Do the theatre gods hate me?

Question

I've been acting for about two years now and absolutely love it. But bad things keep happening that prevent me from acting. I suddenly get this feeling of cold feet before turning in my application for USC, but decide to shell out the money anyway b/c that's where I want to live. Then I find out that the audition I chose is the same day as the audition for the new york school I really want to go to. Then when I'm asking my mom for advice she blows up at me saying we don't have the money to go to LA. This is after I was told that even though I have enough points to be inducted into thespian society that I can't audition at state thespian conference because I'm not officially inducted. After I didn't make two shows because I have "too much going on". All because my cheerleading coach wouldn't let me out of practice to go to the audition on time. I'm a very superstitious person, and see this as a bad omen. But should I? Would you keep going? or am I holding on to false hopes?

Answer 1

You have to decide for yourself whether theatre is something you want to pursue.

You can look at these obstacles in one of two ways....

1. They could be trying to prevent you from doing theatre.

or

2. They are tests to see if you really have the mettle to go after it despite some minor setbacks.


I've had to make that decision, too. There was a period when everything seemed to prevent me from doing theatre... or anything related to it.

Part way through my first semester of college, I had to go home to have surgery, but I was expecting to be able to go back after fall break. It turned out I had cancer of my salivary glands.

Because of the surgery and radiation treatments, my doctors were telling me not to be a singer, actor, or play a woodwind instrument (all the things that I did.)

As I was recovering from treatments, I focused on my movement skills - dance, stage combat, and horseback riding (though, I did sneak in a Shakespeare class or two). After I was finally starting to feel okay and started going to school again, I was diagnosed with another cyst in my sinuses that had to be removed.

I had to leave school again for that. Later, I went back to school once more. There was a death in my immediate family. I left school. Later, I went back again. This time I ended up with a serious knee injury - (which put an end to all of my movement activities.) I was legally handicapped for a time and again had to leave school for surgery and physical therapy.

It was a long, hard recovery - but during that time I wrote a play and taught myself how to sew. Once back on my feet, I went right back to theatre - my play was produced and was in some festivals.

Now, I still deal with constant pain... but I'm doing what I love. Yes, I wish I had an easier road, but I couldn't NOT do theatre. I guess I'm lucky (and stubborn) and have been doing fairly well - I have three shows, a modeling (print) gig, a sword fighting exhibition, some product videos, and a film lined up.

Only you can really decide what theatre is worth to you. Would you still fight for it even if everything seemed stacked against you? If not, then that is something important to know, since you are at the point of making important decisions about your future.

I wish you the best of luck. Try not to let things get you down... and try not to read too much into events... as a great friend once told me, "You never know whether it's good or bad." Something that may seem "bad" now, may actually turn out to be quite good for you.

Answer 2

Yeah, I think they do. Because you are preventing yourself from doing anything. Yes YOU. Why didn't you talk to your parents about what schools to go to? The reason you got cold feet is that you knew your mom would not like the idea of USC. (neither do I). If you did things plenty far in advance you would know if there were schedule conflicts and not waste your money on applications. It makes sense that you can't do thespian things until you have been inducted. You know something, being a cheerleader is not going to do you any good in the future. Once you are out of high school that is it, unless you are going to cheer at college and then when that is over that is it. No residual benefits what so ever. In fact, cheerleaders are considered stupid and easy. Now acting will alway help you in the future even if you do not become an actor, because it helps you be comfortable with people and helps you understand people and teaches you many great things. So you have to learn the secret of success, especially as an actor: keep it simple. when you do too much or try to do too much you louse it up. The only bad omen is that you are lousing yourself up by not communicating with your parents. (acting is all about communication) then you are not communicating with your cheerleading coach, if you had gone to her early and asked for permission to leave early on audition day, she may have let you, especially if you have been learning your routines early! So no, I wouldn't keep going like you are going. You are certainly holding on to false idols if not false hopes. Do what that person above said about making a priority list, what is really important: and what is just fun?
What can you let go of in order to do what is important? YOu have to be proactive to suceed. YOu can't do it just by wanting to and going through the motions at the last minute. PLAN AHEAD> COMMUNICATE> Good luck, Doc

Answer 3

I think this is one of those moment where you are able to discern whether acting is what you really want to do. I am not a superstitious person myself, but I had doubts about the whole college thing too. However, if this is what you REALLY want; if you absolutely HAVE to act no matter what, you will make it happen despite anyone who rejects you, or any bad omens that might occur. And if it turns out this isn't really what you want, that's okay too.

Answer 4

If you read you're bible you will see that in the end times, many of these things will occur. This is not heaven, as a matter of fact scripture talks about "the god of this world", meaning the devil. 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. As a result, they don't see the light of the Good News about Christ's glory. There will never be peace on this earth, because that contradicts the Word of God. Peace will be in heaven though. One great reason to make sure that you have accepted Jesus.

Answer 5

be confident. If something is stressing you (like too much thing to do!): make two lists. THings of which you cannot live wihtout and that shall benefit you (such as auditions or something or a few plays), and make a list of things you can toss: like too much computer/tv time, the weekly hang-over or having your cell phone now be part of your ear.

Answer 6

They do not hate you, they test us all. This is why I am always saying that you have to want this more than anything in the world. That is what it takes. And Perseverance. If you stick with it long enough, every one else will either get married or die. I wish you all the Best, Sincerely.

Answer 7

Yes.

Move to Moline, and be an insurance agent.

If you are so wigged out about this, you do not belong in the acting world.

Stay home.
Have children.

Answer 8

Sounds to me like much ado about nothing. Get on with it.