thoughts, words, deeds

just pretend that the audience is . . .

Have you ever been in stage or performed for an audience?

Actually, I have—and all my life. I sing in church (and school) choirs (in fact, I lead the music in church every Sunday), which means I spend time on display. I also sing solos. The first time I sang a solo was a Mother’s Day when I was about five or six. I like to sing, although I do get some anxiety.

I’ve done talent shows. Sometimes singing, sometimes reading poetry I’ve written.

I’ve also been in church and school plays. Bit parts, mostly. I don’t have the kind of personality to take the lead. When I was a senior in high school, I had a bit part in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

I’ve done some dancing on the stage, but I’m not as good there. The last time was a ballroom competition in college. We got past the first round but were cut in the next if I remember right. Dancing the samba—which makes it a Latin competition, of course.

I don’t mind being on stage. I’ve read poetry and short stories in front of an audience as well. There’s also an element of performance reading to children. I read aloud to my sister when she was young and to my nieces and nephews. Not exactly a stage . . . but that’s performing for an audience. A rather picky audience at that.