Week One: Avenue Q

So, while I was working week one (I'm currently in week three, just trying to get the blog up to speed) I read an audition announcement for a local theater that's doing a production of Avenue Q.

Unfortunately, I read it the day AFTER the auditions.

Normally in that situation, I'd be like, "Aw, that's too bad. I should really pay more attention to auditions," and then I would think about joining a mailing list. Then I'd get annoyed at the thought of all those e-mails which I know would just annoy me by their very volume, and I would get in the habit of ignoring them anyway, and of course, I would feel guilty about that, so I'd create a subfolder and route them there so I never had to look at them until about a year from now when I'd finally unsubscribe and delete them without reading them.

None of which would get me an audition.

But I was pretty excited about this show, and I knew I would kick myself if I didn't at least try. I also felt that it was exactly the sort of thing I *should* be pursuing as part of my creative "recovery"... That's Julia Cameron's word. I have a bit of a negative reaction to it, but I guess in this case it's accurate as it's been about two years since I did a show (I took some time off to plan my wedding and then I didn't jump right back in like I thought I would). Probably longer since I actually auditioned for something.

Too, part of not following through is that I've never been terribly good at auditioning. The more I want the part, the more nervous I get and the worse I do. The more nervous I am, the more I get locked up in my body and don't move freely. That's just awkward, and it doesn't show an auditor what they need to see (how I would move on stage and more specifically, that I enjoy it). Whatever. I'm sure a lot of performers have this problem, but I'm in denial about it. I wish so hard that I was past it already that sometimes I don't anticipate that it will happen. Then I judge myself pretty harshly when it does happen because I feel like I *should* be over it. I love performing, and I have an aptitude for it. I mean, I don't suck.

Anyway, I knew Julia Cameron would want me to go for it! So I sent my resume and a video of one of my puppets singing It's a Fine Fine Line to the "casting director" on Monday. I didn't hear anything all week. I was bummed because as a singer & puppeteer, my resume was suited to the show and I thought the video was strong work. I finally heard from her on Friday and... I got invited the callback!

I was ELATED. I think I was more excited than I would have been if I'd auditioned and been called back because I felt like my experience had spoken for itself and actually impressed someone.

Score one for Amber! Score one for the Artist's Way!

But... there's more to the story. Stay tuned.