The Audacity of "Look at Me" in a Bundled Up World
There's this amazing woman Erin who teaches my cabaret camp and has an ASTOUNDING ability to interpret any lyric at least a dozen ways. In each class, I say to myself, "Oh, so THAT'S how that lyric should sound." (<--- [SIGH] There’s that stupid “shoulding” all over myself…but, really, she nails those interpretations…all 12 of 'em.)
She’s a total pro: theater credentials galore…triple threat…faculty at a local music school…called the “Bette Midler of MSP.” After we wrapped last weekend’s rehearsal, she approached me to tell me that one of the songs I’m performing at our upcoming show is one of her favorites. (I'm singing "My Stupid Mouth," which is so autobiographical you'd think I wrote it myself.)
My first reaction was [PANIC] “Aahhhhhh! THE PRESSURE. She’s going to be listening to me. What if I screw up?”
Later I was like, “DUH. The whole point of doing this cabaret camp is TO LEARN FROM A PRO. TO GROW. TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE IN THE SPIRIT OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION. It's a class, not an audition for 'Hamilton.'"
I then proceeded to put on my coat, hat, mittens, and scarf as I bundled up for 4 days of polar vortex funzies. I’ve been largely hidden since I left rehearsal. (I’ve got the dry air-related bloody nose to prove it.)
But my internal consternation of “I hate being all 'Look at me!' And people are going to be like, 'Go away.'” is really a teachable moment for us all.
People need us to be all ‘look at me.” They want us to be stars. They want a leader, someone they can look at and say, "I want to learn to do that. I want to be like Erin. I'm going to do it, too; I'm going to try her cabaret camp."
If it sounds like I’ve been doing a lot of navel-gazing, you're probably right. I finished binge watching Friends From College days ago (a 5-star show, btw). Plus, I just get excited about the opportunity for us all to shed the unhelpful social conditioning to more fully step into our power.
Also, know that this recollection comes while I sit with a bare face and uncombed hair, and pulling up my sweatpants, which have that uncomfortable gap below the crotch…refusing to post a video until I’m “camera-ready.” #babysteps
You can picture me doing that now while I offer this short pep talk...
Do you look for people to follow, model, aspire to?
Do you want those people to go away? No?
Well then: Same for you. YOU be willing to be a star.
People want leaders, and they want to look up to you.
It makes them happy and inspires them.
It shows them what's possible.
You're not doing anyone any favors if you hide and refuse to be all "Look at me."
DO be all "Look at me."*
That's what I'm doing with my upcoming cabaret show. #lifegoal
*Unless the weather feels like -55 degrees Then hide your precious little self until it warms up so you can shout “Look at me” using jazz hands that aren't frostbitten.
You may also like…
