Yesterday was the second day of the auditions for the 2008 Atlanta Unifieds. I took the day off from work to do this. Having lost my letter stating the time I was to audition and thinking it was around 2 PM and giving myself time for traffic, parking, etc., I arrived at 12:30 PM. My slot was not until 3:22. As it turned out, 12:30 was lunch break. I happend across Barbara McFann, Hugh Chapman, Jeannie Hinds and one other (sorry, I can’t remember her name) for lunch.
I had been nervous all morning and now that my time slot was much later in the day with a few hours to wait… the day was unbelievably long. For very important appointments like auditions or interviews, I can’t sit around the house. I have to get out and waste time in an effort to relax, not that I could yesterday.
After I checked in, a few people were called down at a time to a dressing room before going on. As I was waiting up stairs and listening to the folks moving us around, there were a few MIA’s and No-Shows. What gets me is that the MIA’s had checked in but then left never to be seen again.
So why was this so nerve-racking? Well, the Unifieds has approximately 60 Atlanta area and regional theatre companies, both union and non-union. Most of the union theaters find there future auditioners from this annual event. I probably auditioned for more theaters yesterday than I have in the past 4 years.
I was shaking badly when I finally made it onto the stage, but I was surprised at how steady my voice was. I walk on stage with no hair and a beard and the headshot I sent in was with hair and a clean shave. We are supposed to announce who we are and our audition number, 209 for me. So I add to that a little as an explanation: “Yes, I am Jay Croft. This look is for my current play.” Or at least I think that is what I said. I believe the point was made, it got a laugh for the irony.
Non-Union auditioners are given two minuets to do two monologues. I never realized how fast two minutes can fly by. After my introduction, there will be a beep, which is the beginning of my two minutes. I started with Inferno, which was a good choice. It must be about a minute and a half. It received a good bit of laughter; I even had to pause for the laughter. I stumbled though a line, but managed to finish. Then with a brief pause and move stage right to indicate a new monologue, I started with Stewart. I got through the first paragraph and started on the second when the beeps indicated the end of my two minutes. I restated my name and audition number and left the stage.
I don’t feel too bad about not finishing; the point is to show two different aspects of acting.
I do hope I get some calls from the professional theater. I hope I did not look stupid.