On my way to, (one of my many jobs that keep food in my mouth), I come to the intersection of Old 450 and Route 197. Now, this probably means nothing to you. Imagine an intersection where you can only go left or right. The road dead ends, and there is literally a forest in front of you. You have to make a choice.
Left or right?
This is where I am right now. I discuss this topic at length in this blog. I'm aware. It's the millennial in me, my voice HAS to be heard. It's nothing new, everyone has to make choices in their life. I've hit the end of my road. No, I don't mean I'm giving up, but I can feel its time to make a choice.
Left or right?
RIGHT
I mean right in the directional sense and not the moral sense. Just a head's up. If I turned right, I probably would move to New York and seriously pursue an acting career. Also, included in this choice, is staying here in D.C. where I've already become a part of the theater community. My end goal has always been teaching dance at an arts high school/college basically until I die. Debbie Allen in 'Fame' style with a cane and the occasional cigarette for dramatic effect. I always planned on moving to New York, 'making' it on Broadway, and using it as my credentials of sorts. Which brings me to the other direction.
LEFT (in the right lane)
This option is grad school getting an MFA in Choreography or Performance. Now, I don't have an interest in either, but seeing as I want to be a dance professor it's a solid plan. I've already been a dance major before so I know what I'm getting myself into. It doesn't get in the way of performing and might even enhance it actually. It's a three year commitment, but I would come out with a definitive way to get my foot into the collegiate dance world. It's a solid plan, but of course there are other options. Well one.
LEFT (in the left lane)
This is the furthest from anything I have ever done. Hence, why it's left in the left lane. This turn involves going to grad school for an MFA in Creative Writing. It literally never occurred to me that such a degree existed. Dr. Sue, the head of the Towson Dance Department, brought this idea to my attention. I met with her basically to have somewhat of an objective opinion about my life choices. I met her when I was a dance major at Towson, for however long that lasted. I may or may not have bounced from major to major in college. Why get a degree in writing? I'm literally doing it right now. However, I have been writing stories since I was a child. Also, my autobiographies won't publish themselves. I would love to go somewhere, hone in on my skills, and really perfect my writing. I have a lot of ideas, and just no earthly clue on how to bring them to life. So that's the leftest turn.
WHERE I AM NOW
I'm pulled off on the shoulder. I'll be teaching all summer and I am really looking forward to it. Also, I have work lined up spending my fourth consecutive Christmas at Olney, which I also am looking forward to. The rest of the year doesn't feel like I'm stagnant, but just in a familiar place while I figure out my next move. There are only three things that I am after with whatever choice I make.
- Financial stability
- Artistic integrity
- Meaningful relationships
However, I can't stay idle in the shoulder forever. It's hot outside, I'm pumping the AC, and that means I'll run out of gas at some point.
Good thing there is a gas station whichever way I decide to turn.