#TBT: A Collection of Throwbacks

Theatre Arts Camp and Chili

After returning from my birthday weekend in New York City, and it was time for my first day of Theatre Arts Camp. On my way to Theatre Arts Camp (TAC), I taught myself one thing: at all costs, don't make eye contact with anyone that was one of the six people from my audition... aka: witnesses of my lowest points.

As soon as I walked in, "hey, Michael!" one of them said to me. I metaphorically peed, maybe he didn't remember my terrible audition. "It's nice to see you, Michael," said the director coming through the doors and passing me. GREAT. Everyone remembered, but you know what? Was I gonna live in constant fear because of that terrible audition? YES, yes I was.

I immediately sat in the back corner, and began to pray that no one remembered me. Another girl who was in my audition waved at me. I DON'T STAND A CHANCE.

I scoped out the auditorium. On the one side, there was a billion elementary schoolers, and on my side... there was a lot happening. There were the cool kids, the kids I never really understood, and right in front of me were the goth kids. I loved every single person in that room because even though they were in groups, they still had their own individual identities.

As the director read off the attendance, everyone remained quiet and focused, but when she called my name, a few people looked back. "NEW KID," someone yelled in my direction later in the day. Her name was Jaisa, and she taught me about everything/everyone I needed to know for camp.

Another person I met was a wonderful girl named Elyse. Our friendship is actually founded on a lie because when she asked me if I knew who Connor Franta was, and I said, "is he like a YouTube person?" I was lying so much... of course I knew who he was, I was probably subscribed to him and O2L.

In Theatre Arts Camp, we would have two classes in the morning, eat lunch, and then have a rehearsal period for our camp show. During rehearsal, everyone had to get up on stage, and cold read a monologue we were given. There were four monologues in total; two for boys, two for girls. I looked up on the stage... the first boy to be reading the monologue I chose was killing it (in a good way). I later found out his name was Noah, and wow... he could act. I abandoned all hope in doing that monologue... I had to think fast.

"Hey, can you hand me your sheet?" I asked one of the girls sitting next to me. OH, YEAH... YOU KNOW WHERE THIS IS HEADING.

"Is it okay if I do one of the girl ones?" I asked the director on my way to the stage.

"Um... yeah, as long as you read something." she replied. I did some kind of a motion on my chest where I drew a heart or something. "I didn't realize that would make you so happy."

In all reality, I was kinda horrified. I started to shake (just like the audition). I knew what would happen next... HISTORY WAS REPEATING ITSELF. And it did. Oops! But this time, I had Jaisa who was sitting right next to me. I had Elyse who was possibly giving me moral support from the other side of the room... and the cool kids... and the goth kids... and everyone! No one cared! No one judged! But everyone helped me open up and they accepted me! And it was only the first day?!

After I learned to -sort of- harness the vibes everyone was putting down, I used them, and grew confidence. And the thing about confidence is: if you have the right amount, it can look good on anyone... so I wore it and LOOKED. LIKE. A. PRINCESS. (Later I became a queen, but that's a story for later).

I'm not trying to sound braggy, but I began to get good. Actually, a couple months after TAC, the director said to me, "I told the musical director, 'he's a natural.'." And she witnessed my AWFUL audition! But she also witnessed my highest points.

I ended up getting a great character for the show, and an opportunity to do more theatre. One of the camp counselors approached me after I played Tinker Bell in a little skit I did for sharing day. "Hey, Michael. My name is Christian, and I want you to audition for Chili Con Comedy!" I probably gave her the biggest look of confusion. "It's what we call our improvisation troupe. You're obviously hot, and we want you in our chili."

HAHA, I made that last part up, but that's kind of what she said.

Christian and I became really good friends the following months after that, and she's definitely one of the people that have made me -not just a better actor/improver- but a better person. I've learned so much from her and all of my theatre family, and I am so grateful for every rough and amazing experience I've had with them so far... and forever and ever!

I would've gone through hundreds of "worst auditions" if it means I would have friends like the ones I have, and if that's not love, I don't know what is... because terrible auditions live in soul.

I love you, guys!