Theatre Auditions

So... I haven't auditioned for a play in a while, but I did it so much in school that it was surprisingly familiar. I felt really comfortable. Walked into the theatre lobby, signed in, handed my headshot and resume and looked at the sides handed to me. I had read the play and done my prep work, but the sides that were to be read weren't disclosed. Waited to be called. Made pretend small talk. I wanted to get one of the girl's numbers. I thought we would be good friends, but decided against it in this setting. I went in and read the scene. I wasn't doing terrible, but I wasn't doing well either. Oh, the play is Lend Me a Tenor. I read for Maggie (like every other girl in the lobby). The director stopped me. "I want you to be more enamored with Titto, He's a god to you." The next time I read with more girlishness and at one point dropped on the floor and yelled a line. It was in the moment. "Thank you." And I walked out. I waited and watched other girls go in to read and read and read agin with different partners. A few moments later the stage manager said I could leave.

I only read once. That could be REALLY bad or REALLY good. And it's slightly embarrassing to be the first one to leave as the others get to stay and read more. I was only up there once, but it was so fun. In my humble opinion, all the other Maggies were incredibly whiney and outright annoying. That's not who Maggie is! There is so much more to her. Yes, she has an obsession, an extreme obsession, but she's not a 16 year old Juliet and she's not stupid. If that's the Maggie the director wants, then maybe it's best I'm not in the show. I let it go and went to the gym.

I got an e mail from the stage manager the following evening. The tone was very even. They wanted me to attend the callbacks the net night. Wow. Okay. I guess all the lame things they tell you are true-- that even if you are let go, it doesn't mean they don't want you. I thought someone made that up... The callbacks are in 4 hours, I'll let you know how it goes. Wish me to break legs!


-------- It is now 11pm and this is the continuation of the callback.
I was called in to read for Maggie. The director had me read that role twice. Then he randomly asked me to read for Diana (the seductress) which he wouldn't let me read the night before, despite my suggestion. I stayed and read both sides for that role and then he offered me the role on the spot. Talk about irony. It is sooo funny, because I was convinced I would be playing Maggie with this other guy playing Max, who wasn't cast : ( and there was another actress who just shouted Diana- she looked walked and was in real life, Diana. I just told myself to do the best read possible. Another cliche actor tip proven, don't get distracted and do the best you can do. It really does pay off.

Ahhhh!!!!!! It just feels nice to feel competent again, to get paid to act! I'm so excited about the rehearsals and costumes. I'm such a girl, haha. I'll keep you posted.

Reality Show Submissions

I know, REAL actors would never audition for a reality show. But hey, why not? Especially when you are young and starting out and are auditioning for everything else. What's wrong with the notoriety ?? Besides, they probably wont pick me anyway. They asked if I've ever been on a TV show... and I can't lie. That would be wrong. It's for a very popular dating show. They asked if I genuinely wanted to get married and the answer to that is HECK NO. I just feel there's too many other things to accomplish before chaining myself to a marriage.
I don't think I'll submit it because, like an idiot, I filmed part of it at the beach for the scenery and yes, you see where this is going... the ocean is a pretty big distraction. Maybe I will submit it, I can be one of those weirdos. I can totally be a weirdo if needed. Or maybe they'll overlook the fact that I am an actress and use it to their advantage. " We have this cute, young actress who wants to travel the world and is totally in-genuine about getting married.....she's PERFECT!"

-------3 weeks later------
yeah, that submission definitely didn't happen.

The Prepwork

I am in the process of preparing 4 monologues, 2 packages for the best graduate school programs in the country. This will be my third time doing so. Each time the application process gets even more mundane, almost to the pont of apathy. It's simply something I feel like I have to do or I'll always wonder and why would I miss a trip to wonderful chicago to see my best friend?! I am also preparing for an open call for lend me a tenor and applying to act on a cruise ship. Yes, they are all very different, but you have to put yourself out there in so many instances until something, anything catches.

Anyway, I have done this countless times before. Prepared the material, known the characters, read the plays, nailed the monologues, and really acted in the moment. And then you think, for what? What did I actually achieve? I didn't get the role, I spent time and money to audition... So I force myself to learn something, to squeeze the experience for everything it is worth, so that I don't feel as rejected. There are auditions that are actually fun, that are like fond memories and then there are others where you walk out of the room feeling silly because the casting directors just glared at you wanting you to leave the room...

Anyway, here I go again doing it over and over again. The prep work, studying the play, my objectives and defining my relationship to partner. Do it because you love it otherwise it will eat you alive. You have to somewhat just REALLY enjoy the journey. And don't get me wrong, I LOVE the journey. I just have a hard time with the formal rejection letter part. But this too shall pass. I don't think journaling as my character has been the most effective however. More active, in the moment. Actually talk to someone, get something and it's always important........raise the stakes and most importantly, just do.With everything I've read from Michael Shurtleff to Stanislavski, the best audition advice that I remembered was from David Mamet. "Invent nothing. Deny nothing."