Perspectives: Wes
Hello everyone! I'm so glad to have the opportunity to introduce another fellow student. Meet Wes Guidry! He has a knack for making everyone around him smile and laugh, while at the same time letting them know how valued they are. Just about everyone here knows who he is and loves him.
This guy is super talented in so many different ways. He's very gifted in film and editing, and he's made several vlogs of his experience at the Conservatory. One of my favorites was our opening night experience, and you can watch that here! And although he probably wouldn't label himself as a dancer, the rest of us do. He's fantastic at picking up choreography and adding his own Wes-flair to it. Throughout this year I've been blessed by his friendship (and entertained by our sarcastic banter).
He wrote in to share his Conservatory perspective. Please enjoy!
Hey guys! My name is Wes Guidry, and I can honestly say being in the 2017 Sight & Sound Conservatory has been the greatest blessing of my life. What still blows my mind to this day is the fact that it was never on my practical “life plan.”
HOW I GOT HERE
Growing up in Lake Charles, LA, the closest Sight & Sound destination for me was Branson, MO. I was introduced to the theater in 2012, and had seen every production there since. I kept thinking how amazing it would be to do what these people did. The ministry aspect was beautiful, but being a performer, I loved the idea that it was basically Christian Broadway. The moving set pieces, quick changes, singing, dancing, and beautiful costumes captivated me every time. Being a performer in a Sight & Sound show was one of those far-off dreams I would never really work to accomplish, but would always desire.
I started my college career in 2013, studying Psychology (because it’s more practical than musical theater), but surrounded myself with people who shared the same passion as me. A good friend of mine, Rose Smoak, shared the Sight & Sound dream, and we would talk about moving to Branson on day, just to audition, seeing if we had what it took to be in the cast. But it was just a dream, nothing more.
Rose and I were both invited to attend a film conference in Nashville, TN as part of a college event, and we were excited to find out that Sight & Sound representatives were there, promoting the theater. Naturally, Rose asked one of the representatives how one breaks into the company as a performer. The kind woman suggested looking into their Conservatory program made specifically for students. Being the amazing friend she is, Rose convinced me and another dear friend to audition with her. We flew up to Pennsylvania to have the experience of a professional musical theater audition, understanding that the chances were slim, but remaining faithful in knowing that God would place the right people in the 2017 class.
Receiving the acceptance email was one of the most humbling experiences I have ever known. I could not express the great joy that came in knowing I would get to have a whole year of living out that dream of mine that I thought was unattainable. With that joy came the saddening news that my two dear, talented friends whom I auditioned with would not be joining me the next year in PA (although this would turn out to be an incredible plan used by God to fulfill personal dreams of their own later that year). Confused, excited, and anxious, I left everything I knew and moved to Lancaster, PA in January, 2017.
THE CONSERVATORY EXPERIENCE
Within the first few weeks, my life had shifted, some for the better and some for the more difficult. I had made a family unit within the amazing Conservatory class and cast and learned more about myself that I never would have learned had I not left to be completely on my own. The class load was intense, my personal life had many ups and downs, and I was struggling to complete my final semester of college online to earn my psychology degree—all at once. No way could I have stood the test without the grace of God and the support of my new Sight & Sound family. I can now say I am a proud graduate of a Psychology degree, and only months away from finishing the 2017 Sight & Sound Conservatory.
This year has been a fulfillment of so many dreams. When three-show days get tough, I look up at the stage lights shining down on the actors, through the haze, and I am reminded how loving my God is. He did not owe me this year at all. There was nothing I did to deserve such a blessing, but He saw me as a puzzle piece that would complete the beautiful picture that Sight & Sound is this year. The knowledge and experience that comes with this program is invaluable, and I will always hold it close to my heart as one of the greatest experiences of my life.
THE FUTURE
Along with the classes and shows, another bonus to the year is getting to audition for Sight & Sound’s next season. I was humbled and blessed to receive a callback for a role in their Samson show, heading to Branson, MO next year. The greatest spirit of humility covered me as they handed me the callback material. Receiving or not receiving a callback means nothing in the long-run of an audition process. Countless people get a callback that will end up not receiving a contract for the production, while at the same time, countless actors who did not receive a callback at all will be offered a contract. Regardless, I wanted to work hard to do my absolute best.
I pulled the character apart and worked hard to find him in myself. Walking into my audition, I knew that it could very well be the last time I got to play this amazing character. I was told by many mentors beforehand that the best thing you can do in a callback is give it everything you’ve got, make bold choices, and trust God has it all under control as far as what happens next. I did my best to do just that. I let the casting directors direct me as much as they wanted, and did my best to achieve the objectives they laid out before me.
When I finished, they said, “Great, I think that’s all we need.” What I had worked so long and hard on for the previous 3 days was over in a total of 7 minutes. That’s the professional callback experience in most cases. I walked out, unsure of what to think, but so grateful for the opportunity. There was also a peace that God would pave the rest of the path for me. I simply needed to keep walking forward.
I honestly do not know what to expect with the casting decisions. We won’t know until later this year. What I do know is that God has never let go of me once. Amidst the joy, pain, confusion, excitement, and anxiousness, God has been the only One to remain constant. He has been reminding me that, as much as I love performing, it too will only last a season (no matter where I’m employed). The things of this world will pass away, and the only thing that will not is God’s overwhelming love for my sinful self.
I have decided to plan for the possible outcome that I will not be receiving a contract for next year and, in doing so, have begun to make plans for myself that give me just as much joy as Sight & Sound has this year. I don’t have any final plans yet, but I guarantee you that nothing will stop me from doing what God has called me to do: share the good news of Christ through drama ministry. The Conservatory has better equipped me to accomplish that very task.
As much as we all would love to continue our journey here, Sight & Sound is really just a beautiful building with a large playing space. It is not our reason for existence, nor does it hold our only chances of being professional Christian performers. At the end of this year, whether I’m packing up to move to Branson, or packing up to move elsewhere in the world to further my ministry, I can rest peacefully, knowing that God will always be the One to whisper in my ear, lovingly,
“I’ve got you, My treasured possession. And though you only see today, I see the rest of your life. SPOILER ALERT: you’re going to be just fine.