IT'S TIME TO SAY G-O-O-D-B-Y-E

What to do when a dream gig comes to an end.
By Geoffrey Kidwell (actor)

You know what’s kind of annoying?

Waiting on snotty, rich, Upper East Side children at the restaurant you hate working at? Yes, but that’s not what I’m talking about here.

What’s annoying is clichés that are totally true.

In my case, the overused expression, “All good things must come to an end.”

You see folks, my time at the Spelling Bee ends on Saturday.

I’ve had an extraordinary time up here and I don't want it to leave.

In fact, it occurred to to me the other day that for the last five weeks I’ve been paid to do exactly what I’m passionate about.

I mean, they pay me to get on stage every night and be a complete dweeb.

Is it even fair to call that work?

Hell yes it is!

It is work and it’s important work that I’m honored to have done.

But…it’s time to move on.

The problem is that I’m not exactly great with change.

For example, remember when halfway through the series, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, they just randomly recast the role of Aunt Vivian?

First it was this lady:

Then it was this lady:

HELLO!?!?

They just expected me to go along with that? To not raise my hand and be like, “WTF?!”

Needless to say, having to leave this job and this incredible group of truly creative and talented misfits will present a genuine challenge.

I’m not thrilled about having to day job somewhere.

I’m not thrilled about having to hit the audition circuit.

I’m not thrilled about having to deal with girls in bad cotton Forever 21 dresses, two-inch T-Strap character shoes and rolling suitcases.

But I am thrilled about all of the possibilities that await me.

Instead of looking at my new unemployment as a closed door, I’m trying to look at it as an open window.

I’m free to go wherever the wind carries me.

It’s exciting…okay…and kinda terrifying.

But for us actor types, the ups and downs of employment/unemployment are just the facts of life.

I’ve learned recently, that succeeding in this business requires a tremendous amount of perspective. We have a choice as to how we’re going to view the unique situations in which we artists find ourselves.

We can either a.) get super overwhelmed and convince ourselves that we’re never going to work again. (A mind game I’m very good at.) or b.) thank our lucky stars that we get to spend our time on the planet doing the work that brings us ever closer to realizing a dream.

Nice work if you can get it, right?

Definitely.

So go get it.

Namaste.

 

AND NOW...THE WEEK IN WHITNEY HOUSTON!!!!

Hey all! I'm not sure if I've shared this particular video or not. If I have, just enjoy it for a second time and stop complaining. Ugh. It's really annoying when you do that! Here is Miss Houston showing Miss Mariah Carey how it's done at the Academy Awards. But in a nice way. The song is entitled, When You Believe and it comes from the film, The Prince of Egypt. Enjoy!!!

 

 

 

 

GEOFFREY KIDWELL Geoffrey is an actor/manny in NYC. He spends his days just trying to figure it out.
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Comments

[Kim]

I love that song, and you.