Listen To Your Mother: The Show
Last Thursday for the first time in my life I stood on a stage as a WRITER and “performed” an essay in front of around 500 people.
And I survived!
My heart was pounding in my chest as the two fantastic cast members ahead of me went up one by one. Soon it was my turn. Without falling, I walked up the rail-less, narrow stairs in my heels, which I took as a good omen. I started my first paragraph by keeping my eyes on the page and not looking into the terrifying mass of faces in front of me. (With the lighting as it was, it really did look like a mass of something instead of individual people.)
Up On Stage
Then, as if possessed by a deep, dark stage monster I never knew I had inside of me, I looked up towards the audience here and there. I started ad-libbing here and there. I could feel myself relax and speak more directly into the microphone. I could feel myself smiling and hitting my stride. It was frightening as hell and exhilarating at the same time. I felt like a real writer, which seems to be a statement (or a question) I often repeat both on this blog and in my head. Am I writer? I AM a writer. Am I writer? I AM a writer. It goes on and on like that. But last Thursday night, I didn’t question the title once.
One of my favorite parts of the entire night was watching each cast member perform. I held my breath through each one, willing the moment to be great for everyone. And it really was a monumental night for each of us.
But of all the aspects of this show that moved me on a personal level, I was perhaps most touched by the genuine support of my family and friends. My mom came in from Chicago for a quick trip just to see the show and many of our in-town family members cheered me on in the audience as well. As I’ve mentioned on the blog before, we live in Bryan’s hometown, not mine. That his cousins, parents, and siblings treat me as if they’ve known me all of my life is not something I take for granted. They are our family. Our cousins and so on.
Appreciating My Friends
I’ve mentioned before how hard it was for me to make friends when we first moved to Minneapolis 13 years ago. I wish I could go back and talk to that insecure, lonely 23-year-old version of me and show her the friends who would come to support her on May 9th, 2013. These friends who came all have young kids and are pulled in numerous directions including T-ball and soccer games in the evenings and jobs and a million things to do, but they found a way to be in the audience that night. (My mom was also incredibly touched by their show of support.) There were also members of my book club who came, as well as some of my writing friends, who really had to schlep in from over an hour away in traffic to be there. I was blown away by everybody’s generosity of time, which is perhaps the commodity that feels most precious to me so I assume it’s true for many others as well.
I want to thank Galit, Vikki, Heather, and Tracy for directing and producing Listen to Your Mother in the Twin Cities for the first time. It’s no small task to completely create a show from scratch. And of course I want to thank Listen to Your Mother’s founder, Ann Imig for envisioning a scenario in which 12-15 women would read essays about motherhood and something like 500+ people would show up in city after city (and on YouTube!) to watch and listen. (The YouTube link will be up at some point this summer, and of course I will display it loud and proud on a new blog post when it does.)
For now–a few pictures!
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37 Responses
Love this recap, Nina!
You absolutely rocked it all — the stage, those heels and your words!
Own it, sister: You’re a WRTER!
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Messy Crafts
Nina, you did an amazing job and we were humbled to have you share your words with us. I loved meeting your husband and seeing all of the support that surrounded you. So beautiful. All of it. Thank you so much! xoxo
tracy recently posted..A Summer Trip To Mall Of Americaâ„¢ and a Giveaway!
You read your piece beautifully and it was such a pleasure to watch you tell your story. Thank you!
What an amazing experience. I have enjoyed the buzz of the different shows and felt a little jealous we don’t have a show close. I can’t wait until the videos, I love watching them.
I also want a better look at those heels!
Poppy recently posted..Scarlet Fever is Contagious I Hear
We loved having you so much, Nina. Thank you for sharing your I AM A WRITER gift with us. It was a magical night, THANKS to all of you. I love the photo of your mom!!!
xo
Heather recently posted..Just Write {85}
You described your experience beautifully. It is very much how I felt taking the LTYM stage here in Chicago. I can’t wait to watch all of the videos this summer on YouTube.!
Shannon recently posted..And That’s a Wrap
So proud of you, Nina!!
Can’t wait to watch the video.
Alison recently posted..Things I’m Afraid to Tell You: Volume II
Oh Nina..reading this brought me right back to the Riverview, right back to that magical night. I love this! I loved getting to know you and all of our amazing castmates.
This was such a beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m so glad to have taken it with someone like you.
Jenny
I feel the same way about YOU. Exactly!
Oh wow, what a crowd! I’m so happy for you!! Congrats on getting through your first show. Looking forward to the YouTube video. (And for the record, I love your blazer!)
Annie Neugebauer recently posted..Oooo, Puddles!
Thank you! It was so chilly that night and the week leading up to it. I couldn’t bring myself to wear a dress.
Nina, I’m so happy and excited for you! You describe the experience so well—hey, are you a writer or something?—and you look amazing. (Also love the power red blazer, I feel more confident just looking at it.)
Can’t wait to see it on YouTube.
Okay, you can breathe now. : )
Diann_D recently posted..Where Books+Body Meet: Interview with Novelist Erika Robuck
Yes! That’s it– I can breathe now! And thank you for the all the support from the prep to the outfit choice. 😉
SO proud of you.
I totally know that heart-pounding, terrifying feeling before going on stage. Wow, what a tremendous accomplishment! And I loved reading about all the people in your life who showed up to support you. Congratulations!
Oh my goodness you ARE a writer.
I’m so proud of you.
And ever since this year’s Academy Awards, I’ve reminded myself that if I ever get up to speak in public and fall on the stairs, Jennifer Lawrence did it first and was adorable.
So.
I’m glad you didn’t break a leg – but instead had a most fabulous (once-in-a-lifetime) experience.
In only wish I lived close enough to schlep there myself.
I would have.
I would.
I’m so glad it went well and that you had a crowd of family and friends there supporting you! You know I would’ve been there if I could. I can’t wait to see it! I’m very proud of you and so happy you had such a great experience at LTYM. xoxo
Hallie Sawyer recently posted..Read My Latest Book Recommendation and What I’m Reading Now
You look beautiful! You ARE a writer 🙂
Thank you, Nina.
I tell you this, Ms. Nina :), I feel your writer versus WRITER struggle, but meeting you and all the incredible women of our LTYM cast makes that struggle easier to ignore. I write because I must. I am a writer because it’s what I do. You, my new dear friend, are a writer. So glad to have gone through this experience with you.
K.M. OSullivan recently posted..This Isn’t My Fight, Or So I’ve Been Told
You were great and I was so glad to be there. I find it so interesting that it was public speaking that made you feel like a writer….as opposed to writing!
I am so thrilled you had such a great experience! I really related to your description of relaxing on stage, loosening up, and enjoying yourself. I was very grateful that once I walked up there, I felt at ease, and like I belonged. I felt a little teary reading about the friends and family that were there to support you- my mom flew in to surprise me for my show, and having her, my brother, my husband, and a large handful of friends cheering for me when I walked onstage was one of the most empowering moments of my LTYM experience. I am so glad to hear that yours was everything you’d hoped for! Congrats, and I can’t wait until the YouTube channel is up and running this summer!
Stephanie Sprenger recently posted..What I’d Like To Tell My Childless Friends, But Won’t
Ahhhhhh! Nina!!! Okay. First of all, I’m not surprised at ALL that you hit your stride, and if YOU don’t call yourself a writer, the rest of us are in trouble!
You looked amazing, too; I cannot wait for the video. You’re my hero.
Go Jules Go recently posted..Please, Don’t Try to Contain Your Raging Jealousy
What an honor! I will look forward to reading your words!
Stacey recently posted..Family Reading
How incredible Nina! So proud of you – you look AMAZING too! I wish we had known about this, next time let us at PB know, we would LOVE to come and support you!
Thanks so much, Ashley! Great seeing you today!
Nina recently posted..My Writing Process These Days
Congrats! What a special night. I can’t wait to see your video!
Leigh Ann recently posted..Over it/Loving it
You looked gorgeous, Nina, but what warms my heart the most is the look of pride on your children’s faces. That, to me, is proof that we must fulfill ourselves (as you are doing) to show them they can also be fulfilled. Way to go, Mama! We love “listening” to you! Xx
Jolina Petersheim recently posted..Hello, My Name Is . . .
So wish I could have been there in person and SO proud of you!!!!
GO Nina! I’m so happy to hear it went great. I knew you’d rock it 😉
There’s nothing quite like that on-stage fear that soon melts away to become a complete performance rush. I used to experience it all the time when I was a dancer, but I expect to be much more terrified when the time comes to use my voice. I’ll remember this post when I need some courage.
Natalia Sylvester recently posted..On Writing Without a Map
You ARE a writer, and a very good one. So glad that the show went so well and that so many people came to see it and to support you. Really amazing. Congratulations!
Marta recently posted..On Dove, Abercrombie and Marriage Equality.
Congratulations on a job well done. It is not easy to look out into an audience of 500 (!) people, but it sounds like you’re a natural.
I can’t remember if you already mentioned this — was the essay you read an original piece for this show, or something you’d previously written?
I’m looking forward to the video!
Jackie Cangro recently posted..Friday Five
Congratulations, Nina! You look like you are having such a good time – and I love the photos!
Nina,
Your performance was stellar and you ARE indeed a gifted and talented writer! It was an amazing experience to see you and all of the other amazing women share their beautiful stories at the LTYM show—Very inspiring! Congrats!!!
Julie Burton recently posted..The Final Weeks of Her High School Senior Year
I love love love this, Nina. You are certainly a writer. And, like you’ve said once … “this is how it’s done.” Indeed. Congratulations!
Jennifer King recently posted..12 Favorite Photos from Pompeii and Italy’s Amalfi Coast
You are a great writer and I’m very impressed. Love the name of the conference – you are a VERY cute mama. I just love all those kids. I’m sure they will always be sure to listen to YOU. Right??
So many cool people at LTYM Twin Cities.
I’m missing some really fun events way over here. 🙂
And I agree with the poster above – you’re a very cute mama. 🙂
Lady Jennie recently posted..When You Fall