Being back at PPA has been hectic! I forget how busy it gets after having a break. And I am taking ages to get back into the daily routine of it all. Not getting enough sleep and I am realising how it slows down my body and mind. So I am hoping for a fresh start monday with some early nights.
Buuuut, some exciting things have happened!
Well, my mentor at PPA Dianne Pilkington visited this week which was awesome. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianne_Pilkington) We had to pick a Wicked song to sing. So going with my blonde girly side I chose Glinda’s song Popular.
Now, lets take a trip down memory lane and go back to my High School…just started singing properly and was going through my Wicked obsession (we all do) and the only song I wanted to sing was Popular. I wanted to sing it as one of my choices for my Standard Grade or Higher exam. But my music teacher didn’t think I was very good and wouldn’t let me sing it. I was gutted. And left with very little confidence.
After that I have always had a bad vibe whenever I sing it. But I thought ‘hey, I’m a lot better at singing now! I’m more confident!’ so I went for it. I practiced, got a new character in my head to play with and I felt ready.
The feeling after performing it to Dianne was just…aaahh! Singing the exact song I was told 4/5 yrs ago that I was rubbish at to someone who was Glinda in the West End and who is also my mentor at one of the best Drama Schools in the country. It felt bloody amazing!!!
I know I shouldn’t feel like I have to prove something to the people who didn’t believe in me….but we all have those moments when you just want to bump in to them and laugh in their face!!
Coming from a small village in Scotland I didn’t have many supporters when I announced that I was going to audition for Drama Schools, have a career in the Theatre and move to London! But with the support from my amazing parents and the true belief in myself I got into PPA and I would not want to be anywhere else. It is an amazing place with the best tutors ever, a great atmosphere where you can fail then learn and become the best performer you can possibly be. I have met some of the weirdest, craziest people in my year but I love them to bits 😉 and I actually feel like I fit in and accepted for who I am and I never felt that at school.
It’s the cliché story of a teacher not believing in you then you say – well whatever watch me – and you do it!! It truly is amazing to personally feel this and I find it quite surreal.
Anyway, thought I would share a small success moment and hopefully it will inspire someone to go for their dreams. And don’t get me wrong…it ain’t easy!! It takes determination, hard work and a lot of self belief.
One of my favourite quotes is from Dolly Partons book she has released recently ‘Dream More’ and she says “I’ve always had more guts than talent.” I love that…I may not be the best singer in the world but I put my heart and soul into my performances. You’ve got to have the guts to go that extra mile to make it.
In other news, I have joined Pinterest where I have an inspirational board with some great quotes. So get following me on there – pinterest.com/AbbyERussell
Here’s a couple to keep you going for the week ahead.
Have a great week!
CURVY LIVING 