13 October - Magazine News
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
This past week was, in a word, a marathon.
The theme was simple: get shit done. It was the culmination of weeks of rehearsal, with tech week leading directly into five performances of Alice in Wonderland in just four days. The week was a blur of costume changes, sound engineering, prop management, and acting in two different roles. My energy was drained, my sleep was mediocre, and my focus was entirely on the finish line.
The chaos peaked on Saturday. I had to bake a batch of gluten-free, vegan pumpkin cupcakes in the morning, perform a matinee, race home to bake another batch, and get back to the theatre just in time for the cast potluck. It was stressful, but like everything else this week, it worked out.
And in the middle of all that exhaustion and craziness, something incredible happened.
After our first show, as I saw all the other actors surrounded by their families and friends, I felt a pang of sadness. I didn’t have anyone there for me. But that feeling was immediately replaced by a powerful realization: I'm not doing this for anyone else.
I made the choice to change my major. I made the choice to audition. I did well enough to get cast. And in that moment, I was so incredibly proud of myself. It’s a feeling I don’t experience often, but it was undeniable. I’m doing things I never would have imagined, putting myself out there and pushing myself to take every opportunity, purely for me.
That feeling is the real takeaway from this week. It’s the fuel. Watching the play come together was immensely satisfying, and now it’s time to take that "work hard, play hard" energy and pour it into the magazine.
This week, the focus is productivity. I'm taking advantage of the lull before rehearsals for the next play, Almost, Maine, ramp up. My top priority is to make as much progress as possible on the next issue, channeling that feeling of watching something come together into the writing and design. Alongside that, I’ll be memorizing my new lines and focusing on my health—solidifying a morning routine that sets the tone for a productive day. The goal is to use this time effectively and build on the momentum from the show.
It’s a powerful place to be.
Best,
Brandon Tellez
Founder, Shoot the Breeze Magazine
