It was nothing like I had imagined.
Instead of three casting directors, there were twenty.
There was no elevated stage, no red velvet curtains and instead of a dark theater, there were bright fluorescent lights in a medium sized conference room.
Here’s the real surprise: Every unexpected detail was a thrill that I’ll cherish forever. It was all part of an experience that I may never have lived and it led to so much passion and insight.
I’ve never acted before, so why at 40 years old (last week), was I about to audition for a play?
Well, I advocate for my clients to find their passion through embracing the gifts that they have been discounting and downplaying for their whole lives. This was me practicing what I preach.
Maybe you have always been told that you’re funny, that you should try improv, or that you have a beautiful voice. Maybe people see leadership qualities in you or say that you would be great at sales.
Maybe you have been dismissing these observations as polite, yet insignificant comments.
Personally, I always evaluated these observations by asking the same question:
“Will this garner me additional money and/or time?”
The answer was always “no”.
When I look at how much I gained from this simple experience, I see now how much that limited question has cost me.
I could write pages about what I gained, and I plan to, but for now I will just mention the main points.
What I gained from prepping for and performing in an acting audition at a community theater:
– The knowledge that our main personality is just one character that we practice being.
– That we can expand ourselves through the practice of being other characters as well.
– The ability to deliberately choose the energy that I want to bring to a given situation.
– The confidence to know that I can perform in front of multiple people, and that stage fright is no longer a factor for me.
– Renewed belief that I can learn new skills.
Most importantly, I confirmed (once again) that when we follow the thread shown to us by our own inner wisdom, the sincere comments of others and the whispers of the universe, we grow in ways that we never could have imagined.
The fire of passion within me has been stoked and burning bright this week. Everything feels positive and my energy has been electric.
What gift may you be discounting? What talent or skill do you downplay? What is one small step you could take to explore and embrace it instead?
Step outside your door. Do something that seems to have no benefit to the what you typically prioritize. Explore.
“There’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” – Gandalf