" It is what it is".. or is it?

I recently had a random discussion with a girlfriend just about nothing in particular. You know, one of those dinner evenings where one catches up on life and everything. Well some topic camp up, I dont remember what, and the only answer I could think of when talking about how life is sometimes what the platitude... "It is what it is."

My friend had the rebuttal... "But is it"? BRAVA for making me thing. Alas brings forth the discussion topic. What makes the "it" what it "is"? Why is "it" permanent? Why can't "it" be changed? The fact of the matter is simple, we can change our "is" if we aren't happy with it, but sometime without thinking, we are to scared and just settle. This is never the answer but unfortunately just the way things are sometimes. (BTW excuse all the pronouns and verbs)

How does this relate to theatre, well dear reader I will tell you. :-) Why is that that actors and performers in general give up at the first sign of resistance? I will admit I have fallen privy to this trap on several occasions and felt the brunt of it later. Why do we feel unworthy of a second chance? Or a first chance in that matter? It always amazes me the actors who can be so vulnerable onstage can't seem to have a bit of thick skin offstage. But I guess that topic is for another day.

After reading Seth Rudetsky's Book, Broadway Nights; which by the way was aMAHzing, I recalled a story that I feel fits this topic.

He was telling the story of an actress who went into audition for the role of Marian the Librarian in The Music Man on Broadway. She felt that she was PERFECT for the role. By this time in her career she was an established actress. Her agents called the casting directors and they weren't interested in her because nothing against her talent, but felt she may not be right for the role. This happens very often in the industry, you may be very talented but may not be seen or get cast simply because of height, weight, color or because the casting people feel, based on what they have seen you do, you may not be right for the role. Well that didn't stop Rebecca Luker one bit. Thats right I am talking about that amazing actress from 8 broadway productions. So she scheduled an audition full aware the casting team didn't want to see her, marched in, blew them away, and got the role! Rebecca changed her "it" and succeeded, why can't we all?

So why do we just accept things at face value in this industry? I am not saying keep doing what Rebecca did but if you feel you are right for a role or simply feel you should be seen, who is stoping you? Nobody but yourself. Don't let that inner mousy quality keep you from pouding the pavement because you wont get anywhere unless you lace up those Capezio High Top Sneakers and start that sassy jazz walk to your dream ( I dont know where that metaphor came from but felt it fit just right).


V.