Hello, Mister Henkel, this is Harvey Johnson
I started high school at 13. Not because I’m any smarter than anyone else, but because in California the birthday cut off is December 31st instead of August like many states. My birthday is in October.
My dad has a always been a give-me-the-spotlight kind of guy. So, he always pushed me toward acting stuff; I took acting classes as a kid; I acted in elementary school and junior high school plays; I played in the lead in Church roadshows; I participated in a huge multi-church play.
When I got to high school, however, I figured that I would stop with that stuff. I wanted to fade into the woodwork. Of course, I still planned to perform well academically, but the extracurriculars would be set aside.
When I saw the audition poster for Bye Bye Birdie I knew I wouldn’t try out. I also knew that I wouldn’t tell anyone about it, especially my dad. I started to think in high school, that if I was going to do anything, I wanted it to be my decision and not at anyone else’s prodding.
Despite all of my stage experience, I was shy. (Still am.) I get anxious speaking in front of people: large or small audiences. Somehow, I’ve learned to suppress the flight compulsion. My face always turned bright red even when I tel a joke to a small group of friends. In spite of this, I always muster the courage to speak or act in front of others.
So I decided no more acting. But every stinkin’ time I passed one of the audition posters, my heart started thumping like I needed to do this.
Finally, the auditions came. I still wrestled with myself. Should I? Maybe… Nah… Yeah…
On a whim (without telling anyone), I walked in. I can’t remember if I had an audition piece or not but it was exhilarating. I loved standing on stage. My legs shook. My voice cracked.
In the end, Mrs. M. the drama teacher cast me as Harvey Johnson, the voice-cracking, nerdy, date-seeking, interrupter in the Telephone hour.
Every night on stage, my anxiety nearly overwhelmed me. I worried that I would forget the words, the choreography, or my cues.
I never did. And so my confidence grew.
Throughout high school and to this day, I have more confidence that I can accomplish things in spite of my fear.