Wicked Audition

Ok, so it's officially been 2 weeks since my Wicked audition in Hamburg. Meaning, it's been officially 2.5 weeks that I have been 23. Turning 23 got the wheels kicked into gear...I've been thinking alot lately and thinking how I'm going to get this career thing on the roll. My dad had a scary "come to jesus" with me while I was home in June and said something very, very real...."Before you know it you're going to be 3o."

That was terrifying.

So, I've been applying my little tush off for every audition opportunity I can get over here...but it's much harder than I thought. There's not really a "local theatre" community in Düsseldorf, so I have to travel every time I want to audition for something. And, as I've noticed, not only am I an elementary-speaking-German white American chick....my resume isn't exactly busting open with lead roles or professional experience.

Which is why I almost peed my pants with excitement when I got a phone call from Stage Entertainment inviting me to their Wicked casting.

WHAT!??! Really?? I thought these people would never give me a second look! But I guess my re-vamped resume auf Deutsch (thanks to the darling, darling Kai) and awesome new headshot, I wasn't as lame as I'd thought. I set the audition date, and then had 1 week to prepare 2 rock pop songs that also, as the stage assistant directly stated, "show off your high range. We want to hear high notes."

Ugh. Rock pop? Really? That is so not my thing. I love pop as much as the next person, but it's not the thing I do best. I was surprised by this pre-rec because Wicked has SO much in it that is legit! Sigh. So I thought, in order to be the most competitive, I should prepare something in German AND something in English. So...where was I going to find a German pop song and learn it in 10 days? GAH!

I ended up settling on "When You Believe" from the Prince of Egypt, as Stephen Schwartz also wrote the music for that film....and "Sekunden auf Hundert", the German version of "Zero to Hero" from Hercules! But, both of these were new repertoire....how was I supposed to learn brand new songs in 10 days with no accompanist to rehearse with? Which is why....at the last minute, the night before the audition, I screwed up my courage and changed my mind. I thought, "Better to sing something that I KNOW I can sing and that represents me well, rather than trying to sing something I think THEY want to hear." So I went with "Christmas Lullaby" from Songs For A New World and "Out Tonight" from Rent.

I booked my travel reservations and went to Hamburg, guns blazing. Green dress ironed. Patent leather pumps polished. I was SO nervous. So so so nervous. I think, looking back on it, the main reason was because that had I actually gotten hired...It would have been SO cool. The ULTIMATE debut. I guess I spoiled the end of the story.

Needless to say, I'm SO glad I changed my rep at the last minute, but it seems that the Rent tune wasn't the best option...because that was just a BAD audition song. Sure, had I had a microphone, leather pants and a band to back me up...I would have rocked it. But to try to recreate that moment in the audition studio with nothing but a piano under me....it turned out to be pretty lame. Plus, I had never auditioned with it before, so it was a little rusty. But I did my best and spoke German like a champ. I'm so proud of myself for doing it.

As I continue to pursue this career, I'm just going to have to get used to the fact that auditions are like sleeping and eating. This is the life I am heading into. This is what I will have to do for the next several years. And auditioning really is a craft....you have one minute (if you're lucky, usually less....) to be able to make a killer first impression, show your entire range, vocal and acting abilities all the while singing a song and creating a character COMPLETELY out of context. Working in a show is something different....you have a whole world on the stage to work with....you're convincing the audience that they are watching your story....and playing another character. You are not in your body, you are in the body of someone else, and you have this whole image surrounding you to aid that transition. That's why my favorite moment of the dress rehearsal process is the first run IN FULL DRESS....because so many new things and experiences come out.

I digress.

I have to form the KILLER audition package. It has to be something that, within 30 seconds and 3-4 songs can show off my vocal range, classical training, and musicianship. So that's what I'm working on now. And, it's going to take a few "test run" auditions before I can really solidify it.

Onward ho!

New Hair

So....I spent an afternoon this week at 'Spa Abernethy'.....I've taken to coloring and trimming my hair myself due to budget restraints....

I used a box color from the drugstore to deal with the roots, and it didn't turn out exactly as I had wished....it's a little brassy, but it's not my whole head, so that's good. I also used real hair cutting scissors to give myself a little trim, just to get the dead ends off. I've noticed I have an abundance of them, and it was just driving me NUTS. I'm also scared to go into a salon here and have to describe what I want with my hair auf Deutsch. I'm already super sensitive enough as it is.

So, as I was trimming away, I accidentally cut a strand in the back that was quite a bit longer than I intended....about 4 inches or so. When I took a look and examined the lock, I realized that it was ENTIRELY DEAD. Meaning that...the bottom FOUR INCHES of my hair is ENTIREY DEAD. And the only way to fix it is to CUT IT OFF.

I have been persevering for YEARS now trying to grow my hair out long. and it has all been in vain. For now, I will have to cut it short again to keep it healthy....waaaaaaahhhhhh....

The last time I cut off my beautiful locks, at 15 years old, to attempt to have a cute, short hairstyle...I looked like a mushroom head, cried for one week straight, and then my boyfriend at the time broke up with me. Kai has already expressed his disinterest in me cutting my hair off....and I KNOW this is shallow, but I don't blame him. I DONT WANT SHORT HAIR. I love my length. But, I know, if I do nothing, it will only get worse. So now I'm in the market for finding a cute, shorter hairstyle that can be very versatile and practical.

Sigh.

September was a crazy month...

So many things HAPPENED in only a few weeks time!

First, the dear dear Kai had his 22nd birthday, which I got to celebrate with him and his whole family. We had coffee and 4 delicious cakes, all of which were made by the Diederichsen ladies! They are a talented bunch, that's for sure. After cake and coffee, we ventured to Kai and I's FAVORTIE restaurant in the city, Casita Mexicana. LEGIT, delicious and authentic Mexican food...exactly what I've been missing most in Germany. It's good to know I can go there and fill my void of nachos and guacamole when I'm feeling homesick. We all stuffed ourselves silly and it was super 'lecker'!

The day after, Patty came to visit from Berlin! I was SO excited to have her....she was my first visitor here in Düsseldorf! I love being a hostess, and so this was wonderful. We spent the weekend strolling around, checking out the Altstadt, tasting the Altbier, watching rugby and a little bit of Glee, and of COURSE stopping by Casita Mexicana. She needed to get her fill of authentic guacamole...apparently there is NO good mexican food in all of Berlin!

The next week, I received a call from Stage Entertainment, inviting me to their Wicked casting in Hamburg!!!!! i don't think I've been so excited in AGES. I jumped around the room squealing like a child. A whole separate post needs to be dedicated to this exclusively.

After this, I had a whole week in Mallorca with Eva, Christoph and Mucki to relax, vocalize, prepare, and focus. And it was GLORIOUS. Sun! Finally!!!! Ocean, finally!!!! I also was fortunate enough to spend my birthday there...and Eva made me a real, HUGE carrot cake! I got to see the beautiful beaches and reflect upon life. It really was paradise, I am so thankful that I got to see it.

I arrived back in Düsseldorf, and the next day it was off to Hamburg for the big audition! then, on Wedensday, Kai and I took a trip to Paris for 4 days. Sigh.....this trip also requires its own post. All in all....a BLAST.

This week, life is back to normal. It's mid September and OFFICIALLY fall...I've had to wear my winter coat and a scarf at night ALREADY because it's chilly. I do kind of miss that NC September humidity. School is starting....it's a new season for new opportunities in its own way. A fresh start. Inspiring, really. More to come!