The Past Week

So, over the past week, I started auditioning in NYC again! It's been on hell of an intense week doing 40 hrs at work and auditioning plus travel to and fro. Basically, I get home to Actoria and pass the f*$% out.

Monday I went to the South Pacific dance call- so much fun! It was not hard at all! It was in fact a basic movers call, I would say, and I had such a good time. It was a required call, so if anyone books it long term, who's to say, but here's hoping.

On Monday I also went and auditioned for Follies at the Kennedy Center, which is starring Bernadette Peters. How beyond amazing would that be for anyone to be a part of? It went really well, and awaiting my call ;)

My final Monday audition was for H2$ on Broadway, and there were soo many people. It was quite a bit of a cluster-f*%k initially. And unfortunately the audition got cut down to 8 bars. Fortunately, my 8 bars went wonderfully, and the people in the room had a wonderful energy and vibe. Good times. At this point, though, I know they're looking for a cast, but I think it really just depends on what type you are and such... cause in 8 bars they're not really looking for all that much skill. It's only enough to hear that you can sing, and if you look right then perhaps you'll go farther.

Tuesday I auditioned for a production of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." It went so well and I got an instant callback for the next day with high appreciation and compliments... Wednesday had a really fun callback with an amazing scene partner and was asked to stay and sing some more. They told me to check my messages... and as much as I'd like to be optimistic (and I am) you never know with this business. It's such a risk to anticipate so much. They may have wanted to hire me and then came in a girl who was much more what they were looking for... so if I don't hear by mid this week I'm moving on completely from the possibility of doing it, I guess.

But, that's alright. I feel like I've had great auditions this week.
I also auditioned for American Idiot on Bway this past Thursday- it went really well. It was lovely to see familiar faces in the room. I felt really great about how I did, but in retrospect I should have sang a much rockier and punk song... my choice was too musical theater.

I'm glad this week was so busy, though, because I really got to just jump back on the audition bandwagon and get myself back into "the grind" of it all.

Coming back to NYC I feel really confident. I know what roles I'm right for, what I'm not, what I should go in for, and all of that. And I know that I can compete for these roles. However, sitting in the waiting area hearing other people perform threw me back a bit. I'm now in a different league. I'm competing with some people who are currently on Broadway, some who have been in the business longer, some who have really strong connections and great networks, and some people that are really stupendously talented. It's a real fight to get a role, and it's much more visible to me now that I'm back. I do not feel like I'm a shoe-in for anything here. I may be "right" for a role, and I may be skilled to do it, but it's not always enough. And, I'm hoping that in time (sooner rather than later, please), I will be successfully booking consistent work and making a happy living doing what I LOVE to do.

Doing my 40 hr/a week hotel job is not living. It's so bizzarre to me that this is the systematic way we lead our lives. I want to be working for something of a greater good. Customer service- not so much my thing. I feel comfortable doing it. It's easy enough. It's mindless... thus quite boring. I need to feel like I'm really doing something efficient and helpful. I am not receiving any helpful motivation where I'm at right now, and I don't think I will within this industry.

I'm planning to do something wild in March/April if things aren't working as I'd like. I'll relay this information in the future, as I don't want to plan it for certain. It's only a back-up. A fun one, but one I'd rather do if I'm not leading the life I want right now.

peace and love and optimism,
Tal