Viewpoint by Montreal Spencer/reporter
After roughly 20 years of aimlessly creeping the earth as a confused young soul, I may have finally found my calling—well, at least, something I definitely found some joy in.
I always wanted to act but never got around to it, being so busy with my creeping and all.
Well, the first day of school this semester, I tried out for Extremities on South Campus. The play will be April 24-26. Don’t worry about the plug; this one’s on me.
The character I was trying out for was a Hispanic rapist named Raul. What was I on even thinking I had a chance?
I haven’t done anything remotely close to acting since high school, and one look at me is enough to believe no one would accept a handsome guy like me as a rapist … let alone a Raul!
Regardless, I built up the nerve and traded my dirty dialogue on stage with a young actress whom I had never met. I honestly stank so bad I knew I wouldn’t get the part.
I was debating dropping theatre prac-ticum because I wanted to be in a play, but since that was out of my mind’s picture, I decided to take yoga. I needed an hour class to make my full load of 12, and I had already taken weight lifting!
Out of my own pity and desperation, I went to check if I got the part. And saw my name—on the list for a play called Medea Odea.
I didn’t know anything about Medea besides Tyler Perry (which is spelled Madea), but I sure was more than happy to accept the role. Today Medea Odea, tomorrow the Tony. OK, just one step at a time.
At the first rehearsal, I learned it wasn’t an actual script at all. It was a play we were putting on for Women’s History Month. We were to pick monologues and poems about inspirational women to compile into a show.
The whole process of putting a script together was a stressful but memorable experience in itself, but having to create a show with 10 strangers was inspirational.
It took us a long time to find the pieces to the puzzle we were putting together. I was one of only two male cast members, so there was estrogen everywhere. Wow!
Opening night I felt somewhat prepared, and I thought I had the hang of it. We just got up there and did it. The audience loved it, or we weren’t the only ones acting. By the second and third nights, my confidence had risen. I felt in control.
I thank Melinda Benton for giving me a chance, and my fellow cast members have become my newfound friends/family.
