Fickle is as Fickle Does

Today I had to go to the bank. We got a lovely message from Wells Fargo yesterday advising us that our checking account was overdrawn. And no, it wasn't a bank error. We were overdrawn due to a misjudgment on my part regarding when a payment was due. I was able to get one part of the problem corrected with one department over the phone, and they advised me to go to a branch office to get the other part of the problem resolved. On my lunch break, I spent 45 minutes driving around Eden Prairie looking for an alleged branch office on Prairie Center Drive. Then I thought, screw it, and pulled into a Jimmy John's parking lot to try to resolve it on the phone. To no avail. So after work, I tried again with the branch office, this time setting out with an actual known address in hand. I haven't been in an actual bank in years for anything other than turning coins into paper and let me tell you that going to a bank on a Friday night at the end of the work day is quite an event! It's amazing how many people would rather stand in line for a half an hour than spend 30 seconds at an ATM.

I arrived at the bank at about 4:30. A pleasant young man was directing the throngs of paycheck cashers and depositers to the appropriate lines and then he lead me back to his desk where we could "discuss my accounts." He was able to take care of about half my problem (really, more than he was obligated to), and then we sat and chatted until they locked the doors at 6. It was surreal. I was introduced to a stuffed iguana named CeeCee and a box elder bug named Alex. I was asked if I had any advice for his friend who is trying to win back a girl he's been lax with for the last 7 years. We talked about mortgages and investing and dreams and feeling chained to a chair in a cubicle like a prisoner. As they were locking up, he walked me to the door and said something to the effect of, "Well, you've turned an otherwise unbearable situation into a very pleasant one." Then he shook my hand and we parted ways. And for the record, in the course of conversation, it came up that he's not so much into girls, if you know what I mean, so no, he wasn't hitting on me. It was the most wonderful bank experience I have ever had.

In the midst of it all, while the banker was on the phone trying to help me with my problem, my cell phone rang. Normally, I do not answer my phone while sitting at the desk of someone who has the power to waive my 9 overdraft fees. But hey, he was on the phone, too! So I answered. And, oh happy day, it was the director of the play I auditioned for offering me a role as a friend of the character I had been longing to be cast as. "I'd be thrilled!" I said. I had spent the last 72 hours stewing in self-pity, telling myself all the true things I know about auditioning and not getting parts, trying to reconcile emotion with reality. As my favorite bible teacher/pastor guy of all time is fond of saying: "What you know trumps what you feel." Still, it's so hard getting those feelings to catch on. So after wailing all over facebook and being consoled by all my dear friends, I now have to recant my woes and say, "Hurray! I got a part after all." Thank you all my friends for being able to tolerate my absurd and irrational mood swings.

My Friends Blogs Sure Come In Handy

One of my dear cast mates from The Hanging of the Greens just blogged (http://katesandvik.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-adventure.html) that she has been cast in the play I auditioned for last night. I am thrilled beyond words for her! She is a young lady of depth far beyond her 15 years and will be absolutely phenomenal in the role. Of course, the fact that she has been notified implies that the play has been cast...and the fact that I haven't gotten that magical phone call implies that I am not among the chosen few. Oh well...I gave it the old college try. It helps to remember something I read about auditioning once...that there are often scads of people auditioning for the same one or two roles, and only one or two of those scads can get the part. Not being cast doesn't mean I suck (although that is always a possibility). It just means that I wasn't what the director was looking for. Of course, it's always nice to get the part.

The Audition - January 20

This audition had the most people by far of any audition I have been to and I found that to be oddly comforting. Somehow it is easier to have realistic expectations when I see with my own eyes just how many people are vying for the few available roles.

The evening's adventure began at 4 when I got off work. Auditions were held between 6 and 10 so I was going to pick Perfect Friend up at about 7. Well, I was actually going to get to her house at 6 so we could have ample time to critique our outfits and gush over each others hair and whatnot. I was certain that nothing in my closet was quite appropriate and so thought it of the utmost importance to stop off at Target on my way home from work in hopes of scoring a miraculous role winning sweater or something. I left Target with sushi and coffee. Actually, I left Target with an empty sushi tray and a half empty cup of coffee. When I got home, I found that I actually did have some suitable somethings to wear and so I put a few of them on and threw some others in a bag to take with to PF's house. Then I spent an exasperating half hour trying to update my resume and print a picture of my glorious head. Then, properly primped, I left for PF's a fashionable half hour late.

We oohed and aahed and all the appropriate things, and left for the audition. On the drive, to help distract us from the nervous nonsense going on in our digestive tracts, we listened to Voice Lessons to Go on the iPod and tried to sing scales of Ma Meh Mi Mo Moo...but found that we were too nervous to be effectively distracted. So we practiced "bawdy laughter" which gave way to real laughter...the real kind is much more fun.

When we got to the theater, I think we were both overwhelmed at how many people were there. I also think we both felt the same sort of relief...it seemed very possible that we could just have a good time auditioning and be very okay with not being cast. There were just so many people, that though we could certainly hope, we had no business being overly confident. To my great delight, a couple of people from a play I was in previously were there to audition as well, and it was fun to see them and introduce them to Perfect Friend (though, I did not introduce her as such!). We were given some scenes to work on...and were inevitable split up.

There were three of us who were brought to the stage to read together...it was a two person scene - one man and one woman, so the ladies took turns with the man. I was asked to read first. It felt good...I LOVE the part. The director stopped us once and gave a few notes and then had us start again. I think I followed the directions well...though of course it could have been better. Then we were stopped and the other woman came up to read while I watched. She was very good, too. I love getting to see how other actors choose to play a scene or a character. When we were all done reading the scene, the director told us that she hardly ever holds callbacks, but that they would be on Thursday if needed. If we don't hear from her by Monday, we know that we have not been cast. Then we were dismissed.

I mentioned to the director that I also was hoping to read for another part. She said, "I would only want to see you read for (this role). You're too young (for the other role). And you're too pretty." Rats.

The Continuing Adventures of PF and Me

And so there is another audition on the horizon. Next week in fact. I think I will opt to not mention the name of the show on the off chance that a potential director could stumble upon this blog and somehow be predisposed to not like me. Is that superstitious?

I wasn't sure about this audition as I was not at all familiar with the show. I had heard it was a bit "racy" and assumed that would mean kissing...and well...kissing fellows than my husband is a bridge I'm not too keen to cross. So when the audition notice was posted, I carefully reviewed the list of characters. There are several roles for women...most of them ideally a little older than I am, but only one that is definitely an "older" woman...so I figured there's a chance. Then I got my grubby little hands on a copy of the script so that I could review it and see what non-kissing options there might be. Then I debated about whether to let PF in on my plan. And I know I made the right choice.

On Saturday, PF and I cuddled up on her couch and read through my copy of the script, alternating every line. It's fun to read a script that way, because by the time we get through it, we both get to read as every character. For some reason we had a really hard time keeping Kansas (I'll throw in hints) in the Midwest as opposed to the mighty South. Southern is just so FUN. To our delight, we found that there is only one character doing any kissing and she is a whippersnapper, so there is absolutely no risk of my being offered that part. PF of course, could pass for the 18ish character (although she is mid-20s), but not me...thankfully?? She was on the fence about whether or not she wanted to audition, but there are a few "minor" female characters who are at times silly and giggly spinsterish friends and the possibility of the two of us maybe getting to play them was highly appealing. So we are both going to audition. Together.

I really want one of the parts. It is a fantastic role that involves a bit of latent insanity which I adore. There is also another Mother role...which I found to be startling similar to the last Mother role I played. If it means I get to perform, I'm all for typecasting...but man, the other role would sure be great.

I told a coworker today about how PF and I are going to this audition together. She asked, "Isn't that hard?" Meaning, competing with a dear friend for the same parts. My response was that, yes, it is hard, but it's so good for us. It helps us learn how to rejoice in each others successes and how to accept defeat gracefully. I had considered keeping this audition a secret from her, but I don't want to be that person...the person who hinders the realization of a friend's dream. Keeping an audition a secret will not make me any better an actress. And having worthy (and friendly) competition pushes us both to excel. It also keeps our vanity in check...or in the event that neither (or both) us us are cast...our vanity could skyrocket beyond control.