So last night went a little bit like this...
I got off work a little after 5:00 and proceeded to head home. It was raining, so of course everybody forgot how to drive, but by 5:45, I made it to my mom's house. She was adjusting my costume because I have the world's shortest torso (no joke...well maybe not the shortest, but it's pretty darn close) so I had to pick it up before rehearsal. Once the alterations were complete, I tried it on to make sure everything was good and then headed out the door.
Still gloomy and rainy, I stopped by Panera and got some soup and yummy bread and then headed down the road and hopped on the interstate. I belted my audition song in my car to warm up my voice as I made my way to Arlington. Now, if you've never been to Arlington, let me just tell you this — driving there sucks. More than once I had "OMGINEEDTOBETHERENOTHERE" moments and probably made more than one person go, "What the hell is she doing?" But, I finally made it to my destination and (surprisingly) found a parking space fairly quickly.
I went in the door and signed in for my first musical audition in about five years. Being the OCD person that I am, I already had my audition form filled out and my theater resume printed and attached to the back. I planned to arrive early so that I could get in and out the audition door fast, so I had a bit of time and used it to eat my soup.
I sat there, slowly getting more and more nervous. Everyone else seemed to know each other and here I was — the new girl. Digital photos were taken, and I kept waiting. My cast mate from my current show arrived and I breathed a little easier. I put my character shoes on and started to stretch in an effort to relieve my nerves a bit. The ball in my stomach kept growing as we waited.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
"Hello everyone," said the stage manager. "Sorry for the delay. Our accompanist is running a little late. So we're going to take group two and get them started on the dancing so that group one can sing as soon as the accompanist arrives. So will the following people come with me, please..." She proceeded to read out a list of names and I proceeded to wait.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Finally, the accompanist arrived and we were ushered into the black box theater. Four people sat at a table — the producer, stage manager, music director, and choreographer/director. The producer stood up, introduced herself and everyone else, including the accompanist who sat nearby at the piano.
"When we call your name, take your music over to the accompanist. Go over cuts and tempo with him, then please come to the center of the room. State your name and your song and sing. We know you're nervous, but we do want you to succeed and do your best, so just put those nerves away."
Yeah. Right.
I waited patiently for my turn. Three women got up to sing before me. Good, but no one exceptionally great, but it wasn't a big deal. They were all older and wouldn't be going for the same part. They called my name. I walked over to the piano.
"I'm starting right here, and if I could get two measures of intro for the key change."
"This is the part where it picks up, yes?"
"Yes." I sang a couple of bars at the tempo I wanted.
"Got it."
I walked to the center of the room.
"My name is Sarah Hayes and I'll be singing Gimme, Gimme."
Music began. I started singing. First couple of notes was a little wobbly, but then it got better. I'm getting more confident. My volume was growing. My voice was steadying. Watch your vibrato, Sarah. The director was smiling. He looked pleased. This was a good sign. I kept up my volume. Throw in the personality and pizzazz. The last note is coming. I took a big breath and hold it out. The song is done. The director thanked me. I got my music and waited. My cast mate gave me a thumbs up from a few seats down.
Once everyone else finished singing, we went into the dance studio.
"Okay, so this piece has a lot of personality and pizzazz. It's the opening number so cheese it up and give lots of energy. There are certain parts where you'll want to really hit it and I'll let you know what those are. So, here we go."
First eight counts, easy. Second eight counts, still easy. Step, step on 1-2. Fake fall on 3-4. Passe or pencil turn on 5-6. I raised my hand.
"Is that a double turn?"
"Yes. A double pencil turn or a passe."
The choreography continued. Sharp poses on 7 and 8. Drag on 1. Now we run it. Any questions? Everyone is good so we continued. Ten minutes later, we've learned the whole combination and so we run it, over and over again. I kept falling out of the double pencil turn. I hate turning on my left foot.
"I don't know if I can do the turn. I keep falling out of it," I said to my cast mate.
"You can do it! I believe in you."
"But I keep falling out of it after 1 1/2 turns. I hate turning on my left foot."
"You'll be fine. Come on. Do it."
I counted off. Step, step on 1-2. Fake fall on 3-4 and prep. Turn 5-6. I fell out of it again. He made me do it again. I eventually got it, though fell into the pose on 7 more often than not. We continued to wait. When will group two be done?
Tick. Tick. Tick.
We kept running the dance audition. Sometimes we marked it, sometimes we did it full out. I asked what time it was. 8:30. I ran to my phone and sent a text message to our stage manager to let her know we were still in auditions.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Finally, we were called back into the room. The director ran it with us once, then had us do it as a whole group. Next we were split up into two groups of four. I was in group. The music starts playing and I pull out all the stops. Jazz fingers and cheesetasticness to the extreme. I got the double pencil turn but I messed up on that one step. It's okay. Keep dancing and smiling. We're finished with the first one. Group two goes. My cast mate did a great job. Now it's our turn again. Pay attention. Focus. You've got this. I nailed it and feel great. Group two goes again and then we're asked to sit down.
"You all did a great job and for now I think we've seen all we need to see. We'll be making calls about callbacks starting tomorrow, but we won't necessarily be calling every one or every group back. Just because you don't get a callback doesn't mean you aren't being considered for casting. Now, I know you're actors, so you'll start stressing the moment you walk out that door, but don't text and call, just be patient. Thanks for all your hard work, guys."
I ran out the door and over to my bags. I pulled my pants on over my leggings and switched out of my character shoes. I looked at the clock. Almost 9:00. Dang it. I threw on my coat, stuffed my music into my bag, zipped up my dance bag and ran out the door to my car. I zipped out of the parking lot and down the street, making sure I knew where I was before I called my stage manager. She picked up the phone. "We're on our way. Sorry. Auditions ran late."
I drove as quickly (and safely) as I could. It was still raining so no one had remembered had to drive yet. I zipped in and out of lanes, being careful not to get too close to any one in front of me. I kept watching the minutes tick by. I finally realized I wouldn't get to the theater until almost 9:30 — two hours after rehearsal had begun. I got stopped at a red light.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Screw it. I reached back and pulled my costume bag from the back seat and went to work. Always keeping one hand on the wheel and my eyes fixed on the road, I began to change. By the time I arrived at the theatre, I had fully changed out of my dance attire and into my 1950's costume, complete with crinoline and belt. I parked the car, threw on my coat, grabbed my bag, and ran into the theatre, barely missing a giant puddle on the way in.
As I arrived in the theatre, I heard the stage manager reading one of my lines. I threw down my bags, ripped off my coat, kicked off my clogs, threw on my sweater, and ran up to the stage, getting there just in time to get the last couple of lines in. The stage manager stated the light cue and we walked into the wings.
"Hey guys." Phew.
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