My Trans-Sexuality????

Weird title??? Weird story!!! I'm a swing for a show here in town that's called "Red, Hot, and Blue." For those of you who don't know what a "Swing" is. It's basically someone who covers a show for entertainers when they're unable to do it based on illness or vacation. The DIFFICULT thing about being a Swing is that you technically should know ALL the different parts of the show so you can cover ANYONE at any given time.

About two weeks ago I covered for a girl that went on vacation. Last week I received the phone call asking if I was available to cover for a different girl who was going on vacation. At first I panicked a little because I didn't know this girls part and I had only three days to learn it. When I showed up at the studio to rehearse a big dance number with the director of the show (who's also a performer in the show), he told me he didn't need me to cover for this girl anymore. He was able to get the other swing to do it who already knew the part. BUT he still needed me to do a few shows. Not to swing in for the girl but to swing in for HIM!!!!

WHAT!!!!!

Luckily, I didn't actually have to go out on stage and try to be him (thank the Lord). He was unable to find a guy to cover his part that could sing. The only guy that was available is just a dancer. So I was needed to sit backstage and sing with the men. I learned his part and sang it all an octave lower. This is probably the most unusual thing I've ever done in my professional life. Needless to say, I'm not use to singing that low and I started to lose my voice a little. Whoops!!!!

When I showed up to swing the last show, I was met with a few more surprises. One of the girls had an emergency and couldn't make it to the show. So I quickly found some spare costumes that fit me, a wig, and some make-up. Had to rehearse a few parts of the show that I've never done before. And was thrown to the wolves....not only covering the choreography for the missing girl, but still singing for the guy.

Oh, the stressful, anxiety-filled life of a Swing.