Sallyacious

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July 26, 2005

So It Went Well...

For those of you in the Spoke-vegas area, I may or may not be quoted in a story in the Inlander over the next couple of days. (There may also be a picture of me contorted into a pretzel shape to go with the article. At least, I hope the photographer got one of that position because I look like an idiot, and nothing is funnier, really, than a person looking stupid for the sake of good theatre.)

My audition went really well. Poor Dave had to deal with nervous Sally in the cab of the truck for roughly 45 minutes as we waited outside the theatre, but otherwise it was what I would call successful.

I would say, however, that overall, Spokane theatre people, at least the actors, are not a very welcoming lot. I got lots of cold looks, and even though I occasionally joined conversations, only one person actually responded to my comments. Everyone else was standoffish. I mean, how hard is it to be pleasant to someone who is trying to be pleasant to you?

So I did what my former acting instructor (who was, incidentally, the person holding the auditions) suggested for how to walk into an audition. I populated the space with people who adore me (Mom, Dad, Dave, John, Janene...) and then I assembled an army of the best actors in history at my back, along with assorted tigers and turtles, and waited to walk into the room. At that point, my nerves calmed right down, I was Collected Woman, and everybody else's nervous vibes shot through the roof. That's right, people, I have the Power.

It also helps your audition go well, I must say, when the Artistic Director comes over and gives you a hug when you walk into the space. So I auditioned, and they took pictures while I did. And then I got some direction, which I greedily soaked up and will use in future auditions, and it was all fabulous and safe and fun. I had a ball. There were four people in the room besides me, and they all laughed, though of course the laugh I was listening for was hers, because it's the one that counts, and I got it. Also, as we worked, she got bouncy and wiggly like she does when she gets excited about what's happening on stage, so I figured that I was doing well.

Then the reporter (who is also the Inlander's theatre critic, I believe) and I left the space and he interviewed me in the kitchen area. This was right off the lobby where all of the auditionees were congregating, so they saw me walk through with him. And the lovely woman stage managing the auditions came up to me saying, "Sally, I heard your pieces were really great, could I get the names of them?" right in front of all the people waiting for their turns. She didn't do that for anyone else as far as I know.

So the reporter and I sat in the kitchen and curious and suspicious actors occasionally poked their heads in for glasses of water. And now they think I'm some kind of hotshot, which rocks, considering how cold they all were to me before. Mwahahahahahahahahahahaha. I can't think of any better revenge, since I am currently not some kind of hotshot, but am instead doing children's theatre and have nothing lined up after POW! and A Thousand Cranes close on Saturday. Go ahead. Be afraid I'm going to take all of your gigs. It won't happen, but after being jerks, you deserve to worry that you've been jerks to the wrong person.

Anyway, it didn't hurt my ego at all that the reporter burst out with, "Your audition was wonderful. Really, really great work. Fantastic stuff!" right at the beginning of the interview. And then, when he asked what Dave and I had planned to do before Dave decided to go to graduate school himself and I said, "leave and do theatre elsewhere," and he responded with, "Oh no! I want you to do theatre here," that felt pretty good too. I know he can't help with the casting, but it was nice to hear such lovely compliments.

And then Dave and I went to the Olive Garden in Coeur d'Alene and I had toasted ravioli and chicken parmesan and the day ended very well indeed.

Posted by sally at July 26, 2005 11:22 AM

Comments

Posted by: Terry at July 26, 2005 02:17 PM

Posted by: Sallyacious at July 26, 2005 09:36 PM

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