A Thank You Note for Negativity

Amanda Grillo

Dear “Everyone who told me that I can’t”,
If it wasn’t for you
I wouldn’t be here before you today.

Thank you for telling me to not pick theatre
Because that showed me what my true passion was
When after being told no, I wanted to do it anyway.

Thank you for telling me I’m too fat to be an actress,
That motivated me to start writing size inclusive roles
When I started to write plays.
And I don’t just mean roles for “bigger” girls.
I mean roles for everyone.

Thank you for telling me I’m not a dancer,
Without that, I wouldn’t have decided to start taking classes.

Thank you for not casting me in that show.
It gave me the chance to expand my tech resume
In a position I had never done before.

Thank you for telling me I’m JUST a techie
Because then I decided to be a jack of all trades.

Thank you for telling me that Broadway isn’t for me.
Because otherwise I wouldn’t have realized
That there are so many other opportunities out there.

Thank you for telling me I would never make it in this business
Because it feels so good to know that everything I do
Is just another reason to prove you were wrong.

Thank you for telling me no
Because then the yes wouldn’t feel as special.