“Captain Of My Soul”
Hello all you awesome people!
Back in October I auditioned for a group called The Story Pirates. They hired me and I’ve been acting in many of their school shows and have started to teach with them all over New York. But about one month ago, an amazing thing happened.
Every Saturday, at the Drama Book Shop in New York City, the Story Pirates do a show in the black box theater downstairs. I was rehearsing for one of the school shows and one a break, mentioned to the Artistic Director, Lee, that my parents were coming to town and I was going to bring them to the main stage show. Lee asked, “Do you want to be in the show?” I was kind of in shock. They told all us newbies at training that it might be a long while before we where asked to do a Main Stage Show. But Lee said, “I think it’d be really cool for your parents to see what you do.” So I, very excitedly, said yes!
The day of the show, right before we went on, I got really nervous. I was a key actor in the opening number. My thoughts were going crazy: What if I mess it up? What if I stand in the wrong spot? All these actors are way funnier than me. They haven’t realized I’m a sham yet, but they sure will today. And then, I heard the thoughts as just thoughts. I slowed down. And I asked myself, what would Ariel and Shya say to me right now. They would remind me, there are kids out there who came to see a show. Who cares if your peers think you’re funny or not. You gotta take care of those kids. I went out on that stage, and I took care of those kids! Right after the number, there was Lee backstage, with a big smiles, “You were the best Barstool I’ve ever seen, Andy.” (Yes, I got nervous about playing a barstool.)
A few weeks later, I get another email from Lee. It said I was one of very few Story Pirates, (and there are about 100 of us in New York,) that was invited to take part in a visit to Houston, TX, where we would be performing and teaching and was I available. I said I was. About a week later, Lee emails me and says, “I really wanted to take you Andy, but our Education Director, Quinton, requested you stay in New York because he wants you to teach. A lot! Next time buddy.” I wrote back something like, no worries Lee and thanks for thinking of me. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t going to Texas really and the company obviously valued me a lot anyway! I was pretty happy!
But wait there’s more. A few days later, Lee writes me back, saying, “Andy, I spoke too soon. I was just informed that your teaching schedule will not conflict with the Houston trip. Still wanna go?”
Next weekend, I’m going to Houston Texas!!!! For work!!!!! This is my second work trip in less than one year, and from a whole other theater company, (Atlantic sent me to L.A. at the end of the summer.) I have to give credit to Ariel & Shya. When I met them, I was an actor who wasn’t acting ever. In fact I was thinking of quitting. When I go to teach or act, I’m only doing that, not thinking about other stuff. The quality of my work is so high, and people notice it! But I’m not trying to make it “high quality” I’m just working when I’m working. And this has seeped into other aspects of my life. My auditions get better and better because I’m there for them. And my relationship with Leah is beyond amazing! It just gets better and better!
Thank you Ariel and Shya! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You’ve giving me the most amazing tools for such a brilliant life. The tools to be, “the master of my fate, the captain of my soul.” Thank you!
Sending My Love To You All,
Andy Schneeflock, Brooklyn, NY
