The Dream Role

Several weeks ago, when I first started this blog, I talked about dream roles. It occurred to me tonight that I never talked about my dream roles. Mind you my dream roles are all a completely different gender. My fantasy role is Elphaba in "Wicked". I have dreams of riding in the "Defying Gravity" lift at least once. I also use my household broom for things other than sweeping. Next I'd like to play Tracy Turnblad in "Hairspray". I know all her arm choreography in "Good Morning Baltimore". I'll call you when I've won a Tony award. Also, I'm very excited that I get to see "The Drowsy Chaperone" for the very first time in May. Next weekend, on April 29, I get to go to the San Diego Shakespeare Society Festival. Always a fun day.

Be Proud of Yourself

I saw Macbeth last Thursday. I got the chance to see a matinee show as well as the evening show. You may recall that I ranted several weeks ago about knowing your lines. Well, I'm not going to call out anyone in particular because I don't like to name drop but, the director should be incredibly proud of her cast. They did amazing. Seven performances in 2 days. Pretty darn amazing. When you have something to be proud of, be proud. Also, those of us in theatre get a very unique opportunity. In film and TV, when the director tells cut, that's it. You don't get to do it again. In theatre, however, you get that chance. My friend gave notes and made changes from the matinee to the evening show. It tightens things up, it keeps it fresh, it clarifies things, etc. Embrace that. It's okay. Okay, so who's ready for some more onstage mishaps? You know I love them. Next week, I have stories of actors using inappropriate language, one onstage and one off with her mic still on.

Auditioning

It has been a crazy couple weeks but I'm back and I have some thoughts on auditioning. Auditioning is tough. It makes you nervous. I get it. The key is to not think about it in that way. Most of us love acting, we love the chance to get to be someone else for a living. Auditioning is just another way of getting to do that. Auditioning is you getting to do what you love for a short period in front of a small group of people.

Also, go into an audition with confidence. You know your merits and you know what makes you you. Show the people in that room. Show them. Convince them that they would be making a huge mistake if they did not cast you in the role you auditioned for. Also, don NOT go into the room and be a diva. Your reputation stays in that room and with those people for a long time after you audition. Casting directors, directors, and producers have notoriously good memories when it comes to diva behavior. One more thing, don't expect that you will always get a leading role. A couple years ago, my friend was directing Cinderella. She had held auditions, done callbacks, posted the final cast list and was all ready to start rehearsals. On the first day of rehearsal, one of the girls dropped out because she didn't get a lead role. That is the epitome of diva behavior and people will not want to work with you if you behave in that manner.

That aside, guess who gets to see "Macbeth" this Thursday...oh yeah, it's me.