Time to Tell My Stories - Auditioning

[mrdreamjeans]

The butterflies are fluttering in my stomach. They’ve gone from cocoon to full out flight since I made the decision that it’s time again to tell my stories, to audition. Nothing is natural about the process. It’s important to have at least four go-to pieces - songs that show you off to advantage, display a variety of vocal skills; songs that you can successfully perform under pressure no matter the conditions. I’ve learned over the years ... and it took time ... to view an audition as my time to tell my stories, to prepare, to simply focus on doing my best on that day. Nothing else is under my control.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t suffer from nerves. My touch point is memorization, especially the older I get. When I was young, with nothing to lose, I could laugh if I went up on the lyrics. As I grew in experience and success, I had a period of stage fright which was debilitating. Ironically, this occurred during a four-month stretch in the third year of a four-year stint with “The Phantom of the Opera”. I performed my way through it by telling myself over and over, “I’ve done this before. I can do it again.” It’s a mantra that Fred Astaire used. Fred had crippling stage fright during the filming of his solo dance sequences. He got through it by intense preparation. I learned from his words and conquered my demons. Looking back, I think the causation was being too much of a perfectionist, being afraid to make a mistake.

I’ve been away from auditioning for awhile. My past seven shows were by invitation and I am so very aware of my good fortune. But it means my audition pieces are rusty and in the past 18 months of transition, that the materials are scattered. Are they in storage, in my home or at my parents? As it turns out, I found audition books and sheet music in all three locations. (I'm still missing the first two pages of “To Each His Dulcinea”. I’ve got the bridge through the end and all of the lyrics.)

My recent theatre resume has been updated. It needs to be copied, cut down to fit the back of my head-shot and stapled. I found four audition books - my personal show-tune bibles. I’ve taken my audition songs and potential audition pieces and organized them in notebooks using clear, non-glare sheet protectors. I want to make sure that any accompanist can turn the pages with ease. Also, the music is clearly marked, the roadmap is clear for all of the pieces. Your accompanist, even if a stranger, is your friend in an audition. Be respectful, no matter the level of their skill.

My check list is ready: Comic song ... uptempo and driving ... introspective acting piece ... soaring, rangy power ballad ... the two specialty pieces for upcoming auditions that have to be learned. I went over the songs last night before I went to bed. The lyrics were a bit shaky because I hadn’t even looked at any of the songs in the past 18 months. This morning I woke up, looked up at the ceiling and sang through all four without missing a word. It’s amazing what happens after review, when you sleep on it.

It’s time again to put myself on the line and pursue my passion. It’s time to dust off the rust and make music. Nothing has changed in terms of the reality of my life at this point in time. But the simple decision to once again make the effort to be competitive, has energized me. Nerves are part of that equation. I’ve put to rest the secret wish that the phone will ring and I’ll be asked to do a show. I’m going to have to work for it. The comeback begins with a coaching at 4pm today in Houston. It’s time to tell my stories.