what had happened was....

In the time since my last post I have gotten to do two notable things along the theme for this blog (and many more that don't fit in this categorization).

1) Sing in the 24 hour opera project

2) dance with other theatre professionals at the Ball Masque for Theatre du Reve in Atlanta.

I'd been looking forward to both for such a long time! They recorded and edited the opera and tagged me in it on fb for your viewing pleasure :) For me, the process started at 8:00 in the morning. (Others had been up all night writing the bit we performed.) They gathered the singers into one of the rehearsal rooms where we saw all of our head shots on poster boards with our names beneath. The directors had picked numbers and based on the order of their numbers, they picked which singers they wanted--like a draft. Not the usual casting procedure!

I was chosen for the team working on "Scrub a dub Raw." Summarized: a comedic soap opera in English sung with opera technique.

I memorize best by sleeping on information, so getting the songs at 8:00 and then performing them at 7:30 wasn't the easiest.

We had different rooms we were scheduled to practice in. (very appreciated) and they had a complete spread of healthy snacks out for us all day long. Coffee would have been included in the spread, but the overnight shift had consumed all of that.

So we practiced, and practiced, and practiced. When we were blocking, our director gave us some flexibility which was much appreciated.

At 4:45 we headed from our rehersal space at the Atlanta Opera to the GSU performing stage. This would have ordinarily taken 15 minutes max, but we just so happened to be leaving as a falcons game was getting out. Yeah. It took 1 hr +. So we finally arrived, ran through it a few times, and then it was time for the show!

Everyone was so great and hilarious!

2) I got to dance with acting professionals who speak French. The style was Baroque i.e. pre-ballett. (I LOVE ballet) we rehearsed 3 times (in Colony square in Atlanta [my new favorite spot of land]) Everyone was marvelous and creative. And, the dance was beautiful.

I am so grateful I got to do both of those events. But, during each of them, I was feeling that I wasn't being 100% me. Something about the performing wasn't as fun as I remembered and anticipated.

24-hr project

The details are in.

Each "opera" will have 4 singers soprano-alto-tenor-bass. That means I was one of three sopranos chosen out of I don't know how many. This thought makes me smile. I will arrive at 8:00 a.m. and be assigned to a team. (Singing is difficult at 8:00 a.m.) and we will begin rehersal.

The Atlanta Opera will be facebooking and twittering the entire process and encourage us to do the same and even have something called a "confession clam" set up. This is some sort of booth where are required to go at least once and give some sort of statement about how we feel the process is going.

So this is really opera meets reality TV. HE HE HE!!!!!! I'm still excited to be in it b/c the idea of only having 12 hours to prep something is quite marvelous.

The singers have to wear all black. Bummer. No sparkling for this performance.

success

The Atlanta Opera people called Wednesday to invite me to participate and see if I was still interested in participating. Absolutely still interested! I was dreading a logistics issue, but the singers don't partake in this until Sunday at 8:00 a.m. which leaves Saturday night free to sing for the Pathway fundraiser. I'm really grateful for that answer to prayer!

I was told to show up at GSU Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. on the 7th. And, that more details would follow. They haven't come yet, but I wanted to go ahead and let you people know.

This is SO exciting! Not because it is opera, but because it is a 24 hour creative project (of NYC inspiration), and I get to be a part of it!

11

I just put in an application for the 24 hour opera project.

This is where selected playwrights/composers have 12 hours to write an opera and then selected stage managers, opera singers, and musicians, have 12 hours to put it on.

I'll know in 10 days.

It sounds like so much fun!

nope

They sent out a cast list today via email. I'm not on it. Sad story.

Faberfaction

Aah, 10 down.

I really like this theatre company. Everyone was so nice, and the building felt peaceful. Also, it is only 30 minutes from my house.

I did get lost on the way, so when I arrived, I needed some decompression time. They let other people go in front of me (much appreciated). I used my time to collect my thoughts and run through the monologue in my head a few more times.

Then, it was my turn. Yeay! I walked in there w/ my crazy black and white heels, my zany canary yellow tights, black mini skirt, black and white poka dot shirt and 3" silver earrings. I had a lot of fun picking out this outfit that I hoped would help the casting director see me in the show.

The pianist was very nice, but we did not communicate effectively and he wasn't w/ me the entire bit I sang. Then I sang part of "Fighter" by Christina Agulara. This was w/ my ipod plugged in and I could have prepped this one more. Then, I gave them my monologue, and I really felt that they were with me as I delivered the lines. You know that feeling when it's as though the audience is breathing with you.

They thanked me and wanted to know if I was called back, would I be available Monday from 3-5. Absoluately! They said they would email out a call back list by 10:00 p.m.

So I went on my merry way. I felt good about the experience even though I could honestly have prepped more. When I checked my email, there was a list of people being considered for the roles and I wasn't on the list. But the message said that everyone getting the email was "still being considered for a role in the show." I just don't need to go to call backs.

I honestly hope I am being considered for the chorus. Which would be a safe assumption at this point :) I LOVE dancing with other people, and belting one of the leads would probably not be good for my voice with my current level of training, and the two female parts I could be are quite raunchy and though it's acting, I wonder how spending that much time "as a character" would change my not acting life. And, there's more time for camaraderie in the chorus.

So that's the story. I can't wait for another!

Rent

I get to audition again today. This time it is for Rent at the Faberfaction theatre. Honestly, my training has only recently encompassed this type of singing, so I am viewing this as 3 minutes performing at a sort of an open mic not really an audition. It's kind of freeing to prep for something this way rather than thinking whether the auditioners will like it or not. Wish me luck! My slot is at 5:10 but I'm headed to a concert after that, so I'll not be able to share how it went until later.

#9 Theatre Du Reve

Aah,

this one was so much fun. I was the last person from the evening. I went in there a bit worn out, and not sure what to expect. I asked them if I could sing first, and they said yes. Then, they asked if I wanted to play something on my violin (since I had it there) so I got to play some stuff on that. They said it sounded nice. Then they handed me a piece of paper w/ 5 character names on it, and I was to come up with different voices and body language for each character. A baker, a nun, a teacher etc. Oh, it was SO much fun!

Then, it got better. They asked me to deliver the same lines the same way except in French! Translating on the fly and remembering what I had done before took a LOT of brain power.

Then, they asked if I knew a joke to share. So, I asked them what the zero said to the eight. Answer: "nice belt." That got a laugh from the one who spoke French. (yes, accurate deduction, the other casting director didn't speak French. Much to my dismay.)

Then they wanted to know where I grew up. I'm tired of telling people my life story. Still, I understand that an audition is a HIGH stress interview. They want to see if the people will fit with their cast b/c they are going to be spending a lot of time together.

Then the non-French speaking director said he had seen enough to get a feel for who I am. (NOT what you want to hear at an audition.)

They told me that the masked ball fundraiser in November will need performers. Perfect! I will get to do some entertaining with these people who are creative and speak French.

On my way home, I realized that I didn't do the monologue for them. Things just flowed without it. Maybe that would have changed the outcome.

My head now hurts. I've never been hung over the way most people speak of it, but I think I'm hung over from the excitement of the day.

"the decisions were tough"

I finally got an email from Stone Mountain today. Yes. An email. (bad sign) and it said that they had to take so long because the decisions were so tough. They are grateful that I auditioned and said they hope I come to the one in the spring. Yeah. So that's the word on that one. Bummer.

On another note, the audition for Theatre Du Reve is tomorrow! I'm quite excited about singing and monologuing for them.

waiting with a chance

just learned that for the last two years Stone Mountain has had two auditions and some people who were in the first were hired for the show. So, there is still hope. And, no one from the audition I was at has heard yet.

no word

I haven't heard back from Stone Mountain. I'm feeling that if they knew they wanted me on cast, I would have heard by now.

This is challenging. I'm needing to be on stage, but b/c of traveling, community theater stuff hasn't worked out. (They require 4 to 6 times as much practice time as professional gigs.) And, the professional stuff hasn't yet worked out either.

At dance today I saw someone from the Sound Of Music audition. Actually, she saw me and introduced herself again. She encouraged me to keep trying she's been auditioning for 3 years and got her first break this summer. She's been doing community theater all around in the mean time. And, the break was because one of the directors she has worked with got her into a private audition.

I love this dance place btw's. It's just for adults and they have all levels of all types of dance classes and you "drop in" i.e. come when you can, and only pay for those times. This is the first time I've been there on a Saturday, and it was hopping!

I'll be auditioning for the French theater on the 16th at 9:45 (at night! b/c I'm playing violin earlier in the evening.) that will be #9/100.

....

Still no word. I'm really really really hoping on this!

On another note, I got an email from the French Theater in Atlanta (Teatre Du Reve). They have auditions the 16th of this month for a show in January. In my perfect scheme of things, I would work for Stone Mountain, then Theatre Du Reve, then go on a 6 month cruise ship contract then come back, buy a house and be a worship leader, voice teacher, and have a family.

At the moment, I am becoming quite familiar with waiting for step one, prepping for step two, and wondering what will really happen in the next 12 months.

peace out!

Called Back :)

This is what transpired yesterday.

I arrived and waited. Though we had times for our audition, they saw people in their order of arrival. I went in and sang a snip bit from "The Girl in 14 G" <- I really liked the response it received at my last audition. I sang 16 measures and stopped in the middle of a phrase and told them that was 16 measures, but I would sing more if they wanted me to. They didn't. But, they did ask for my monologue. This is the first time I've auditioned with one of those ever. I started it with gibberish. Really, that's what came out. So I just kept going. It was supposed to be funny, but they didn't laugh. Instead they thanked me (i.e. asked me to stop) before the end. They told me to walk out and wait for Sara. So I did, and she came out with a call back for me! Woopie! The paper told me to return at 4:00 and 5:30 for the singing and dancing call back. As it was 1:00, I had 3 hours to spend.

The city of Stone Mountain is perfectly quint. The tiny library was one block and a half away from the theater housing auditions. The short walk took me past adorable gift shops and a Mom and Pop type Hogie restaurant. I walked in to find out what a Hogie was exactly. They handed me a menu and I was about to ask what they would recommend when I saw the hand made sign saying: "everything we make is good." So I ordered a Hogie. That's another word for a giant sub. I wasn't expecting something 18" long! And, oh it was tasty.

At 3:30 ish I headed back over. It turned out that the dance audition was first. Everyone was already there and ready. I saw the girl who was so nice at the White Christmas audition and one of my friends from Clayton State. The feeling in the room was different this time around. Everyone was more positive than the people there when I was there earlier. Incidentally, only one of them was there.

So, at 4:00 we headed up stairs to learn the dance. Whew! Did you know that I love dancing? They had a delightful dance instructor (the teacher in me is very picky about teachers I sit under) teach us a dance pattern that lasted 32 beats. And, at the rate that the music was going, it felt like one beat a second. That doesn't sound like much, but oh it was. By count 8, we had rotated in three different directions. I went to the front of the room because I really wanted to be able to see what I was doing in the mirror. This helped me in another way because the other people who choose the front were confident dancers and they were what I saw in my periphery. The instructor insisted that he was here to help us and he couldn't help if we didn't ask questions, so I, being a Clifton, was the first to take him up on that. After thanking me, he gave me even unrequested feedback. So, for me this was a 1 hour dance lesson. Bonus.

After he had gone through the entire dance, he asked who had it 90% and I was surprised as I looked around. The only people who raised their hands were the people I was dancing next to. He continued with 75%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%. Through this, not many of the 25 of us raised our hands. He had the 90% people go to the back so we could have a chance to see our selves. Then he broke down the steps again. The motions were challenging, and I just barely got them. There were two places where I went in the right direction, but my feet didn't do exactly what they had said.

After I don't know how long, some one came up to say that they were ready for us downstairs. The instruction time was over.............. on my way down, the instructor found me and said that he could tell that I really enjoyed dancing and worked really hard and that was good. Then he said that I had the rhythm for the steps, but I was doing crazy things. I wanted to laugh out loud. I was barely getting the foot work. He pointed out particularly one part where I was rigidly throwing up my arms and he wanted me to express the idea of the words in the song "presents under the tree." So I went over how I could do that in my head quite a few times on the way down.

We got back on that stage, and ran through it all together. I was still finding a window when the music started, so I started behind and didn't really get back on track until the middle. I thought that was my only chance, but it turns out that it wasn't. They called us up in groups of four. I think they went in order of auditioning earlier in the morning b/c I was in the first group. This has pros and cons. I got to go right after that run through on the stage, and before my nerves had a chance to make me freeze. On the flip side, I didn't have as much time to go over the dance in my head before it was time to wow the auditioners.

I was in the back in a window. Right before the music came on, I stood there enjoying the stage lights with so much excitement and expectation that they must have showed on my face. Then the dance started. I kept up and kept beaming. It was SO much fun! Then they had us switch lines and do it again. This time the dance instructor didn't count it off, and I missed the entrance. He called everyone to a halt and started us all again with a count off. I was very appreciative! With the second start, I was on beat for the whole thing. They had us pause at the end and hold our pose. The performer in me LOVED that! When I sat back down, the choreographer found me and said that I "took his note" and that was good. :)

Then I watched everyone else have their turn. Some people stood out as dancers. Oh, they were impressive! Others didn't radiate much. That was a surprise. But I was secretly glad.

After everyone had done the choreography, the auditioners gave them a chance to show off things in their "bag of tricks." A double turn counts as a trick. Really. I feel like I can get before my next audition of this type. I don't know why they are that impressive. Some people did jumps and other types of turns and my friend did a round off back handspring.

Then we all went out and picked up music and came back in to learn music. It wasn't near as much as I expected. They just wanted us to do a simple carrol, and one jazzy song, and the sopranos got to sing O Holy Night to show off their high A. I got to go first b/c I had to go early, so first for both things. I think it would have helped to have heard the music a few times. So they had me and three other people sing "Good King Wincelass" it was indeed a tongue twister. They asked us to sing it again, this time focused on blending. Then we were done. I waited around a little bit and watched other quartets. They asked those sopranos to sing "O Holy Night." I don't know why they didn't want me to, but I wanted to sing for them, so after they were done w/ all the quartets and before they went on to something else, I raised my hand and said I didn't get a chance to sing it and would like to. When I sang it, I saw them nodding with each other. I don't know what that means. That's the hardest part about this auditioning business--I'm not able to read these people. In everyday life I can tell what's going on.

So I left. There was more to sing, but I had to leave to go to the other audition. I felt very torn between the two locales. I made two wrong turns, so I got to the Michel O'Neal singers late anyway, so I could have stayed to finish the first audition. I made the last part of the warm up. Then, everyone introduced themselves. There is such a lovely feeling about that group. The way everyone enjoys music and the fact that they sight read well makes me feel like my musical soul is resting on a large feather pillow.

Michel O'Neal was concerned with how I was doing because I was late, and I had to audition after the choir. Apparently, the phone call I received was the audition because I was pretty much already in the smaller group. They stayed after a little bit and I sang with them to see if I blended with them, but blending is what I do. So, I'm in that group, but he wants me to be able to commit for a year, and the goal of my life for this year is 1) to perform and 2) to be where I'm at.

(imagine me singing these words with the tune "Still Hurting" from The Last 5 Years)

Now the auditions are over and done.

Oh but they were just so much fun.

We have all danced and we have all sung.

But, I'm still waiting.

~Vivian out

#8

I received a phone call from the director of the Michael O'Neal singers inviting me to audition for the chamber group (paid.) <- I heard it wasn't much, but that's OK right now.

So, tomorrow, I get to audition twice! Sweetness. And, I really believe at least one thing is going to work out.

#7 Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain has a big production for Christmas and they need performers for this sort of thing. They have auditions Sunday and Monday for singers/dancers/actresses. My slot is Monday at 12:00 noon.

On the website they say they need:

- a cappella quartets to stroll around and sing carols,

- singers for two shows

- actors/actresses

- and they need one person comfortable with flying to be the "Snow Queen." <- that's what I want to be!

You can see all of these roles in the video on this page:

http://festivals.stonemountainpark.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=42

I have been asking expectantly for a paid job performing by Sep 1. I feel chances are good for this one b/c they want a large time commitment, as does everyone in this season, so I'm thinking there will be less competition. And, I've been sharpening my skills.

update

Hello all,

in the time since the last post, many things have happened.

I received an email saying I was too young for the 30 year old singer part, and another girl had "the look" they wanted for the younger one.

I got to go to NYC and that was absolutely amazing! Everyone there is cultured, this is either because or the reason there is a concert EVERYWHERE you turn, and there is a French cultural center in Manhattan. Really! A building just for people who speak French! (and are French too, but minor details ;)

And, I got to see the Lion King. Aaahhh, that was inspiring! I left desiring to sing out. Really sing out! You would think that this would be a result of the show (which was in fact as fabulous as you have heard), but actually, I had to wait in the stand by line for 30 minutes before the show (yes, it was sold out!) (Yes, I did get in!) As I was waiting, I got to see the "trailer" for the show 20 + times without sound. Without the auditory experience/distraction, I was able to see what it feels like to really sing freely.

And, I got to watch a producer work on a composition. This was inspiring in a different way. I had asked him questions about genres etc. when I met him in Savannah. His answer was that you have to let the music be what it is, and just do what you enjoy. He apologized for not having more concrete answers. But, really that was freeing. He wouldn't shape any part of my career, I have to choose what I want and what to call it. It was great to watch him compose with this mindset. He had a feeling of the song he wanted, then he tinkered for something like 15 seconds, and got a piano sound he wanted and then recorded a 5 minute track. Then, he tinkered for another 15 seconds, got a sound he liked and recorded what sounded like guitar over the piano bit. Then he added the strings he wanted. All of this just flowed from him and it sounded good. This method of composition is in stark contrast to what I have used. It is just so free. I think that's how all the arts are supposed to be.

And, I got to go to see the church written about in Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. Chances are high that you have heard me reference this book more than once. I LOVE it! Small piece of background: this church existed over 20 years ago as a struggling congregation. One sunday a pew broke beneath some members. Can you imagine that happening! There were non-physical problems as well. So on a vacay, the pastor kind of heard God say that if they would pray, God would show up, their church would never lack members, and they would make a difference in NYC. The name of the church? Brooklyn Tabernacle. Not only have they been a beacon of love and light for homeless etc. but they have a choir that has won grammy awards. I got to feel the music while I was there. That's what it was--a feeling. Everyone around me was singing their heart out, and some people were not on pitch, but the combined sound was beautiful. Inspiration flavor three, perhaps the strongest.

So it was a wonderful trip Lindi and I scheduled back in May. At that time, I assumed there would be auditions, b/c things are ALWAYS popping up. But, I got there, and found out that it is cultural for everyone to leave NYC the second week of August for vacation. So I came back without auditioning, but very inspired. I've been really blessed to be able to travel so much in my few years this far. All of the experiences of other cultures have set me up to know that I really, truly, love NYC. Though it's an amazing place, Atlanta calls me with a stronger voice.

wait, not that?

Hello everyone, I spent most of last night watching Vivian Leigh in Gone with the wind to get my southern accent in a good place for tomorrow.

This afternoon, I drove to Roswell to audition for the Michel O'Neal singers. It was a LOVELY experience! He had exercises I had never seen before to test my volume control, and he used the typical "my country 'tis of thee" to tell what voice type I am, but he tested that in different keys. He thinks I'm a second soprano. He's the first to think that. I got to sight read some beautiful stuff, then we talked over what type of music they would be singing next year and he said that the official letters of acceptance wouldn't go out until the middle of next week, but he was certain he wanted me in the group. Then he put a little plug saying that this would be a great place for me right now b/c I'm just out of college and need to continue training my voice and he focuses on that more than most conductors. He's right. I do want to sing for people who know how to nurture voices, and he seemed like such a person.

This is a community choir, but there is a small group of singers that get to travel and sing and they get a small amount of money. Just imagine, traveling and singing! Yeay!

I didn't commit to that though b/c I didn't know about this musical audition. He half heartedly wished me luck and I drove through Atl to get to the theatre. Surprisingly, the traffic flowed the whole time, I looked at the cars practically parked going north and contemplated if the lack of traffic going south due to the small number of people made it worth staying there w/ less culture. I decided I prefer culture and therefore traffic.

After meeting up with my friend, I headed over the the theatre. When I got there, everyone was reading over scripts rather furiously they had been given more lines than I had. Right after I made that observation, the director spotted me and came over to shake my hand and ask if I could go sing some more for him and the musical director. He wanted to know how high I can belt. I don't know how high I can belt b/c I blend it so I'm not sure where someone else would say "that's not belting" anyway, he had me sight read a sad waltz from the show (I LOVE waltzs!!!!) and then he asked if I knew the song "I'm a survivor" which I kind of did, so he played the chords and I sang what I knew of that. Throughout this second examanation, he let me know that he was a UGA grad in piano before he hit Broadway. After I learned that about him I REALLY wanted to work with him!

Then he decided he had heard enough and we walked back out to where every one else was, and he called them all back for reading. He didn't have me read the whiny wife, instead, I got to read the country singer wanna be. After the first time going through the lines, he said he didn't want anything like Scarlett O'Hara. Great! I spent the rest of the time trying to figure out how to sound "genuinely southern" this time with out a whine. After a few scenes he said he had heard enough from me and told me he would call me either way in a couple days. On my way out he said "go UGA."

So I left. I haven't wanted anything this much in 10 years. Really. I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to be in a production put on by this person, and I like where it is, and it is near my church that I love being on the worship team at and I have people I can stay with. Everything seems Perfect! Except, well, I don't know what he has to consider because I was the only one reading for the role!

I texted a friend who does a lot of this sort of thing to see if that was code for "you didn't make it" or "yes, it's yours" and he said it just means that they were impressed and are seriously considering me. I don't care how much they consider me as long as I get to end up here!

I've spent all of my thoughts and all of my extra time since the audition begging God in proportion to how much I want this role. I keep thinking of the parable of the woman knocking, and knocking, and knocking, and knocking, and knocking, etc. until her neighbor comes out and gives her bread b/c she's getting annoying.

We shall see what happens.

Also, I'm grateful for this audition because I want to believe that "all things work out for the good of those that love him" but I haven't really been living like I believe it. So, coming from the same school as this director is a good thing. I did get connections from UGA after all. I wonder what else good is working out right now.

Blue Plate Special

This is the name of a production about a young (married) woman who wants to become a country singing star. It is being put on by a community theatre in Fairburn, the one that my grandparents donated the building to interestingly enough.

I got there much earlier than normal b/c I was going to pick up a friend from church in the area to hang out with me, but I ended up lost and at the theatre 30 minutes before, so she joined me there.

The producers etc. were still deciding how the audition was going to go, i.e. were the singers going to wear numbers.

After a few minutes, they let us sign up. I was third. After a very very short time, they called my name. Yeay! I got to confer w/ the accompanist before I entered the theatre which was was very helpful. My song (The Girl in 14 G) is a beast to play on the piano.

After the mini-conference we went in and Mr. I forget his name asked my song. Turns out he is quite familiar with it and enjoys it very much.

So I started singing, he motioned for me to step back after I had started. So I kept on singing while I repositioned. The pianist did indeed have trouble playing the complex chords w/ jazz rhythms and I started one of the notes a whole step up then kind of went down to the pitch it was supposed to be and continued with the song. I'm quite happy with the last note. That song is just so much fun and the ending fits so comfortably in my voice.

When I was done, Mr. I forget his name asked if I grew up in the south. I told him I did. He said "good" and there was an interesting pause. I think he thinks that everyone who is from here has an accent. The pause ended as he reached for a sheet of paper and asked if I would read for Ramona. She is a spoiled rotten young married woman whose mother had just given the advice that she needed to stick by her man.

I read it w/ the most projected southern accent I could muster. He said it was good, and asked if I could not emphasize the syllables so harshly, so I got to say the words again. After the second time he asked if I could be there at 7:00 tomorrow, I told him I could, and then I was dismissed. Before I made it out the door, he called me back to ask me to keep the fact that I had been called back on the down low. So I calmly walked out and that was the end of that. We shall see how tomorrow goes!

Meanwhile, I am determing what angle this spoiled southerner will have. I don't really want to while the whole time. I could just be a bit of a mule. We shall see.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love 'ya tomorrow!

Voices of Liberty

Audition # 5
Voices of Liberty

This was a Disney audition for a group of 8 singers SATB though I hear they have more than one "voices of liberty." Disney splits up the vocalists by gender. The guys started in the morning, we started at 1:00. When 100+ females are in a room waiting for an audition there just seems to be a lot of anxiety. After I arrived and put my makeup on and red dress I looked for someone to talk to who looked like they were enjoying the day most.

I found that person laughing with another woman. We three had a great time chatting. I don't know if I will see these people again, but I am glad I got to get to know them a bit.

At 3:00 they called my shift of 10 people from the general waiting room to another smaller area and we lined up out side the door. The girl in front of me was called back. I was not. Bummer. They all looked up and were quite curious how I would end my snip bit of song, but after I finished, that was it. No questions, no call back. Now that I think about it, breathing for dramatic emphasis, is NOT a way to convince a conductor that I would fit perfectly in an 8 voice group!

Ah well, next!

The Lyric :)

So Saturday, I got up REALLY early. I had to be up early to head to Kennasaw, but nerves got me up at 5:00. This made the drive there a bit difficult and I was wondering why exactly I picked Saturday at that time etc. These thoughts evaporated when I got to the site and excitement took over.

I was the 60th person there so I had some time to hang out. I wasn't expecting to know anyone there, but I saw Seth Davis, a friend from Clayton State. That was really cool. And there were a few faces that were familiar from the other auditions I have been to. People say that all the actors in Atlanta are friends with each other, and I can see how it is.

I really liked the general vibes of the event because they do callbacks for the individual shows later so no one felt rejected. There were a very few who felt dejected at the thought of how the singing went, but on the whole, everyone was enjoying the day.

I asked my new friends what the singing was like, and most said that they weren't given time to introduce themselves or their piece, and were kind of caught off guard. I decided I was going to catch them off guard. So, at 12:15, I went in, handed my music to the accompanist, told the tempo and looked up to see everyone still looking at my resume. Perfect. I said "HELLO" with a dip and raise in my voice. They looked up and I had their attention for the rest of my time in there. That's a good feeling. So I sang, then they said "so you've just finished school" I confirmed that. Then they asked how good my tap was. I told them I was working very hard to make it better and they said they appreciated the honesty. Then they said to be sure to take my tap shoes to the dance portion and I left. I don't know if they expected me to say more about myself or if they had more questions. I'm still getting a feel for this, but I'm REALLY pleased with how the singing went.

Then, after about an hour they called me and 11 other people up for the dance portion. They taught us 16 beats of a jazz/hip hop combo. It was FUN! I didn't pick up every step, but I had most of them, and I did the double spin with balance. After they were content that we knew it, they had us dance in groups of 4. When I was up the auditioner kept watching me dance. I think this is a good thing. As I turned away, he double checked what my number was. I think this is a good thing too. We shall see.

Then they dismissed those that weren't learning the tap portion. I stayed. It started with time steps. Something I haven't mastered yet from class. I had the general idea of the steps by the time they were done instructing, but that was all, and I was a bit clumsy about it. So we danced that and then they said we could leave. I am glad I did that though b/c the tap that they want me to know is TOTALLY within my reach and I am much more motivated to perfect the steps now that I know how they are used.

Then I headed out and drove to Fl for another audition.

Atlanta Lyric

July 9-11 Atlanta Lyric Theatre will be holding open for it's entire season in just two weeks. How cool is that? (This is the best professional theater in the area.) I'll get to sing 16 bars and they will decide if I would be perfect in The Music Man, 42nd Street, Leader of the Pack, Mikado, or Rent. Also, directors for all the theaters in the area will be there, so other opportunities can come from this. Cool eh? I'm hunting for a song that will show off my high range.

Dreaming of White Christmas

Today was audition 3. Yes. I arrived at the Alliance Theater at 11:45 (only 15 min early) and was given my little number. This time 45. I'm not sure what number they started with, b/c only 35 people auditioned today. As I walked to the waiting room (this time thankfully inside considering the 96 Degree weather) I passed a friend from UGA whose internship apparently includes assisting with auditions. How fun! So I went to the room and waited. Again, I was excited. It's not that I feel particularly prepared, it is just that 30 seconds of performing counts as 30 seconds of performing (and it could lead to much more :)

Again, I didn't have to wait long. That was nice.

So, after 20-30 minutes of waiting, my friend came in to say they were ready. I went in, handed my music to the pianist, gave tempo, and walked to what I thought was the center of the room. They asked me to take one large step back. I really wonder why. So I did, then they asked what I was singing I told them "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair." I picked that one in particular b/c it has a line "yeah, sister" which makes me think of the sister duet. [Aahh, I love singing duets!]

Then the song. The 30 seconds went by fast. I was really in the moment, or I really was not in the moment. It depends on how you look at it. It's not that I rushed or anything like that. But I didn't make any conscious acting decisions either. I just sang. At the end, I knew I needed more voice and acting lessons. God has given me more talent than what I showed them. As I started to leave, one of the auditioners said my dress was a beautiful color and I told them I made it. Maybe that will help them remember me in the future.

This time my friend took the after audition snapshot. (The one they take to make sure you look like your head shot.) I do.

So that was it.

Except, not really, I met someone there who really gets paid to perform in musicals in the Atlanta area. She told me names of three theaters I could audition for that I had never heard of and then told me the reputations and connections of the ones I had heard of. Like, Theater of the Stars, the company we auditioned for today. Apparently, they are billed as a "regional theater." That means they are allowed to pay actors less. But really, they tour 5 cities (that's a BIG region.) In order to keep the "Regional Theater" status, they must hold auditions in the area that they perform in. So for us, Atlanta. But, for some reason, they prefer to cast out of NY. So the actors here just know that even if they are qualified for the part, chances are slim at the Atl audition b/c that preference. That probably explains why only 35 people were there. It was Father's Day, but still...

So, there you go. Another fun audition day.

These people are my tribe.

Fake Out

Hey guys,

Thanks for the well wishes etc. I did not audition today. Many things contributed to this, but the strongest deciding factor was that I do not feel well. I tried to pack way too much into last week. I feel bad that I said I would, and now I'm not, but yeah. I'm sure God's saving up all the well-wishes and prayers.

~Vivian out.

And # 2

Disney is having an open call for Finding Nemo May 10. I would LOVE to be Dory or one of the two female sidekicks in the fish tank. So that's what's happening :) Think of me fondly on that day from 12:30------? and then callbacks on the 11, 12 :) 

Random Fact: The average # of auditions before getting cast in a Broadway production is 37. 

Audition, the first

So today was # 1. A "learning experience" The way there was a bit rough. My car had a dangerously low amount of water, when I did make it to Atl, I had parking issues. And, I accidentally got my finger when I was stapling my resume to my picture. 

All I knew was that the auditions were at the Atlanta Ballet. I arrived early, so there weren't signs up saying who should go where. A few other people were already there. We chatted a bit. Theatre people are interesting. Forty-five minutes later, the auditioners arrived and had us leave the comfort of the waiting room to form a line. By that time there were 20ish people. So we went outside and continued our conversations. I took the advice of one of my friends and let others go in front of me. It was a lot like waiting in line for a ride at six flags. The wait is eternal, but fun because you are just hanging out. And, when the wait does end, there is one minute of something scaryish but very fun. 

Some time after we lined up they gave us stickers with numbers. I got to be 314. The wait continued. Finally, two hours after I got there, they started letting 10 people at a time into the waiting room. You would think that with only 16 bars to sing, these auditions would move fast, but it was another 45 minutes before they let the next ten in. As I walked in, I felt like I was glowing with excitement. I was really auditioning! Most of the other people seemed to have a serious stress bubble. 

The wait continued. Apparently, the powers that be here thought it would be the best use of everyone's time to have call backs for the principle roles (picked from the Actor's Equity members' audition the day before) at the same time as the open call for people not yet in AE. So these professionals were allowed to just enter whenever they wanted and we had to wait. Though it added time to what was already a lengthy process, it was fun to watch these talented people. They had a confident air about them which was a stark contrast to the general mood emitted by those not yet in the union. Go figure.

I asked the woman in front of me in line if it is rude to ask how the audition went. She said I could ask, but she didn't want me to ask her if she had been called back because she would have felt bad telling me she wasn't. When she did come out, I didn't have time to chat b/c it was my turn to go in. 

They have a person who brings in your head shots, resuemes, and application together and puts them on the desk in front of the two auditioners. I followed him in and checked to see if I would be acknowledged by the men behind the desk. I wasn't, so I walked to the pianist who was looking at me. I gave him the music, and the tempo and asked him if I needed for them to ask me to begin. He said to just start. So I walked back to the centre of the room and was about to start, when they looked up and asked me what I was singing. I said "Oh what a BEAUTIFUL morning." In a very expressive voice. They smiled and I began--faster than I told the pianist. Nerves!  Thankfully, he was very good at following. The room we were in was 100% hard surfaces, so my voice sounded quite loud. 

The second I started singing, they turned my head shot over to look at my resume with a very precise moment. I got a bit distracted wondering why they wanted to look at my stuff so fast. Twenty long seconds later, I finished. One of the men asked me if I was a dancer. Good question. I've had a total of four dance classes in my entire life, but I LOVE expressing music through motion. I was afraid that if I told him "yes" he would expect me to know 100s of terms/moves that I don't know. So I kind of stumbled and said "kind of, it's in me." He said "it's just trying to find a way out." and I agreed with him. I waited for a call back time or a cue to stay, but they kind of indicated the audition was over. Before I made it very far, they reminded me to get my music from the pianist. So I walked back across the floor, and then I left. 

Once I got out, the person who had ushered me into the room had me stand against a wall so he could take a picture. I asked him why that was important b/c i hadn't been called back. He said they wanted it for their records. Humm... 

One of my friends from school was 9 people behind me in line, so I waited to hear how she sounded through the closed doors. The wait was another 40 minutes. But worth it because, she sounded great. Then, the day was over. I felt worn out from the events earlier in the day piled on top of the uncertainty of what was expected of me at this sort of thing, and the meeting of new people.

I'm ready to do another. With more preparation of the song this time. The pianist was very nice and the men behind the table seemed quite amicable. It is obvious that they love what they do. It is so much fun to work with people who love what they do. 

Something that I heard from more than one person today is that these people hold auditions in Atlanta because the tour will perform at the Fox, and they don't want to frustrate the clientel, but it is for whatever reason, generally understood that casting happens in NYC. 

While I was chatting, people told me about atlantaperforms.biz. This website has many more non-union auditions than the Actor's Equity website does (currently zero on the East coast) but most of these seem to not pay either. Not so good. I'll update w/ the date of the next audition. In all, I feel today was a success.

Cherrio!

here comes # 1

Salutations,

There's an audition for a National Tour of the Sound of Music in Atlanta in seven days. So here comes # 1. What wonderful timing as my recital has been completed :) I'm trying various songs, stretching, selecting the picture I will give them, and updating my resume in anticipation. That piece of paper has a lot of singing stuff and a little theatre stuff.  I'm just hoping that: "a man's gift makes room for him." will hold true for me Sunday. God's definitely plopped gigs in my lap before. 

It's an "open call" which means non-Actor's Equity members may audition (yeay!) but the time-slots will be given to Union members first. Regardless of the outcome, it's going to be a fun day. 

Here it is.

Hi everyone.
Here's the plan: I want to be the BEST voice teacher but before that, I need to sing. So, I want to perform in two shows. Ideally on a national tour and on a cruise ship. Auditions for these sorts of things are concentrated in NYC. So that is where I am headed. I'm not dying to be a star, just to sing. And, auditioning counts as singing because the people casting are a captive audience (even if it is for only 16 seconds) so that will be fun. Because it is very competitive, and this is just something I have to do right now and not forever, I'm going to audition 100 times. If I don't get cast after that, I'll know this isn't my calling. If I do :) It won't be 100 auditions :) But for the next 2--2 1/2 years, I'm going to be in NYC. And this is for those of you that want to be in the loop :) And, I don't exactly have a place to stay nor a earning money for food job figured out yet, but "where there is a will, there is a way!"

Peace out!