Unexpected Opportunity

See ya later, Queens.

Just as I had settled into the mindset of temping for the summer, saving money, and counting down until the fall, I came across a fantastic opportunity...

I'm going to Maine this summer to be in an opera!

I had auditioned for this project several months ago and didn't hear anything. I thought I gave a great audition, that they liked me, would be a good fit for the production....and nothing. Crickets. Cue semi-obsessive checking on facebook and googling to see if anyone else had been offered a part.

Turns out that a woman had to drop out last minute, and they needed a replacement. They thought of me and offered me the job.

According to the director, the woman who dropped the show and I look so much alike, that they couldn't cast me. She complimented me on my audition and told me I gave the best one she saw! The only reason I wasn't offered the job sooner was because this other actress and I were the same "type" and she had already been offered and accepted her contract.

Just goes to show you that you never know when your phone might ring. I've heard stories of people auditioning and not hearing anything until 9 years later.

You also can't speculate on why your phone isn't ringing because it could have nothing to do with you. In this case, there was too strong of a resemblance between myself and another actress. It had nothing to do with my talent.

I've had a lot of luck happen as a result of someone else turning down opportunity. As a replacement, I was able to go on the KB tour this fall, which later went to Bahrain. If the original "Mom" (a friend of mine), had decided to renew her contract, then I wouldn't have had all the wonderful experiences that come with going on tour. I wouldn't have made the contacts and friends that I now have as a result of that show.

 I'll be living in the quaint fishing town of Stonington from July 20-August 20. Stonington is located on an island off the NE coast of Maine, with a population of about 1,500 people. For such a small community, they have a huge arts scene. Not only does the Stonington Opera House provide year-round programming, this summer there is a Jazz festival.

I'm looking forward to enjoying four weeks living on the water and doing what I love to do!