Last Saturday, I had the scary enjoyment of auditioning for one of my favorite shows, RENT.
I am always such a mess when it comes to auditioning. It’s something that I really have to work on. I get so nervous that just thinking about an audition, and what I have to work on that it makes me have to catch my breath and wait a moment while my heart stops pounding away in my chest. I don’t know if I have the right look for any of the major parts, which is always what an actor wants. However for this show, I would be happy to just be part of the cast. It’s with a different company than I usually work with, but the director, Joe Duffy, was incredibly kind which made the audition process easier. I worked with him when he choreographed PIPPIN for Foothill Music Theatre. and he was a blast.
But back to the audition…I walked into the room, and Mr. Duffy was out so I used this time to go over the song with the accompanist who had really scrutinized my resumé. Now that I think about it, he could be the Vocal Director. It was a simple little room that had a raised stage inside. When Mr. Duffy came back it there were only the four of us inside. I love auditions like that. While I love to cheer on my fellow auditionees, I have a hard time auditioning in front of them. Weird, huh? I was really surprised because the stage had two couches, a desk style table, and a few other odds and ends, and Mr. Duffy said “Feel free to use the stage”, but I didn’t feel like it would have suited the song. I wonder if that was a mistake. I sang “Pinball Wizard” from The Who’s TOMMY. I had asked the accompanist/Vocal Director to make a big cut so that I can sing the end of the song that has a key change. After the first half of the first stanza, he made the jump, and I wasn’t expecting it and just continued to sing what my original plan was. Luckily, the he was able to jump back into the song with minimal confusion. I was a wee bit worried because Mr. Duffy stopped the song before I could get there. He didn’t say anything at first while he wrote some notes. He had the Stage Manager give me a couple of songs to memorize and work on this week, so that on Saturday, I would be ready to go for the callback.
Well I got my phone call today and I got my times for my callback roles and what they are expecting of me there, so I have to do some research. My first call back is at 2:15. That’ll give me plenty of time to get there. I forgot to mention to you that I wasn’t too sure where the place was when I first auditioned, so I arrived right at 12:00 which was my audition time, so I didn’t really have too much time to get the shakes. Now, I have three days to get over a panic attack. So I am off to prepare! Wish me luck, and to all of you who have auditions and or performances going on in your careers…Break A Leg!!
Are you preparing for an audition? Are you currently rehearsing a production? Let me know how things are progressing. Email me at Jery@theactorvist.com.
The Actorvist 