Auditioning is an Adrenaline Rush

So I had an audition this morning, for the one white girl role in the musical with the big helicopter. Please don't mention the name in the comments as I'm trying to keep this blog from showing up when people do google searches for local shows. Thanks.

On stage I didn't sing the song as well as I did in my kitchen last night, but it went fairly well. I rarely get nervous when I perform in a show, but auditions are much harder. Particularly singing auditions, because I haven't done as many and I feel like it's not my strongest suit. My knees shook and my voice wasn't as smooth on the higher notes as I would have liked. When I came out of the theatre I could literally feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. Auditioning is NOT my favorite thing. Still, I try to remember that every audition is a chance to do something I love: perform, create a character, tell a story. So that's what I aim to do when I go in. Despite shaking knees I sang my heart out, put emotion behind the words, and told the story of the song.

I was shocked by the low turnout at the audition, as I assumed it would be me against every other white girl in New Orleans for this role. It would be a great part for me, as it's pretty nicely in my range, requires no dancing, and my height would set me apart nicely from the slew of Asian girls in the show (no offense, please). However, I'm not holding my breath...

One of the things I TRY to do when I audition for a show is prepare like crazy, go in and audition, and then leave it be. It's hard to do, and even harder if it's a part I REALLY want, but that's the goal. Because once I've done my thing there's nothing left for me to do. I could be the most talented person who auditioned and be perfect for the role but if I remind the director of his sister whom he hasn't spoken to in years and I won't get the part. Or she may already have someone in mind and the audition is more of a formality. Or I may be 6 inches taller than the guy she wants to cast as my husband. Or just about any other variable I can think of. And sometimes, well, someone ELSE is the right actor for the role, and does it better than me. So I try not to worry about it too much, and if the "no" comes just let it roll off as a minor disappointment.

So after the audition the adrenaline runs its course and I get on with life. Today I joined my daughter at a birthday party in progress (at Chuck E Cheese's. On a Saturday. Drug me now.), had our Mother's Day pictures taken, and will soon be emptying the litter box. But I probably will jump if the phone rings.