Audition Notice

Posted on | August 29, 2006 | No Comments

Had an audition yesterday, my first in a while, and a first at this particular theatre.
Thoughts:

1. I started dissociating pretty quickly – which is what I do when I get really nervous: treating the whole thing as a big sociological experiment. I learned that people, especially in this situation, don’t find my observations nearly as fascinating as I do. Even if I start the sentence with, “I find it fascinating …”
2. Being a young actress sucks. For every guy there were 5-6 women, and most of them sat around for an hour or so and only got to read once. I really tried to give each one of them a good scene, because man, they earned it.
3. I still have no idea how to respond when a scene partner says, “You did really well,” especially when they seem very sincere. I feel like they deserve the same level of sincerity, so “You did, too,” feels prompted and disingenuous, no matter how honest it is. But at the same time, I know they’re looking for the oxygen-like reassurance we all crave coming out of the room, and here they have so generously given that to me. I’ve decided I’m going to take the middle road. I’ll blithely and diffidently declare, “I did, didn’t I?” And then punch myself in the face.
4. Actor audition banter is tough. It’s a very weird situation – here you are, essentially all competing with each other, but most people are going out of their way to be pleasant – because a) you may have to work with them in the future, b) you likely have to work with them tonight, and c) they could be the director’s cousin. Probably not unlike the waiting room at the Coliseum, I expect.

1st Victim: Can you believe those lions in there?

2nd Victim: Yeah, vicious. I know it sounds stupid, but I still get nervous every time I do this. Isn’t that dumb?

1: No, I think that’s natural.

2: Don’t worry – I won’t let it get to me. I’ve got your back in there.

1: Me, too. Totally.

2: Thanks. (Nervous laugh.) I’ll need it.

1: No way, are you kidding? You’re in great shape. You’ll slay them in there!

2: Oh, stop …

Sound of a horn. PIT MONITOR, a legal secretary by day, motions toward the pair.

2: We’re on!

1: Break a leg!

2: I should be so lucky …

Exeunt Omnes, pursued by a lion.

EDIT: Much blood was shed, but they asked me to come in for a second round on Wednesday. Excelsior!

EDIT2: Ah, the irony! Survive the Pit only to be cut down by a nicely worded rejection email. C’est le théâtre!

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