Auditioning practice

After the last show, I had sworn off auditioning for Lyric Theatre. In seven auditions, I had never even gotten offered a chorus/ensemble role (to the bafflement of more than just myself). I said I didn't want to waste my time on an unfair process.

My resolution didn't last long, and I auditioned tonight for their next show. And I feel good about it. I totally shifted my attitude. If I go into an audition wanting to be cast, I'm likely to be disappointed. If I go into an audition even wanting to be treated "fairly" or cast ahead of people who are less talented, I'm likely to have wasted my time. But what if my goal is to use them and take advantage of the audition? Maybe they'll never cast me. But if they're going to waste my time, I'm going to waste theirs. They're going to have to sit there and watch my audition.

More significantly, I decided to use the auditions as an opportunity to practice auditioning. I especially wanted to get more experience with learning choreography in a dance audition (as well as dealing with nerves while singing).

So I got exactly what I wanted. I did a good job. Maybe I'll even get cast. Probably I won't. But I got a nice opportunity to practice my auditioning.

The dancing was challenging for me, and I did mess up. But, boy, was it fun! I really do love dancing. I got a little bit of a workout, did a fun dance and worked on my auditioning skills. That's not a waste of time at all.

Turning

I told a fellow cast member (our dance captain and the best dancer in the show) that I'm not very good at turns. Turns require strength, coordination, balance and technique (i.e. spotting). I'm okay with simple turns, maybe an occasional single pirouette. Probably the biggest reason I'm not good at turning is that I have never learned to spot effectively. (And that probably comes from not actually taking dance classes.)

Tonight the choreographer asked me to do three chainé turns in a section of the dance. Chainé turns I can do — more or less. But I'll definitely need to practice them. And she asked me whether I could do pirouettes. I said, "I'm learning. I can do a single; I can't do a double." (And I don't think I could learn to do a clean, consistent double before the show.)

Time to practice my turning. And time to learn how to spot.

Update

It's been a while since I've posted. Too long, actually. It's difficult to keep up an acting blog when one isn't acting or even auditioning.

There's been a lack of new developments that leaves me feeling stalled. I feel like I'm in a rut. There are times when I feel absolutely empowered to take control of my destiny. That feeling has been more elusive lately. Optimism and empowerment go hand in hand, but they're not the same thing. When I feel optimistic, I feel lucky. I feel like I can make it as a professional actor. I feel like I can audition for shows and be cast. When I feel empowered, I feel like I can make things happen for myself even when they don't happen naturally. Maybe I won't get cast, but I can put on a cabaret or make a movie or do something else to create opportunity for myself. When I feel empowered, I am motivated to work hard on what is in my control.

I haven't been feeling very optimistic or empowered recently.

But I keep plugging away at things, and I feel good about those. I stretch every day to improve my flexibility. I can almost do the splits (left side only) now. My fall dance class was excellent, and I'm going to take the same class again this coming semester. I am continuing with my weekly voice lessons. I asked Adam for a digital voice recorder, and I got one. So I will be able to record my voice lessons and work on them between lessons. Putting in that extra work will be very good for me, I know.

Onward and (hopefully) upward!

Action: Dance Class

I wrestled for a while about which dance class to register for: level one or level two. I figured level two might be a bit too hard, and that level one would be too easy.

I think I was right. (I don't know how easy level one is. But it was tagged as being appropriate for beginners.)

I signed up for level two because I'd rather push myself and challenge myself. I'm sure I could get something out of either class. But I think I'll get more out of level two. The only problem would be if it were so hard I just couldn't possibly keep up.

The class is quite challenging for me. And I think that's a good thing!

Dancing (for me) is made up of three things: learning the moves, executing the moves and expression. Generally, I find learning the moves to be the biggest challenge for me. So in last night's class, I could do all the moves — there were no splits or backbends or things I physically couldn't accomplish — but mastering the sequence of moves (in time with the music) was the part that challenged me.

Next week we're adding to the dance we started learning. So I'll practice the moves between now and then.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

1. My last rehearsal before vacation (going to my sister's wedding) was ... not-good. I think that somehow I strain my voice when I'm focused on learning new music (especially harmonies). So by the time we got to my G's and A-flats, my voice was not in good shape. (Plus allergies, being tired, being stressed, etc.)

2. I got nervous singing at my sister's wedding. Why? I never used to get nervous when performing. I only used to get nervous at auditions. I had major butterflies in my stomach. My husband said I sounded great, though.

3. I'm not much of a dancer when it comes to choreographed movement. I'm decent, but not great. But I know I can pretty much always tear up the dance floor at a club, wedding reception, etc. That's a good feeling. (And I always get compliments.)

4. Urinetown rehearsal on Tuesday was much better. And I'm getting excited all over again. In a few minutes I'll be off to another rehearsal.

5. I'm only 5'6" — but I feel freakishly tall in the world of theater (at least community theater in Vermont). I am frequently the tallest woman auditioning. For Urinetown, I'm pretty sure I'm the tallest woman in the show. Odd.