"Ten Thousand Years Will Give You Such A Crick In The Neck!"

If you've read my about page, you'll know that I got my start in local children's theater. My mother had been encouraging me to try theater for a while throughout my elementary school years, and not without reason. I had always been a pretender with a big imagination, but I was hesitant to take a shot at actually performing.

I finally caved when I was eleven years old and Hopewell Valley Children's Theater was putting on Aladdin Jr. I loved that movie as a kid, and I (especially) love it now. My favorite character was Robin Williams' Genie. I was absolutely captivated by that performance. So, naturally, I auditioned for the Genie, despite never actually auditioning for something before.

That's me downstage in the blue, of course.

I don't remember exactly how that audition played out personally. I remember being scared stiff the whole way over, right down to walking into the room. My feet weighed a thousand pounds and my stomach felt like it was full of bees. But once the formalities ended and I started to perform, I felt like an entirely different person. I was singing and cracking jokes, I was doing my best to embody the Genie. I was so focused on having fun in-character that I really don't have a good recollection of what actually happened in that church basement on that fateful night. One detail has been stuck in my brain ever since, though. They said to me after I was finished, "Tiernan! Where have you been all our lives?!"

I wouldn't trade the whole process for anything. I made friends with other like-minded kids, had a blast rehearsing, and was inspired by the adults somehow teaching all these kids how to perform in a musical. Once it was finally showtime, getting up on that stage in full costume and makeup was intoxicating. I was the Genie. I had spent hours rehearsing to my mirror, and with my family members. I had felt so many nerves waiting in the wings for my cues. The warmth of the spotlights that were shone on my face, the pure adrenaline of performing, and the catharsis of taking that bow at the end of the show felt like home. It may be a tired phrase, but I really do remember it all like it was yesterday. To this day, when I walk into that same theater, or any theater for that matter, even if I'm the sound guy, or even just an audience member, I get that same rush of nerves, excitement, and happiness.

A regretfully blurry photo during a dance number

As I grew older and got more shows, classes and workshops under my belt, I narrowed down my interests to voiceover. Theater and voiceover have more in common than you may think. Character work in a voiceover booth has that same larger-than-life electricity that is demanded of theater actors, and I think my experience really helped me along that path.

While I love voiceover, I still consider getting back on a stage sometimes. I'm definitely nostalgic for it, maybe because it's now been over a decade since that first time. The dancing and singing may have gotten away from me, but it's nothing I couldn't relearn. If I were to audition for a show again, I know it would make some cast and crewmates from past gigs very happy, but especially my family. I know you're reading this. Don't get your hopes up too high, but maybe I'll audition for something in the future... I'd do it in honor of the late, great Robin Williams, and for little Tiernan.

When I first auditioned for the Genie, I learned that doing the scary thing, putting yourself out there, is absolutely necessary for growth. I learned it at a pretty young age and still struggle to apply it. So, this is as much for me as it is for you...

If you're reading this and mulling over an intimidating decision of your own, I wholeheartedly say:

Go for it.