Priorities
I just had to make a tough decision, acting-wise. I just turned down an audition for a good part in a good show with a theater I've worked with before and liked.
It's for my family. I'm going to be out of town opening night, seeing most of my dad's side of the family in Chicago.
When I was going to high school, they had a list of priorities that we were supposed to follow. I don't remember it exactly, but it went something like this: Your family, your (school)work, your extracurriculars, your personal activities. In that order.
Obviously if I weren't passionate about acting, I wouldn't be in the crazy business. But I don't live anywhere close to any of my relatives. I have a cousing in Boston, and a few othe cousins in Virginia. That's about it. Everyone else is in Chicago or Seattle. So my chances to actually see any of them are somewhat thin on the ground.
So while I would love a crack at the part I was being offered a chance to read for, my aunt is turning 80 the weekend of the first performance. While she is self-sufficient almost to a fault, her health is not what it once was. So when she says what she wants for her birthday is to see family come in, we're definitely coming. I bought my plane tickets almost a month ago.
I've thought about where I'll end up someday, and while New York is great, I can't live my whole life so far from my family. I don't want to have to keep making decisions like this one.
It is hard to find that balance sometimes, isn't it?? I'm sure your family appreciates your sacrifice.
Posted by: Linda Fausnet | October 03, 2011 at 08:56 AM