| From: didigirl1@j... didigirl1@j... Date: Thu Jul 19, 2001 12:53 am Subject: Re: Bombing audition
| Melinda,
It was odd for me to read your post about the audition because I could have written it myself! Judging by the responses I think a lot of us have been there.
Earlier this summer I went on audition for a musical theatre show that would start rehearsals in late July. That schedule seemed perfect for me. I was only auditioning for an ensemble part. I knew that where I auditioned was a theatre group that was more polished and experienced than I had auditioned for in the past. I was counting on gaining experience with this group. I only recently started performing in musical theatre and have only been in three productions so far. I have been taking voice lessons for the past 5 years. I had never been "rejected" for an ensemble part and was offered a major role for an audition I went on last fall that I could not accept.
When I am in a play I always desire to have a solo part. So far I've only had a 3 word solo! But I am told by many that my voice is beautiful - I think one of the hindrances to getting a solo part is that s that I am in my 40's. I also know that I need more acting experience and training. I sing solo's often in other venues.
So anyway I tried out for the ensemble and didn't get a part! The thing that bugged me is that I know that I sang really well for the audition. I don't usually think that when I walk out after an audition - I usually know what I didn't do well - but that day I was certain that I sang well! It was a tough audition - tougher than I have been to. The 3 people who sat at a small table barely looked up at me and acknow- ledged my presence - no smiles - no nothing really. When I was finished they said "thank you" and I left.
I got a call a few weeks later to say that I didn't get a part. One of the people had written in their notes "strong soprano" - the person on the phone said it had nothing to do with talent, blah, blah, blah - they were more looking for a certain type.
It didn't matter what he said - I was DESTROYED. I've never been rejected from an ensemble! I didn't realize how much it bothered me until I went to my next voice lesson. I had not shared with my teacher that I didn't get a part - I was embarrassed. So as we are singing - and the lesson wasn't going well she asked me if I was okay and commented that I seemed "tense" - I said "no, everything is fine" and then the tears started running down my face and I blurted out that I didn't get a part! I didn't realize HOW MUCH the rejection bothered me.
But she told me a lot of what I've read here in responses to your e-mail. That this isn't going to be the first or the last rejection. That the rejection will build character in me. That I will get tougher because of it. That I am not the first person to be rejected.
She has had a lot of experience herself and has seen this with a number of her students. I know I learned something from that rejection - I haven't been on an audition since -not because of the rejection but because I haven't seen anything in the cast calls that I would audition for recently and I've wanted my summer off.
I hope some of this helps - I know that reading the responses to your post has helped me!
Thanks, Didi
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