Assuming In Theater Just Makes An Ass Of You.

What a week!  Disappointing to say the least, but way more frustrating than any discouragement of not being cast.  Two auditions, two rejections and two uniquely bad choices made my the productions of each.  Obviously, this is my opinion, and any justifications/excuses provided do not change the general disrespect of the actor.  I sincerely hope this isn't a trend.  Suffice to say, I've lost something.  I hate saying that because I love performing.  Not sure what I've lost.........maybe some respect for individuals I considered friends. Maybe I've lost a little faith in this town and the throw-away mentality people here have; Actors, Producers and Directors alike.  This ain't New York, we aren't paid Equity Actors, but volunteers in the Art we love. But, I digress.  You probably want to know what happened.  If not, then why are you continuing to read?

The first audition was for a musical and one that should have had more attention paid to it then what the turnout of actors indicated.  Tony Award Winning and powerful story, but obviously not well known outside of NY. It's mostly singing and only 5 roles (Two of which fit my category), but perfect for a small Vegas venue.  Maybe the location of performances turned away actors, or there were too many other shows that the actors were interested in auditioning for.  Regardless, when you are the only age appropriate actor to audition, you tend to wonder.  I'll interject that I still have nerves with auditioning, but I am way more confident then I used to be. The range of music for the show is in my higher register, and though I know I can hit the notes, I didn't "Bring It" to the audition.  Still and all, I got a callback.  Maybe my reputation provided a bit of consideration, but that apparently was it.  Shortly after the callback notice, a public request went out, looking for more actors to audition for the part I was "being considered for", as well as the others.  In and of itself, not bad, but the message it sent was, "Sigh, we might have to use you as a last resort."  Now I understand that a Director wants to see more and different actors, but in such a small community it sends a horrible message.  Not getting a call back would have bothered me less than getting one and moments later seeing that their first choice was still out there waiting to invited in.  I inquired with friends that direct in town, and got the placating answers of "they're covering all their bases" or "they have to match for a whole family" or "want to see more and different, not necessarily better".  However, from every actor I've spoken with, it's just rude and unprofessional.  I even went to the production team to gain clarity and met the same answers.  My issue is, why continue to consider me?  Even so,  I go into the callbacks poised, prepared and a bit more confident.  No one told my voice that, however.  Still, I was kept there for the duration, reading and singing and being paired up with other actors. Three days later another public request.  Nothing said to me.  What to think?  Contact Production Asst. that sent out message..........no idea.  Contact Producer/AD/Costumer/Et.Al...............I'm not being considered.   When was I going to find out?  Don't you think actors deserve a little respect?  Don't cast me, that's fine.  I understand not being the right ______________.   But to let things drag on the way they did.

Alright, move on.  There are a five more shows still auditioning in the next few weeks, so moving on to the next one.  A comedy.  A two-person show where each actor plays a number of characters.  Not Greater Tuna.  Not a big turnout either.  I had more confidence with this one as 15 years of improvisation lends to creating characters.  I read with three other actors and felt I gave changes in my readings each time.  Again, I know the director, he knows me.  Let the chips fall where they may.  No callbacks on this one and less than 10 people showed for the auditions over the two scheduled days, so I felt good.  Whereas the musical would have stretched me vocally, this show would have stretched me as a comedic actor.  Maybe I didn't "Bring It" again, or the director thought I was already in another show, or whatever........, but two days later I find out who was cast on a public forum, and not by the Director or the Theater, but by a former critic turned auteur.  Double check emails for form letter. Nope.  Contact my friend, the Director.  What?  Contact the source. "I got it from the theater's website".   Less than 10 actors and you can't give the courtesy of a form letter?  WTF.  Again, I don't get a role and I'm O.K. with that.  But sloppiness and complete lack of control over information?......that's bullshit.  To make matters worse, I receive a form letter an hour after I called out the oversight.  Who the fuck is running these things?

I will stipulate that I expect to not be cast in most of what I audition for.  I usually get callbacks, but even then I never assume a role is mine.  I know my reputation is as an actor that works hard, is easy to get along with, respectful of the process and beyond that, moderately talented.  I also know my limitations and would never waste a Director's time auditioning for a role I didn't think I could act/sing beyond their expectations.  But I'm getting a feeling that the business end of the process discounts the actor's feelings.  I would expect that in NY or Hollywood.  Hell even here when it comes to something that pays. But there is a limited pool of talent here willing to do it for free, and though this may be isolated, it's still not acceptable or professional. I'll get over it as I know the intent was not there, but don't assume we don't have feelings.

For the record,  I have spoken directly with parties involved and no hard feelings exist, but the sting lingers.

Characterize This

A new year and already knee deep in theater.  I love it.  I've resolved to balance my time better this year, but that doesn't stop me from performing. Just need to be a little more ............selective. Not sure if that's the right word as I would never accept a role I wasn't interested in playing.  I guess I mean that I have to learn to not accept roles that will overlap.  Ten shows in 2012 is quite a few.  Some were short runs, but it's the rehearsal time that kills ya.

Speaking of rehearsal, that's what I did over my Christmas Vacation.  Sounds like something you'd write about in grade school, and if that were the case, I don't think I could be more excited.  Bucket List #1 is checked off my list, though not permanently.  The remounting of Sweeney Todd happened last week, and to great acclaim.  I'm in the production filling in for the title character on performances that the originating actor can't fulfill.  As it stands, 3 of 12.  Not great, but as many as I performed when I played Judge Turpin in 2011 and as many as I did for Sgt. Merwin J. Toomey in Biloxi Blues last November.   I guess that's what I mean by selective.  I had two weeks to learn the Judge and three to learn the Barber himself and the turn-around was quick.  With Biloxi, it was a month of rehearsals for three shows in two days.  A rewarding character, but not enough time.

Obviously, Sweeney is an exception.  I was thrilled to be asked to, for lack of a better term, understudy the role.  I say lack of, because it is Community Theater, you split the role.  An understudy gets paid when they take the stage.   Semantics aside, I wanted the role the first time around and though disappointed in not getting it, I certainly now get to show what I can do with the role.  I didn't want the title character to play as a lunatic or a madman, but as an "everyman" who, through a narrow vision of revenge makes a series of choices that inevitably puts him over the edge.  I think I accomplished most of what I wanted.  Obviously, I had to follow direction and be shaped into the character the Director wanted, but it was clear to both of us that I couldn't and wouldn't try to mimic the other actor's portrayal.

The process was tough, and as rewarding as anything I've done up to this point.  Musically, Sondheim is a son-of-a-bitch and Sweeney has got to be one of the hardest shows, but it being my favorite, I was certainly hungry for the challenge (pun intended).  The show opened Jan 4, and I began rehearsing on Dec 16th with my first full dress/tech run on Jan 2nd.  I was to perform in the soft open on Jan 3rd, so....yeah....time was crucial.  Considering the holidays, there wasn't a whole lot of time.  Did I mention this was my #1 bucket list role.? (Still on my list to do again).

I'm not likely to be reviewed, though feedback up to this point has been fantastic.  I just hope the voice holds up.  Had a bit of a scare earlier this week, but I'm not as bad off as I could be were I still smoking.

It all works out I guess.  I didn't have to worry about work;  Best Little Whorehouse at the Plaza Hotel went dark and I had no other conflicts save for finishing "Love Song".   I'm quietly dancing for what I pulled off.  I tend to be humble, but this blog is for some of my inner, gooey feelings and stuff.  YEA ME!