"I like the ephemeral thing about theatre, every performance is like a ghost—it's there and then it's gone." -Maggie Smith

Six to eight weeks is the typical total lifespan for a piece of theatrical art. It is born, it thrives, and it dies. Beginning with auditions, the production team harnesses the energy of a show and passes it to the actors, technical designers, orchestra and stage crew during the rehearsal process. Collectively, they pass that energy to the audience in each performance.

After the final curtain call, the dressing rooms are cleared, tears and wiped from watery eyes, and the group of talented people who came together to tell a story heads their separate ways. Anyone who has been involved in a school or community or regional production understands PSD. Post Show depression is the emotional water slide felt after closing a show.

Here are the seven stages of Post Show Depression told in GIFs:

1. You no longer feel like you're required to listen to the show's score and have no idea what to listen to while driving.

2. You can't remember what it's like to wear regular everyday makeup without bright red lips, false lashes, or even (GASP!) wear no makeup at all.

3. Without rehearsal, you have no idea what to do with your newly found free time.

4. Something reminds you of the show or a cast inside joke, and you feel a pang of emotional REALNESS.

5. The group chat starts to get quiet and you're faced with the reality that you all probably won't be in the same room together again.

6. But then you run into a cast mate and it's like nothing has changed.

7. The company's next audition schedule is posted and you realize you get to do it all over again.