BACKSTAGE

This is a snapshot of the backstage area of the pageant. I love how organized everything is into "family groups". When I was young we didn't have groups - or even chairs like this that I can remember. Everyone brought their own stuff & mostly blankets. They had trailers lining the back area instead of a fence & most people hung out in the trailors to change if they could. Especially if it was cold. But, the backstage was just a big party. I remember just running around playing with my friends. Things are a lot different now. Sometimes different is hard, but sometimes it's good. Here's a few things I love about the backstage....

I love how Nancy requests total silence from the Last Supper scene until the end. To give respect for the seriousness of those scenes. It's not always silent, but pretty close considering there's around 400 people sitting back their. Some of which are running around for their scenes. It's obviously quite hard for my girls to be silent, but they do pretty well.

I love watching the angels make a human chain to keep people off the sidewalk after the baptism scene. Robert (or Tyler - whoever's playing the Savior that night) has to run from one side of the stage to the other in a dead sprint. In order to make sure no one gets in his way the angels all line up to remind people to stay away. It's pretty neat to see a long line of white wrapped around from one side of the stage to the other.

Last year our group was near the south side of the stage. I liked being able to watch the torches being lit & then being put out after the betrayal scenes. They have a Polynesian fire dancer in charge of the torches. This guy seems so cool. He brings his guitar every night to sing & play while he's sitting under the stage. (Before the pageant starts. He doesn't play during the pageant.)

We've had fun this year waiting for the end of the Conspiracy Scene. We've just ran back to our seats from Triumphal Entry when that scene is already ending. Then, we get to hear my Dad's bells on his costume & we love watching him walk by. He comes out one side of the stage & then has to enter at the other side of the stage.

Most importantly I love our little routine when getting ready for Kylie's scene. I wear the same capris under my costume because they have big pockets that I can place a brush & a hair wax stick in. Once the Healing & Teaching scene is over we run to our spot to get ready. While waiting for our cue I re-brush Kylie's hair & try to smooth it out. Then, shove the items back in my capris. When the Jesus & The Children song starts Erik lifts Kylie into his arms while I hold her hair out of the way. We remind her to do big arms & legs & he gives her kisses. We tell her good luck & then to go limp. I let go of her hair & kiss her forhead in time to hold little the curtain to the side to let them out. I'm sure going to miss this. I can't imagine they'll let Kylie be this again next year because she's just so big. Maybe Jadyn will be lucky next.

I know these stories may be boring to a lot of you. But, it's been important to me to document as much as I can. Especially since stories from when I was young keep getting a little mixed up & no one can remember some things. I want to remember these stories & when they happened 20 years down the road.