After the Boom

Fall 2005, and I lived in New York City. I stopped teaching full-time because that is not why I moved from Chicago. I meet someone nice (more on him later). Guess what? I found a new agent. I began life as a substitute teacher for more flexibility. Funny, but true story. In a moment of panic (bills and a mortgage can do that), I interviewed for a teaching position at Anonymous Middle School in Astoria. Did not get hired. Sign up as a substitute, and get assigned to the same school for the same position that I did not get hired for. Principal informs me that the only reason I did not get hired is because I did not hold a NY teaching certificate. "You mean the one right here in my hand." Then he asked if I wanted the job because I was amazing as a substitute. I laughed out loud and said no! I love working half days because they allow me to audition, which is why I moved to NYC in the first place. He proceeded to tell me that he was only offering me a full time position and I could take it or leave it. I told him, "Well, I am not the one without a teacher. And since I know nobody is coming soon I guess I can keep subbing until you find someone more permanent."

He called the next day and offered me half the salary for a half day position. He found a second teacher to come in when I left. It is funny what happens when you realize what you really want to do and  are no longer committed to what you are expected to do. I continued to audition and represented a local city college at school college fairs around the city. The hustle continued. Except, this time it was centered around authentic auditions. The ones where I checked all of my sadness and regret at the door and brought the rediscovered joy of why I love acting/singing into the room with me.

I walked into a room for Christmas Carol Rag. It was playing at Barnstormers Theatre in New Hampshire. There was barely a line at the Actor's Equity Building. Up to this point, I am getting more callbacks but no work. I walk into the room. Get the callback. Get the job. I am Ruthie and the Ghost of Christmas Present. It was 2 degrees the entire time I was there, and there were signs all over warning us to Beware the Black Bears, but baby, it was just what I needed until another Boom and the role of a lifetime came knocking.