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| Logan Aleece Brewer |
This is Logan.
She has always wanted to be Ariel from The Little Mermaid.
Literally.
She has asked to dye her hair bright red.
She has threatened to change her name legally once she is of age.
And at least one costume in the past consisted of a mermaid's tail.
So, it should come as no surprise that Logan also wants to "sing and dance"
I believe wanting to act is just another way to end up as Ariel on stage someday :)
And the singing... well, we all remember that singing mermaid... and the big ideas she planted in little girls' heads:
"Wish I could be.... part of that world..."
Logan has "dreamed" of acting or singing or just somehow ending up "on the Disney Channel", but based on her shy nature, we have never really pursued it.
Not to mention, we didn't feel like a career in that industry is always an easy companion with maintaining certain standards.
But recently, one of Logan's dear cousins (and friend) (and fellow Pink Bedroom Junior Society Club Member) was cast in an upcoming television show.
Her cousin's success added to the positive effect on her confidence and comfort in front of people that have resulted from UpWard Cheer, helped Logan muster enough courage to go to an audition herself.
On Friday, she asked me, "Couldn't I just search for auditions online and see if anything decent (wholesome) comes up?"
I told her I didn't see why not.
She jumped online immediately.
What she discovered was that Actors, Musicians, & Talent for Christ
(AMTC) was in town... the very next day.
We looked at their web site, we talked to Coach Dad once the boy's game had ended and with only a few hours to go before the audition, Logan chose a song and a monologue to use at the audition.
The audition was across town, on the other side of The Big City ( I so hate driving there!) and directly following her game... so we knew we'd be hustling to make it - and we were right- we ran about 15 minutes late- (a fact NOT helped in the least by Google Maps and the truck's GPS conspiring together to send us 15 minutes in the direction of a back entrance when 2 minutes of straight driving would have gotten us to the front gate (Grrr!)
But, we had called and they had assured us we would be fine to come on and sit in on the informational meeting. You see, we knew from the beginning that the audition was to be accepted/invited to the talent management company... not for any one specific role. The information session was to make sure everyone was clear on that, to put forth the Christian foundation of the company as well as highlight some of their "success" stories.
I have tried to balance everything I've seen and experienced against those who claim that this set up is a scam. I have seen modeling agencies use a similar format where the audition was a front for taking modeling classes.. I have concluded that this set up is likely the way AMTC generates the necessary revenue to operate their company, but not necessarily a scam...more like those Art Institute Aptitude tests...maybe you're good at it...maybe not... if so, there's a course you can take and further develop your skills and knowledge...if not, ah, well... what did you lose?
Because no money was asked to audition and all of the information was shared before auditions occurred, there was no feel of bait and switch or high pressure obligation.
We chose to do the audition because of the aforementioned courage that had been mustered... even a community theatre audition is good for someone who needs practice... so, to that end, because there was no initial cost, we really had nothing to lose.
From a spiritual standpoint, I believe in the founder's sincerity when she shares her conversion story, but I can also understand why some people have claimed it was just a convenient re-branding scheme...especially in light that they are now a non-profit ministry. Only the founder and God know for certain, but we must take people at their word unless and until they give us a reason to doubt them. The emphasis on prayer and God's will in roles that work out or do not as well as the focus on modesty and age appropriate materials made me comfortable with the organization. I do not believe we are aligned completely theologically- it appears that there is a more charismatic slant to the leadership at AMTC- but I didn't hear anything that would cause me concern over Logan taking classes from them or being in their company...
