My Foot In The Door


It's been a crazy few weeks. I had a talk with my sister recently about her own job; next steps, etc. and she said, "I'm going to take my career into my own hands." That really stuck with me. I got the chance to interview THE LAURA BENANTI, WHO IS A BROADWAY STAR (link HERE).  Laura will be performing at a gala next Saturday at the theater I write reviews for and I'm excited because I've seen her live twice; at Build Series and on Broadway in "She Loves Me." I may or may not meet her after the concert and I'm freaking out. I saw an opportunity, reached out to the PR lady, and made it happen. I constantly have this fire inside me to take risks and pursue opportunities that will help me in the long run and I did.

I am so happy to have achieved something like this, but I was sad yesterday for some reason. The article got lot of buzz on Facebook (mostly because my mom shared it and her friends on there always like/comment on things), and it was even ranked at #17 in the COUNTRY just for that day. I like attention, but I don't at the same time. I was overwhelmed. I laid in my bed, stared at the wall, and tried to cry but couldn't. It was an empty feeling that I don't understand. I guess I'm just used to rejection and I finally was able to do something like this that just feels so surreal. Those things weren't tangible to me for a long time.

A year ago, I was unemployed. 2-3 years ago, I was working in retail covering Halloween shifts and picking up piles of costumes off the floor by the bathroom that customers left behind. 4 years ago, I was working as an unpaid intern in the Garment District in NYC on West 40th Street. On my lunch breaks, I used to take walks down 44th Street on Wednesdays and watch people go into their matinees. I felt a rush of happiness and sadness come over me. I looked at the marquees of every show and felt like I NEEDED to be part of theater in some way, shape, or form but didn't know how. It took awhile, but I feel like I've found my place in theater and opened a door that has been locked for a VERY long time.

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