I remember when I was finishing up coordinating the Perspectives Course this past spring that I was going to take some time to do nothing. I was looking forward to it. I was going to do some crochet and read a bit, before my grandchild was born. I was then going to take some time to just enjoy being a grandma!! So, what do I do? I audition for a part in a local production of Oklahoma! I really didn’t think I would get a part. I thought it would be an opportunity to at least get to know the production company, introduce myself and possibly leave enough of an impression that they would consider me for future dramatic productions. I don’t do musicals, primarily because I don’t really sing. Oh, I can carry a tune, and I can sing backup and harmony, but stage singing… in musicals? Nah!
They told me that I would get a call within a week to let me know the outcome of my audition. I didn’t think much of it. I can’t sing. I waited patiently for the rejection call, but it didn’t come. Instead, I found a message on my cell phone from the director… and she was offering me a role in the musical… a singing role… a principal character role. Suddenly, I’m rehearsing and practicing and memorizing lines. I wasn’t doing nothing!! I was too busy to do nothing!!
So, I’ve been rehearsing all summer in addition to waiting for my grandson to be born. I’ve been down south to visit with my daughter whenever I had the time between rehearsals and work. Oh, yeah, work… I’ve got a regular job, too.
The production team was aware that my daughter was expecting and that I would be going down south to spend some time with her when the baby was born. Sure enough, I got the call and headed down south. I was there when my grandson was born and I spent eight days helping my daughter and son-in-law. I returned just in time for the madness of tech rehearsals and the last week before the actual performances.
It’s now Sunday and we’re through the first weekend and the first three performances. I’m exhausted. We’ve got a couple of days without rehearsals before we head into the last three performances next weekend. After that… I’m so looking forward to doing nothing. Really. I mean it this time.
All Things Elda 