If you missed Julie Harrison’s Confessions of a Former Gleek Part 1, you can read it here.
In the first season of Glee, I found that Will (aka Mr. Shuester) shared many of my feelings of lingering doubt … Why did I never chase my dreams? What might have happened had I actually auditioned all those years ago?
But these thoughts were fleeting. Life was busy and it was good. Really good.
So it was not until a year after having had my daughter that I found myself feeling wistful while watching an awards show. Here I was, sitting in baggy sweatpants, drinking $10 wine while one of my former high school Drama Club members was walking down the red carpet in a designer dress.
If you take your talent and never give up, turn to page 13 to collect your Golden Globe award.
When Mr. Shuester is feeling this kind of wistfulness, Glee’s OCD-plagued guidance councilor shares a bit of wisdom with him: “They say it takes more certainty than talent to make it.”
There is was. Certainty.
Now, let me tell you, I did not relish the thought of being like Mr. Shuester. Quite the contrary. He seemed like a loser. A wanna-be who just never made it.
But then he starts to undertake a bit of a transformation. Rather than trying to live out his performance dreams vicariously through his students, he creates an all-male a cappella group. Sure, they’re a motley group with debatable talent, but Mr. Shuester is clearly enjoying himself. And that, in and of itself, made him more attractive.
If you choose to step over your pride and have some fun, turn to page 18.
And so it was that six years ago, I entered a room with an 8×10 head shot and a belly full of nerves to audition for a play. My eventual castmates were kindred spirits – former gleeks who also sought the stage, age and size of audience be damned!
As the old expression goes, Mr. Shuester and I will never leave our day jobs. But you know what? We’re good with that.
Photo Credit
“Drama poster” courtesy of Julie Harrison
“Mr. Shuester” courtesy of FOX Networks
Recent Julie Harrison Articles:
- Getting Your Feet Wet With LinkedIn
- Happiness: Reminder Notes from the Road
- RWB's Svengali: An Amateur's Review
- Ghosts of Violence: Coming to a City Near You
- Anticipation. The Best Christmas Gift of All?
Yay, I’m glad you put yourself out there and had some fun! I think the world would be a better place if we all did that a little more often. 🙂
Yes, total props for auditioning! I worked in theatre for a few years, always safely behind the curtain. I know I wouldn’t have the guts to get up there.
Unless maybe I was really, really drunk. But no one needs to see that!
I am so impressed that you auditioned, and got a part. I have often wondered if that is something that I could ever do. Maybe one day I will get up the courage as well, and if I do, I will be thinking of you! Nicely done.