By Chrysa Smith

My first job out of college was in the film biz. It was a small distribution company that did a large job---i.e., supply movie theaters with posters and trailers on an ongoing basis. It was a great gig, and if the company hadn’t gone south, if I still lived in NYC and if the nature of the business stayed the same---if, if, if; I would still be there.

On my first day there, at 21 years old, I had business cards on the desk of my very own office. A pitcher for water and plane tickets for the upcoming sales meeting. Then it hit me. I was told there would be a fun talent show there, and as one of two women going, I was to don a blond wig and sing a parody. Yah, right. No. Really. Right.

Embarrassing for sure, it did give me practice performing. And now, all these years later, I’m still performing. Only this time, it’s with a PowerPoint in front of elementary school children.

There is a vaguely familiar feeling of anxiety. Will they ‘get’ the presentations? Will they like the presentations? And furthermore, will the teachers? Will I be on zoom or in-person? Will my flash drive work? Will I have all the answers I need? Will I get to the school on time?

So many questions, and then I realize—it’s just another opening of another show. Things tend to fall in place and kids are generally a great audience, as they don’t poke fun, make jokes, or critique your fame—whether you’re wearing a blond wig or not.