A fellow performer commented in response to yesterday’s blog about voice changes being a side effect of the hormone suppressant I may end up taking.

Her comment reminded me of the joy of performing. 

Non-theatrical folks often ask me “Why do you it?” or “How can you do it?” 

How can you give up so much of your personal time for rehearsals?  Why do you put in so much time learning lines or music?  Why do you put yourself through the stress of auditions?  How can you stand in front of so many people?

After a rough rehearsal, sometimes I even ask myself “Why do I do this?” 

But the answer is easy.

Because I to perform.

It’s my drug of choice.

Sometimes I want to entertain the audience; sometimes, I’m just doing it for myself – but either way, I’m doing my best and challenging myself to do better every single moment. 

When it’s not a good audience – and I say “Fuck ’em, we got their money”, I’m still going to give them their money’s worth. 

Performing is hard work.  So much is on the line each time you step out onto a stage. 

And in the end, it’s just a pure fucking joy.