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!
