Renowned actor Adjetey Annan recently shared a significant misstep from his career during his speech at the EMY Africa Expo on “Inspiring Greatness” on June 14, 2024. This anecdote underscored the critical role of professionalism and preparedness in the entertainment industry.
Early in his career, Annan made a crucial error during a production. He arrived late, just 30 minutes before the play began, instead of the hours in advance he was instructed to. Exhausted, Annan went backstage to rest and unintentionally fell asleep.
When the play started, Annan’s absence became glaringly apparent during his cue. A crew member found him fast asleep and jolted him awake. Disoriented, Annan rushed to the stage only to realize he had forgotten his lines. His scene partner had to whisper the lines to him twice before he could proceed.
The performance suffered due to Annan’s blunder, and the director, Doris, was visibly furious. After the play ended, she bypassed Annan entirely during the congratulatory gathering, signaling a significant strain in their professional relationship. This incident left a lasting impact, with Doris refusing to speak to Annan for six years.
Reflecting on this experience, Annan expressed deep regret for disappointing both himself and the audience. His struggle on stage and Doris’s subsequent silence served as a stark lesson in the importance of dedication and punctuality in his craft.
It wasn’t until six years later, during a chance encounter at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, that Doris spoke to him again. Her simple but encouraging remark, “Young man, you are doing well, keep it up,” seemed to indicate a reconciliation, putting the past behind them.
Annan’s story serves as a reminder of the significance of learning from mistakes and continually striving for excellence despite setbacks in the entertainment industry.