Opportunity and Inspiration

Ok, so I was waiting to blog until I heard about my callback so that I could fill everyone in at once! But guess what... I still haven't heard. So this could mean one of two things. Of course my mind jumps to the negative first, that I just didn't get cast and this is their silent way of saying I didn't get it. But the other thing is, theatre people are NEVER ON TIME! Auditions almost always run a few minutes behind, theatre professors tend to sleep through classes on accident, and yes, when they say the cast list will be announced on a certain day, it's not always true. So I'm hoping we all just made the director's job so hard at callbacks and he just can't decide. It's really exciting to even have a callback at this point, and I shouldn't take that for granted. I just can't help but be anxious.

Time to vent:

Prepare yourselves, I'm about to get a little sassy. You know what I'm tired of? People being SO disappointed in me when I don't get cast, just because they don't understand the business. I know that they just want the best for me, but listen up: it is really hard to get a job in theatre! Any job! Backstage, onstage, box office, janitor, whatever! With this economy, we are really lucky to still have the arts around at all! I just feel like every time I go to an audition and don't get cast, people give me the big sad eyes like, "aww, I'm sorry you're such a horrible actor. Hopefully next time you won't suck so bad." And really, that's not the case. It's nothing like a normal job interview, where they hire people regardless of their race, their height, or their age as long as they are good at what they do. In theatre, we are judged FIRST on our appearance and whether we would fit in with the look of the cast, THEN our talent. There are so many factors that go into getting cast. Especially for people like me. Tall, redhead, young and spunky. Am I ever going to be cast as Juliet? NO WAY! And I'm ok with that! Is that going to keep me from auditioning for her? NO WAY! I need the audition experience and I'd love to get to know the directors in the area. If they've already cast a man in a play who's 5'6" and they're looking for a leading lady to play opposite him (aka Jo Jonas in Les Mis... hahaha), I'm not going to get that role. If they're looking for a young mom or a strong dancer or a young love interest, I'm not going to fit in. But there are many more things I AM good at, and by golly one of these days I will be cast! Don't feel sorry for me, people. I'm good at what I do and I will get cast soon. It just takes the right time and the right part. Theatre is one of the hardest careers to break into, and it just takes a while. It's hard to explain, just know that when I'm not cast, I'm not discouraged. It's nothing personal, it really is just business. And I am determined to make a living at this!!

Rosie and I had a LONG talk about theatre tonight and how tough it is. We have to work every single day as actors to keep our singing skills fresh, our muscles flexible, our monologues updated and memorized, our theatres and directors kept straight, head shots, resumes, business cards always ready to hand out at a moment's notice, and a constant smile on our faces, even when we don't feel like smiling. It is a tough business, but we are so excited to crack into it! And we WILL someday very soon! It just takes relentless prayer and persistence!

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work."
-- Thomas Edison

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
-- Seneca

"If I have the belief that I can do it, I will surely acquire the capacity to do it, even if I may not have it at the beginning."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

“The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do”
-- Orison Swett

That last one is my favorite! It's a tough road we've chosen, but God gave us the feet to walk it. The only reason most actors don't make it is because they give up, NOT because they don't have the talent! After Rosie and I talked, I whipped out my audition notebook and updated it. I went over all my monologues and put tabs in my notebook with all the theatres I have auditioned for. I put the names of directors, stage managers, the monologues I did for those people, and when I plan to go back to audition again. I feel much more prepared and inspired to get back to auditioning! So stick with what you love, whether it's acting, teaching, building, designing, whatever! You CAN do it!

Ok, now that that's out of the way, it's time for some funny pictures. I discovered recently that I have a problem. A sunglasses problem. Just this summer, I have bought 4 pairs of sunglasses!! Who needs that many pairs of glasses, really? It's not like I buy expensive ones or anything (the pair I bought while Rosie and I were in Dallas were about $4.50) but it's still unnecessary. So on Wednesday night, Maggi and I went to Stonewall to meet up with some friends. I brought my 4 spare pairs of sunglasses to give away to my friends. Maggi took a couple pairs, but I couldn't seem to get rid of this one certain pair. Maggi tried them on, but decided against them:



Next up was Randi, but she decided they were a little big for her face as well:



And finally, my friend Amber, who has the tiniest face of all of us, decided she had to have them:



My friends are so cute! I'm headed out to get some ice cream with Maggi- the perfect Friday treat! Have a great Friday night!