Lindsey Reeves tell us all about her journey to being a cast member in ROCK: The Improvised Rock Opera, and why improv is like being Harry Potter.
As a child, I was always singing.
Always.
It got me in trouble at school. At home, with my dinner untouched before me, I would drift off in a song while staring into the distance, completely unaware of what I was doing until my parents called me back to reality.
There is something about using that part of your brain, becoming one with music, actually BEING music, that is better (in my admittedly limited experience) than any other high available, and it hooked me young.
But growing up being what it is, I learned to control it. In fact, through most of high school and college, I hardly sang at all except when I was alone in my car. Perfectionism had set in, and what came out of my mouth was no longer good enough to share with the wider world.
Not until my late twenties did I start it up again.
I was cast in a musical, and friends who had known me for a decade were shocked to tears upon hearing me sing for the first time. There was no stopping after that.
Discovering improv as a way of making theater on the fly was exciting. Finding out that there were people out there who improvise musicals – making the illusion of spontaneous song in the middle of a scene a reality – and could teach me how to do it too was a dream come true. I took classes and auditioned for ROCK as a shot in the dark. And was cast.
The rehearsal process was daunting.
In such a ridiculously talented group of people, I could have just disappeared into the background and never been missed. Fear often dug its claws into my middle and tried to make me do just that. But that wouldn’t have been fair to my castmates and would have denied me the biggest thrill on earth so I fought it, and my wonderful, generous fellow rockers backed me up like great improvisers do, and Fear didn’t stand a chance.
In my second show, I was designated the hero of the story and had to play a major role in most of the scenes and songs (with, of course, unflagging support from the rest of the cast). And yes, it was the biggest thrill on earth. Someone asked me if I was exhausted afterwards, but I felt ready to climb a mountain.
In the 43-Hour Improv Marathon, we did a show with a 15-person cast (8 of whom had been improvising for 27 hours straight at that point) and I really learned the meaning of support. The way every single thing that anyone did on stage was celebrated, elaborated upon and copied was more inspiring than any other improv I’ve ever seen. It was our best show yet, and the audience was just as amazed by what we did as we were.
That’s the thing about improv – it’s like magic. You walk out of a show feeling like Harry Potter the first time he waved his wand and made a feather float. “We did that? How did we do that? Let’s do it AGAIN!!”
As my final show approaches, I look forward to putting in action the lessons in support that I learned in the last two shows. The end of this run makes me sad, but I know the singing addict in me will never let me leave it behind for long. So…let’s get ready to ROCK!
Get your tickets and watch Lindsey ROCK.
How well I remember those early days! You’re our champ, Lindsey. Love, Mom XOXOX
Lindsey, I know something about kids who follow their dreams. My youngest son, Jim, left college in his third year to play in an alternative rock band. (think Mosh Pit) He traveled with them for several years throughout the US and Europe, loving every minute but being very poor. I’ll tell you about him someday (when you have lots of time) but you can google him – Jim Vollentine. I’m very proud of his independence and non-conformity. He currenty works indepently as a sound engineer working primarily in two recording studios in Austin. He’s also recorded at studios in Colorado, New York, Kansas and other places. He makes a decent living, supports a wife and 13-year old son, and absolutely loves what he does. He has taught recording classes at UT for several years and has been recording The Dixie Chicks off and on the last few years, as well as other well-known performers. He keeps a low profile but I’m still in awe when I can get him to tell me what he’s been doing. Maybe we can come see you sometime this Summer. He knows his way around Austin and lives in LaGrange. Lots of luck in following your dream! Robbie
Lindsey,
We are so proud of you for following your dreams. Some of us reach these “Golden Years” with hidden dreams of expressing our talents in ways that have remained unfulfilled. That is not to say that we are unhappy with how our lives have transpired, and maybe many of us would not change our lives, if we could. But a few of us often think about what could have been! If only I had…….
Congrats…we are following your hard work and steps in the Arts. Finding happiness in life is a true gift from God and HE is smiling on YOU!
Fondly,
The Machens
Taft Neighbors
Lindsey, there is definitely a vein of “theatre” and “music” and actual talent running through the channels of various members of our family. I would love to get together with some of you and talk about it. For example, did you know your Papa, Joe Polito, played clarinet and I think drums also, and sang in a little country band with Uncle Tony Lewis. I find it so exciting and I think I often live vicariously through those of you that are following your dream. I have that love of music and theatre but it is not accompanied with any talent. Matthew was following his dream and he loved what he was doing! I am happy and thrilled for you and hope to be able to come see some of your performances. I also want to wish you and your troupe every success in NY. Please let me know how it goes. Congratulations, break a leg and God bless you always! I love you, Aunt Dorothy