Saturday, May 30, 2009

dear civilians...

about a week ago i was explaining to my performing friends that i prefer to date guys that aren't performers.  one of the girls exclaimed, "you like to date civilians!!?!"  it's true.  
yesterday, in the city, presty and i chatted over pinkberry about how funny it is for us to explain our broadway auditions to friends and family who don't quite understand the business.
our favorite, endearing question from such people is, "did you get it?"  what follows is an explanation of why such a question makes us giggle a little.
broadway shows are required, by the actor's equity union, to hold auditions every 6 months.  they aren't, however, looking for replacements for their shows every 6 months.  when we go in for auditions, often it happens that, if they like us, they put our headshot and resume on file.  at a future date, when they are in fact looking for replacements, they may call us in to audition for them again.  
for example, my friend michelle once went into an audition for the musical "wicked".  she sang for them and did a great job.  they smiled, gave her the usual "thank you" (unless you have an agent, you never get anymore feedback than a smile and a "thank you" at the end of your audition) and she thought that was the end of it.  a year later, they called and asked her to come to a call-back for one of the lead roles.  still months later, they asked her to come back and eventually she was cast in the broadway production (which she turned down because she was pregnant with a beautiful baby boy- what a rock star).  
as you can see, there are a lot of factors that play into a broadway audition.  getting cast in a broadway show has a lot to do with talent, timing and connections.  the road to broadway is quite the adventure!  i love it. i'm loving the journey.  and i love that there are a handful of friends who are in the same boat right now, sharing the adventure with me.

7 comments:

  1. So, Becca. . . . .did you get it?

    Love,
    Mommy

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  2. Thanks for the shout out. I'll keep my eyes open for any pedestrians that have nice legs!!! Love you lady!

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  3. very funny mom. ;) and michelle, i'd very much appreciate a civilian with nice legs! love you too, girl.

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  4. Civilians are the best. :-) Just speaking from experience. :-) Hee hee. Love you lady.

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  5. Ok, maybe I should stalk your blog instead of asking you like 4 hours worth of questions about Broadway and auditions?!! :)

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  6. I'm pretty sure that this used to say Pedestrians... correct me if I'm wrong.

    Loved chatting with you today! Miss you

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  7. haha...love it. I'll keep my eyes peeled for any hot civilians for you! : )

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