Still traumatized nearly 40 years later...
My school had annual Christmas shows, and, at age 6, I was chosen to play "i" in Christmas, which involved walking from the back of the stage to the front through a crowd of students and reciting what the letter "i" represented. I was an extremely shy child, so getting this role was a nightmare come true, and I was very nearsighted and required thick glasses to see a few inches beyond my face. The big night arrived and, as I was about to step on stage, the play manager removed my glasses, probably so I would look cuter. Large audience + bright lights + terrified, nearly blind child = failure. I got lost in the crowd onstage, who (demonstrating true Christmas spirit) pushed and shoved me to the front, complaining loudly. I couldn't see where the stage ended so nearly fell off ("r" saved me by grabbing my arm), then I forgot my lines. Stood there silent as wood. After several awkward minutes, a teacher finally recited my lines, and they moved on to "s". You know how, when you're a kid, your parents are supposed to say "good job" or some other encouraging nonsense, even when you totally f**k up? Mine said nothing. No pictures were taken, we left immediately after the show rather than staying for the pot luck supper, we drove home in complete silence ... except for my sobbing in the back seat, the event was never, ever mentioned again. Almost 40 years later, I still remember it as perhaps THE worst, most humiliating moment of my life. But I know my lines.
(bunnybutt, Fri 27 Mar 2009, 17:47, Reply)