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Undervalued Abilities and Hidden Talents
How to find and use your special writing skills
“You sure could kick high!”
That comment from my friend Freddie transported me back decades to the summer we first met at a music camp in Michigan. I’d forgotten all about my kicking ability (which I have since lost).
I showed up at that camp outclassed by everyone around me. My voice was still young. As an actress, I was better at memorizing lines than performing.
And despite years of ballet lessons and constant stretching in hopes of a perfect “turnout,” I was just meh at dancing. A ballerina? No.
When I arrived at camp that first summer and auditioned for the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, I landed a spot in the women’s chorus for Ruddigore. There were scores of us. Our choreography was more marching band than dance. Most of the girls already knew each other, and I was just another face in a sea of choristers.
When they held auditions for featured dancers, I thought, “Why not?”
Lucky for me, they weren’t looking for finesse and grace. The show took place in a large, semi-outdoor auditorium. You know what shows up well in a huge auditorium? High kicks.
