Post + Play

Today is Day 1 of the Letter Challenge!  Unfortunately I haven't purchased stamps yet -- I need to go see if they will take a debit card.  I have a zillion ideas for what to send -- everything from a care package (for my brother, who just started at Erskine) to a postcard (to the familia in Madrid) to a tiny owl necklace crocheted for a friend.  I'll update later when I send...whatever it is!

And now, for an announcement:

After years and years of waiting (six, I think), I found out that the CIU Players are doing Arsenic & Old Lace this semester.  I've seen the movie dozens of times, and seen the play performed at least twice (two different casts, several performances -- I think I've seen it a total of four times).  It's also kind of a family thing - My mom was Elaine Harper in highschool (main character's fiance), I was crew and my brother was the dead guy when we were in Spain the first time, and my dad was a policeman in a production in Tennessee.

So, I wrote the director and asked if I could audition, even though I'm not a student any more.  She kindly wrote back and informed me that anyone affiliated with CIU was welcome to try out.  And so I decided to try out.

Auditions were Monday night.  I was slightly nervous because I haven't been IN a play in a long time.  I grew up on stage - my first role was at the age of 5, and from there I had three different roles in a year-round Passion Play (we traveled, as well), I played multiple roles throughout middle school (American Girl plays, Christmas plays, Drama Class) and then went on to be crew and musician in high school, and crew in college for CIU's production of Eve Redeemed.

I even started memorizing Shakespeare monologues early last year in order to audition around town (but that never came to fruition). 

And so I went to Hoke and sat down with a small group of people to hear what Sarah was going to have us do.

We were going to have to read a monologue from Shakespeare and a dialogue with Sarah from Arsenic & Old Lace.

We were sent in one at a time (thankfully we didn't have to do it in front of everyone) and while waiting was nerve-wracking, once I got into the audition I didn't feel nervous at all.

I think because I knew Sarah and the casting director, I was more at ease than I would have been in front of a complete stranger.  I took the monologue (from Taming of the Shrew, one of my favorites) and stepped onto the stage.  It felt like home.  The soft light shining on me, the smooth wood floor beneath me, and the darkness in front of me with a waiting audience. 

I scanned the monologue for tricky parts and plunged in.  I think I spoke softly at first, concentrating on the words.  Then,  "Fie, fie!" I cried. 

Shakespeare isn't easy, but by memorizing it and reading it and getting into the flow as I had a few months ago, I was able to conclude with only one trouble spot.  She let me read the whole thing, and there was an audible murmur of appreciation, which I instantly soaked in and held close. 

I stepped off the stage and took up one of the scripts, reading Elaine as Sarah read Mortimer.  This one was more difficult -- I know Elaine, but I'm not Elaine, and in a space of a minute, I couldn't jump INTO the character.  But I managed some inflection and gestures and facial expressions.  It was alright.

Once we were all done, we were told we'd get an e-mail about call backs in a few days.  My mother, who had watched all the auditions, was sure I'd get a part -- "You blew them away!"  Haha.  At least she's supportive, even if overly.  It WAS in my favor that there weren't many girls trying out, so I think all of us *could* get a part.

And later that night, Sarah called me to tell me that I had a call back on Friday night at 6:00.

So here goes nothing.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!