It Begins with Chocolate

I began writing this post last night and was rudely interrupted by the arrival of a large fly buzzing about my room, which prompted a different topic (see yesterday’s topic.) As I was saying last night before I was rudely interrupted, I just recently had the pleasure of attending the PATA general auditions. For you outsiders, this is a city-wide theater audition run by the Portland Area Theater Alliance, of which I am a proud member. If I had a membership card, I would present it whenever making a purchase and expect a discount or at least a deferential nod and a murmur of envy.

Over three days,  more than three hundred performers showed up at their allotted time at Artists’ Rep Theater in Portland and gave it their all for one hundred twenty seconds of theatrical glory. I sat in the audience with other theater producers and directors. This was my first such audition, and for me as a director about to see some fine performances, it was like Disneyland without the lines.

But what I really want to say is this. Before the performing binge kicked off, the chief organizer informed us directors that the organizing team takes the special notes listed on the registration forms very seriously. We all  nodded appreciatively. Honoring gluten and peanut allergies is the right thing to do. She continued: “Kevin, where is Kevin?”  Huh, I thought. Must be more than one Kevin here. I don’t have any special needs. “Kevin Muir indicated on his reg form that he prefers dark chocolate. We have dark chocolate for him.”  At this point you better believed my hand shot up. She tossed me a baggy of dark chocolate kisses and I gloated as best I could with house lights dimmed.

PATA is a class organization, let me tell you.

I’ve been putting “prefer dark chocolate” on forms for years. Special requests?–“I prefer dark chocolate.” What else do we need to know to accommodate your visit?–“I really like dark chocolate.”  Please list any special requests in this box.–“Dark chocolate, please.”  After all these years, it has finally paid off, in chocolate, no less! Score!!!

I take this incident as an omen of good things to come. Ask and ye shall receive. As I am now launching the campaign to fund my coming performance season, I will do well to keep this in mind. Just ask and keep asking and eventually the chocolate or thousands of dollars will show up. ‘Nuff said!