Writing.....

Director's Cut

Imagine an actor who was offered the opportunity of a lifetime to come and be a cast member in a show he'd always wanted to be in. The director extended the opportunity to anyone who wanted to participate. All they had to do was sign up--that was their audition. 

Eagerly, the actor ran to the theater and auditioned. The director smiled and congratulated the actor. 

"I can promise you a part in this production," the director said, "but it will be a few days before you know your assignment in the cast list. I'll call you then." 

The actor happily walked from the auditorium, feeling his life was a complete breeze. He'd never felt so free and happy. He wanted nothing more than to star in the show, to be in the spotlight and to do something big for that director. Dreaming of a stunning debut on the mainstage, he went about his daily routine as usual, waiting for the call from the director. 

When the phone rang and the director was on the other end, the actor was thrilled! At last he was getting his assignment. What a thrill!! Eagerly he waited for the director to announce his role.

"You did everything I asked you to do," the director told him. "You accepted my invitation and I see so much potential in you to be a part of a fantastic show." 

The actor was gleeful. Surely this meant he was in line for a lead! His heart raced. 

"I've found a role for you that I think would really expand on your potential," the director continued. "After a lot of thought, I've decided to cast you in a supporting role. It won't be easy. But it's going to make this show take off, and without you, we can't do the production. Will you take it?" 

The actor closed his eyes. His shoulders hunched over and his heart sank. The lead he'd been dreaming of wasn't for him after all! Was it all over? Was it even worth it? He could just leave the cast right then and there. No one forced him to be in the show; the director extended an open invitation. The actor's eyes opened at the thought. 

But then something else occurred to him. He remembered how much he had wanted to be a part of the production. He remembered that he'd been enthusiastic about going to the director and simply signing up for the show--nothing had been required of him. Now all he had to do was accept the role that the director gave him; the rest was up to the director. 

"Are you still there?" The director's voice came through on the other end of the phone. Pulling himself together, the actor said, "Yes, I'm here. I accept the part you gave me." 

The director was thrilled. "Fantastic! I'll see you later today." Click. 

*********

The actor went to every single rehearsal. It was no walk in the park. The role the director had given him was very hard. It sometimes seemed like he had a harder part to play than the other actors. But the director assured him that each actor was not only vital to their production, but that each role was exactly what each actor needed to be playing. 

After a while of rehearsing, the actor felt his character growing on him. He was starting to act more like the character the director had chosen for him and less like the kind of actor and person he had been before receiving the role. The director often noticed this and would smile, saying how proud he was of the actor for embracing the challenge with all his heart. 

As the time to perform drew near, the actor had nearly forgotten his original hesitance for his role. He had thrown himself into it and the director complimented him every day. He began to realize how essential every actor was to the production, whether their role was big, small, easy, or hard. And he realized how right the director had been when he gave the actor his part. 

Finally the performance came around. The actor, wearing the clothes and using the voice of another character, took to the stage and gave a stunning performance, a testimony to the greatness of the director's skill and the story the director wanted to tell. Members of the audience were stunned, and several of them came up to congratulate the actor on a job well done. 

A few of the audience members came up to the actor. "You did an incredible job, sir," they told him. "That was an awesome story you told!" 

The actor smiled as he thought about the day he first got the call. "Thank you for your kind words," he said graciously. "I'm glad you enjoyed the story. But I want you to know it wasn't about me. If it wasn't for my Director, I wouldn't have been in this role at all." 

The Director came up beside the actor and put his arm around his shoulders, smiling. "I can't imagine any other person in this part, my friend," he told the actor. "I'm so proud of you for doing exactly as I said, even when it didn't make sense. Well done." 

The actor grinned and ducked his head, basking in the Director's praise. Together they looked back at the audience members who still stood there in front of them. 

"You know, I think I would like to be in the next production with this Director," one of them said. She met the Director's eyes and he smiled at her. The actor watched her knowingly as his Director spoke to the girl who had been touched by the story. 

"Anyone can be in my production," the Director said with a twinkle in his eye. "All you have to do is accept my invitation to participate--and I can promise you, if you throw yourself into whatever role I give you the way this actor did, you will be richly rewarded as a result." 

She nodded. "I know it won't be easy, but I still want to do it. Where can I sign up?" 

The Director smiled. "Why don't you go with this actor and he'll show you where?" He winked at the actor, who suddenly realized that the production wasn't over yet. He was still a vital part of the Director's story, even though his role was beginning to change. 

With a big smile, the actor nodded, and stepped down from the stage next to the young woman. "It's just this way," he said, guiding her along the way. He looked back over his shoulder for a minute and saw his Director again. The Director smiled widely and nodded. 

"Well done," his lips spoke the words.