[Perform-Talk] Discussion Starter

Mon Mar 21 13:49:13 UTC 2016

Hello,

My introduction into performing was dance. My mom was a dance teacher, so I grew up in the dance "culture." Tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop-- I did it all. When I was four, I had a part in The Nutcracker, and I just thought being on stage was so cool and was hooked. At ages 7, 8, 9, I would spend hours at the dance studio practicing. Long after classes were done, I would be dancing around, polishing my technique.

My uncle was always into performing arts, and was part of a prestigious university show choir in our state. I wanted to be like him. He worked as a performer for World's of Fun and later several cruise lines, ending up in New York where he toured with several Broadway productions. He was my example.

I started seriously singing in grammar school, asking my parents for vocal lessons. By junior high, I knew the stage was the place for me, and I wanted to do nothing else. My jr. high and high school choir directors thought I could sing professionally if I stuck with it, so that was affirmation for me.

All through high school, I not only danced on dance team and with a studio, but I participated in school and community theatre. I also directed a small theatre group for a couple of years as well beginning my senior year of high school. I also was in choir and show choir every year, also acting as show choir choreographer my senior year of high school. I studied vocal performance at university, minoring in theatre.

At 21, my life derailed and I became very sick, almost losing my life. This is how I lost my sight. After I recovered and received nonvisual training, I no longer saw a stage career for me. It wasn't the blindness, I just went through a crazy ordeal, and while I gained a lot of perspective on life, I equally lost my way for a time. I later went back to university and studied creative writing. I love writing, but I miss performing, and now, when it's a bit late in life, I realize that it's always been my one, true passion. I'm trying to find outlets for performing, but at my age and with a family, it's difficult. Plus, my performing abilities are out of shape.

I'm trying to instill a love of the arts in my kids. Even if they do not pursue performing as a hobby or career, I hope it's an interest they engage in. And I think the arts are an important aspect of life.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Darian Smith via Perform-talk
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2016 2:41 PM
To: Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com>
Subject: [Perform-Talk] Discussion Starter

Hi   folks,
  We all have  some sort of talent or “performing art” that we  we are fairly good at and enjoy.

  What is your performing art? how did you come to realize it?  ?  

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