This morning I had an audition for the Atlanta Classic Theatre at the 14th Street Playhouse. Unlike my first one where all I had to do was show up, this one I had to make an appointment. There were two plays being auditioned for: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams and I Am a Camera, by John van Druten, adapted from The Berlin Stories of Christopher Isherwood.
After filling out the necessary application, I was given a dialogue from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to read with my “wife”. We had about 10 to 15 minutes to prepare before being called in. As it turned out, there were a lot more women than men (which I hear is typical) so I read my lines twice with two different wives. When I was rehearsing my lines, I kept stumbling over the words. When I actually performed I did well enough, lost my place the second time.
After the first reading, the director for I am a Camera gave me some instruction? sort of: He explained that the character was a lawyer. Well I gathered that, but what did he mean. Well I read my lines again and was dismissed. Thinking back on what he said, I realized that he meant I should be more logical about my reading. There is a monologue within this scene where I, the lawyer, am stating item by item what is going on. It is more logical and less emotional. I did read it with controlled emotion, but, I did hear other guys reading the same lines and were really putting a lot of emotion and volume into it.
I thought I did well and I am more hopeful than my first audition, but alas I do not thank I will get this ether.
