Freaky Fried-day

Today was one of my busiest days to date: I rose early and got to AEA at about 9am to sign up for three EPAs. I wanted to hit up all three before 3pm, so I had a little bit of stealth planning to do. I also had a voice lesson scheduled for 11am, so I needed to allow myself some time to get back to Actors' Equity in time to line up.

I decided to sign up for the first audition at 12:30pm (for which I would have to be back by 12:20pm), the second slot I took was at 1:10, and the third at 2:10. Perfect!

With that I gathered my things and headed up town to my lesson. I wanted start promptly at 11, so that I could high-tail it right outta there at noon.

My teacher helped me prepare two pieces, "White Rabbit" which worked for two auditions and my new favorite "Journey to the Past." I had had the intention of singing "Home" from Beauty and the Beast, but once we set to work on it, we found that we needed to completely change the method by which I had been singing the song. I've been using that song for years, only to learn now that I have been singing it the wrong way! Woe is me!

The hour flew by in an instant, but I felt really ready and prepared to go into those auditions and kick some ass! Off I went back to AEA, feeling really good about myself!

I returned just in the nick of time to sign in for my first audition of the day. I knocked out all three auditions in rapid succession and for the most part, they went well. The second call of the day could have gone a bit better had the accompanist been a bit more familiar with my audition material. He played with unsure hands and it threw me a bit. Only I can take the blame for this. I should have taken more time to make sure that the accompanist knew how I wanted the music played because in an EPA (EQUITY Principal Audition) it is required that you be given five minutes for your audition. Many Casting Directors request 16 bars or 32 bars or brief songs or monologues to hurry people along - but in truth, as one girl told me in line "They have to give you a full five."
Most people end up getting in and out of there in two or three minutes- but why? Our time is just as precious as theirs and we deserve to be seen!

I learned my lesson the hard way in that second audition of the day, so when it came time for my last audition, I made sure to take my time and fully explain what I needed the accompanist to play. I took ownership of the material and I think that I gave my best audition of the day.

To round off one of my most productive and proactive days to date, I performed in "The Made-Up Musical" at the Magnet Theater tonight. All of that singing I had been doing throughout the day really paid off and we had a really great show! With a smaller cast of four, I had more opportunities to get out there and sing and play.

After such an action packed day, I feel a little fried, but I also feel really energized. I did a lot for myself today, and I hope that the opportunities just keep on rollin' in!