Last night I attended the UBC Suite-Style Residence Musical, “Into the Woods,” and was reminded of a different kind of purple cow. This one to be exact:
Enter Milky White. In many renditions of this musical, Milky White is a fake cow (a prop) that Jack (from Jack & the Beanstalk fame) tugs along the stage as he tries to sell her off to buy food for his mother. But last night Milky White was far from inanimate. She was performed by Amanda Slade who added more personality into a below-chorus role than I’ve seen any stage performer be able to do. (And I have seen my fair share of musicals).
Did she upstage everyone when her presence graced the stage? Better – she stole the show! I could barely keep my eyes off of her the entire time – and with the great leads the show had, that says something!
It reminded me that even the smallest role in a play can become the most memorable. Many people get frustrated when given the role of chorus and so let their quality of performance slip. But when chorus members rise above their role and give it their all – people notice. Your audience also notices when previous “inanimate props” are given a face-lift – with a new voice, a new personality, and some extra time in the spotlight.
Knowing all this, you probably have one of two decisions to make now:
1) If you are directing a team, you need to decide who needs a face-lift in order to enhance the quality of the service or good you provide. Or,
2) If you’re a Milky White, take the stage by storm! Never underestimate your power as a “supporting role.”
Well done Amanda.
Moo!
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