15/46-365 Waiting

As much as auditions make me incredibly nervous, this one went well today … at least well for me. It was a “closed” audition, where we were not allowed to hear the other folks sing their audition song. While “Spitfire” was also a closed audition, we could easily hear each person sing through the door. I think this one counts as my first that was “closed”. I’m not sure I liked it. Being able to listen to the other auditionees (if that is a word) helps me calm my nerves. Instead, I paced the back room at ABET, running through my lyrics, hoping my voice wouldn’t crack as a moved through the break into the belt part of my headvoice, and wishing time would move quicker. Finally, I was called into the room.

My audition piece was “100 Easy Ways to Lose a Man” from “Wonderful Town.” The show and that song are relatively uncommon for auditioning, and the music director had not seen this music before. She asked for a little time to look it over, so there I was standing on the stage looking at the director, writer/composer and a few others helping out in the decision making. A bit of an awkward position, so what do I do? Tell a joke. No joke, really. I told a joke. Fortunately, the punch line was a song and they liked it. We chatted a little bit about Wonderful Town and Broadway, then finally it was time for me to sing. It was one of the best times I’ve sung that song, which was good. As I was walking out, Caryl said to let them know that she wanted me to read for Mama Key. I said, “Ok, and I’ll have another joke when I come back in!” They said good; make it a longer one. One of these days my attempts to get past my nervousness are not going to be so well received.

I read through the two pages of dialog; then GLR and I walked around out side. There were other people still singing their songs, so we were killing time. When they started the reading, they read the two little girls (age 8 – 11) with the dad role. Then came the time for Mama Key. There were 3 of us still there to read for Mama Key, and 2 young women reading for Teddy. Caryl decided to bring all of in as it would be easier to switch up who was reading with whom.

GLR went first and in my opinion was great. I hated to follow her as she reads so well. Another lady was next; then I read. When I read with the first young lady, I read it ‘big’. Louder voice, more boisterous, that type of thing. I felt I should be different from GLR and the other woman. When we were done, Caryl asked me to read it softer, more intimate, that she wanted to see the relationship between Teddy and Mama Key develop. So, I completely changed it, trying to do what she asked, and I could almost feel the chemistry between the young lady and myself. It was pretty cool.

Now the waiting begins. Caryl said that she’d let us know Monday or Tuesday as to her decision on casting the show. I would really like to do the show – an opportunity to work on a show that has never been done before, with the playwrite there helping out. I honestly don’t know what my chances are for being cast, but my fingers and toes are crossed.

If you're curious, here's the link to the show information:
http://www.abettheatre.com/current-season/aussie-song/

TTFN!