Stuck on You Like Eyelash Glue — FINDING THEIR LIGHT

“Take me for what I am.
Who I was meant to be.
And if you give a damn,
Take me baby or leave me. ”

— Rent

This week I was speaking with a teacher friend about former students and said, ‘It’s the pains in the asses that really stick with you’. The ones that challenge you, sass you, tell it like it is or just bother you to no end are the ones that leave a lasting impression and of course, make for the best stories.

I have done Legally Blonde so many times! So. Many. Times. So many teenage girls trying to hold the last note of Act 1. So many girls singing ‘Look at my ass - Look at my thighs’. So many debates between a real dog and a fake dog. So many conversations about why a man saying “I’ve got a package!’, is funny. I could write an entire book just about doing this show with teenagers (and once with 7-11 year olds… now THAT was entertaining)

The four millionth time I did the show, one of my ‘lifers’, Alyssa, was cast as Enid Hoops. Enid is a tomboy, lesbian, feminist who attends Harvard Law. The image of her in the show is very stereotypical… camo pants, no make-up, really baggy clothes … that type of thing. Enid's body language typically has a more masculine quality, taking up space in a punchy way. The role is hilarious and powerful. Alyssa, is a make-up loving, hoop earring wearing, nails done, eyebrows on fleek, show off your curves, ‘love my body’, fierce, strong and powerful woman of color. This choice for casting was both perfect and utterly ridiculous.

Throughout the process, Alyssa and I had a difference of opinion in just about every way. I would ask her to take up space when she was sitting, she would cross her legs. I would ask her to keep her hands at her side, she would put them on her hips. I would ask her to stop riffing during her solo, she would do it anyway. It was never out of defiance but rather a very strong opinion of who SHE thought this character was.

Alyssa was asked to costume herself (an idea I now realize was totally flawed). Well... she marched into the dressing room with a busting juicy couture tote, unzipped the bag and proceeded to dump her trendy, bedazzled clothes all over the table. Some of the contents were as follows:

Tight camo cargo pants

Tight camo leggings with rhinestones

A tight camo jacket with rhinestones

A few tight tank tops, t-shirts and crop tops

3 different versions of hoop earrings

An all black jumpsuit with matching blazer

I looked at her and she knew EXACTLY what I was thinking. Everything was too cool. She could not look more trendy than Elle Woods. Just as I was about to speak, she looked at me and put one finger out directly in front of my face:

Alyssa: Stop! This is MY Enid. I’m going to do it MY way.

Me: Can we at least cut the hoop earrings?

Alyssa: No! Absolutely not. I am wearing my hoops. Enid HOOPS… get it. It’s a character choice. My Enid loves hoops. My Enid will wear her hair down. My Enid will have some make-up on.

Her tone was rude and difficult yet, I laughed. I mean, you can’t argue with the logic. This was HER character… HER portrayal… HER version of Enid. She never let anyone dictate who she was supposed to be offstage. Why did I think any pre-conceived notions of this role could be forced on her? She was great in the role in a unique Alyssa way. Why was I forcing this kid to fit in a box?

Alyssa’s graduation photo in her ALUM sweatshirt (With Permission for Alyssa)

A week later as she made her opening night entrance, I saw her take the show, put it in the pocket of her trendy camo pants and strut away with it.

When Alyssa graduated a few years later, I gave her a graduation speech. It ended with, ‘Her boldness is what I truly believe the world needs more of’. We all need to have a bit more Alyssa in us - the unwavering confidence in who we are and the roles we want to portray in our own lives.

This blog post started with, “It’s the pains in the asses that really stick with you”. Well, let me tell you, Alyssa and I have stuck together. Sometimes we stick together like fly paper. Other times, we are the glue to each other's fake eyelashes. Without that glue, you just look like a mess.

I admire her - I am proud of her - I love her - for all she is and all she will continue to be… Pain in my ass and all.