Friends, I need a little help today. I am doing something kind of crazy. Next month I am planning to audition for the Denver Listen To Your Mother show. Check out their website for more information (and y’all should consider auditioning in your respective cities, yourselves!) but basically it is a stage show where writers read their work. One need not be a mother to perform, but the essays are all about motherhood; funny, poignant, anything goes.
Given that the Circle of Moms Top 25 Funny Moms contest nearly killed me, it seems a little counterintuitive that I am setting myself up for a
The problem is, as your classic indecisive, neurotic, over-thinker, I cannot for the life of me figure out which piece I should use for my audition.Should it be funny? Brutally honest? Sweet and touching? I haven’t the vaguest idea.
Here’s where you come in: I have narrowed it down to five posts that I think have the most to offer this specific program. If you find yourself with some time to peruse my selections and vote for your favorite, I would be so very grateful.
If you have been with me for awhile and have a different piece in mind that I didn’t suggest, by all means throw it out there! If you have any general feedback to offer, like, maybe you shouldn’t talk about poop, lay it on me!
Thanks so much- here are my Top 5- a sampling of different themes and tones. Please let me know which post you think would be the best audition choice. Leave your opinions in the comment box, on Mommy, for real’s FB page, or shoot me an email.
The Guilt, the Crippling Mommy Guilt!
Is There Anybody Out There? (needs to be reworked a bit and cut down in length)
May Your Days Be Merry and Lubricated
A Nursing Piece- A Hybrid of The Demise of the Fist Pump and Weaning: A Bittersweet Ending
Speaking of the contest that nearly killed me, it ends tomorrow! If you could be so kind…
I love that you are doing this!! Good luck!!!
Thanks Pam! Glad you saw this one- I thought it would be a little obnoxious of me to send you the link! I am pretty nervous, but it will be a good challenge for me to try something that scares the crap out of me! 😉 Good luck to you to with the production- it must be so rewarding!
Hi Stephanie, I’m going to reread them before I say which my fave is, but which one is your fave? Which one are YOU most proud of? I’d start there if I were you. When you say perform do you mean act, or just read? Either way the idea scares the crap out of me, so it’s safe to say I won’t be entering this comp locally – unless I got a stand-in Mommy to read for me;)
On a side note, I tagged you in my last post – it’s a blog challenge, which I’m passing on to you (you lucky devil) but you may have a full plate – and that’s okay. Don’t do it at all, or take your time, or jump right in:) I tagged you ‘cos I like hearing what you have to say… ALWAYS!
Thanks, friend! Actually, I think the Mommy Guilt one is my favorite, but I am proud of all of them in their own way… Take your time reading them, but I really do appreciate your feedback!
No acting involved, thank God, or I’d have to smoke something that is now legal in my state to get over my nerves! 😉 I suck at acting. I think it is entirely possible I suck at *reading* too, as I tend to talk very fast. Thought I’d try something out of my comfort zone!
Just read your TAG post and replied…I LOVED your spin on it- so cute and funny!
Okay, I was gonna advise you to go with the Crippling Guilt. It’s so well written and there isn’t a loving Momma on the planet who can’t relate. However, I just scrolled down and read all your other comments, and everyone is voting lube!! I think the lube would have been my second choice. It’s definitely the funniest, but I’m so stage shy that reading comedy might scare me off. I’ve seen how mean audiences can be to stand up comedians. I’m thinking it would be easier to read thoughtful prose than funny prose. BUT no one ever got anywhere being a wuss (which I am) so don’t let me scare you. The lube made me laugh. As does poo in the bath. Seriously, I don’t think you can go wrong. 🙂
For me, it was a toss up between “May Your Days Be Merry and Lubricated” and “The Guilt, The Crippling Mommy Guilt!” Of course, ALL of your posts are awesome, so it’s hard to narrow them down at all. If you know the room is going to be filled with parents, I’d do the Guilt one as EVERY parent can relate to that, but if you feel there will be some parents-to-be, the Lubricant one will win everyone over, hands down! 😉
Not sure if this helped?
Oh, bless you for reading and “voting!” I so appreciate you taking the time to do that, and thanks for such a nice compliment! It totally helped! You’re holding your own in the crazy-making contest, mama! Two more days- hooray!
PS I thought of something else- Did you see this: http://listentoyourmothershow.com/2011/08/amy-wilson-on-blogging-page-to-stage-at-blogher-and-her-sitcom.html??
This amazing article is called “From Page to Stage” and it may help a lot. I think whatever you do, use the story that is most YOU. The one that you are most scared to tell is probably the right one:) I know, I know, because it’s not scary enough.
No, I haven’t seen it yet! I will go check it out- thanks for sharing. And yes, that is really good advice, and I will try to use that lens when looking at each of my “choices” again. xo
I think (for my 2c) it is a choice between The Lube Fiasco and The Mommy Guilt one. I think you need to decide what tone you want to set. That said, take both, practice both and if there are other people auditioning on the same day, decide then which you think is best, whether you want to stand out from the crowd (so-to-speak) and choose the “other” theme from everyone elses, or whether you want to commiserate (for lack of a better word) with the other writers.
Personally, as it is an audition, I would go with the ‘standing out’ option and I’m inclined to think that that would be the Lube post. Not many people have the gumption to talk about Lube in a ‘public’ forum!
Best of luck! 😉
Thank you so much for your opinion, friend! I was actually thinking the same thing: I think it is down to those two. Obviously the lube story is funnier, but the guilt theme would probably resonate with a lot of people. You’re right- it all comes down to what tone I’d like to set. Ack- decisions, decisions… xoxo
Steph,
Funny, I’m guessing you have to go with Lubricated. I was trying to decide between that and Weaning: A Bittersweet Ending, but since most of the votes have been for Lubricated it just might be telling you something 🙂 While I love Bittersweet, maybe funny over touching and sentimental will be the better vote grabber 🙂
Good luck!
Lyndal
I am having such a hard time deciding which direction to go! Thank you so much for your feedback – it means a lot!
I scrolled the whole way down here and forget the actual title now. The one with Lubrication gets my vote 🙂 🙂 GOOD LUCK to you!!!
Thank you! I am constantly forgetting my comments by the time I get to the end of a post…so annoying! Mommy brain?
I agree that it is between the Guilt one and the Lube one depending on the tone you want to set!
GAH! How will I ever decide? I think it is between those two for sure. Thanks for taking the time to help me- you know how much I value your opinions!
I vote for Lubes! It’s hilarious, and you can get animated and have fun with it. I agree, practice until it feels natural, then have fun. You’ll be awesomesauce! 🙂
Vikki, thanks so much for weighing in…You know how much I respect your opinion!
May Your Days Be Merry and Lubricated, all the way, baby. That story cracks me up!
I have to go with the lube story. It is funny, sweet and reminds me a little bit of us finding something in your dad’s drawer when we were playing ‘xmas’. I think it speaks to parents who have likely had some kind of similar experience, but also those of us childless folks who likely tie it some experience from our childhood.
I am also going to give a shout out to the restaurant entry although that clearly isn’t going to be the big vote-getter. I like that it is a lighter entry that still addresses some of the guilt issues of the first piece.
Thank you so so much for reading them and helping me choose. Honestly I hadn’t really seriously considered the lube story but it has gotten a big response! And yes, it definitely brings back memories! 😉 Thanks for lending your perspective! xo
You’re going to Ann’s gig!! I love Ann!!! If she happens to be there, give her a smooch from me!! 😉
Okay, I”ll be back later to give my expert suggestions!!
I think you’ll have plenty of mommy posts read… by that I mean mommy guilt, mommy boredom etc etc. You need to have a post that is different but not too risque. Personally, I think the Izzy’s restaurant fits the bill. It’s something different, it’s very sweet and it can be appreciated by anyone! But, you should obviously decide this for yourself. I see that the Lube post got the most votes. I think the restaurant one expressed a certain emotional aspect as well as showed humor, which is why I maintain that gets my vote! 🙂
Wonderful blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option?
There are so many choices out there that
I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any tips? Thanks a lot!