Join the family business....

Summer has ended, thank goodness! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the great weather but when you're a girl (woman) with some extra "LB's" on her, wearing shorts and short sleeved shirts isn't much fun. I prefer quarter length or long sleeves and jeans, thanks! Ah...fall is here! Football is here! But that's not the reason I'm posting.
Once again, I've been cast in a local community theater group's musical. A different group from the previous groups I've performed with. The original auditions reminded me a lot of when I auditioned for The Sound of Music; VERY low key, VERY low pressure. We were called up to the stage and taught the song that was posted in the audition packet, went over it a few times and then were called up numerically one-by-one to sing it. I felt REALLY good about my singing. Probably better than I have at ANY of the auditions I've been to since Annie. My voice teacher would've been proud!
Then we were taught a dance routine which was about 14 counts of four. We went over it a few times and then were called up in groups of four to perform it twice. I was in the first group and I felt pretty good about how I performed that too. I left that night feeling VERY positive that I had performed well enough for a spot in the cast, maybe even a lead.
Lo and behold, about an hour later, I got a call from the director asking me to come back the next night for a call back audition for a lead part I had circled on my audition application. She said there would be more singing and some acting. I was REALLY excited! And nervous. More so than for then before. I have never been called back before! I had no idea what to expect. And I had less than 24 hours to prepare...on a week day.
So during work I downloaded the song that the character sang. I also scoured the internet and YouTube looking for videos of the character, anything I could find that would help. I listened to the song OVER and OVER! That was the best I could do.
I got to the school that night and I knew my competition right away; an older woman (or maybe she's younger, I'm not sure) who was shorter, thinner and had more of the face (and nose actually) for the part. I couldn't stop looking over at her. Unfortunately, we had to wait over an hour until they called us up to the piano to go over the part of the solo we had to sing. It wasn't the part I was most confident with, doesn't it figure. The other woman went up first, and she sang it off book, totally characterized it and was hilarious. I knew it, I was screwed. I got up, did the best I could to sing the right notes and throw in a little characterization and that was it. I didn't fare much better in the acting. The 2nd scene we did someone didn't finish their line and everyone was waiting for me while I was waiting for the right line to finish - so I made it look bad. The other woman nailed it. I knew I was sunk, I was bummed. Amazing how you can be flying high one night and then be brought right back to earth the next. The other woman thanked me before I left, I'm not sure what for. For making her look good? Oh sure - any time. LOL! I mean, it was nice of her but I was confused as to how to interpret it.
The next day around lunch time I got an email from the director; I was offered a bit part and part of the ensemble. It was true - my little thoughts of hope were bashed. I was REALLY disappointing. I guess in a lot of ways I'm still that kid who always wants their way. So I spent the next few hours debating on whether to accept the lesser roles. Then I thought to myself "If I hadn't been called back like the last two shows I was in, would I have been as hesitant to accept what they offered me? I knew the answer; not a chance! So I emailed my acceptance.
Let's see how long it takes me to get over it - especially when that "other woman" starts rehearsing that freakin solo! LOL!

The birds of Spring

It's no secret that although I'm not a big fan of summer (mostly because of high heat and humidity), I am a big fan of spring. I love the rebirth of nature, especially my birdy friends.
I hang feeders from my sunporch in the warmer days. I would hang them in winter but the windows freeze up and they're impossible to open. So the first chance I get, I put out the feeders and hope that whatever breed I can get finds them.
The city seems to be the home of WAY too many sparrows. That's the majority of what I get and considering the seed I buy runs me about $40+ dollars a month, it's a bit annoying knowing that I'm feeding a bunch of birds who would be just as happy eating out of a garbage can. BUT, there are also other breeds I love that come to visit. The other day when I put my window feeder out, it wasn't hanging 5 minutes before a gorgeous, red male House Finch paid it a visit. Today he even brought his mate. I also have a stunning male yellow finch visiting my inventive nyjer feeder I bought last year. Why inventive? The feed ports are below the perches so the bird hangs upside down to feed from it. And not many can do it. Keeps the sparrows out of it. Now if I could find a way to keep the big, fat, anything-eating doves out of my window feeder. And keep the pigeons away (The winged rats that they are!)
Bird feeding in the city is an ongoing struggle to attract and keep the pretty birds around while keeping the bullies and buzzards away.

Gunna take longer than 9 to 5

My first rehearsal with the new show (and new company) is in the books and BOY was it different than my last first rehearsal experience. The actual first rehearsal was the night I was on an Amtrak train, west-bound for home so I missed all of what I heard was general choas and lack of organization.
SK picked me up and as we drove she told me how the first night was basically a big miss in her book. (As in "You're lucky you missed it".) When the dust of getting everyone in and scripted and paperwork, the vocal session wasn't much better.
The first difference between this group and my previous experience was they don't use an accompanist during rehearsals. They have this software called Rehearscore. It can play any part, break it down for you and everything. Modern technology, so wonderful! But in this case I'd have to say it's some what of a collasal fail. There's no one to play you a chord so you know your starting note. Just silence and then, SING! Took some getting used to and I still don't think I like it. We did get a copy of it to download so we can use it at home, which is probably what it's best for but using it as a rehearsal with the cast, I can't say I'm a big fan.
The cast is a mixed bag of nuts; most of them look like they know each other pretty well, especially the women. The best surprise was the alto section was bigger than the section of sopranos. They were just comprised of my buddy SK and two other women. The altos were at least 8 women strong. I was waiting for the musical director to start moving people over but it didn't happen.
After suffering through the opening number, we started working on the second number. Thankfully it was much easier, AND more fun. Took us a few minutes until everyone was yelling to play it up to tempo.
While the MD (musical director) was working with the basses and tenors, I perused the script to find my lines and was pleasantly surprised to find I have quite a few. I also chatted with "Roz" quite a bit since she was sitting next to me and I don't think she kept quiet the whole rehearsal. She's definitely one of those "theatre people" and isn't afraid to voice any thought that comes into her head, even at the mercy of insulting anyone or ticking off the MD. I thought I was missing that filter between your brain and your mouth but she makes me look introverted.
I did have one really good line though. At the beginning of the rehearsal they had us all stand up one at a time, introduce ourselves and say what character we'd be playing. When they got to me I said my name and then said "This looks like an AA meeting, which is appropriate considering I'm playing the part of Margaret". Cue laughter!

No bad knee is gunna keep me down!

So now that winter doesn't have a strangle hold of this area, I decided to look for another audition for a spring show. I had heard a few months ago that one of the local theatre companies had announced they were going to do 9 to 5 the musical. I knew nothing about the show but am exTREMELY familiar with the movie. So my plan was to audition in March. Then February reared it's ugly head and among many issues that month, I had slight tears to my meniscus in my left knee along with a strained ACL. The first thing I thought of was "there goes my chance at 9 to 5". I was REALLY upset.

But as luck would have it, my knee seemed to recover pretty quickly. So when audition week came around, although I was fighting a nasty head cold which changed my plans to audition the 1st night, I sucked it up and went to the 2nd night auditions.
The auditions were held in a church. So I stood in line to turn in my audition form which I had completed ahead of time, got my number (I think I was #28) and sat on a bench trying not to get into my head too much. There were about 38/40 people there. One by one they called us upstairs for vocal range assessment. That was done in the chapel. The vocal director was at the piano and just had me sing some scales; took about two minutes and then it was back down to the "hot box" (yeah, it was sweaty-hot downstairs) to wait until everyone was done. Then they called us back up to the chapel to learn the song and then the dance. Yes, I danced on my bad knee. I had to. I WANTED to. I had my brace on, I took it somewhat easy but I also went for it. Surprisingly, unlike my last couple auditions, I felt like I picked up on the choreography really quickly. Then it was back down to the sweaty wait chamber to wait until I was called. During that time I just ran through the choreo a few more times. The song I felt pretty confident with; we were to sing the first 30 something bars of the 1st number, 9 to 5. The musical version of the song is a BIT different but not significantly.
When I was called, it was up to sit "on deck" in a chair next to another girl while we waited for the guy ahead of us to finish his vocal part. Unless I was mistaken, he sang it 3 times. Then the girl ahead of me went in. She had a nice voice. Then I heard her do the acting part. Oh - did I mention the acting part? Basically they took a few verses from a song in the show and had is read that. Fortunately, I didn't know the song so it wasn't hard to just read it. They also put some notes about what feeling they were looking for. Afraid but hopeful...I could do that! (especially the fearful part! lol)
Then it was my turn. I sang but OMG...between the cold and waiting so long, my voice sounded weak at first. By the time I got to the chorus I felt and sounded alot better I thought. Then I did my reading...I was shaking! I don't know how HOPEFUL I sounded, but i definitely had the afraid part covered. Hahahahaha! Then it was back down to the sweat-pit to wait for everyone else to finish and then we'd be called in groups of 6 to do the choreography.
My group went up either 2nd or 3rd. We did it once with who I think was the assistant choreographer once, then we were to do it alone. So when we ran through it the first time, she messed up. Fortunately, I didn't follow her but they had us do it again with her out front. Then we did it alone. Other than one arm movement I didn't do, I felt like I nailed it. Who knew?! The part of the audition I thought I'd do the worst, I think it was my strong suit. And that was it. Call backs would be two nights after, if we were called.
I had auditioned for basically 3 parts, the ensemble and the pit chorus. The parts I had listed were Roz, Margaret (the office drunk) and Kathy (the office gossip). Roz has a great part and an awesomely hilarious song called Heart to Hart where she admits to the audience her love for the jerk.
So once again, call back night came and went without a call to me. I also texted a buddy of mine who had auditioned the night before I had. She was in The Sound of Music with me and I encouraged her to audition. She's a little cutie with a really lovely voice but auditions really intimidate her. Especially what she calls "theatre people". Theatre people, I think she means they are people who seem to know everyone important and experienced around them. They also have tons of experience in local and national theatre groups and aren't afraid to tell you about it. There were a few of those the night I went but they didn't intimidate me. I just try and make friends. Or at least be social. They are the competition after all.
Then Friday came; they didn't really say what time they'd be doing casting calls so needless to say my cell phone never left my sight. The whole work day passed without a call. Then I had some errands to run afterwards; nothing. I was walking into the salon I go to and suddenly...my phone rang. And it was an unknown number ring. Like last September, I knew it was them. I was right!
I was cast. And the best part? Not only was I part of the ensemble, but I had a PART! My part had a NAME! I was cast as Margaret; the office Lush! Hahahahaha!
A Nun one production, now a lush. At least I'm not being type-casted!
PS - my buddy was cast too!!!