Alll in this Together!

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 3:42pm

I posted this on the main board also - but for all the performers here who've been to auditions - you've got to read this article. I think I've met every type described in this article and I've always tried to fight the whole stereotype of auditions being a competition - because they simply are not. I say, Kill 'em with Kindness.
Audition Assassins

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 3:50pm

Hideous hideous people!

I, too, have met every one of them. Thank GOD for the invention of the iPod!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 3:54pm

Yep. These lowlifes are around.

But, I find most people to be very cool and respectful and supportive. I don't feel like it's a competition. I feel like all of us are doing our best to get work. I can't be concerned with "what do the casting people want" or "I'm not as tall or cute or muscular etc as these guys".

One time, I was next to go in and the guy behind me was asked by the guy behind him what he was singing. Turns out--it was the song that I was going to sing! There was no way he would have known that that was my choice. Well, I didn't freak out--I just went in and sang a different, yet similar song. I didn't want to seem like the song stealer!! It wasn't vital for me to keep the song. If it had been--I don't know WHAT I would have done.

There's another type I see in auditions--the braggard. The one that loudly proclaims to his friend who only asked how he's been that "oh, I just got done playing so and so at so and so. And, I probably can't even take this show as I will likely be doing so and so at so and so." Blah blah blah.

And, I do make fun of one audition pet peeve I have in JERBY: FULLY LOADED. But you gotta see the show for that!

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 4:03pm

I have always tried to be very supportive of my fellow actors because, quite frankly - we've all been nervous, unsure of ourselves and we all have fragile egos, not to mention a lot of insecurities in this business. I've made it a habit, for many years, to say something positive to the person in front of me just as he or she exits the room after auditioning,and just before I go in. Even if maybe they cracked on a note or sounded weak, I try to find a way to compliment them somehow - because so many people (myself included) begin to beat themselves up the moment they exit that room. Once, I was sitting in a restaurant in Chelsea, and a fellow actor strolled past the window, noticed me, entered the restaurant and came straight up to me and said "sorry to disturb your lunch, but I had to tell you that once, I was having a really crappy day and you were in line behind me at an audition. I sang my piece, and as I was exiting the room, you looked me in the eye and told me I had a beautiful voice. It changed the whole situation for me and I had a great day after that - I just wanted to thank you." and with that he walked out. I was really happy that I could do that for a fellow performer. I think that's really what being on this earth is all about. Finding ways to make life a little easier on each other and making life's experiences joyful ones, if possible.