The King and I

Every time a show ends I wish I had ‘journaled’ throughout the entire process. Generally, I only want to document the outcome-- my final thoughts and feelings on an experience/adventure/journey. But I’m learning that documenting the ebbs and flows along the way, the days you hated rehearsal, and the days that you loved it are just as important. Just because you come out loving something doesn’t mean you had to feel that way the entire time. 

More so than with other shows, I wish I had done this with The King and I. I began rehearsals not knowing a single person other than a few I had briefly met at auditions. I don’t remember ever doing a show where I didn’t at least know one person. I always make new friends along the way, but I generally knew a few people before we began. But not for this show. I didn’t think about it beforehand, that it might be difficult for me, I didn’t think about it at all. But when I got there I realized many people seemed to know each other already and I was one of 2 people who were in their twenties. I also lived about an hour away making me even more unfamiliar with the surroundings that everyone else already knew. I was an out-of-towner.

So to sum up: I know no one, I was unfamiliar with the area, and I have virtually no age peers.

It was a daunting situation for an introvert. Generally during breaks I would do my German flash cards on my phone and perhaps make small talk about the weather with a person beside me. It did not make for an enjoyable first month of rehearsals. In fact many times I questioned why I had done the show at all.

This all changed when one of the ladies in the cast sent me a message on facebook. It turns out she’s a music teacher also, at a different Christian school and she knew of my alma mater from a summer camp she attended. Suddenly, we had things in common. I wrote her back and the next time I saw her at rehearsal, I said hello and we talked, for more than 30 seconds about a more than just the weather. I begin to relax. Shortly after this another woman joined the cast. She and I happened to be called early to the same rehearsal and we ended up going over parts of a dance she was learning. Suddenly she was asking me questions, I answered, and asked her some…. We were having a conversation! I know, this all seems so trivial, but to me, it was priceless. Suddenly, I felt comfortable. After that, the whole cast seemed much friendlier. They weren’t -- they had always been friendly, but I hadn’t seen it in my introverted insecurity.

It really only took on person reaching out and saying hello to make me feel infinitely more comfortable. Sometimes it only takes one person saying hello and making an effort to make all the difference.

Now the show is over, and I can say I’ve made some incredible friends. Including the two women that initially spoke to me, but also a few more. J The show was a wonderful experience because of the performances and the backstage relationships. I got to know some amazing Godly women that help spur on my faith and encourage me during struggles. I praise God for these women and these relationships! I’m so grateful he ordained our meetings. This show was such a blessing and a joy. I am so thankful for the opportunity to perform alongside these talented, generous, God-fearing women!