June 11, 2012

  • Earnest Audition Too

    As I mentioned planning on doing, I went to the second audition for The Importance of Being Earnest at the nearby theatre. There were a good twenty people this time (last time there was only a dozen), which meant I didn't get the chance to do a second audition. I was kind of hoping to since it is mad fun and helps with my stage fright  Nevertheless, I still enjoyed watching everyone else perform and actually took notes on the auditions. The producer, Debra, noticed what I was doing and I told her I was trying to figure out who I would cast and see how it compares to who actually is. 

    There were six older ladies trying out for Lady B and Miss Prism, half of them I was familiar with from doing South Pacific (all were backstage help) and one just because she's a local high school drama teacher, Mrs F. The other two I didn't know, nor did I think they did a very good job performing these roles. Now Mrs F did an awesome job and would be a contender for both parts, but I thought she did Lady Bracknell best. This one lady, Pat, is actually from the UK and did fabulously for both Lady B and Miss P, so she is also a contender. The other person I thought would make a good Miss P was also from South Pacific, Nancy.

    Three older men were also attending: Bill D from South Pacific, the drama teacher's husband Mr F, and Ian who had a daughter also auditioning. I think they all did a decent Chasuble, but I do have my favourite. There were two young men, but one had stated wanting only a non-speaking part. He did read, but he tended to mumble and didn't move at all. He sat through every scene even when he was supposed to be standing! The other young man was not at all bad looking, kind of western-wrangler, and a fantabulous actor by the name of Mike.

    Now, for Gwen there was one girl who really stood out for me, Heather. I thought she made an excellent Miss Fairfax even if she did walk through the imaginary table. Her expressions were good, movements were there, her tone wasn't too high or low, and her performance had levels. There was another girl, Brittany, whom I thought would have made a pretty good Gwen, but she didn't even try out for that part! 

    Cecily is still a problem, at least for me. As I mentioned, Brittany is a good actress but she is brunette. I would much rather see Gwen and Cecily have different colour hair to help differentiate them, and most of the wannabe Gwens had dark hair. There was another girl, Bobbie-Sue, who was blond and used good tone, but she had bad posture and was texting while others were performing. I think she was adorable and had potential despite her occasionally halting performance. The daughter of Ian, Hannah, had the right look, but she only had one level of being incredibly happy all the time that got annoying. There was no depth to her performance, but it is possible she could do better with direction.

    After the auditions were over, I went to the director and told him if he didn't cast me that I would love to have one of the nonspeaking roles he was considering adding. He told us that he is planning on a couple extra servants to help during tea times and also to assist in changing the sets. When I told him this, he said I did a "very sweet Cecily" the other day. I hope this means I shall get a call back, but to me me it also means that my Gwendolyn must not have been up to par *L0L*

    The stage manager and producer started stacking chairs, so I asked if they would like me to help clean up. I thought it only polite and also gave me a chance to chat a bit with them. I mentioned it was quite obvious who were going to be cast as Jack and Algie, and asked if the director already had a preference. He said he wants to see them read together and read with the various Gwen/Cecilys before even considering who to cast as which. 

    So after two days of auditions, here is who I think might get call backs: Tim (whatshisname) and Mike. Shalyn, Red, and Heather. Brittany, Olivia, Hannah, Billie-Sue. Nancy and Pat. Moira and Bill P. Bill D, Ian, and Mr F. 

    If I were the director, the following is how I would cast from the auditions I saw... Lady B: Bill P or Mrs F.  Miss P: Nancy or Mrs F. Chasuble: Bill D (or Bill P if he's not Lady B). Bulter: Ian. Manservent: Steve. Jack: Tim. Algernon: Mike. Gwen: Heather. Cecily: Billie-Sue or Hannah. BUT if I were Cecily I would want to play opposite either Shalyn, Britany, or Red. 

    Here is hoping I get a call back!

    SUMR