Sunday night I auditioned for a part in the play, The Nutcracker. I read for the part of Aunt Harriet, who plays the double-role of The Snow Queen.
Wednesday night I got “the” phone call. Yes, that’s right. “The” phone call.
“You didn’t get the part.”
I have brown hair. She has brown hair. People laughed when I read, and people laughed when she read. But, she was better for the part. The director will always chose who is more suited to the role. It is not personal, and I didn’t take it personally.
If you don’t audition you will never get a part. [Would you like to tweet that? tweet tweet ]
Last Sunday I had a choice. I could drive for 13.71 miles and audition for a chance to be in the Christmas play or I could stay home, wash dishes and imagine my life on the stage.
It would be easier to stay home and live in a shadow world where I am always winning, “I am such a good actress. I would have gotten the part.” Being successful only in my imagination. But I won’t get better at auditioning if I never audition.
You learn by doing, not by only thinking about it.
Step out a little. Try something new. Every time you try, you learn a little more. Draw a picture. Keep drawing. Every time you draw a picture you will learn to notice more. Your eyes will start to be coordinated to your hand. Every time you play your flute the notes will start to sound more like the notes on the sheet music.
When you write and keep writing, your words will start to come out more clearly and they will not get stuck in your brain. Your words have to come out of your head for us to read them.
Nobody can read the book you are thinking if you never write it down. [tweet tweet]
If you never draw you will never find out what you could create on a piece of paper.
If you never play the flute you will never get to hear the notes.
If you never audition you will never be on stage.
The next time I audition, maybe I will get a part and maybe I won’t. But, I will be living in real-time, on stage trying, and not in a shadow world where I always succeed.
I would rather fail then never try.
Will you risk failure and try?
Please tell me in the comments. I would love to chat. (P.S. I know I often say at the end of my stories, “I would love to chat.” I mean it. I really would love to.)
p.s.
If you don’t try you will never succeed. If you try, you might even get to be Aunt Harriet.
p.s.s
The Nutcracker will be at DCP Theater in Telford, Pennsylvania, December 6-15. Sam Miller, will be directing a cast of talented and funny people. Come laugh and enjoy a delightful Christmas play. I will be there cheering and clapping.
