<p>Where has all the time gone? I remember so clearly coming to Uarts to visit, and how much she loved it at first sight. Now, in September, she begins her senior year and is soooo excited, and while I am also excited for her, I am also somewhat apprehensive that the profession she has chosen is not an easy one, and so it might be very difficult for her to make a living. I have enjoyed watching her grow into a confident young woman, someone who has her feet on the ground, and I know she’ll be just fine, but I am still a little anxious. I look forward to coming back in the fall to see her in Top Girls, in the spring and of course for graduation, and then she plans to stay in Philly. My S is there also, so that helps. It’s a real year of transition, exhilirating and scary at the same time. Where did all the time go??? Sigh.</p>
<p>Ah, I know just how you feel. Next year will be a year where your daughter’s classes will be very much focused on transition. Lots of time will be spent on structuring an audition book, resumes, head shots, agents, managers, Equity, non-Equity, the “business” of performing. It’s a year where your daughter will take all of her training and growth and focus it on practical applications designed to enable her to be a working actor. </p>
<p>And then comes graduation and in a blink of the eye it’s over and they are out in the real world, pursuing the dream that drove the last decade of their lives from junior high through college. Auditioning, performing, maintaining other employment to carry them from show to show. It’s been tremendously exciting for my daughter over the last couple of months as all of her planning has started to fall into place. Serial auditioning, getting a show, more auditions lined up, fingers crossed for the next show. Already living and planning from audition to audition, show to show. No assurances, no crystal ball, but my daughter says she could not be happier, living the life she has pursued for all these years. No doubt, your daughter will be feeling the same way a year from now. Best wishes to her and to you.</p>
<p>I can’t help but agree with your “where has the time gone” sentiment. My D is (only) a junior and I’m feeling it as well. I think your apprehensions about this career choice are honest and shared by many of us parents. I keep telling myself they these kids will find their way as we have found ours. I think one of the benefits of UArts, which could be better “marketed”, is that it is located in a city full of varied theatre opportunities. I don’t think people outside of Philly realize all of its virtues. How lucky are we that our kids attend a school in a city where many of them can continue to happily live and work in their chosen field post graduation. :)</p>
<p>I think Philly is a wonderful place to get started and that’s what my D is planning to do. Michael, I’m so glad your D is doing so well, and has already gotten into a show, and continues to audition. I think she will do really well. I wish her all the success in the world. My D just got a callback for a show in the Fringe Festival, first time. It may not come to anything, but just to get a call back is pretty exciting.</p>