Things I Learned at My First Audition in 20 Years

Happy Monday and happy MLK everyone! I hope some of you are enjoying a day off. I got to work a little early so I could type up this post before people got here and started wanting stuff from me.

A few weeks ago I mentioned that part of my New Year's resolution was to be more creative and to be fearless. I decided to take both of those head on when I auditioned for Rent at one of our local theaters last Friday night.

I put down I was interested in the role of Maureen, because it's really the best fit vocally, and I'm not a 19 year old heroin addicted stripper by any stretch of the imagination.

As I was waiting to audition, a few thoughts crossed my my mind.

1. Theater kids have not changed in the last 20 years. They all still know each other, they're constantly singing something and hugging each other.

I was in a bunch of shows back in the day and I totally get it. I knew I was in trouble when I was the oldest person there by a good 15 years. I know I skew young but I can't pass for 24.

I soon realized that I would be better suited for "Rent - Where are they now, 20 years later". It would be a really small cast though, just Maureen, Mark and Joanne. I'm a terrible person... If you're laughing, you're a terrible person too. 

2. People are still really ambitious with their song choices 

I heard at least 5 people sing Let it Go. As one of my FB friends said, "It's become the new On My Own". I know everyone really wants to sing Let it Go, but realistically there are a small handful of people who should. None of those people were there....

I prepared Take Me or Leave Me and The Winner Takes it All. At least 15 people sang Take me or Leave Me. At least..,  I only got to sing the first and in hindsight I should have gone with a different song.

3. I should have prepared a resume. Honestly though, I didn't have time to make one and really, I've done 3 things since 1995. Really, 3 things. I was in 2 musical reviews that Kev directed and that movie. I guess I could have buttered it up and coming in brand new it probably would have helped. Eh, maybe next time.

So, what happened? I felt really good about my audition, my voice was good and I was still slightly buzzed from the 2 shots I took before leaving the house. Mental note, vodka wears off when you have to wait 2 hours to audition, put some in your purse.

I didn't get a call back for a lead which is totally fine. I was by far too old for the rest of the cast. The cast list will be announced on the 27th and there's still a chance I could be cast in the chorus. I'd have to look at the rehearsal schedule and decide if  I'd want to spend endless hours with a bunch of kids in high school. Part of the show experience is the cast and I'm not sure if this show is the best fit for me. I don't think I'm done just yet. There are a lot of other companies in the area and who knows, Maybe I'll give one of them a shot. We'll see what the year holds!

Linking up with B Loved Boston!
and

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday and New Years. For most people today it's time to get back to work and back to real pants. I don't know about you but the past few weeks have been a sugar and treat binge. Yes I've been to they gym and have gone on a few runs, I'm sure it's staved off the worst and only resulted in my pants in being a little bit tight instead of unwearable.

I know what I need to do, now to actually do it. Today starts day 1. No more treat-a-palooza. Whole Foods and no processed crap.

I've also been thinking a lot about what I accomplished in 2014 and what I wanted in 2015. At the beginning of 2014 I knew I wanted to get a new job and go back into managing sales people. I also wanted to put myself back on track salary-wise and get to where I would have been if I hadn't gone into training. I also wanted to get back into running after my injury and  complete the Tobacco Road Half marathon. I'm pretty pleased that I accomplished all of those things.

Now on to 2015. I've been thinking a lot about what I want and 2 things keep coming to mind.

1. Be Fearless

There are times when I find myself thinking that I can't do something and when I try, it's not a problem. For example, the other night in Body Pump the instructor told us to put our toes up on the bench and do push-ups. My first thought was "HELL NO"! But I did it and didn't have a problem banging out 8 toes-on-bench push-ups. 

It's dumb things like that that I want to be fearless about. There's also some other non-dumb things that I also need to overcome and not be afraid of but that might be a post for another day.

It's easy to say you can't do something. It's easy to let notions get in the way of doing something that will make you happy. Getting out there is the hard part and something I want to work on in 2015.

2. Be Creative

I used to think of myself as a pretty creative person. I did crafty stuff, I sang, I acted, heck I even was in a small movie. I kid you not, I have an IMBD credit for a local film called Citizen Pratt. I got paid $100 and if you Google me it'll come up. 

But I haven't done any of that in a long time. I don't know why. Other things took up my time. I had a bad theater experience; my evening time was replaced with going to the gym 4-5x a week. Free time was taken up with sorority tasks. The more time that passes the more I miss that creative spark and I want to recapture some of that in 2015.

When I decide to do something, I need to make a giant leap and do it. On the 16th I'll be embracing being fearless and being creative when I audition for Rent at the local theater. 

I haven't been on stage in a very long time and haven't done a singing audition in even longer. I'm not where I need to be vocally and I have less than 2 weeks to get in shape. I don't expect to get a lead (even though I'd make a fantastic Maureen) and I might need to take a shot or 2 before I get up there, but I'm going to do it!

Thankfully I have a musician husband who will get me into fighting shape and ply me with liquor to get me on stage. Now all I need to do is pick out my audition song. I'm a belter so thins should be fun.

Wish me luck!

Do you have any resolutions this year?