"The world will break your heart ten ways to Sunday, thats guaranteed, and I can't begin to explain that, or the craziness inside myself and everybody else but guess what? Sunday is my favorite day again. I think of everything everyone did for me and I feel like a very lucky guy." ~ Silver Linings Playbook
So here I am sitting in a hotel in Chicago, on a Sunday...and I'm thinking of everything everyone did for me and feeling like a very lucky girl.
No but seriously.
Tomorrow, I will be walking into a room of people who are there to judge me and basically determine my future. They have time to watch me perform monologues and they have an accompanist to play music for me to sing to. They have a list of shows I've been in, roles I've played, and songs I've sung. But they don't have my experiences.
I think that's what I'm trying to really get at in this post; the profound gratitude that I have for everyone that has helped me get to this point in my life. Although it's safe to say that I have no idea what's going to happen, or where I'll end up, I can say with great certainty that I wouldn't be in this position without the multitudes of amazing people that I have been blessed to know in my life. From relationships on the stage, to the amazing support that I've received from family and friends, I know I wouldn't be half the person I am today if I hadn't had these experiences.
SO...
Thank you to the amazing directors that I have worked with; who have pushed, guided, challenged, loved, and encouraged me. Without your opportunities and encouragement, I would never have grown as an actor or person.
Thank you to the casts and crews of all 18 shows that I have been apart of. You have all affected me in innumerable ways, and for that I am infinitely grateful. Working with some of the most talented minds and compassionate hearts has truly changed my life. Each production has supplied its own contribution, and each person involved has played a leading role. So thank you all, for your love of art and constant inspiration.
Thank you to anyone who has ever doubted me. It seems cynical, but without your choice to challenge me, I wouldn't always feel the need to work as hard as I have. And without that drive, I wouldn't be who I am presently, and I have you to thank for that.
And finally, thanks to my family. From putting up with the toddler that couldn't stop talking, singing, and performing, to supporting the teenager with countless shows to attend, I know that it has been your love and support that has truly brought me this far. You never let the doubts of others deter your faith in me, and I love you so much for that.
It's safe to say that with all of these amazing people in my life, and the unforgettable experiences both on and off the stage, I wouldn't be able to walk into that room tomorrow and put myself on the line. But because of each and every one of you, I can.
So thank you from the bottom of my heart.
~ A very lucky girl
