What Happens Backstage?

I have always wanted to be the person on the stage rather than the one watching the show. This is a feeling I’ve always had even as a child. I remember distinctly feeling SO envious and jealous at any event where there was live entertainment. I longed to be up there and not down here. But like most Chinese immigrant families, theater arts was not the subject matter you were encouraged to pursue. Immigrant families are concerned with surviving, not acting!! My longing to be on stage is now finally fulfilled, and I started to take snapshots of backstage pictures because in my past life I had fantasies about what happens backstage. Well now I know. Backstage is usually pretty hectic and cramped like my Thursday night show at Nurse Bettie which really isn’t even a real backstage. There’s usually a lot of downtime sitting around playing with our iPhones, catching up with people, stretching, or doing our makeup and hair. I started to collect a series of backstage snapshots. I like the contrast of the costumes in an off-stage environment. And I also like the feeling of aspiration and promise in these photos.

You can see a whole bunch more on my blog post: “Backstage Series”.