Audition Roulette

'According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that seem right? That means to the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.' Thank you, Mr. Seinfeld.

Of course, that's not entirely accurate, but it does illustrate the point that public speaking is challenging for most. Even for those who can handle the pressure, the specific situation of auditioning for a performance will make everyone's stomach sink. I feel like I have now (maybe?) put in the bare minimum number of years and have enough experience with the audition process to give you an accurate representation of the highs and lows, and maybe even encourage you to challenge your fears and audition for a KVTA production!

That's one snazzy jazz band!

Remember way back to the frigid winter of 1991. You might have been an adult watching the collapse of the Soviet Union, a kid just introduced to PCs and hunting buffalo on the Oregon Trail, or just a twinkle in your father's eye. I, on the other hand, was auditioning for my first KVTA production. 12 Dancing Princesses. Don't believe me? Check the 50th Anniversary Book! You might stumble across some funny pictures, too. Truth be told, I don't remember much about this production (I was 9! I can barely remember what I ate for breakfast today). Do you know how you don't always remember specifics about events, but you can often remember snippets of things or how smells or sounds can bring back memories? I can still remember two things vividly from that show. The first is how many of the kids in the show were older than me and how intimidating they were at times (through no fault of their own). I was a timid kid anyway, but the outgoing nature of theatre kids was something that I wasn't prepared for. The second was how much fun the entire cast had backstage. I have it on good authority that this cast was particularly boisterous. That being said, I do think this was a positive experience for me. It was almost 9 years before I auditioned for another show, but something in my experience brought me back to the stage.

Those are the mightiest thighs that I ever have seen, I mean...

In the fall of 1999, the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC battled for the hearts of teenage girls everywhere, and I volunteered to run the lights for Kankakee High School's production of The Dining Room. During this show, I was reintroduced to the theatre and was pressured (in a friendly way) to audition for the spring musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. I remember just before winter break, auditions were in the KHS auditorium. I had no idea what to expect and went in completely unprepared. As I recall, the audition was very informal, with lots of auditioners on stage at the same time both singing and delivering dialogue (I'm not even sure if audition materials were provided ahead of time). I don't remember feeling any apprehension, as I didn't have any expectations; what to expect from the audition or from my own performance. For those of you who want a laugh and can remember back this far, you'll remember that Chuck Hensley, Jeanne Benson, and Julie Bisaillon (yes, Bisaillon) helmed this production. Thanks to this team, I was cast in the show and was able to learn my theatrical limitations as most of the choreography consisted of people dancing around me as I stood motionless and sang. I was fortunate to gain another fantastic memory.

Due to some life choices, children, and work, I took an 18 year hiatus from theatre. My reintroduction to the audition process was with KVTA's Spamalot in 2018. Circumstances in my life had changed so I would now be available for rehearsals and performances. I am also madly in love with Monty Python. I absolutely knew that my reasonable singing voice and ability to recite almost every Flying Circus sketch word-for-word would assure my casting. I, again, went into the audition with few expectations. I had taken some time to prepare my Eric Idle accent in anticipation of singing 'Bright Side of Life', but had not reviewed anything else. I sang the song reasonably well, but I learned that at an audition, just as in life, it's not what you sing, but how you sing it. I stood as stiff as a board and delivered the lyrics as written, but gave no emotion and displayed no acting ability. Also a surprise to me, there was a dance being taught at the audition. 'What the heck', I thought. I stayed after the initial rehearsal and learned the audition dance and performed the steps, again, with a complete lack of interpretation and emotion. As disappointed as I was when I was not cast in this show (and still am; this might be one of my dream shows!), I absolutely do not harbor any hard feelings toward this staff as their decision was correct: I had the time to participate in a show, but I was not ready to give the necessary energy and emotion to a performance. I think that I was still a bit too reserved. I have always been a quiet person, but now, when it is appropriate, I have no reservations about making a fool of myself in front of people. That might even be the first requirement for a good actor!

You may have a lot of questions about this picture. I understand your confusion.

I continued to help on shows behind the scenes as asked, but I did not attempt an audition for several more years. In 2021, I was asked to help with a small role in an original KVTA production: The Beast of Gevaudan. Again, I thought 'What the heck'. How surprised was I to learn that I would act as one of the guides for this unique performance, following the audience from station to station and interacting with them in character all the way! This may have been a wakeup call for me, as this gave me the courage (and potentially the necessary experience) to audition for the next show in KVTA's lineup: Peter and the Starcatcher. This is the first audition that I can recall feeling apprehensive. Probably because I now had expectations for myself. Because of this I spent a great deal of time preparing and was cast in my first production in more than 20 years! Boy, I am getting old...er! Since then, I have been cast in an additional 5 shows (and was also able to help offstage in a few YPT shows). I have also auditioned for two productions in which I was not cast. I would be lying if I didn't admit that it hurt a little when the cast lists were posted and I didn't see my name. But after a few minutes of disappointment, I could remind myself that the reason I wasn't cast was not because my performance was terrible or even because the staff didn't like me. It was because I did not fit the vision that the staff had for the characters; and that's ok. Theatre is such a collaborative effort that everyone must be on the same page for it to succeed, and that's what makes it so much fun.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is really no right time or place to start your theater journey. If you've been performing since you were a child, keep it up! If you took a break as I did, or you haven't even started yet, there is no time like the present. Or if you are one of the large percentage of people who would rather be put to death by a group of people than speak to them, there are so many more volunteers needed behind the scenes. The theatre asks for two things: your time and your dedication. As I hope my experiences have shown, it is not something that you can do halfway. You have to jump in with both feet and do the work to the best of your ability. The rewards of being part of a successful show are innumerable. And sharing these moments with the people you meet make it even better. I have made so many lasting friendships through KVTA, only started over a love of theater, in one form or another. KVTA has so many opportunities, don't be afraid to reach outside of your comfort zone and try something new.

Although KVTA's first production of the year, Urinetown, just ended, we are well into the theatre season. Audition information is posted for the next three shows: My Son Pinocchio, The Christmas Schooner, and Clue. Read up on each production and make some decisions about where you are in your theatre journey. Sign up for your audition slot soon and often! There is also contact information listed for each show if you are interested in helping backstage. We would love to have you (and meet you if we haven't yet)!

Dana James thinks that his wife suggested this topic as an excuse to post these old-timey pictures.