Life behind the curtains - Clara Opoku

“Must be nice so much movement behind the scenes.”
“Guess you crack a lot of jokes, whilst prepping”, I often hear.
My trailer life. Welcome to the trailer of my life. 

The theatre, dark. Whilst lights and life move around vibrantly behind the curtains. It’s hard to tell if my audience is aware of what is going on behind the theatre curtains. Do they even know what it takes for me to be able to put up my act? Imagine once the curtains are removed, I am no longer the person you know but the one you expect.  

Expecting the one woman show

I can tell from the noise and whispers that my audience is prepared to get entertained. Each one was willing to buy a ticket to support my movement. They expect laughter and a lot of comic sketches. Cos it´s been a while they went to a theatre to watch a one woman show and get entertained. With high expectations they left their houses. Coming from near and far cos none of them wanted to miss this moment. A sold-out theatre. A one-woman-show.

Once that young girl, all witnessed becoming this amazing woman now, who is not afraid to ridicule herself in front of the world. Growing up in a household where entertainment wasn’t appreciated was tough. School came before breakfast and anything; that is how important going to school was within my household. Being the middle child didn’t necessarily make me the center of attention. So, I had to claim my spot and be bold in paving my own way.

In becoming the best of the best meant as a kid I had to jump a lot of hurdles. Been jumping around a lot for a long time now as my experiences in life will tell you. With limited to almost no budget, no resources and no connections, I build my success. What an awful long journey. A long road with many painful stories. A young girl once craving to take her own life. Look at her now sharing her experiences in life. 

Backstage, getting myself together for the best show

Before putting this masterpiece together for my audience, whom are all so eager to witness on this day, I had to overcome the unthinkable but still make it look like I´m doing okay. Whilst they are anxiously waiting and almost impatiently craving for me to come on stage, I´m trying really hard to get myself together backstage. 

Everything I went through in life comes down to this moment. Every hardship, battle, test and tear was to get me here. Whilst they count down the minutes, I wish I had more time to hold myself together. Because what my audience doesn´t know is that backstage is the only place where an actor, as myself, can let all of her emotions go, not pretend and do all the last-minute crazy things. This, in order to put up the best show once the curtains are removed and the spotlight is on.

In my trailer

As a young girl at the age of ten I never dreamt of having my own trailer. Always having to share my room with strangers didn´t give me much space to dream bigger. But nevertheless, my room was always my sanctuary. The only place I could retreat and feel at peace with myself. The only place I always felt comfortable enough to do most of my writings. Even though there would be a lot of coming in and going out of my room, by strangers, I didn´t allow their hinderance to block my purpose. 

Look at me now, from a small room to having my own trailer. Where I get to do the things, I longed for, for so many years. Yet still my past haunts me. I still feel like that little child in my tiny room at the Bakkerswaal. Even though I have this big trailer now. 

So, what I like to do is always reflect from where I started. I say my prayers to show my gratefulness. I spend most of my time in my trailer by myself cos that is how I like it. No makeup artist to cover up my tears. No director to change up my lines or scripts. No personal assistant due to my many trauma´s in life. No groupies or entourage cos they will only distract me. Just me, myself and I, focused on my performance once I am out of my trailer.

In the meantime, I treat my trailer like my home. Since I was made to make every space feel like my home. That´s the result of when you´ve been moving around in life one too many times as a child, I guess. Every place I stayed at became a stage I performed at and apparently one I left with a good impression. But it was all a build up to this moment, this big stage I´m about to embark on and put up my best one man show at. 

Behind the curtains, before the spotlight

Whilst technicians and floor operators, directors and crew members are running wild to make sure all is in place before I go up, I´m taking my time to console myself of all the pain I must leave behind in a couple of minutes. Not once did I go through my lines in my trailer to ensure a successful show. Because at this moment I´m lost in thoughts thinking about the many things I had to go through in life, like…

The many times I´ve been taken for granted.                                                                                                  The many times I wasn´t supported, to become, whom I have become.                                                                          The many times I´ve been thwarted and sabotaged.                                                                                  The many times I´ve been forgotten.                                                                                                       The many times I had to hustle and still fulfil my motherly duties.                                            The many times, I´ve had to pick myself up cos no one was there to help me. 

These and more are some of the thoughts I go through before the curtains come off and the spotlight comes on. That’s my cue, it´s time for camera, lights and action!

Standing ovation

My show, a killer! I nailed it, without flaws.
My first time, my first show. I did it all. 
A young man walked up to me and asked; “Can you please teach me how to do that?!”
I answered shortly whilst returning to my trailer; “A bunch of self-confidence, devotion, persistence, positive energy, consistency, your personal story and loads of charisma. Thank you.” 

@ Clara Opoku describes herself best as a true creative centipede with endless range. With over thirty years of experience as a performer, host, stand-up comedian, writer, advisor & mentor, rapper, singer & songwriter, content creator and much more, she basically has no limits. Nothing is too much for her. It’s simply who she is — and by now it’s second nature! Clara is the proud founder of Clara’s House Of Inspiration and loves helping people move forward as your go-to expert for creative solutions.

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