When the Curtain Closes, What Comes Next? ~ Finding purpose, community, and new beginnings after the final bow
By Seth Simmers, Off Broadway Players
The stage goes dark and quiet in a way that almost feels unnatural. For weeks—sometimes months—your life has been filled with voices, movement, laughter, missed cues, late-night rehearsals, and the kind of shared purpose that’s hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t lived it. And then, suddenly, it’s over. The lights go down, the set comes apart, and you’re left standing in the silence wondering, now what?
And if you’ve ever gone through a season of life that suddenly ended—a job, a relationship, a routine—you probably know that feeling better than you’d like to admit.
Since February, I’ve been on the move—learning lines, rehearsing almost every evening, and stepping from one role straight into another. I had the privilege of playing Mitch Albom in Tuesdays with Morrie, a show that became more than just a performance. We were able to take it on tour and, more importantly, use it to give back—raising over $10,000 for a former local baseball coach, Tim Turner, who was diagnosed with ALS.
That experience alone would have been enough to stay with me for a long time. But theatre doesn’t really work like that.
As Tuesdays with Morrie came to a close at the end of March, I went straight into rehearsals for Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, stepping into the role of Little John. I’ve been on “go” for months—constantly learning, building, showing up, and being part of something bigger than myself.
And in a lot of ways, that’s been a blessing.
Because if there’s something actors don’t always talk about openly, it’s what happens after the show.
There’s a term for it—post-show depression. And while it may sound dramatic, it’s very real. When you’ve poured your time, energy, and heart into something—when your schedule, your friendships, and even your sense of purpose are tied to it—you build a rhythm. And when that suddenly disappears, it can leave you feeling a little lost.
But here’s the truth that matters most:
It’s not just actors.
We’ve all experienced some version of this. The end of a job. The end of a relationship. The moment life shifts and you didn’t quite see it coming. One day you’re moving forward with direction, and the next, things feel quiet in a way that’s hard to explain.
If you’re in that place right now—if something meaningful in your life has recently come to an end—I want you to hear this:
That feeling doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It means what you had mattered.
It means it was real.
And just like in theatre, every ending—no matter how difficult—is not the end of your story. It’s a transition.
Tuesdays with Morrie had to come to an end—not because it wasn’t meaningful, but because it was. It impacted people. It helped someone in our community. It changed me.
And then it made room for something new.
By the time you’re reading this, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood will have come to a close as well. Another story told. Another group of people who became like family. Another chapter finished.
And yes—there will be that quiet again. But I’ve started to realize something:
The memories don’t leave.
You’ll still find yourself thinking about moments that made you laugh. You might catch yourself repeating a line without even realizing it. You carry those experiences with you—not as something you lost, but as something that helped shape who you’re becoming.
And sometimes, moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting. It just means making space.
Being part of the Off Broadway Players has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life—not just because I’ve had the opportunity to perform, but because of what we’ve been able to do together. We’ve raised money for people in need. We’ve told stories that connect with audiences. We’ve created a place where people can have fun and belong.
And the truth is—you don’t have to be on stage to be part of that.
Maybe that looks like auditioning, helping backstage, ushering or supporting, or maybe it’s simply showing up as an audience member. Because theatre isn’t just about performing. It’s about people.
So if you find yourself in that quiet space right now, unsure of what comes next, know this: You’re not stuck.
You’re in between.
And that space—while uncomfortable—is often where the next chapter begins.
If you’re looking for a place to step into something new, the Off Broadway Players would love to welcome you—on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience. You can learn more about us and how to get involved at offbroadwayplayersva.org.
Because just like on stage, every ending is simply making room for what comes next.
