Okay. For starters, as you read this awesomely amazing story, you have to imagine me telling you with a big goofy grin on my face...since that's how the "live" version tends to go!
I've sort of created a new mantra for myself...."You never achieve what you never try." Having this mindset really makes everything seem so much more exciting. Being free from fear to try new things is an amazing feeling!!
In that spirit, last Tuesday I decided to take a trip to NYC....and audition for the My Fair Lady national tour!! Now, this may not seem like a big deal to those who are old hats at auditioning for shows and the like, but for me, it was truly an adventure! And I LOVED it!
The day started dark and early at 4:15 am, before the birds and the sun. I was out the door by 4:45 and on the train by 5:20....in NYC a little after 6. Then the fun begins!
I went wearing my dress for the audition. I wasn't sure if you take your audition clothes with you and change (turns out, you can!) I've had problems in the past with the seams on this dress. It's very delicate and they separate easy...too easy in my opinion. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that two of the seams had separated about two thirds down the back of the dress!! It had gone through our new washer which I forgot is more than rough on the clothes. So I realize that I'm apparently at risk of flashing the commuting population of NYC.....
This adventure is really getting off to great start, isn't it??? Luckily, it gets infinitely better.
By a stroke of genius the night before, I had packed a change of clothes. So I walk....carefully...to a bathroom in Penn Station and change. Then, I went out towards 8th avenue and traipsed across the street to the drugstore and bought a sewing kit. Back into Penn Station to find a spot to chill out while I stitch up the dress. Now, you should know that I do not consider myself "Suzy homemaker" at all and I've no idea how to sew a button let alone two seams on the back of a beautiful dress. I got it so that the dress didn't come apart....and we'll leave it at that.
Back to the bathroom to change back into the dress. Try #2 to leave Penn Station was a success! I headed towards the studio on 54th....all the while looking for a place to hop on the internet and print my resume which I hadn't been able to get the night before. I know that there are at least two Staples within walking distance, and I head to one. Closed. Darn. Next Staples. Open. Yay! But, of course they don't have the capability to print from the internet. What to do...what to do........
In a moment of desperation, I went into a Hilton off of Broadway. I ask the woman at the desk if she knows where I can print.....she says, right upstairs!! Awesome!! I'm nearly giddy at this point. I paid $11 to spend 10 minutes on the internet and print one sheet of paper...ridiculous...but worth it!
So at this point, it is about 7:30. I've ridden into the city, sewed a dress, walked and searched, printed, and used the gorgeous Hilton bathroom......and now I'm ready to go to the studio!
At this point, I wasn't far from 54th. It took about 5 minutes or so to get to the studio. I knew exactly where it was...there were about 30-40 people lined up outside. Trying to hide my utter joy and excitement at even making it to the right place, I jumped in line. This was my fatal flaw. I didn't notice that there was a sign up sheet at the head of the line. Dun dun dun.
In my blissful ignorance, I stood outside for about an hour before we were let in the studio. I got a seat in the waiting room and then noticed that sign up sheet sitting on a table. By the time I got to it, I was #210...out of what would become almost 300.......... oh well. I'm still there!
The moderator comes in and says that they are honoring the list. The casting team will hear about 30-40 people per hour and if you are after #150, to come back after lunch. Free pass to walk around midtown? Okay!!!!!!
I went and changed into jeans (noticed that I'd have to restitch one of the seams of the dress a bit......) and headed out! I had the most wonderful time! I wandered around Times Square and Broadway, just exploring! It can be really fun to go somewhere like this by yourself because you can do whatever you want, when you want! I went to a cafe and had an omelet for breakfast, did the customary Starbucks run for Earl Gray (delicious!), and generally had a marvelous time. I sent pictures to my Mom and Dad of the sights...apparently I'd even forgotten to tell them that I was going. Surprise : )
After awhile, it started to rain a bit heavier (it had been spritzing a bit) so I saw a great spot inside a Micky D's and sat on a stool by the window and just read. It was wonderful!
I love people watching (no..not in the creepy I'm going to stalk you kind of way) It's amazing the kinds of things you can see. I was truly touched. Towards the corner of the street I was looking at, I saw a homeless man sitting and asking for money. I watched many people walk by and not give him a glance. I'm not saying that I would be any better, but it was such a different perspective. At one point, a man and woman came by and gave him a package. It looked like a food package. He thanked them and it was only after they had walked a distance away that he opened it. The smile on his face. It will be hard to forget.
After getting a grilled chicken sandwich for lunch, I meandered my way back to the studio. Once I got there, I took my time stitching the dress. I had done it so hastily earlier, I realized I hadn't properly knotted both ends and it was pulling apart. After about 2 hours of sewing, reading, chatting, and what not, I put on make-up, starting doing some quiet vocal things to get warmed up and got ready to audition!!! After a bit, the moderator announced that the team wanted to make sure they were able to hear everyone that day, so the audition was being cut to only 8 bars. I grabbed my music and mentally got ready to start at the climax of a phrase, bring it to the end, and make it actually mean something!
A little after 4, the guy announced that numbers 200-210 could line up outside the room. I was about to audition. In NYC. For a casting team of a real production. Seriously?!?! I'M doing this???
I went in and was greeted with very cheery smiles. After a long day like they must have had, I'm very impressed and grateful. Before I sang, the woman wanted to let me know that in my haste, I had stapled my resume and head shot backwards....of course I did! HaHaHa! She didn't seem to care; in fact, I'm sure it was incredibly amusing. I sang my 8 bars of "I can cook, too", thanked them, and walked out more elated that I could have ever imagined. I had just done something I never thought I could ever do! It was amazing and thrilling!!!!
I went and changed and then practically ran out of the studio and danced down the street! I headed over the Gershwin to see if I could get into the lottery for Wicked tickets, but I was about 20 minutes too late. So, without nothing else to do, I went back to Penn Station and got a train home. I was back in time for bible study at 8. Still smiley. Still giddy. Still amazed at what I'd just done. The sky is the limit!!!
I left for NYC around 5 and was back around 7:30. 14 and a half hours of pure joy. Getting a role wasn't ever the goal. I wanted to first prove to myself that I could even attempt the impossible. Me, a music education major who always plays piano and colors in the lines, auditioned in New York for a major casting and production team. It's literally a dream in the making. And I'll tell you one thing...I'm doing it again!
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