This Guy I Was Watching

I've been taking Grace to rehearsals for a show she is in for several weeks now. Sometimes I get there early and I wait for her in the car under this big tree in the parking lot where I am largely obscured.

Recently, I sat there and watched a man, seemingly in his mid to late 30's. He had a scruffy beard and he wore baggy, knee length running shorts and a red T-shirt with some advertisement on it and leather sandals. He had a stomach that looked like he really enjoyed beer. He sat on a bench just outside the entrance to the theatre with a Samuel French script in his hands and he clearly thought he was alone. It became apparent that he was there to audition for something.

I gotta say, I wouldn't have ever pegged this guy to be a thespian. He looked like he worked on cars or something. I couldn't hear him but I could see his lips move as he read the words and often and abruptly he would jump up and start acting the piece. I guess it must have been Shakespeare or something because he would start to fence with an imaginary sword and I have to tell you - he was transformed. He moved like fencing was something that was second nature to him. He showed confidence as he gestured and and turned and confronted and yielded and I was absolutely mesmerized! He would stop for a moment and sit some more, reading, with lips moving and then abruptly jump up again and begin to act and honestly - this guy was good!

I wondered if he was as good as he was because he thought he was alone. I wondered if he had known that he was being watched if his performance would have suffered. And then I wondered how many times I am less because I am "being watched".

I think I need to work on being my "authentic self" more.

Oh lord - I sound like Oprah and I hate that!

That guy was really good. I hope he got the part.