Full Circle

Tonight was the last chance to audition for an Evening of One Acts. I wasn't planning to go. The show is one "show" comprised of three complete individual one act shows - each with it's own director and cast. Of all the female roles available, I am technically either too young or too old. But, all day, I kept trying to decide whether or not to go anyway. The Evening of One Acts at this same theater last year was my first foray back onto the stage after my 13 year hiatus, and I was feeling a little nostalgic. Still, I couldn't decide if it would be worth going when there were no roles for the likes of me. Then I thought, it would still be good to audition just for the sake of auditioning, and getting accustomed to rejection...things like that. Still, I couldn't decide if it would be worth it.

After work, I went to the mall. The girl who helped me with the dressing room said I looked familiar, and I said she looked familiar, but we decided it was because I shop at that store entirely too often. Then when I was at the counter making my purchase, and she was helping another customer, I said, "I know where I know you from! Were you in the One Acts at Lyric Arts last year?" And she said, "Yes! You were in the beach one!" And I said, "You were in the blue dress!" And I thought...is this a sign? But still, I couldn't decide.

The auditions were to be held from 7-10 PM and it was about 8 when I got home and decided to update my resume and try to print a decent picture of my face. The printer kept refusing to grab the photo paper and I kept trying and trying all the while thinking...is THIS a sign? But finally the printer worked and I got a picture made and a resume printed and I went out the door to go to the audition utterly unprepared.

When I got there, I immediately saw a familiar face - a friend I have been in a couple of shows with and his girlfriend were just leaving. Then the stage manager came out...and lo it was the stage manager from the holiday show I was in last winter! It made me so happy to see her. She read through my side with me and then lead me in.

Just like last year, there were three directors seated at a table in the middle of the room. And Bad Cop was there, too, as I knew he would be, although this time he was GC and he was a familiar friend rather than an intimidating stranger. And I got to read with him...so that was fun. I was sickly nervous...completely annoying. It's good to audition because the more I do it, the more I am reminded that you really only do get one chance to make a first impression. I wish with all my heart that I had made a stronger first impression.

After the audition, the guy who is directing the one act that I read from said, "Jessica, I didn't recognize your name, but I've seen you perform...in Brainerd. I saw you in Auntie Mame. I know your mom and your dad! I'm C- T-." And there was some exchange about "all those many years ago" or something. I was so excited to come face to face with a theater face from the long past. When he said his name, I immediately knew it. I don't know if he and I had ever actually officially met, but I do remember hearing his name in the little theater world I thrived in back then.

What a crazy small world. And to think, I almost didn't go.