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...

Did It

Ok, I told the director. It's all done. And I feel kind of bad. But, I can't say yes to every project just because it is offered. This is a lesson I learned after being in The Laramie Project.

Rule 2: Do not accept a role just because it is offered.

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.