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I don't know why this popped into my head today, but I feel that it's quite appropriate. You may know that life isn't easy in the Performer's Parent household lately, with Dad out of a job. But optimism is forefront -- he feels good about prospects for building his business. I had a job interview earlier this week (I don't want the job, as it turns out, but it was a positive event). Andy got a very nice part in the school show, after he got rid of the pessimistic, passive-aggressive stance he had held toward auditioning in the past (I won't get it, and if it matters to me I'll be hurt when I don't get it, so I'm not going to care about it, and not going to put time into preparing for it).
And Greg's optimism for his new band, Last Train Out, is paying off -- he sent out music demos to several venues and booking agents this week, and has one gig lined up (Thursday, Sept. 27 at 9 pm, at the Elbo Room in Chicago, come out and listen!) with two more big venues offering spots to the band.
Performance is an optimistic career. You can't go into an audition with a pessimistic attitude -- see Andy's former thinking above -- and expect success. You have to have a positive attitude, confidence in your skills, and a belief that others will see your talent when you show it off. No matter what the goal is -- anything from a part in the school play to superstardom -- if you don't believe in yourself, nobody else will either. You have to believe beyond yourself -- you must be convinced that your talent will create a response in your audience (and hopefully, that response isn't EWWWW!, unless that's what you want; and if that's what you're going for, I'm sure there's an audience, but please don't send me an invitation, I have enough EWWWW doing the laundry and looking in the refrigerator).
And now I'm going to actively practice optimism -- I'm hoping you will help me! If you have a child who has expressed an interest in performance as a career, how did you react? Do you support your child? What are your hopes and fears for their future, and how have you expressed both to your child? I'd like to put something together for the website on support performing aspirations, and would like your input. You can send me an email at performersparent@sbcglobal.net. Thanks in advance!
