So let’s start with the fact that the picture I have of me in my head looks nothing like me. In my head, I’m several inches taller and much thinner. It’s why I hate looking at photos of myself. It’s like whoa…reality…put that shit away, you’re scaring the children.
One of the reasons that I like the stage is that I get to be someone else. I prefer comedy roles probably because if people are laughing with me then they are not laughing at me. I’ve always had a dream to have a starring role, but even as early as Jr High was never chosen. My mother had a great voice and I have old pictures of her winning “Miss Youth Week” when she was about 16. Apparently it skips a generation because my daughter also has perfect pitch. When she was a toddler, she would put her hand over my mouth when I tried to sing her a lullaby and say “top it mommy, ‘top it.” Talk about my worst critic.
While apparently I can’t carry a tune in a paper bag, it hasn’t stopped me from belting out songs in public at the least provocation. Whether I remember all the words or not. As I was looking in a little child’s ears this morning, her parent jokingly, if I could see her brain…and “If I only had a Brain” popped into my head and out of my mouth. Good things most of my little patients are less discriminating than my daughter.
I got to renew my love of theater and performing when I ran across a local community theater back in NJ thanks to my ex-husband (see he had his uses). There were auditions for a kids production of Peter Pan, and knowing my oldest son’s love of theater, I managed to get the kids there. I walked in and was recruited to do make-up for one of the performances and never left…at least until moving to AZ. The Smiling Rhino Theater became my second home for 6 years. I got to play Mama Mae Peterson in “Bye Bye Birdie” which really allowed me to stretch my comedic wings. Fortunately, in this version of the play, she doesn’t really sing. Oh, by the way – that mental image I have of myself sings much better than the “reality” image. Oh well.
I’ve really enjoyed being able to be back on stage and am currently rehearsing at our local community college. I’ve got a great meaty role, but really don’t want to look in that mirror and see the short fat old woman that stares back at me. My mental image allows me to do my thing on stage and not think about how ridiculous I must look. At least I am having a good time. I also really enjoyed being able to share a lot of my theater experiences with my children. Lizzy practically grew up at the Rhino and now enjoys being involved at the college level where she is a sophomore. I have shared the stage with 3 of my 4 children. It’s been a great bonding experience. My only child that has no interest is “on the spectrum” and has no interest in theater. He’s much more interested in sharp objects and vows to protect me from the zombie apocalypse…but that’s a story for another day.
I Have Food Issues 