Wow, am I overbooked.

I have been so busy lately, mostly because of my school's End- of- Year show, which performs next Wednesday. We have after-school rehearsals every day after school, and today, we had a 10-5 rehearsal.

I was pretty annoyed, not about the rehearsal, but about the amount of people who were leaving early to get their hair done for prom. Seriously- I cancelled MY hair appointment to go to an audition. My hairdo was free and if I didn't like it, I could ask my mom to start over. But they didn't believe me. I was mostly annoyed because last week, I turned down a callback for a professional theatre to go to this rehearsal.

I had told my teacher (who was also asked to come, but also turned it down due to the rehearsal) about it, and she was really excited for me and told me she appreciated my dedication to the show. The next day, I started hearing that, like, everyone was either leaving early or planning to skip. I went up to my teacher and said, "Is anyone coming to this rehearsal?" "I certainly hope so. Why?" "Well, I was thinking, if no one was, I could maybe go to my callback." She glanced around, then leaned forward and whispered, "If you can stay 'til 2:30, I'll let you go. But you can't tell anyone, not even your friends." I was so grateful, but I also felt really guilty. So before I called the theatre and told them I could come, I asked my teacher if it was really okay that I went. "Yes," she said, "You've been good." I had to laugh. But, honestly, I have. I'm probably the most dedicated to this show- everyone else is so negative about it. Plus, I've stayed at all of the rehearsals, even though my two short scenes are normally finished in the first half hour.

So today was our rehearsal. It went well for about the first hour and a half... and then we got to this one part where the film wasn't finished, but the music needed a cue, and they kept getting it wrong because they couldn't see the actor who they were taking their cue off of... We reached a standstill, and I was getting fidgety. Since my scenes are the first two in the show, it shouldn't have been a problem to get through them twice. But the standstill lasted forEVER. Finally, we had an hour lunch break, and when we came back, the music kids had to tune their instruments... but it took 15 more minutes for them all to get in their seats. Then the teachers had to make speeches. I was getting worried because it was approaching 2:30, my audition was at 3:20, and it would take an hour to get there. Finally, we got going- AT 2:30. Obviously, I was NOT going to just leave. I had already called the theatre to say I might be late, so I did my first big scene, then left before my second (I only have one line and my teacher gave me permission.)

I drove there and got there only ten minutes late, which was pretty good. Dashed in with my characters in hand (I have a hard time driving in them, so I wore flip flops into the building). As I ran up the stairs, the auditor went, "Whoa, you made good time!" Luckily, they were behind, so I had time to put on my shoes, fill out their form, and look at the sides they gave me. I had two pages of paragraphs, all informational monologues from characters who seemed much older than I. I went over my monologues I did for the initial audition (they asked me to prepare them) and finally it was my turn. There was the director of Tartuffe there (I'm hoping to be cast in that most) and two people who were at my original audition. The lady knew my teacher and knew I had gotten out of rehearsal early and remarked on it and asked me how the show was going. After we talked, I read the sides. I don't feel very good about my reacing. As I mentioned, the paragraphs were mostly informational, not much character, and I just felt flat and boring. They didn't have me read a scene, either, which was disappointing.

I got home and got the mail. In it was a letter from the theatre I audition at recently for SOM. If we got a callback, the envelope would contain scenes and songs for us to rehearse. My envelope was skinny. No callback. Blah. I'm really disappointed in myself. However, my friend, who is 13, got a callback for Louisa! I'mv ery excited for her and it would be great if she was cast- that will make seeing it even better!

Next week, in addition to the show, I was planning on auditioning for HSM. However, I think I'll have to pass. This is very painful for me- I love HSM and want to be in it very badly. But there are two audition days- one on the day of the show, which is absolutely impossible, and one on Thursday at 6. I have dance at 6:30, half an hour away. This will not work. I'm going to e-mail the director and see if I can audition earlier, but I think the answer will be no- and I understand why... And, honestly, as much as I want to be in this show, I don't think I can handle another day like today- constant anxiety over which person would be madder if I was late.

Tomorrow, two of my friends are coming over to rehearse our song (What is This Feeling) for the school talent show!

Phew, I'm exhausted just writing all that!