My GREASE! Audition...

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:45pm

So, i had my GREASE! audition (went A-MAZING!)... got a callback and had it tonight. I auditioned for Sandy and got a callback for Sandy AND Rizzo! So... first off, I did scenes- that went REALLY well, except that I did it twice and two of the other girls did it 3 times~ does that mean anything (BE BRUTALLY HONEST PLEASE)? And then I sang Sandy's song on stage with a guy who's shorter than me, one of the two who got a callback for Danny (the other's my height-this has been an issue in the past even though i'm only 5'7") and my voice sounded great, but I was the first to go and wanted to do onstage stuff but the guy didn't do jack-sh(i)t and he started off singing "All Choked Up" and i joined in at my part and tried to do things to him all "sexy" but he didn't do anything. After I went another of the 4 'Sandy's'(i'm one of them) did it with this other guy who's hott and amazing and the one who's my height. He did onstage stuff with her and it looked great. Then, the shorter-than-me guy did stuff with another girl onstage because apparently he knew he had to do better. so everyone but me ended up really getting to do a semi-scene onstage and i'm so upset over that. Then came Rizzo's song... I belted the hell out of that and I felt really proud about it, except I'm not sure if the way i took it was what they wanted. I played it off as a really angry Rizzo and really hurt but more angry cuz that's who she is, and at the end i threw down the sheet music in my hand out of anger(in the character) to show that Rizzo is not able to not be a mean bitch type of thing... i just don't know if they took my thought process of it all in and if the throwing of the packet to my side was good or bad- please give me honestly brutal opinions!!!! PLEASE! I'm really nervous. I'm a senior and seniority better count for something this year when it has all the other years. I want to be Sandy so badly and would be so incredibly thrilled to play her and i know i should get that role, and if i get Rizzo i'll be content. I need advice on how to calm myself down... plus i gotta do sooo much homework!

oh my goodness... i'm going crazy! i'm finding out tomorrow at 3 which means that all through school i will be craving to know what role i got cast as, if at all.

thanks for putting up with my rambling, i guess what this messageboard can be used for sometimes.

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:54pm

Well it sounds like it went great! Good Luck!!

[grownupgroupie]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:56pm

Keep us posted--sounds like you did great. It can mean something, but it also might not! It's more about seeing different combinations of actors.

Fingers crossed for you.

[PJ]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:59pm

Best of Luck! I'm sure you did very well!

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:59pm

thank you... but i just feel unhappy about the 'Sandy' thing cuz i didn't get to even sing with the guy who's my height... they said they wanted to see how each guy sounds with each girl and it ended up being one girl sang with one guy and only once. no one sang with both guys. but, i got the not as "alive"... grrr.

[OneBlazeOfGlory]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 8:00pm

I'm sure you were wonderful! So happy to hear you are soooooo close to getting the role you want. However, I can't read your director's mind, so I don't know what they thought of you, but its best to not worry about it or try to interpret what your director thought of you, because there really isn't a way to tell.

Example, I was in the Texas Regional Choir trying out to be in the state choir... well I thought I had one hell of an audition, and the person grading me was very enthusiastic about telling me what a wonderful job I did and asked me all these questions about my voice coaches and teachers etc, I thought he might as well have had 'YOU MADE THE STATE CHOIR' in big flashing lights or something...

But the next day when I was looking at the list, I wasn't there.

So ya never know with directors... they can be pretty sneaky
Wishing you some more good luck! You'll do great in whatever role you get!

Posted: 12/2/04 at 8:02pm

thanks for all the kind words. i really appreciate it.
btw, this isn't the first time it's happened to me like this. last yr i didn't get 'Babe' in The Pajama Game cuz the guy who will prolly get it this year was shorter than me last yr... now he's my height. grrr... i hate high school politics and competition. i'm gonna cry. it's so stressful. i LIVE for musical theater. i BREATHE musical theatre. I'm so PASSIONATE about it that it's CRAAAAZY... lol. omg... so much work to do. yikes.

[Millie42]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 8:42pm

"that went REALLY well, except that I did it twice and two of the other girls did it 3 times~ does that mean anything (BE BRUTALLY HONEST PLEASE)? "

It means nothing. My senior year I only read with one person when others went in several times. I later found out I only went in once because they already wanted me as the lead and just needed someone to read with this guy! Dont worry about it.

[Barnaby12345]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 10:34am

It doesn't matter. I was called back in TOMMY for Captain Walker and I sang 4 times, more than everyone else, and I got a crappy part. hahaha.

[virgil blessing2]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 4:55pm

hey b'way baby, hang in there. one never knows!

way back when i was a senior in high school, i gave a kick-ass GREASE audition AND callback. i was called back for Danny and Kenickie. the director, whom we called 'Clue-lessa' cast me as 'Doody'!! Meanwhile, neither the Danny or Kenickie they ended-up casting could sing. ahhh, the trauma that was high school

be sure u tell us all what happens. best of luck.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 7:00pm

Good luck! My GREASE! audition is next month.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 11:24pm

Congrats on a good audition and good luck on getting a good role.

Posted: 12/4/04 at 8:01pm

I hate myself!
I found out yesterday about what I was cast as... I got Voice Over in "It's Raining on Prom Night" and Chorus member. I am SOOOO mad it's unbelievable. My school is ridiculous! When I talked to the director about it he told me he had been waiting to talk to me and he knew i was going to come up to him. he told me that i have the strongest voice out of anyone who auditioned, which led me to question why the **** i didn't get either Sandy or Rizzo, followed by his explanation that he wanted a "wholesome pretty girl" to play Sandy and someone with a different "body-type and comfortable with their body" to play Rizzo. He went on to tell me that I have dark hair and that the audience would imagine 'Sandy' as a "wholesome pretty girl aka blonde"... which made me ask him how the **** this other girl got it then cuz she's not blonde but rather similar hair to mine(light brown-hers is even darker), which he responded by telling me that her "facial features were wholesome and pretty". He told me it was all about type and that he wanted me to still have a vocal solo in the show and that's why the cast me as the backup singer in "It's Raining..." I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS! In high school there shouldn't be these stupid politics and stereotyping of the role... that's what acting is about- to be something you're not, ya know? he even told me how phenomenal my acting was as well in all my scenes and during the songs. He told me that when I belted Rizzo's song at the callback (i was the only one who did) that he was really blown away by my voice. He even told me that I had a "Broadway-worthy belt" as well as overall "can-make-it-on-Broadway-voice"... but obviously I'm not pretty enough, so how in the world will i make it on broadway?! And it's not even fair... as if i haven't had ENOUGH low self esteem issues and problems, he had to make it worse?! FYI- i'm 5'7"-8" brunette, 125 lbs and apparently that is a bad body? I have never been happy with my body cuz i have issues but this just makes it worst. and, even though the director told me that he's splitting the chorus into 2 and he's putting me however in all the chorus numbers, it doesn't make up for how he's making me feel. my parents thing i should drop the show, but there's no way i'm doing that. i obviously know that "there are no small parts, just small actors" and i don't want to miss a fun time... because i know the production will be soooo much fun. it's just the whole casting is sooo messed up. i honestly feel that practically all of the characters, not only the ones i was up for, were not right. The characters cast as Kenickie, Marty, Frenchy, Sonny, Roger, Eugene, and Patty are completely bad choices. It's ridiculous. and i'm just annoyed. i cannot believe that now that i'm a senior i will have no more chances to get the lead in the school musical. it makes me feel like i need to not bother, but i want it SOOOOO Badly it's horrendous! I've been crying for 2 days. my birthday is on monday, and i've just been all cranky. my friends took me out last night to get my mind off of it and we ate at TGIFridays and they surprised me with the waiters singing, but i was not in the mood and was not happy about it, although being the actress i am pretended like i was really ok. so, i've just been a complete wreck. and i feel like this is the beginning of the worst month ever. first off, this, then i didn't get any good presents from my parents/brothers today (we celebrated my bday tday cuz my brother's going back to nyu tmrrow morning and my parents are going to a concert tmrrow night, and monday will be busy most likely with hw and stuff), and then it'll be a crappy day at school cuz i'll still be upset, then i'll find out from nyu if I got in which is prolly gonna be a 'no' (knock on wood). well, ergh! i've gone insane.

thanks for letting me ramble everyone. i appreciate this board for letting me do that and for all of you great people around to understand.

[Amneris]

Posted: 12/5/04 at 12:20am

honey, please do not let this get you down in ANY way. It sounds like you are wonderfully talented and you need to realize that and be proud of yourself. High School isn't always fair...but, there is life after HS and I am sure there will be alot more parts for you after. You have to realize that you won't get every role you go out for even if you are perfect for it. Directors and Casting directors sometimes make strange choices and though they give us excuses that they think help..they only sometimes sound stupid and hurtful. This will just be a learning experience for you to continue your career with and be part of your journey. The same thing happened to me during senior year in HS. We did 42nd Street and I auditioned, was ASKED by our director if I could play Dorothy Brock..I said OF COURSE.. got the callback and she told me everything was A OK... sure enough, the principals assistants daughter auditioned who was horrible and she got the part. I was then cast in the chorus but, quit the show because I got Sally Brown in YAGMCB the same time 42nd street would be. You have to realize everything happens for a reason and something bigger and better is out there for you. Maybe when you come to NYC and audition for the GREASE TOUR you will have your chance then. Good Luck with NYU. Don't knock yourself.
In the words of ANNIE "The Sun will come out tomorrow..bet your bottoms dollar that tomorrow...they'll be sun"
xoxox Amneris
Happy Birthday Kid

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 12/5/04 at 11:23am

I'm so sorry! Something like that happened to me last year! It was Seussical adn the director told me I was amazing and that I was pretty much meant for Sour Kangaroo. Comes casting list the day after and I get...a Who. It sucked and I cried for a week. I got a midget part because he wanted to give the people who were in the play for longer the leads. I quit.

Posted: 12/5/04 at 12:32pm

Thanks so much everyone! It's really sweet.

[amiliablair]

Posted: 12/5/04 at 1:37pm

I did Grease two years ago and was casted in the exact same part as you were. It really did suck because like you-the directors told me I was awesome-yet they didn't give meone of the parts I wanted. THe whole thing was very political, but I hope to cheer you up in saying that I had an amazing time. The chorus numbers in Grease have so much energy and are just a blast! The prom night part was something different from anything everyone knew from grease and was somewhat unexpected. Make the most of it, and I think you will have an amazing time. I am still in high-school and even this year was told tat I couldn't have a role even though I was better than everyone else because I was the only one that wasn't a senioe. I too am tired of this political crap-but wait it out! I know it will get better after the high-school world. I am glad you are taking the part! Grease is such a fun show-you can have fun in any part! I really mean that too!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

[Amneris]

Posted: 12/5/04 at 8:48pm

Sweetie, I'm in the runnings with you.. I auditioned for "you're a good man charlie brown" this week that was in a town where i live in feb and then going to Vermont. I got the final callback for Sally and Lucy..they cut it down to 12 girls and we all had to sing "New Philosophy" and "Doctor is In" in front of 30 people and watch eachother... I honestly thought I did wonderful (I have played both roles before) and got word tonight that I was not cast. A lot of stuff is political and a lot of stuff is because of height or weight..blah blah... I will get over it. It's part of the profession. I hope you have a BLAST with grease and I will be saying your birthday NYU prayer for you tomorrow!!!

Posted: 12/5/04 at 9:05pm

amiliablair, i'm wondering, were you onstage during the number?

[grownupgroupie]

Posted: 12/5/04 at 11:40pm

broadwaybaby87, I'm so sorry this happened and you're disappointed in the results....god knows I was in your shoes plenty of times in high school and college.

I hope you're feeling a little better now...as much as it feels wrong b/c acting SHOULD be about being something you're not, this is actually a much more accurate reflection of the "real" world of the business. This does NOT mean that you're not pretty or talented...I think given what you've said and what your director said, I have a pretty good idea that you are both of those things!!! But the sad reality is that a lot of casting directors and directors have a specific type or vision in mind and that can override everything else with casting choices.

I know it isn't fair for those kind of politics to be at play at the high school level, and you have every right to feel sad and think it sucks. This just opens the door to good casting karma for you in the future....another role is out there for you before too long!!

And they will STILL be blown away by your voice on your solo. I know it will sting like a m*therf*cker, but try to have fun with the production, make that solo yours, and realize that it's not about who's "best," it's about who they see as "right." You did everything you should have done and they just had something else in mind.

I have been in your shoes and I feel for you, sweetie.

[cturtle]

Posted: 12/5/04 at 11:48pm

hang in there baby! to the disappointment of many, lots of directors feel it is best to cast according to "type." it's happened to all of us.

[lildogs]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 6:16pm

i'm sorry too, sweetie, but it is a harsh reality of this business--LOOKS MATTER ALOT--and that's all there is to it! It does suck of course, but that's just part of being an actor...and in a few years, you WILL laugh about how much you invested in this--it won't matter to you at all, i promise! besides, it's better to shine in a small role than to crash and burn in a large one--and give the other actors you think are bad a chance--you never know--they might be very good--you never know!

[Sporti2005]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 6:29pm

i'm really sorry that you didn't get the part you wanted...but there will be other shows. i know how hard it is to get so cose and then fall short (trust me - i've had 25 chorus/ensemble roles). don't blame your body...125 and 5'8" is not bad at ALL! i'm 5'10" and a size 12 and i had to beat out 75 girls to play rizzo!! i know it's easy to blame the director and say that it's all their fault - but at the same time it's quite possible that there wasn't a guy good enough to match you up with and that he didn't want to make an un-balanced couple. grease is such a frequently-done show that i'm sure you'll have another opportunity - and as for this production, just do the best you can. after all, there are girls in the chorus who would love to have that song. and have fun with it!! who knows, they might need someone to understudy one of the bigger parts in a few weeks - and that could be you.

so just keep your chin up. it's only one show, there will be others. and try to make that audience leave saying "yeah, they were all really good. but that girl who did the solo on 'prom night'...now she had an AWESOME voice!!"

break a leg,
mags

[ButtonstheClown]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 6:39pm

When we did Grease last year, our Sandy had red hair.

[ElTico68]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 6:51pm

Hey broadwaybaby87

Hang it there. I'm sure any and every one of us has at some point not been cast because of body type or something. But some time, it will be you who gets the part because of your looks. There's something for everyone. Hell, if you had told me that I would be ever play "Bobby" in "A Chorus Line" I'd be like "Yeah, whatever...", but I'm working with a director doing a non-traditional casting thing (I know, dangerous) and this latin guy is playing Bobby. So it happens.

Also... a little advice/story. As any good high school/amateur production, they prolly won't have u/s. SO, learn the parts. I was in WSS, and this girl wanted to be Maria, but they cast someone else and she was a Jet Girl, of all things. So she took the part, but learned Maria's part nevertheless. She was at every rehearsal. I kid you not, Maria got terribly sick the second week (three week run) and she got to play Maria for a whole week. So you just never know...