pt. 2 The Singing Portion (+ the other Audition!)

Ok, I'm going to do this chronologically.

+ the other Audition!

I race home after my dance audition to change clothes and grab my headshot/resume. (Rule 3: Always have a headshot/resume ready to go.) As I walk out the door, I realize I have no idea where I'm going. I quickly look up the address and continue to race along. This audition was for August: Osage County and I read for Jean, the 15-year-old pot smoking daughter. I was super excited. Only problem, I couldn't find the street. As I begin to get frustrated, I pull over and ask a jogger if he knew where the street was... and he did!

I made it to my audition on time and was paired was an excellent partner. He was wonderful to work off of and was willing to exchange creative ideas. Finally we were called into the room. There were 2 chairs set up for us to use. Instead, I sat on the floor. I don't know if this made me stand out, but during the read the director laughed a couple of times. At the end, I felt confident about the work I did. I'm hoping for the best and proud that I did awesome.

Now, lets just pray for a callback!

pt. 2 The Singing Portion

I got home and after 40 minutes of trying to find a scanner at my school, finally copied my sheet music. I was singing "Edelweiss" for my ballad and "When The Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam'" for my up-tempo. I arrived at the audition and sat outside the room, having the pleasure of hearing my department's powerhouse singers go before me. It was so inspirational and discouraging at the same time... Once that group was done, my was up! Two guys and three girls, including myself.

I go into the room and discover that, not only are these auditions done in groups, but they will be filmed. The first guy goes and he is fantastic. I have heard him sing before, but today he really brought his A game. Next up! No one moves. The room is silent. The piano accompanist is looking around, the director is looking around... No one is moving. I break! AHHH! I was not ready, but I cracked under pressure.

I did not do the best of my ability. And I hate when that happens. I feel like I let myself done. But, then again, there is nothing I can do about it. I find out in a couple hours if he still wants me to read for something...

Inspirational Quote

"Excellence is not an act but a habit. The things you do the most are the things you will do the best." - Marva Collins

So, from the looks of it, I will be an excellent auditionee. This is inspirational for the two auditions I have this evening...!

Awkward

I received an email from yesterday's Audition Number Two:

"I have chosen you for the role of..."

Usually this sentence is followed by a giddy, fast-scan of the email and my roommate opening a bottle of champagne. But this time I feel unsure. And if I say yes, I'm already breaking my first rule. That's not good... How do I write a polite "no thanks" ???

The Aftermath

Some strange things happened at my auditions today. Good strange and bad strange.

The First Audition, a commercial for Pepsi:

When I walk in, there is already a girl wearing exactly what I am wearing: a blue v-neck t-shirt, denim jeans and boots. The only difference is that I was smiling. She looked like the most miserable person there; instead of waiting for a possible tv commercial, she was waiting for the dentist. And, on top of it all, she was rude to the monitor. Who does that? Not just as an actor wanting to get a role, but as a human.

Also while I was waiting, the monitor came up to me to ask where the red button on my jacket came from. (This was already kind of strange because I almost didn't wear that jacket!) I told him that Joseph Gordon-Levitt's brother, Dan, gave it to me at some convention in March. The Monitor proceeded to tell me that he recognized my button because HE SAT NEXT TO ME. What a small world! (also, some sad news, he informed me that Burning Dan passed in October.)

The actual audition wasn't too bad. It seems I don't get nervous in front of the camera anymore, that's good. When I walked in (with my smile), the director scanned my resume:

"You don't have an agent?"

"No."

"Ok... You've done long-form improv?"

"Yeah I did some work back in Houston, etc."

"Ok, so you're pretty funny?"

"I guess!"

On to the camera portion... Slate my name. Then he informs me that he is considering me for the lead girl and a bar patron. As the lead girl I had to use my face to tell the story of a man who brings a Coke to me, I am disgusted and turn him down. Then a different man brings a Pepsi to me and I swoon. I think I did well! As a bar patron, I just had to follow a sight line and make silly/confused/shocked faces.

The first audition ended with "That was really great! We'll let you know by Monday around 2! You did good! You need an agent! You're really funny! Thanks!"

The Second Audition, a UT student short film:

I parked (sidenote: I need to get more quarters for the meters) and went to the audition room. The door was shut, I sat in the hall. About 8 minutes later, I was bored and started to leave. Then I heard the door opened, so I went back.

The guy reading with me was not an actor and provided no emotional feedback. The director changed his mind about what he wanted with every take. I don't know if it was to test my acting chops or if he was just that unsure, but I got annoyed.

"This time you're angry because he cheated on you."

"This time you're guilty because you cheated on him."

"This time you're pregnant and need to tell him."

"This time you're sad because he is leaving you."

After ten or so takes, the director was exhausted of ideas. I stood up and asked,

"Is there a sign-in sheet of some sort."

"Oh yeah, we should get one of those..."

I wrote my name on a piece of notebook paper and left. I think even if I get cast, this is one to turn down. RULE 1: I need to work with organized people.

Success

Two Fridays ago I auditioned to be in a scene from American Beauty for a student project and I am happy to report:

"I would like to thank you again for your patience. And to also congratulate you on getting the role for our scene. We think you'd be great to work with and would be an excellent edition to our team. We look forward to working with you."

What a lovely email! Now I'm off to 2 more auditions! :)

Official

I officially have an audition for the Actors Theatre of Louisville on Saturday, March 19th.

I'm already shaking (with confidence) in my boots.

Now I just need to write all my reasons for wanting to go and why I should be chosen... How does one stand out in life but not on paper? Or better, how does standing out in life translate onto paper? What are the words to describe my uniqueness?

What makes me so special?

First Mark

So let's consider this the first "failure" in the film world: The bus I was thrown under ran me over.

Oh well. This just marks the first role I went to with a no for an answer. Or, more precisely, "You gave a great read, but we're going a different direction for the role. Best of luck, and thanks again."

If the direction they went in was with my partner from last night, I wish them the best of luck.

Thrown Under A Bus

Last Saturday, I attended a film mentoring workshop. Approximately 25 women in the film industry offered their morning for one-on-one question time for young hopefuls, like myself. One of these women offered me the best possible advice: when there is no work for you, write.

I want to turn this blog into my venting station. Any time I go on an audition, or find new monologues, or watch plays, or feel inspired/devastated, I will blog about it. This will (possibly) keep track of my growth as an artist.

My first story happened tonight. I auditioned for a UT film, and I was asked to show up at 9:30pm. I wasn't seen until 10:30pm. (Thank God I didn't get a parking ticket for my expired meter!) While waiting, I overheard another actress mention that she was meeting Meryl Streep tomorrow. Of course I pressed questions. The UT Theatre/Dance majors will have the pleasure of being in the presence of MS tomorrow. Wow. Just another reason I'm upset at St. Edward's. With this ridiculous tuition cost, you'd think we could also get Meryl here...

Finally, I was called into the room. I did my usual flirting and smiling with the director (this is regardless of male or female, I don't discriminate). The AD was also from Houston and we had some nice bonding moments: laughing about highways and Gunspoint Mall. The Director herself also seemed nice and friendly.

Then I was asked to do a cold reading. No problem. Slated my name and read like a pro. Now the good part: bringing in another actor to read with me. This talented male (I use talented lightly) decided to look at the lines and, instead of reading what was on the page, decided to alter the lines. I did not understand what was going on. Who ad-libs when the script is IN YOUR HANDS?!

When the director asked us to do an improv run of the script, I was thrilled. If this guy was already making up lines, what was next? Fortunately, it went well. Then we were asked a couple of questions. Since this was a love story between a man and a woman, the director wanted to know if we felt comfortable having to kiss someone. My loving and thoughtful scene partner announces,

"Well, she has a boyfriend, but I'm single and completely ok with that."

My jaw dropped. I apparently mentioned I had a boyfriend in the hallway, but why did he answer for me? And he did not know how I felt! He didn't even know me! After giving this guy a sassy glare, I told the director it wasn't a big deal - he's in theatre too. She seemed relieved.

There are two major rules in improv: 1) do not play for a laugh and 2) make your scene partner look good.

Warning to all future scene partners: if you throw me under the bus, I'm taking you down with me. Or, at the very least, I'll grab the bumper and hold on. It looks like a long road ahead.