Harden 1

Will Harden
Professor Dale
ENGL 1101
6 September 2016

Watch me.

Money. Stability. Security. These are words describing what we all strive for in the future,
and ultimately why we start treading on our chosen career pathways. Everyone strives for those
three words, but some people make that their only goal because thats all they see in the future.
Their minds have been straightened to only see a future of a promised paycheck, their version of
a stable future, and job security. While most people do choose a job theyll love which includes
all of that, some can only peer down the hallway sculpted by fear, doubt, and the words of others.
The job I love is one where Im performing. When I close my eyes, I dont imagine
myself on the Broadway stage in five years in New York City. (At least this artist is a little bit
realistic, right?) I do imagine a stage with lights blaring on my face, an audience, a cast, and an
amazing feeling. This job does not promise any of the three words listed above, but it will if you
want it bad enough. I love taking risks, and I am going to do that to make my passion my
paycheck.
I understand you love it, Will, and I want you to do it, but why dont you, like, do music
education or something? Yeah, I thought about it. Of course I did. My own stepdad looked up
from cutting from his steak to tell me I need to choose a career path which I could just tolerate.
At this point in my life, my last month of Junior year, I thought it might be a good idea to

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justsettle. Tolerate it. Get out of bed and dread the day ahead of me. He was my elder, and the
southern-grown boy knew that parents were always right.
After many occurrences of the dramatic storm-out session from the dinner table, I did
decide to take my parents words into consideration. I spent a plethora of days just researching
majors and career paths I could tolerate. I still have screenshots from mid-May of relatively
interesting majors I came across there was Journalism, Global Studies, International Affairs,
etc. My older brother got an International Affairs degree, why not just follow in the footsteps of
him and be safe? Safe equates money which equates stability which equates good. Will Harden
decided to strive for good.
The early days of June rolled along with the cloudless skies and overly-hot sun. Looking
over at my best friend in her pool, I said Hey, Brooke. Have you decided your major yet? She
told me her thoughts, and that was it. She didnt have to ask me my major because she knew that
I have been set on musical theatre for years. Yeah, Im thinking of like Journalism or Global
Studies, or something. After chatting on the poolside for a bit, I remember her looking into my
eyes and telling me something I wont forget. Will, youre only going to be happy performing
and thats all I can even try to see you doing. She dipped back down into the depths of the pool
as I turned my head in thought, smiled, and knew she was right.
Between the dramatic dinner table sessions and the passionate talk with Brooke in her
pool, I auditioned for the Averitt Centers summer musical, called Honk! I was beaten down by
the negativity of people doubting my future and almost didnt audition. I went anyway. I
remember standing across from the director as I started my song, watching her never break eye

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contact with me as she pushed away the assistant director that tried to talk to her. Based on
context clues, its pretty evident that she liked my audition and it fit the exact lead role I
auditioned for, and got. After my conversation with Brooke, I went to a successful rehearsal
where I portrayed the role I auditioned for, the evil Cat. I felt like I was on cloud nine. From the
motivation of Brooke, I put everything into that little rehearsal and I decided that that is the only
way to go.
Surprisingly, my parents didnt really ask anymore about college majors that much. I
think we were all tired. Throughout June and July, there were people telling me the exact things
my parents did. My favorites were when I would tell people Im getting a musical theatre degree
and they would look a little confused and mumble a very unenthusiastic Okay At least they
tried to hide it. At that point, I would nod, smile, mhmm, and change the subject. Granted,
there were many supporters. Supporters always built me back up when I felt like I was slipping.
Tech week! This is the hell week in a production, exactly the four days before the
weekend opening. This is when you do first dress rehearsals, makeup, microphones, and all the
tech that goes into the show. Going. Stopping. Repeat. Okay everyone, back to Scene 3. Lets
practice this set movement TWENTY TIMES SO WE KNOW WE HAVE IT RIGHT.
Sometime around this week in my life, I informed my parents of my major choice, politely told
them that they cant persuade me whenever they tried, and I watched them accept it. They
werent upset, just scared for my future, which is completely valid. I was upset that they didnt
know their son well enough that when he wants something bad enough, he plans to get it.
Five til places. Ah, my favorite sentence. Next to PLACES, of course. It was time to
perform the role I worked so hard for, mastered, and prepared to not only show my parents, but
the filled audience. It was exhilarating. All of the feelings I described in the second paragraph

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flooded over me like a tsunami. The performance, the applause, the bows, every little thing was
utter magic and made my heart so full.
It didnt matter what my parents thought, because I knew my future path. I just hoped for
their support. I got it, thanks to grit. Plowing through all the rubble of discouragement, feeling
not good enough, and every doubtful word, I used them all to put on an amazing performance.
My parents were awed by my show and could see how much I loved it and truly how good I
could be. I manipulated doubt and fear into proving that this is my passion, my way, and Im
going to get somewhere someday. Grit. A four letter word describing how I am and who I am
today.
A few weekends ago at the doctors with my mother, the doctor asked me the question.
So, Mr. Harden, what do you plan to do? I opened my mouth to speak and before I got the first
syllable out, my mom said Broadway. (I guess shes the unrealistic one now! Maybe one
day.) Today, I have my shortlist of incredible musical theatre schools, their audition requirements
and audition dates. I am so excited to show these schools what Ive got and to watch the future
unravel into a beautiful story. Doubt me? Watch me.