What Community Theatre Gave to Me

The Music Man — Cullman Community Theatre

by Timothy Fitzgerald, Guest Editorial

I am a devoted advocate of community theatre and have been for more than 40 years. Admittedly, I always wanted to become a professional and do theatre full-time, but the cards never seemed to favor me. Between bad timing, injury, and financial obligations, I am what I am…a community theatre performer and director, and I am proud of it.

When people ask me why I am not doing this professionally, I am happy that they feel I have the talent to do this on a higher level. The truth is I put my whole fiber and being into all that I do in community theatre. I strive for the most professional performance I can give to an audience. Anything less from me is not acceptable on a personal level.

When I was about 40, I decided I needed to know if I could make it professionally. I wanted to be able to tell myself I tried, and years from then, I would have no regrets. So, I went to New York City, the BIG Apple, to audition for a professional touring company of a show. To say I was nervous was an understatement, but I knew I had to give it my all if I was going to have any chance at all.

I got to the audition site, and, no lie, there had to have been close to 300 people in this small room, all of whom were there to throw their hats in the ring as well. I signed in and found a corner of the room to plant myself. Most of these folks knew each other from working together in the past or from previous auditions. Here I was, the new guy in the corner, surrounded by many experienced professional performers.

All I could think was, don’t be intimidated. You have a purpose for being here, and you need to focus.

It was a very long day, and by 3:00 pm in the afternoon, we were all informed that they ran behind and folks for the rest of the time were limited to 8 bars of vocals. I had done my research and prepared 16 bars of music and suddenly began to panic. I threw my music open and quickly decided where I would be able, to begin with only 8 bars to sing. The next thing I knew, they were calling my number, and I was convinced that I would be able to sing and take the long train ride home to Rhode Island, kicking myself.

I entered the room, where the audition accompanist, the director, and two other people were at the audition table. Accordingly, I gave my music to the accompanist, indicating my 8 bars, and introduced myself to the panel with the piece I would be singing. The music started, and I sang, and before I knew it, it was done. I thanked the group, got my music, and proceeded to leave the room. I was not expecting what happened next.

The director asked me if I could wait a moment, and then after some discussion with the panel, he asked me if I could come to a callback the following week. I think I left my body as I felt like this was a dream sequence but quickly returned to reality. I said I could, and they directed me to pick up a side out the front desk along with details for the callback. Leaving the room in disbelief, one guy I talked to in the waiting area asked me how it went. He was so happy for me when I told him and wished me the best.

When I left the building, I felt euphoric because of my accomplishments. Even if I wasn’t cast, I got a callback on my first time out.

A week later, I came back and was advised that they would begin with the dance audition. OK, folks, I was not a dancer…more of a mover—but here we go. They taught us the audition piece, and I knew this was beyond what I could do with my dance experience. We were then put into groups of six and put to task.

By the time my group came up, which was last, only two people were left. I was asked if I wanted others to join us in our small group, to which I responded, “No, that’s OK. Let’s do this.” I danced, and it was over. I prepared to gather my belongings and head back home.

The director’s assistant began to announce the number of people who would continue in the process. They finished, and to my complete shock and surprise, I made it through the dance audition to the next round! I remember looking to heaven and thinking, “Is this some sort of cosmic joke?”

But it wasn’t. I was moving on to the singing round.

I made it through two more singing cuts, and I was done. I gathered my stuff, and on the way out the door, I thanked the director, who took the time to tell me something that changed my life. He told me he knew this was my first professional audition, and I should be proud of what I accomplished. He then proceeded to tell me that I should not give up even though I didn’t get chosen for this show. “You have what it takes,” he said.

On the way home, I realized that I had received the validation I had been looking for all those years. All those years in community theatre and all the shows had given me what I needed. I could do this at the professional level. I didn’t need anything more.

And I continue performing to this day in community theatre, appreciating every opportunity to be on the boards doing what I love to do, thanks to community theatre.