~9-year old~

What can a 9-year old possibly know about life?  What can they possible know about what they want out of life?  I am wondering about this because my duaghter is 9-years old and has recently informed me of her passion for becoming an actor.  In specific she would like to be a Disney Channel or Nickelodeon channel tv star.  Over the past 3 to 4 years I have often heard it remarked to me that Annika had a certain quality about her- a charisma and dynamism and flair for dramatics.  about a year ago when we came back from our Disney vacation, she became interested in video-blogging with our flip camera.  She loves to put on a show and record it and especially to host and ask questions.  Thinking back on this makes me remember it more vividly.  I never put much thought into it at the time.  I figured all children do these things and all children dream of a life of stardom...don't they?  Maybe not it seems.

So in late January, as I was working my weekend job and my kids were with their older siblings, Annika heard about an audition for the Disney Channel in our area.  I never really listen or tune into these commercials myself, but Annika was listening carefully.  She even memorized the number and was able to repeat it back to me a full month later!  Anyway, she told me about the audition callout on the radio and she had a very serious talk with me.  during this talk, she expressed her sincere desire to tryout and her intense interest in having this chance.  She told me she loved the idea of becoming an actor.  I had always steered her away from talking about acting since it seemed to me a very far-fetched idea and a difficult career to get into.  Besides, everyone knows there are only a handful of people who ever make it big in such lines of work.  I just hated the idea of my kid having to face so much disappointment.

Driving home the next week at the end of my Sunday shift, I had come to the conclusion that my weekend job for my favorite company in RI was awesome but not fullfilling and that right now was not going to be the time to grow any further there.  I felt quite certain of it and resolved there and then that I would be leaving at the end of my temp period in late March.  Just then, I heard the commercial on the radio...it was the very same one Annika had told me about.  I was on the highway but I figured I might try the toll-free number and see what happened.  A woman answered and within minutes I had made an audition time for 11am the following Saturday, which meant I would need to miss work.  I was unphased as I had only just committed myself to the fact that at this time, that job was not going to grow into anything for me.  SO, feeling confident I informed the family at home.  I expected a bit of resistance from her Dad, but to my surprise and dismay, he quickly set about making arrangements to support her participation.

At this point I was not sure why I was even doing this.  I was against the idea of promoting an "actors life" for my child and yet I was willing to let her tryout for the Disney Channel?  Maybe deep down I was hoping to see what she was made of.  I think I really want to believe that she is special enough to be like those rare few who stand a chance at real fame and stardom.  Luckily for Annika, I have been on the stage and I have tasted fame and seen stardom just ahead of me.  In my life however, this was not what I truly desired.  I desired a family and so I now have it.  But...she is not me and therefore has her own dreams and goals.  So Annika selected a monologue- chose her hairstyle and outfit and made a strong impression on a famous actor (Phil Lewis) and was consequently offerred a coveted spot in Acting Camp. 

I love Irony, Synchronicity and Serendipity...fate, if you will.  The cost of camp was more than we had in our bank accounts even just for the least expensive portion.  But, I would soon realize that there are many reasons why we do things and have things and many purposes under the heavens why things are the way they are.  I had $1000 saved up to buy myself a used car.  My grammi who loves Annika and feels she is truly extraordinary, gladly forwarded us $750 which gave us enough to cover 20 hours of camp and qualify her for the privelege of being seen and heard by casting directors and agents to be invited out by Celebrity Actors Camp, Adrian R'Mante.  We also were able to squeeze out enough to cover a photo shoot by one of LA's hottest photographers, Matthew Mitchel.  His professional photos are completely wonderful.

So this was the start of Annika's great adventure.  February of 2011.  At 9-years old, my daughter created her own business.  I envy her and love her.