BWW Blog: Paisley Haddad - Summertime and Livin' Is Easy

With school ending and spring theatre productions just coming to an end, probably not the first thing on anybody's mind is starting up another 3 month schedule of rehearsals. When you see that audition on Facebook for a summer production, why not go for it? Odds are that you will have a much better summer than you would have had being a couch potato. I know this experience first hand, as 2 summers ago, I joined a local cast of 42nd Street. As much as I love tap dancing and theatre I still wasn't sure if I wanted to devote most of my summer to them. Being a 15 year old in a cast of almost entirely actors that were over 18 was slightly intimidating, actually it was very intimidating. The first rehearsal I walked in with my mother (who was in charge of props for the show) and everybody was so welcoming. From that moment on I knew this was going to be a great experience. As the rehearsals went on, and we were learning dances, songs, and blocking, I felt like everybody was coming together as a cast. After we had finished opening night, I wanted to do the show again and again, and it seemed like our 6 performances flew by in a blink of an eye. I found myself missing laughing backstage, wearing HIGH HEEL tap shoes ( not really a big deal, but it was my first time wearing them), and also just being on stage. Even though I knew that coming September I would be back on the stage, I still missed it a lot. If it means trading in a beach day for a block and tech day, than it's worth it. If the summertime musical scene isn't your thing, then theres many other options for you. Take an acting class, work on your voice with a vocal instructor, take a dance intensive, pick your monologue for the coming year, see that show everybody is talking about on Broadway (and if it's Hamilton, good luck), support your local theatre companies by attending one of their shows, or even just get some tips from online on how to improve your stage skills. So, the next time you see an opportunity to try out for a summer show, just do it! I promise that you will have a great time as well as make some great friends along the way, I know I did.

P.S The dimes that my mom painted for "We're In the Money" could give the dimes on the Tony's this weekend a run for their money!!