It’s that time of year, folks, where already stressed out teenagers make themselves even more stressed by competing with each other for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to embody a character on a very far off-Broadway (one might even say high school auditorium) stage. We all know and love those categories of auditioners- from the one who’s been preparing since the last show ended to the one who learns the audition material a week before (me) to the one who tries to only do a dance audition but eventually forces themselves to do a singing one too because it showcases your variety of talents for future productions (also me).

This year, one of my school’s brother school’s is doing How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and I think it was a really great choice. It’s almost as if the drama department was anticipating the new testing calendar and thought “you know what could be fun? Letting the students do a show they can apply to their school lives!” because let’s face it, the trying period takes a brief hiatus between November 20 until January 5. Anyways, it’s also a great choice because of the large cast size and ensemble. The musical family really grew last year which was not what the directors were expecting- especially after choosing Into The Woods which is not exactly ensemble-heavy.

I always procrastinate when preparing for auditions just because I know I’m not going to get a role since I’m an underclassman. Last year, my English teacher gave me Emily’s monologue from Our Town which I honestly did not know how to act out. It was on the darker side yet it was reminiscent, and it was classical which really threw me for a loop. I just did my (kinda) best and then sang “Once Upon a December” from Anastasia because I knew that music suited my voice the best. My audition was okay, but I was also a scared, nervous little Freshman who really did not want a role but forced herself to get over her audition anxiety and just do it. In the end, I was a featured dancer which was absolutely perfect for me and I really enjoyed and learned a lot about theatre last season.

This year, I was determined to show the panel that I could not only dance, but sing and act as well. In order to do that, I had to use my time wisely and start practicing. Shockingly, a conflict arose! Now, we were given very specific cuts of each song (two for the regular audition and one for callbacks) because this year they decided to try out having everyone sing the same songs. The lovely music director made a google folder which contained the sheet music of the specific cuts as well as a piano recording of each vocal part, accompaniment, and later, audition track. As a person who doesn’t play piano or read music, the second I clicked on the recording entitled “Soprano/Alto vocal part” I was lost as to where the words went. My mom tried to help me as well but in the end, she called her colleague and asked if she would be willing to help me with my audition repertoire (she thankfully said yes) which brings us to the next week- AKA the week before auditions.

I had three thirty-minute voice lessons in which she taught me where the words go with the music, how to actually sing the song correctly, and how to use supporting and breathing techniques in these songs- I probably should’ve mentioned this by now, but I was auditioning for Smitty and the two audition songs were “Heart of Gold” and “Company Way” and the callback song was “Brotherhood of Man” (all my material- including monologue- was from the show). Anyways, I had really come a long way by the end of the week and I was really starting to have confidence in myself- not to mention my mirror was rather impressed by my theatrics.

The days leading up to the audition, I was feeling pretty great about myself and what I had prepared. I knew that I really had to showcase my personality and make the songs my own, especially since everyone else was singing the same thing. I decided to channel Smitty’s sass and act a little bit sarcastic, realistic, and in-the-know, almost as if the audience and I knew a secret the rest of the characters didn’t know. As an actual person, I really am like Smitty, and I tend to gravitate towards characters who are like me as I am more comfortable in my own skin than someone else’s. For “Company Way,” I really acted that one out. To a whole other level, some would say. I mean, I had the hand gestures, the energy, the pizazz, the personality in my voice. I only fell short holding out that last note, (which I can do, but I ran out of breath because I was nervous) but that’s water under the bridge. As for “Heart of Gold,” I sang that a little less sweet and a little more knowingly (if that even makes sense). Also, my monologue was pretty dang good if I do say so myself.

I didn’t get a callback, which I was fine with because although I thought I could have gotten one, the only girls who received callbacks were new Sophomores and Juniors, and only a few Seniors, so I took that as a sign that they just wanted to assess the new talent.

The cast list just came out yesterday, and I’m a featured dancer again! Of course, there’s always tea and tears when a cast list comes out, but in my opinion, one shouldn’t take it too hard, especially if they’re underclassmen. It sounds harsh, but there are really slim chances of getting a role as an underclassman, no matter how good you are, because of seniority. I don’t really take cast lists too seriously, and I find it almost silly when people waste their tears on something that’s going to dictate the next three months of their lives. I mean, it’s a high school production that you probably won’t remember in the long run, so what’s it to ya? I understand it can be disappointing, but that’s a huge part of this industry, and eventually, you just have to accept it.

All in all, that was the best audition I’ve ever done, and I was really proud of myself for finally realizing that even though I probably don’t have a shot at a role this year, I’m really auditioning to prove myself worthy for more responsibility during How to Succeed and future shows.

-Jill