Possibly the first live show I ever saw



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I remember my first and only theatre-in-the-round performance. It was about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. I think it was 2nd grade. It was an exciting production. For the scenes of stealing away into the night, the whole theatre was darkened to reveal hundreds of tiny lights all around the ceiling, with certain stars burning more brightly to indicate the Drinking Gourd constellation. Because it was a circular stage, with audience members seated all around, the actors were constantly moving around so that no one would be stuck seeing an actor's back for an extended period.  I know this because I took an intro. to theater class; at the time it all flowed very organically, very naturally.  There's a lot of tension within the whole plot of slaves on the run and catcher on their trail, and the constant motion of the actors added even more tension to the scenes.  Hmm, I try to think back and try to pick up more details, but that's all I remember: the perpetually moving actors, the dark theater with the twinkling lights, the feeling of wonder at the real-life story and of the way it was told in that live, performing arts setting.