A Very Special Audition

There was a small town named Burough Ken in the rustic county called Peep Hole that resided in the hidden parts deep in Southern California. In fact, if you passed it on route 66, the only sure way of knowing you're entering the town is if you see the sign- because if you blink, you'll miss it! "Welcome to Burough Ken, Peep Hole!" it read.

One day, the city recreational team decided to put on a very special musical for all the town to see. The Director wanted to spread a special message across to all the people, a message of love, faith, hope, and more. He needed to pick just the right person to lead the rest of the cast to clearly bring this message across to the people of Burough Ken. So, the city recreational team carried on to put on auditions for the cast- but, most importantly- the lead role.

The line was out the recreational center's door as people lined up to audition for this special play. The hopeful auditioners would complete an application that questions their experience, talents, and what part they hoped for in the musical.

The first person to audition walked in through the doors, past the judge panel, and onto the stage.

"Hello Becky!" the Director chimed. It was almost as if he had known her for a while, when in reality this was their first meeting. "Are you excited to audition for this very special musical?"

"Why yes," she smiled and nodded. "Yes I am."

The Director smiled and nodded back at her. Then, he proceeded to quickly cut to the chase. "What kind of role would you hope for in the musical?"

"In all honesty, I would love to be a dancer. I'm not good at acting, and I'm pretty much tone deaf. I think I'd be best as a dancer."

The Director understood, then scribbled something down onto the clipboard in front of him. "Alright. Thank you for coming to audition for the musical." And he looked right up at her.

Becky shot a confused glare at the Director. "That's it?"

"That's it," he replied, as if there was nothing strange about his statement.

She stood silent and awkward for a moment. "You don't want me to dance, or even sing a piece of a song?"

He shook his head. "Don't worry, you're in the play. You're good to go."

Becky walked off the stage, eyes squinted, reciting the strangeness that had just happened in her head a couple times through.

Next came Richard. When the Director asked what Richard was hoping to be in the play, he was distinctly honest.

"Well, Director, I want to be the lead," he confessed. "I think I have what it takes- dancing, singing, acting, whatever you need; I've got it."

The Director nodded his head. "Interesting. Well, you're in."

The seemingly-experienced Richard was appalled by the simplicity of the audition. "You're kidding... aren't you? You really trust me enough that what I'm telling you is true?"

"Sure," the Director explained, eyes focused on the notes he was scribbling. "You in the play. You may leave now."

Richard stormed off the stage frustrated and confused; having prepared a monologue complete with dancing, singing, and acting that would display his capability- all for nothing.

Auditions went quickly with the Director's special process of the matter. About a hour into the tryouts, a young man came in to audition. He held his head straight forward while giving the Director his full attention- the Director could tell he was a bit nervous, but was not thinking of himself at all. All of his energies were directly on the Director.

"Hello," the Director scanned the young man before him, knowing something was different about this character. "Welcome to the tryouts for the musical. If you could have the role of any part of the musical, what would you be?"

The young man cleared his throat and paused for a moment as he thought.

"Well, Director-" he began, "- I want to be whatever you want me to be."

The Director's eyes enlarged and studied the young man. "Truthfully?"

"Yes," the young man concluded. "I want to be what you want me to be. You know what's best for me and that's all that matters."

"Even if I made you a tree who had no dancing, no lines, and no singing whatsoever?"

The young man nodded. "You know what's best for me."

The Director was truly amazed. All this time, the people who auditioned came in having something they wanted or expected. They assumed that they themselves knew what was best for them, or even that they knew better than the Director, when they came into audition. But this young man- he gave full privilege to the Director to decide his future in the musical and what was best for him. The young man surrendered any knowledge he had of himself and gave full trust to the Director.The Director knew exactly what would be best for this young man.

The Director smiled very largely and clapped his hands together. "Well, I think what's best for you is if you had the lead role, my friend!"