I know not everyone is a Star Trek Fan but given the fact that it is now the 60th anniversary and because there are still many fans who do love it, I thought I’d write about the Star Trek convention that was held at the Rio Hotel last month.
I was cast to play Lt. Arlene Galway on the second season in an episode called The Deadly Years. It was the segment in which we all started to rapidly age. As the youngest crew member, my metabolism caused me to age quicker than the rest of them and I die of old age.
Yep, I died and I wasn’t even wearing a red shirt! Only true Trekkies will “get that! “
To achieve that effect, I was in makeup four plus hours. They had to first make a plaster cast of my face and I had to breathe through a straw until it dried. Then a rubber mask was made and that was then put on my face (with spirit gum no less) followed by makeup and a wig.
At the time, no one had any clue that 60 years later there would still be fans who LOVE Star Trek and attend conventions all over the world. The largest one is held at the Rio every year and fans come from the U.K., Canada, Italy, Germany, Mexico, Columbia, Sweden , Switzerland, and Norway. Just about everywhere you can imagine.
This year was bigger than ever and turned into a six day event.
I’m in the group of actors referred to as TOS (The Original Series) and every year we are invited to greet the fans and sign autographs. Sadly, each year our group gets smaller due to health issues.
I’m very fortunate to still be a part of it and it’s unbelievable how many people attend. And to add to the fun, so many fans come in costume. William Shatner also attends each year and yes he was there this year at the age of 95!
I am always surprised at how the true Trek fans remember all of us – including our character name and even some of our dialogue!
One fan came from St. Louis and brought me a replica of the mirror I look into on the episode where I say, “That’s a stupid place to hang a mirror.” He requested that I write that sentence and sign it on the mirror – Amazing!
It was one of the best events I have ever been to and I had a wonderful time and reminded me how lucky I am to have been a part of it.
Until next time, remember…Try to be the candle that chases another’s darkness away.
