays at our repertory theater, and I always get a little nervous while back stage, waiting for my cue. Just about everyone does. The anxiety is not stage fright. What the audience thinks of me doesn't bother me. The anxiety comes from being convinced I'll forget my lines and screw up the whole scene, thereby letting down the other actors as well as the audience who want to get their money's worth.

So last year, playing Dr. Grimwig in Oliver!, I go up to Oliver and just freeze. (I was distracted by a late set change and lost my focus.) So I'm just standing there staring at Oliver, not knowing what to say. My head starts ringing, my heart rate doubles, and the sweat starts to pour instantly. The world is coming to an end. I'm convinced the booing will commence any moment. Then the 10-year old boy playing Oliver improvises with me and gets me on track. The scene goes on and all is well. But it was hard to finish the scene.

I apologized to some friends who were in the audience, but they didn't notice anything was amiss. So it was all for nothing, as panic attacks tend to be, no matter the circumstances.