Page 36 - 2015augsept

Reflections... by Katie Butler Johnson ave you heard it said you’d never win the lottery My errands took me close to the audition site. I began to if you don’t buy a ticket? I think the same thing think - why not? I knew I’d never make the soloist list. goes for life. If you never take a chance, you’ll Perhaps I’d have a chance at the ensemble. I’d sung in Hmiss great opportunities. several choruses and loved being right in the middle of all With that in mind, I talked myself into auditioning for the that harmony. Summoning my courage, I parked my car Dallas 2015 Spectacular Senior Follies. at Valley View Mall where the auditions were in progress, went in, added my name to the list and waited. My tap troupe, the Evening Stars, made it into last year’s production. Dancing at the Eisemann was thrilling for us Did I mention I didn’t have any accompaniment music septuagenarians. with me? I hadn’t planned on auditioning when I’d left home that morning. I was miles from home where my Waiting to go on stage, we passed the time getting to know music was. I thought I’d just go in, give it shot and see other cast members. I think there are two types of people what happened. – energizers and energy drains. These Follies folks are defnitely energizers. When my name came to the top of the list, I was ushered up to the microphone and asked if I had a CD for my We shared a dressing room and made friends with the other accompaniment or if I wanted piano accompaniment. I two performing tap groups - Class Act and the Dazzlers. told them I’d sing an Irish folk song - “Molly Malone” - a They helped us get stage ready with touches of blush and cappella. I took a deep breath and went for it. silver eyeliner. Class Act member, Cheryl Reynolds, even took time to help us apply false eyelashes! Most of us had If I’d never auditioned, I could always daydream about never worn them. what “could have” been. But “could have” is dreaming and auditioning was taking steps to make that dream a reality. (One of our members, I won’t reveal which because tap sisters don’t squeal on tap sisters, got so profcient at Even if I didn’t make the cut, I’d still feel good about applying false lashes that, when she later wore and batted having taken the chance, having put myself out there to them enticingly at her husband while sitting in his lap, he explore the possibility. never suspected her lovely eye fringe was - FAKE!) Weeks later I learned - I made it! With hip and knee replacements temporarily sidelining two When you come to the Follies this September, look for the of our best tappers, the Evening Stars couldn’t audition this plump ensemble singer with the shoulder length Redkin year. enhanced auburn hair - that’s me! Don’t know yet what I never expected to wind up at the audition myself. When we will be singing. I’ll fnd out when rehearsals begin in I left home early that March morning, it was one of those mid-August. beautiful bluebird days that make you feel that God’s in His Now it’s your turn to have the courage to explore your heaven, all’s right with the world and anything is possible. possibility - whatever it be. ● page 34 | www.celebrationmagazine.com