I decided, and Theresa-the-director agreed, that I would have my head shaved with the entire cast present. I thought it would be a nice teaching moment, showing the students in the cast that a job worth doing is worth... you know the cliche.
What they learned is what a coward I am. Linann, the wonderful lady with the brand new clippers, was waiting for me when I got to the theatre. She didn't give me much time to think about it, but directed me to the chair immediately. She turned me away from the mirror, gave me a hug, and turned on the clippers.
I immediately began crying. Clippers off. "Are you sure you're ready to do this?" she asked me.
I composed myself best I could, then gave her the go-ahead. Clippers on. I begin screaming and kicking my legs. Clippers off.
"Just do it!" I shout. Or I think I did. I may have just thought it. Then, suddenly and in one smooth move, Linann turned on the clippers and took a swath out of the back of my head.
Sometimes, you just have to rip off the bandage.
And it turns out to be a beautiful head that was hiding underneath that hair.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you, Denise, for your storytelling, your acting, your teaching--and the bald head. You have created an amazing Vivian Bearing on that stage....