I stand here as proof that life can serve you a slice of cant pie....but you dont have to eat it.~~ Sheila Edwards Howard She came into my acting class in the fall of 2013 ready and eager to learn. I didnt know Sheila yet, but she had an aura about her. She was excited and willing to take on the challenges she was about to face--something I didnt always get in my Acting I class. Despite the fact that she was returning to school after being away for a long time, and with a medical diagnosis that told her she wouldnt make it, Sheila was determined to beat the odds, and it showed in all of the work she did. She was always kind and always encouraging to the other students and also, to me, which was always great on bad or stressful or days where there had been too many hours since a great nights sleep. As an actress, she was fearless and vulnerable--two things you HAVE to possess to be effective (in my opinion). Even after freezing up during a monologue, she gave one of the most brilliant portrayals of Ruby in King Hedley II that my class has seen to date!! A little while ago, I received a message from Sheila that really warmed my heart. It also included a clip of the speech she gave at the 2014 commencement for CSU. I asked her if I could share it on my page, and she said yes, so here goes: Ms. Jackson, when I was preparing my speech, I remembered the first time I was on stage in class and totally froze. I did the same thing in the rehearsal for the graduation. I remember you saying you just have to relax, picture there being no one there--look out over the heads of the people. I wanted to share this victory with you, and let you know that you were one of the reasons I was able to pull this off..... Im posting her speech tonight to encourage any of you with a dream to never, EVER give up on them. Whatever the goal is, no matter how impossible it might seem, or how many people tell you you cant do it or youll never make it, chase it with wanton abandon!! Dreams can and DO come true, and goals can and DO get achieved. All it takes is belief, action, and consistency from the most important person involved....YOU. Please take some time to listen to this beautiful, empowering and courageous story. Itll cost you about 7 minutes of your life, but I promise, youll be glad you listened. Thank you Sheila for your wonderful spirit. I am so grateful to have had you in my class. youtu.be/lMbAz3YKgeg
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 04:20:05 +0000
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