The Understudy

The title of this blog comes from a very formative experience in my life, which occurred during my 8th grade play. From a young age I wanted to act, but I didn’t want to waste my time on juvenile school plays, I wanted to go straight to Broadway or the big screen or so I thought, but in reality I think I just wanted to be photographed walking into the grocery store.

After hounding my parents nonstop, the summer after 4th grade I enrolled in the New York State Theater Institute Acting camp. I cried when my Mom dropped me off….. it was a day camp. I was way out of my league there, I’ve never seen people so serious about anything let alone acting.

Despite my lack of success at camp, I tried out desperately for school plays and was SHOCKED when I received the role of chorus and salesman number #7 in our sixth grade play. Although, some kids only got chorus, I had a speaking part with salesman #7. Granted not an important enough role to name the salesmen but you have to start somewhere. I was less thrilled about this speaking part when I saw the wardrobe for salesman #7. See photo below

It's evident I didn't peak in 6th grade, but My Mom always said you don’t want to peak too early.

In 8th grade, my school had a play that was a pretty big deal. Again, I tried out leaving everything out on that stage and when the sign was posted I found my name among the chorus/townspeople. I was upset but not surprised. I began to practice in earnest the fake conversation I would have to hold as a townsperson in the background of every scene. Then, a week or so before opening night, our music teacher called me aside and said that Sarah, the girl playing the part of the maid, might not be able to make the last showing and would I be willing to be her understudy. It wasn’t exactly the moment of glory I had been looking for but I agreed before she could change her mind. I spent two weeks shadowing Sarah and learning all of her parts and even one singing line ( !!!!!!!!) She was potentially going to have to miss the show because her grandmother was sick in Florida. I would never wish harm on anyone but I prayed to God that her grandmother peacefully made her way to the other side. And well my prayers were answered, Sarah’s grandmother passed away and she would be leaving for Florida before the last show. I had one night to make my dreams come true, and well I blew it. My cue to come onto the stage was “ Oh look we have company!”, where I was supposed to walk on quickly with my prop consisting of a small white envelope on a silver platter. I was told later that the character repeated himself 4 or 5 times with “ Oh look we have company!” before I was finally located backstage, deep in conversation with the stage hands. I couldn’t find my prop so I ripped a poster I found hanging on the wall. I came barreling onto the stage, out of breathe to deliver my line and pretend this giant cardboard poster was a telegram.

I cried so hard after the play to my Mom who told me “ I’m sure no one noticed but maybe you should think about comedy” which I shot back with “ you have to say that you are my Mom.”

I haven’t acted in a play since and I gave up my dream right then and there. An understudy who underdelivered… at least I’m consistent.