It all comes down to this.
In a few days, everything I have been working on for the last several months has to be submitted to a group of people that will decide if it is good enough. For those of you unfamiliar with the Framingham State's theater organization, let me explain. Known as the Hilltop Players, we are almost entirely student-run with a few exceptions. We strive to put on one musical and one play as well as various events like Improvisation nights and dance shows throughout one semester. In order to direct a show, you must create a proposal with everything that goes on during a production. Lights, sounds, costumes, props, set plans, a summary of the show, fundraising/publicity ideas, who will be on your production staff, helping you along the way and why you want to do this. For me, it was just a little more complicated because as scary as directing sounded, I knew it was something I have always wanted to do. So, the first step to potentially direct a play is choosing which one to perform and I knew it had to be something that not only I would enjoy working on, but that would be popular enough to get auditioners excited as well as being approved for the HIlltop Players' stage. This is where it gets interesting. There was a unique chance that I could take, but the amount of stress that would come my way was piled high. However, through a month or so of squandering, I finally decided that the only show that would fulfill everything I hoped for would be if I wrote it from scratch. Crazy I know. There were many moments that I wanted to turn back and forget I even thought about this in the first place, but then I thought of all of the reasons I wanted to direct and show off my new piece of work. The positives would always outweigh the negatives. It has not been easy by any means through drafts and rewrites and scrapped ideas, but I can finally say I am confident in it.
On Tuesday, my proposal and in my case, my script is due; it's going to be so strange allowing someone else read what's been in my brain for almost a year. Then, on Saturday, my production staff and I will meet with the elected students known as the Proposal Committee and they are allowed to ask any questions or bring up any concerns they may have. That part might be the most difficult because I know both my script and my proposal so well, I could read it backwards, but now they have a chance to rip it apart and throw questions at me that I was not prepared for. That all being said, I am stressed and nervous about what's lying ahead, but I know I am capable. I know that I have the best stage manager and producer by my side. I know that I have worked so extremely hard for this next week and I know what I am talking about. I have been through many proposal meetings in the past, but never have I led the pack. I have done everything I can. It all comes down to this.
I hope this is not the last you hear from me; my plan is to start posting on a weekly basis starting in January if my play does get approved. I hope to look back on myself and probably laugh while also providing others who would like to direct one day to see what someone's experience has been like. from the very beginning to the last performance. I will end all of my posts with a quote. I chose this one to put at the end of my proposal, which means it is an accurate representation of my situation currently. Until next time!
"If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary." ~ Jim Rohn