“Mom, we have to drive to Dallas NOW! An ice storm is coming, and my flight will get cancelled again!” Hmmmm … It takes almost 20 hours to drive straight from Lynchburg to Dallas in good weather … “Jana, honey, that’s not going to work. Let’s see what other options we have.” Thus continued our epic effort to get my daughter to Phantom of the Opera auditions. She’s wanted to play the role of Christine since she was 12 (seven years). Giving up was not an option.
After an urgent plea to my dear husband Dave to come home immediately, we were off to Charlotte, NC to help Jana catch a 10:10pm flight to Dallas. What we didn’t know was that the weather in Charlotte was worsening by the minute and that Jana’s flight would be canceled as we approached the airport. Plan B….spend the night in Charlotte and catch a morning flight. Foiled. Flight canceled as Jana was going through security. Plan C…remain at the airport until a flight can make it out. Foiled again. Apparently Charlotte airport only had enough de-icer for the international flights. Plan D– wend our way back to Lynchburg daughter in tow and have her fly to Dallas the next morning with the hope that, this time, the weather will cooperate. Success at last! Jana arrived in Dallas 52 hours later than she’d originally planned. But made it she did, a day after general auditions were over.
Mercifully, the director of Phantom was so impressed by Jana’s fierce determination to audition (including an offer to sing to him over the phone from the Charlotte airport), that he allowed her to have a private audition with him and the choreographer an hour after her flight arrived in Dallas. She sang and danced her heart out, making call-backs for that evening. Now we wait. Jana is one of three contenders for Christine. The cast list goes up tomorrow evening.
I admire Jana’s fiery passion for the performing arts. A theatre studies major at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, she is determined to turn her purpose and passion into her lifelong vocation. Her willingness to do whatever it takes (including remaining hopeful as flight after flight was canceled and her luggage was lost) is exactly what she’ll need to be successful. Her passion, purpose, and perseverance (combined with the power of prayer!) will sustain her during the challenging times. They always have. I pray they always will.
I also admire my husband’s commitment and devotion to our family. Not many men would battle an ice storm and lose a full day of work to help a young lady (his stepdaughter) have a shot at her dreams. I am surrounded by purposeful, passionate people in my life for which I am deeply grateful.
You bet I hope Jana lands the lead. But even if she doesn’t, she is a star in my eyes and a role model for me to emulate. For four months she prepared for the Phantom audition. For eight years she’s worked arduously to become the best actress, singer, and dancer she can be. I thank God for her gifts. I thank God for her perseverance. I thank God for the privilege of being her mom.
May she be an example and an encouragement to those of us who wish to fulfill our dreams!
PS (6 hours later) Jana just called. Alas, she did not get the part. Amazingly, she makes no excuses and has no regrets. She sees the value in the experience of auditioning and hopes for another opportunity to perform the dream role of Christine. What a terrific attitude. I hope I’m mature enough to manifest such grace and aplomb when disappointments come my way!
Photo by Flickr (gam9551)
As far as I am concerned, Jana has the leading role in her life! She is an amazing young woman — purposeful, passionate, brilliant and wise!
{Just like her mom}!
~ Maripat
Such great evidence of how purpose and passion can fuel us to jump over amazing obstacles to succeed. I wish Jana all the luck in landing the role of Christine.
LOVE THIS BLOG! Thanks so much for sharing! So sorry to hear she didn’t get the part, but what an amazing story. Reminds me of James 1:2 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” What a great lesson for all of us!
You ladies are great. Thanks so much for your encouraging words. The director wrote Jana a beautiful, encouraging email as well. I don’t know too many directors who would do that!
Her spirits are good.
Blessings,
Jory
It’s clear that Jana is a talented, determined performer but please encourage her to share what she uses to sustain herself after such intense effort and disappointment. I bet she can write like a star too! We need a follow up post with her byline.
BTW, she also has great parents. 🙂
This is from an email the Director wrote Jana (quoted with his permission):
Do NOT let this missed role discourage you. Absolutely do NOT! I recognize that you have much to give on the stage. There will be other roles and other opportunities. Find your source of identity spiritually and not in the success in casting. That’s too fleeting and temporary.
I like your attitude and character, Jana. I really do hope you will come and do something else with us in the future.
Dr. Germany
And this from an email he wrote me (again, quoted with his permission):
Performers do have to be tenacious and aggressive. They can’t be passive and act like it doesn’t matter. But the “no’s” will mount up . . . especially for the pretty young sopranos because there are simply so many! There must be a reservoir of inner contentment that cannot be swayed by the casting board. I hope Jana will grow settled in the deep, deep security of Christ’s acceptance of her so that all the surface level “rejections” of the the theatre world will roll right off like water off a duck’s back. “These light and momentary sufferings are nothing to compare with the glory that will be revealed in us” . . . and that’s not talking about the possible starring role!
We wished we could have had her in the chorus. I would like to get to know her, but I do understand her schedule at SMU is tough. Thanks for believing in your daughter and supporting her dream. She’ll be grateful to you for that some day. Just think how God is rooting for all of us in that same way every moment. Isn’t that a wonderful thought!
Blessings on you in your ministry. I hope we have the chance to meet face to face some day.
Dr. Sam Germany
Cedar Valley College Family Music Theatre
Bless YOU, Dr. Germany!!!!!!
With deep gratitude,
Jory
Hi nice people!
Thank you all so much for your interest and caring. To answer the question on how I deal with rejection, well, it’s certainly getting much easier. I used to be so completely wrapped up in HAVING to get a role and not sure what to do with myself if it didn’t happen, but it was just sooooooo exhausting. And, to be perfectly honest, I think I’ve only seen two cast lists in my life that I was actually happy about (not many considering I’ve probably auditioned for thirty some shows now). All this is to say that sometime towards the end of my high school career, I learned that there are so many things I can do with my life besides just sitting on the couch after a less-than-favorable cast list. I dunno–I’m just starting to live by that old adage “where God closes one door He opens a window.” Sure the window can sometimes be harder to find (and fit through) than the door, but I’ve basically just gotten more flexible lately 🙂
I’m currently looking forward to working on a dance minor audition and working in the box office some (making a little dough to fund this lovable passion of mine). To relate directly to this role of Christine, I’m not worried. I know I’m gonna play it one day–I just have more time to prepare for my next audition now!
What a wonderful example Jana is to all of us who are looking to fulfill our life’s passions! Just imagine what we all could accomplish with her passion & perserverance as our example! SO proud of you, Jana, and on to the next audition!
Much love,
(your fave Aunt) Kim 😉
Jana,
The wisdom, humility and maturity your attitude reveals is astounding. I know you are in God’s favor and when you get the role(s) your heart desires it will be bigger than you can dream!
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or even imagine.” Ephesians 3:20