> Well, I just got back from my first rehearsal of The Pajama Game. And it's going to be such a fun show. The music is excellent and the people are fun to work with.
>
> But...
>
> Whenever I'm in a show, I end up getting bitter and jealous. I know, I know, it's petty and stupid. I *know* that. And I have a decent enough part- little more than a chorus role, but all the leads are 30 and 40 year old people anyway. :-P
>
> But no matter how much I tell myself that I'm going to enjoy this, that I'm not going to sit through rehearsals wondering why so-and-so got this part and I didn't, I get this awful pit-of-my-stomach feeling and end up not going to rehearsals and eventually dropping out of the show. And I don't want that to happen this year. Especially because I'll never get a bigger part if they think I'm going to quit halfway through.
>
> So I guess I just needed to rant a little- and good wishes for my own humility would be appreciated.
>
> ~Mina "Carmen the chorus girl" moon

I know how you feel. I started trying out for shows when I was in fifth grade. The first time I tried out, I got a part in the chorus, and I didn't even /try/ to stay and be in it I was so upset.
But, I finally did accept my chorus destiny. It's not nearly the end of the world. For those who hope to make their living in drama it's important to have big parts, I guess, but the best comaraderie and the most fun IMHO is in the chorus. Big parts just mean intense amounts of memorization and the possibility of looking like a fool if you mess up. If you mess up in the chorus, no one will ever know. Therefore, it is much better to be in the chorus. Not that I never wanted to get a big part... But it really is a lot of fun just singing in a group and performing for people.

And don't keep telling yourself you didn't get a part because you aren't any good, or they liked the other people better, or everyone is evil and has a conspiracy against you(not that I've ever thought any of those things myself...). Chances are you just weren't the directors idea of the character. That doesn't mean you can't act, or that you couldn't have done just as good a job as someone else. Since you're a Rinky, I have to believe you are probably the best actress there is... But in plays it doesn't matter. It's all about image usually. Another reason why it's fun to be in the chorus. All shapes and sizes of people get in the chorus, while usually a small range of people get speaking parts.

Well, what I guess what I'm saying is stay in the play to the end. It's fully worth it, even in the chorus. Don't let yourself talk yourself into dropping out of it because you feel that you are not the perfect theatre performer extraordinaire. Once you've been in one or two shows you won't care what part you get anymore. It's just that much fun. And the people you meet in theater are like no other people anywhere... Kind of like in Rinkworks... Plus I bet you'll steal the show, chorus or no :)

Mel"All the world is a stage..."anie