Hi!  My name is Carma-Lynn Muscroft and I am a true arts lover, supporter and all around guru.  I have dedicated most of my life to the stage.  Not on stage, but backstage.  Back in the depths of the building where the magic of the theatre begins.  The initial conceptual meetings to production meetings, budgets and scheduling, purchasing and hiring.  There is a constant energy that happens for months before a show opens.  Actors, directors, choreographers, musicians, stage managers all enter the rehearsal hall ready for something new.  Once the rehearsals are done, props are finished, stage is set and costumes have been fitted the real magic begins.  Opening Night!!

 

There is nothing more exciting for me than opening night.  There is an energy that captivates the soul.  The butterflies and nerves of excitement are with everyone.  There is a community that happens that cannot be replaced.  We are all there to create something magical.  Each one of places an important role in creating the experience for the audience.

 

I started my career 30 years ago with my local community theatre and never looked back.  The crew, performers and artistic staff of my early days are still some of my closest friends to this day.  This is not an easy business to work in.  There are a lot of late nights, early mornings and long days.  These people become your family.  They very quickly learn your life.  Friendships are formed organically through real conversations that are not forced.  This is your community.  Your home.

 

But, with the long days it is important to take a break.  My family is my biggest support.  They try and come to as many shows that I work.  They always ask me about my day.  They let me know that I am missed but know that what I am doing is important.  What is so cool about it is that my gorgeous husband has been in the trenches of the tech week with me for 28 years.  He is not in the industry but he participates whenever he can.  He loves what I do.  He is proud of me.  He supports me.  I love him for that.  I couldn't do this without him.  What is even more cool is that my children are following in my footsteps of working in the arts.  I have one beautiful child who wants to be an animator, I have another who wants to be a dancer, I have another one who wants to work for Cirque du Soleil as a physiotherapist and I have another who wants to create beautiful memories and community through food.