Relationships relate

Today, I was invited to help run the auditions for the Northwest Dance Project. I am so full of gratitude for the opportunity and it humbled me as to why I am not dancing professionally anymore. The technical demands of dance have so far exceeded what I was able to do 20 years ago when I was working. The world has just…changed…and the dancers seem hungrier than ever before. Almost 100 dancers showed up for this rigorous afternoon "class" (er, audition)…and, in my eyes, they were all perfection. 

Perfection!  

I rarely saw a bobble in the entire three hours. How in the world are the people behind the table supposed to decide who they want to work with? No wonder I can count on ONE HAND the times that I have booked a job from a cold audition in which I was just meeting the folks behind the table for the first time.

I have often joked that if I could go back to my college and speak to the graduating Theatre Majors, I would say:

"Never turn down an invitation to go to the bar."

…and I stand by that. Jobs are had (mostly) through relationships. People want to work with the people that they drink with. I mean. yes -- be talented, reliable and hungry -- but be known as someone that's fun to hang out with. That's a huge part of getting along in this world. I don't recall being taught about that in drama school.