Monday Morning Inspiration

One of the first stage productions I ever performed in in Los Angeles was "The Night of the Black Cat" at Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica. http://www.edgemarcenter.org/

The role I played was small, mostly dancing in the chorus. But it provided me the opportunity to work with & learn from some incredible artists, like Toledo Diamond and Toddius Maximus, just to name a few.

I remember right before I auditioned for the show, I had gotten into an accident and totalled my car just one month after paying it off. I used my entire insurance check to purchase a used Jetta VW, and then THAT car completely broke down on me. It was like one bad thing after another was happening, and all I wanted to know was WHY ME?! My Jetta needed a new transmission, a new computer system-basically a new EVERYTHING-and I didn't have the money to fix it. And in L.A., when you don't have a car it's almost impossible to get around. The cost of taking a taxi is outrageous, and there's no uniform system of buses or trains that can get you around in less than 3 hours. So my friend & roommate, Kiki would let me borrow her car to get back & forth to rehearsals for "Black Cat". If it wasn't for her support, and that of my other roomie, LeAnna-I would have never even auditioned for the show. But they encouraged me, and told me they believed I would do well. And they were right-cause I got a part!

But working on a show with such high caliber Talent can be intimidating, especially for a young dancer who's relatively new to L.A. I showed up at rehearsals, not exactly sure how or where I fit into the cast. But as they say, half the battle is just showing up. So I tried to forget I didn't have a car of my own, and focused on working my butt off to learn the choreography, and writing my monologue in the voice of my gypsy character "Veena". I remember during rehearsals, feeling overwhelmed and insecure, like I wanted to fade into the background. I guess the director, Deborah LaVine, recognized that and she told me something that has stayed with me since then. She said, "Shannon, don't be afraid to stand out and be noticed. It's okay to shine."

And with that simple statement, it was as if she had given me permission to fully live in the moment on stage and perform to the best of my ability.

A year later, I came across this quote by Nelson Mandela that reminded me of Deborah's encouraging words to me. And I truly believe Deborah's advice and Mandela's quote applies to EVERYONE-not just performers. No matter what you do, don't be afraid to SHINE!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God; your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
- Nelson Mandela