Don’t Let Fear Stop You From Pursuing Dreams

By Joanna Torreano

Long before a “bucket list” became popular, I kept one. I’ve always had a desire to be in a play.

When I read about the auditions for “West Side Story” at the Lockport Palace Theatre, I was relieved to learn that I couldn’t attend the first audition date. But I couldn’t come up with a valid reason why I couldn’t be present at the second one.

Reading the qualifications should have deterred me. “Must sing 16 bars of a song and bring dance attire.” I could do neither. I went anyway.

I secured my audition number along with the rest of the participants. I’m sure these young people were wondering what this older woman was doing there. When I heard, “Number 66,” I panicked. I was in over my head. Walking down the aisle of the theater, I forced myself not to turn back and run the other way. I reached the judges quicker than I wanted.

Standing before them, I met their gaze and said, “Look, I don’t sing, I don’t dance.” But then I immediately went into character and spoke lines from the role I wanted, Glad Hand, a.k.a. the teacher.

The director smiled and said, “I see from your application, you would like the role of the Glad Hand.” He paused. I looked away. “We’ll let you know.”

I had heard that before when I auditioned for “The Sound of Music.” That leader could have said, “We’ll let you no.” This time when I checked the Web site for the actors and actresses, I stared at the screen in disbelief: “Glad Hand played by Joanna Torreano.” What had I gotten myself into?

The first day of rehearsal came quicker than I wanted. Walking into the theater, I was surrounded by many young people. I didn’t know where to put myself. But one of the young actors made a point of coming over and making small talk. I started to relax.

I was impressed with the talent that surrounded me. I hoped I could remember my few lines. My 22-year-old son said, “Mom, don’t let them down. Memorize your lines.” Oh, but I was trying.

When I first got on stage, the director told me to get center stage. My heart was beating wildly. The Jets and the Sharks were on stage with me, but I had lines to speak. Chris, the director, smiled at me and said, “OK, say your lines.” Throughout my dialogue, he kept his eye on me and smiled.

His happy grin was just the encouragement I needed to continue. When I finished my lines, he said, “Good, do it again.” I did. Then I heard, “Good, do it again.” This constant repetition, and his kind support, helped me become the Glad Hand he wanted.

A young actor heard that I had a bucket list. That day I received an e-mail from him telling me how he, too, had a bucket list. So young, so smart and so supportive. In his e-mail, he wrote, “I’ll be there, tell me when it is, and I’m coming.”

Life is short. The older I get, the more I understand that statement. My philosophy has always been to try things. Some have been utter failures. To quote a well-known reporter, “I didn’t just have egg on my face, I had a whole omelet.” And some attempts have been successful.

I had fears auditioning and greater apprehension standing on stage with such talented actors and actresses. But I forced myself to face the terror and stand alongside the talented young people.

I’ll be performing at the Palace Theatre tonight, Saturday, Sunday and July 17, 19 and 20. Stop by. Perhaps I can inspire you to fulfill the things on your bucket list.

By the way, I’ve always wanted to try waitressing, anyone hiring?

(c) 2008 Buffalo News. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.