Not much to say really, besides my local drama group's panto rehearsals are going swimmingly!
I, once again, am Prop Master and as this is the drama group's 50th Anniversary, my manic prop making skills have gone all out. With a witch's staff more Voodoo/Indian than your typical magical staff and a horse which doubles up as a cat, this panto is one you will regret missing.
After any rehearsal, good or bad, we toddle on down to the pub. Yep, rehearsals are twice a week and each time, we visit the local pub simply because we can. In my case, a lemonade will never go a miss and you can't go wrong with the lemony lemon taste of lemonade.
During one of those pub visits (last week actually), 4 of us remained, slowly slurping down our drinks. We got talking about the history of the group and when we all joined. I only joined just over a year ago so I didn't have much to say. Another hasn't had much social time (being a mother can easily do that to you) but as a result, she said, being ask to be the panto's pianist brought her confidence back. Being let loose on a piano was like being reconnected to a long lost friend.
This accomplishment struck us all. Simply joining a small local group can impact your life dramatically. In my case, I joined because one of my volunteers dragged me there. She obviously thought knitting and Midsomer Murders was not an ideal life for, at the time, a 23 year old. I like knitting and I haven't stopped.
But thanks to that one volunteer, I have never looked back in anger or disgust. I only look back with the gradual sinking of regret. I regret not knowing about this group sooner. I regret not joining it sooner and I regret not meeting the large acting family that is Clifford Drama Group, sooner.
Throughout the whole of my primary and secondary school years, college, university and occasionally work, I have seen and been bullied. Not the most pleasant experience when you have no courage for a comeback and no strength to ask for help.
Admittedly, it eased off during college and university but at work, customers know what they are saying and they deliberately say things to hurt your feelings. In the land of retail the customer "is always right". That statement can sod right off!
Not once have I experienced any form of bullying from the group. I know it has only been just over a year but I truly believe that if someone intended to emotionally hurt me, they would've done it by now. My weird ginger craziness doesn't bother anyone in the slightest. If anything, they probably appreciate me for being me and for not hiding my oddly unique personality away.
A simple gesture can change someones perspective on life. Whether it is being asked to be the group's pianist or simply dragging someone away from the telly, they have your best interest at heart.
So like me, never turn down an invitation and go for it because with all the crazy jingly hand waves/high fives/hand hugs, you will never know who you will meet or where it will all end up.
Thank you for letting me be me.
No comments:
Post a Comment