Day 116 ~ A Star is Born?

Apr 26, 2014     

My first: I did an audition for a small part in a real live movie.

My friend Steve told me about an upcoming audition for small roles in a Christmas movie called “Expect Delays”. The movie was going to be partially filmed in Belleville.  I was like all over it! That would be a great “first”! I have done some performing in the past doing comedy acts as an old bag lady and a frustrated stripper. I’m not a stranger to getting up in front of people and making a “spectacle” of myself, but I have never been on an audition.

I did the research about the movie, the audition, and its rules and restrictions. I printed out the application and completed it, then I got one of my favorite photos of me. Now the hard part…what 30 second monologue would I create and perform? I racked my 61-year-old brain searching for the optimum “skit” to show off my talents. I finally decided on telling the story about my 1978 Christmas, my best ever. I had written letters (by hand) to each person in my family that were filled with my best loving memory of each of them. But for this skit I also made the correlation between the incidental transfer of information we do with texting, tweeting, emailing, etc. versus the real power of the “written word”.

I practiced and practiced. Then I set my alarm for 6:00 a.m. to practice some more.  I was pressed and prepared for my big moment…my 30 seconds of fame.

I went to the Lincoln Theater where the auditions were held and stood in line next to a young woman. Her name was Ally and as we compared our personal information, we found out we were distantly related…small world. We were corralled into the foyer and then given our respective numbers. Eventually, a group of us prospective “stars” were led backstage in the main theater. I was first in line so it was MY turn! I did my thing and I remember the lead actor saying “That was really good”. They had me do it over and seemed very interested in my story and also the correlation with the lame texting that most of us are guilty of.

When all of us backstage had completed our acts, we were free to go. I was on a high. I felt like I had opened a door. Now to wait and see what’s inside. Maybe it’s empty…maybe not.

As a side note, I took my mom to the theater at noon to see the first movie they filmed here called “Belleville”. The director that saw my audition earlier came up to me at the ticket counter and said that I did a really good job and that I had a good story. I was elated. He and I talked after the movie as well. Did I make an impression? Yes. Memorable? We’ll see…