I have always been interested in performing. I used to draw my family’s attention with silly antics. I even put on little variety shows where I dressed in different costumes and imitated politicians, actors, and musical acts. One time it was Richard Nixon, another time Johnny Carson, and another Angus Young from AC/DC. I sometimes wonder how things might be different if I had pursued drama and theater like I did writing, but that is a digression.
When I was in elementary school, I had an opportunity to perform in the play, Romeo & Juliet. I, of course, wanted to be in it, though I think we all had to play some role, whether on or behind the stage. I also, of course, wanted to play Romeo.
I sat with my mom, who graciously gave her time to practice lines with me. We were actually having try-outs, and I wanted to be prepared. When the day came, three of us wanted the role. The teacher let us read from the book to recite our parts. It’s silly, in retrospect, to think she wanted such young children to memorize the lines so quickly, but that is what I had done. I said, with some boastfulness, I will admit, that I didn’t need the book. She gave me one, anyway, but it was clear I didn’t require it.
I got the part.
It was a very fun experience, and I was so excited. My mom even made me a costume, which ended up looking a bit more like Peter Pan, with too much yellow featured, but it worked. As I recall, I also ended up wearing it for Halloween. I was super excited, and I tried on the costume and tooled around the house “practicing” with my plastic rapier. You know, since Romeo has so many sword-fighting scenes.
The funny thing is that I ended up also serving as a line coach, I suppose you’d call it. Not everyone had studied their lines as diligently as I had. I recall strategically turning my head at some points and whispering the beginning of Juliet’s lines to her when she’d forget. I also stood behind the curtain when I was not on stage and did the same to others who might stumble. I relished it. I enjoyed knowing it so well and helping others.
I can’t say as I acted all that much, but it was a fun and great learning experience.
If you enjoy my posts, please be sure to check out my debut urban fantasy novel, Dance of the Butterfly. It is the first in a series, and the second will be published next year. Thank you!
Dance of the Butterfly 