i think i can, i think i can, i think i can.

Where do I even begin?! It was a great weekend but definitely a whirlwind. They should just put a picture of my face on "The Little Engine That Could".

Granted, I haven't reached the top of the hill yet, but I know some version of it is coming soon. And, guess what? I still have a lot of steam in me.

On Thursday morning, I had my mind on one thing. The Danceworks Chicago audition on Saturday at 1:00. On Thursday afternoon, I found out about an audition for the West Side Story International Tour that would be held at 9:30am on that same day. 

Doing the math, I knew it wasn't going to work timewise. One audition was on the north side of Chicago and the other was on the south side, and I was supposed to get to the 1pm audition as early as possible since it was expected to be a madhouse. 

Basically, I was letting fear get the best of me and talking myself out of it thinking that I wanted to be well-rested and focused. Thoughts like 'what if I get cut embarrassingly early from the first one then my head will be in the wrong spot for the second'. The little devil in my head was having a heyday. 

After talking it over with my parents, they encouraged me to do both if I thought I had enough energy and since West Side Story is my Dad's absolute favorite show he said he would be my chauffeur and make sure I got to each place on time. 

Life Lesson #1 of this weekend: Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.

If you had asked me on Friday what my ideal plan for this weekend was, I would have said, "Going to Danceworks and getting a job." NEWSFLASH (to myself): I don't have control over the universe and God usually has a different plan. I always figure this one out the hard way and the plan that ends up panning out is always better. Danceworks seems like a company that I would love: small, young, innovative, contemporary...the whole bit. Apparently, for whatever reason, the decision maker thought otherwise and I am going to accept that and trust that something much better is coming my way (I was cut during rep). 

My Dad has started a new tradition. I don't get flowers for performances anymore. I get flowers after auditions regardless of how they end! I have the best, most supportive parents in the world. 

I have reason to believe this because what happened in the West Side Story audition that I wasn't going to go to, didn't want to go to, and nearly didn't go to has completely re-inspired me. I was kept through a cut with four other girls. Three of which, are currently touring (in Chicago) with"In The Heights". After making it through the first cut, we did ballet. GREAT! I love when that happens. 

Then, I was met eye-to-eye with my worst fear: singing. My best friend and college roommate is an incredible singer and helped me out with a song to sing at these types of auditions. All you need is 16 bars so we decided on "If I Were A Bell" from Guys and Dolls (because the character is slightly intoxicated so I could cover any mishaps up with that excuse). Sounds easy, right? NOT exactly. I make children cry when I sing. Or so I thought : )

The worst is over and I'm alive. I was told I have "good tone" but need to learn how to breathe. Done. I'll learn. I'm going to get some voice lessons! I didn't get cut though...so I'm a little confused as to if I'm still in the running for a future opening? I'll take a "maybe" over a "no"any day!

The three girls who I met from "In the Heights" gave me discounted tickets to see the show today. The energy and the dancing was INCREDIBLE and it would be an absolute dream to work with people like that. They were healthy and happy and overall were just fun people to meet and be around! 

Onstage with Chloe!

Onstage with Greer!

I'm in a win-win right now because a door hasn't been closed, but I think a big large beautiul bay window has been opened and I like what I am seeing through it: Is Broadway a possibility!? Only time will tell.