|
I had my callback for the Equity production of Over the Tavern on Monday.
I talked about this audition and my worries about the callbacks in my previous two blogs (links at the end of this entry). I was pretty anxious about the callbacks. I almost didn't get my sides because I never check my school e-mail (I used that address because it's much more professional than my regular one. Because of this instance, I am creating one to use just for acting/professional stuff). There were two sides; both of them involved the character I was going out for, Annie, crying. In the play, Annie cries a lot. In all but about two of her scenes, she's crying. For awhile now, tears have never been a problem for me to scare up, but I'm always afraid that the day I'll need them most, I won't be able to conjure up any.
The danger of this was very real on the day of the callback. Nothing I did made me tear up (and I'm one of those people that tears up at a cute commercial). I was really panicking when I had been trying for a few hours to cry, just to get some sense memory, and nothing was happening.
It took two hours to get to the theatre from my house (my mom drove me), and we arrived an hour early. At about half and hour 'til the callback, we went to the door... and it was locked. It was also very cold outside. So all of us actors were gathered outside, looking at each other. Everyone seemed to know each other, which is always sort of disconcerting when you're the odd one out. Everyone seemed pretty nice, though. There was one girl there who looked to be about a year or two younger than me and was definitely going for Annie and a younger woman who, if she really wanted to, could pass for sixteen.
The director had told me that there would be 12-15 people at the callbacks, but I wasn't sure if he meant for Annie or overall. As it happened, there were about twenty people overall. There were only two people for Annie and the mother, but several contenders for the nun, the boys, and the father.
The first scene we did only required Annie to cry, then run out of the room crying. Neither of us Annies cried. I was starting to panic quite a lot about the no-tears thing.
After a few Annie-free scenes were done, we did the big Annie scene, which begins with Annie on the phone with her friend, then having a conversation with her mother that escalates into an argument, ending with Annie- what else?- crying. I first did the scene with the blonde lady who was up for Ellen, the mother. She did the scene so well that I actually did start to cry at the right place- not as much as I would have preferred, but I got some tears anyway. I think we worked really well together. I did the scene again with the other "mom", and we didn't have the same chemistry, but it was okay.
After that, me and the other prospective Annie were dismissed. I was so nervous, but I didn't know when they'd make their decision. So my mom and I went to dinner and went home, and I tried to forget about it.
The next day, I had plans to hang out with my friends for the whole day, so I made sure to have my cell phone with me. Our first stop was our local doughnut shop, so as me and one friend were waiting for the others, my phone rang. I saw an unfamiliar number on the phone and ran outside. It was the director.
"Hi, Rachel- I just wanted to let you know that the role of Annie is yours." I jumped up and down on the sidewalk and said, "Oh, my gosh, are you serious?!" "Yes. You earned it at the callbacks and I think it will be a really good experience for you."
We had a long conversation about what would be next- I would be paid, though not as much as the Equity people (which was expected), he'd be sending my script that day or the next day and he'd like me to be familiar with it by the 13th (yikes!), and an AEA person would be calling me eventually (I suppose to sort out any contract I might need to sign, since I am not a member).
I am soooo excited. This is my first real show since last March, and I love the show already- it's really funny, despite all the crying my character does. Because of the commute, it will be a pretty stressful two months, but I think it will all be worth it. There will be a couple nights where I'll have to stay with one of my many relatves in the area because the busses don't come around that late at night. Thankfully, my granparents and other relatives are being really helpful, offering me rides and extra beds. I am just so excited to start this show- first rehearsal's on the 13th. I also have one on my 19th birthday (January 19th)!
Past blogs:
Initial audition:
http://www.musicaltheatreaudition.com/joomla/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,37/task,show/action,view/id,1232/
The callback:
http://www.musicaltheatreaudition.com/joomla/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,37/task,show/action,view/id,1242/
| Comments () >> |
 |
| Write comment |
You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet. |
 |
