Last week’s adventure was probably one of the biggest and hardest so far. Even though I was a musical theatre major in college, it’s been over 5 years since I’ve sung in public. I get so nervous now that my knees literally knock. Instead of doing karaoke, which I still have on my list and am totally dreading, I signed up for a class called Singing for Actors. At the second level, our final was a public performance of a well-known pop song. One caveat, it had to be a gender-bender, a song sung by the opposite sex, about the opposite sex. This way the actor had to find a way to identify with the words even though it’s not written the way that gender would speak. I sang Pink Floyd’s “Mother.” (for example- “Mother do you think they’ll try to break my balls?”). Then after the song, which was backed up by acoustic guitar, we had to give a monologue that we wrote about something in our life that we have never said publically. That fed into the final component which was an acoustic version of a popular song that flowed from the last line of our monologue.

My Pink Floyd rendition was definitely full of nervous energy but I made it through. My monologue was more relaxed and even got a few laughs. My acapella song made everyone, including me (just a little) cry. It was such an amazing adventure. One that I wish more of my friends would have shared with me (only 3 of the people I invited came). But more importantly it was a transformational experience that makes me stronger as a singer and an actor.

This week it’s off to the pottery studio.

Lyrics to “Mother” by Pink Floyd:

Mother, do you think they’ll drop the bomb?
Mother, do you think they’ll like this song?
Mother, do you think they’ll try to break my balls?
Mother, should I build the wall?
Mother, should I run for President?
Mother, should I trust the government?
Mother, will they put me in the firing line?
Is it just a waste of time?

Hush now baby, baby, don’t you cry
Momma’s gonna make all of your nightmares come true
Momma’s gonna put all of her fears into you
Momma’s gonna keep you right here under her wing
She won’t let you fly, but she might let you sing
Momma’s will keep Baby cozy and warm
Oooo Babe
Oooo Babe
Ooo Babe, of course Momma’s gonna help build the wall

Mother, do you think she’s good enough
For me?
Mother, do you think she’s dangerous
To me?
Mother will she tear your little boy apart?
Mother, will she break my heart?

Hush now baby, baby, don’t you cry
Momma’s gonna check out all your girlfriends for you
Momma won’t let anyone dirty get through
Momma’s gonna wait up until you get in
Momma will always find out where you’ve been
Momma’s gonna keep Baby healthy and clean
Oooo Babe
Oooo Babe
Ooo Babe, you’ll always be Baby to me

Mother, did it need to be so high?

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