The Dreaded Audition

The Dreaded Audition

By: Liz Capps

     Jacob sat quietly in his car, leaving the key in the ignition. Audition day was finally upon him and he would be walking up onto the stage in only a few minutes. He tried to remain as still as possible, avoiding making eye contact with the other actors who started to arrive. The hands on his watch crept closer and closer to the dreaded six o’clock. He sighed heavily, and finally giving in, he pulled the keys out, and opened the car door. Running a hand through his blonde locks of hair, he breathed deeply and walked towards the theater entrance.

     Taking a seat in the second row, he watched the director for any signs that they would begin soon. Slowly the room began to fill with people. At last, the director got up and walked to the front of the room. She asked for volunteers to go first, but everyone inched lower in their seats; no hands went up. Several girls in the front row stared down at their feet. Jacob stared at the back of the boy’s head in the seat in front of him. He focused on a funny looking mole on the back of the boy’s neck as if by the mere thought of making eye contact would cause the director to choose him.

     “Well, since there are no volunteers we will simply start in the front and work our way to the back.”

     One by one everyone in the front row walked onto the stage and shows the auditors their talents.  The first row done, Jacob watched as it crept closer and closer to his turn.

     Why did I sit in the second row, He thought miserably. I should have sat in the fourth. Then maybe we would run out of time and I would not have to go today.

     “Thank-you Lindy! That was lovely,” The director said, jotting down some notes. Then she looked up and met Jacob’s eyes. “Are you ready Jacob?”

     He gave a small nod.

     Relax Jacob, you will do ok. Just walk up there and get it over with.

     Mounting the stage, he took his place, front and center. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, and waited for the onslaught of questions the auditors would pose.

     “What is your name?” They asked.

     “Jacob Hall”

     “How old are you?”

     “17”

      “And do you know how tall you are?”

      “I think I’m about 5 foot 9.”

       Eyes downward, he fiddled with the hem of his t-shirt.

     “What is your monologue?”

     “It is called ‘Where is the Poison’ from The Princess Bride.” A hum of excited chatter rose from the audience. He blushed slightly.

     At least they like my choice of material. I hope I live up to their expectations.

     “So you will be playing the character Vizzini, is that correct?”

     “Yes Mam.”

     “What song will you be doing?”

     “Um… I’ll be doing ‘Seize the Day’ from The Newsies”

     “Oh! That is a wonderful song! A great show too! And which shall you start with, your monologue or your song?”

     “My monologue.”

      Their inquiries completed the auditors’ motioned for him to begin. Assuming a neutral position, he closed his eyes and searched for the words to begin.

     My character is Vizzini, and, I’m a hired assassin. I am in a battle of wits for the princess that I have rightfully stolen. Ok, where is the poison, I’ve got this. I think…

     He lifted his head, mind racing, and began. The words spilled out smoothly at first, but as he neared the middle he stumbled over the words. His heart beat quickened. An agitated outburst flew from his lips, and pausing, he squeezed his eyes tightly closed.

     Crap, crap, crap. What comes next? No! I can’t forget the words now.

     He interrogated his memory, searching and searching for the forgotten monologue. No matter how hard he tried he could not recover the right words.

      “Excuse me,” he said and descended the stairs down to his chair to retrieve the paper with the words on it from his binder.

     Duh! The part about the giant is next, and then you have the part about the Spaniard, and then the ending. You dummy! Why couldn’t you remember that?

     Once again he took his place on the stage. He continued where he left off and got through another paragraph before once again, the words evaded him. This time he just sloppily improvised. After finishing the last word he ran his hand through his hair with a big sigh.

        Well, that couldn’t have gone any worse. I practiced that for so long. I’ll never get a role now. Ugh. Why do I even bother with auditions? I should never have tried… I can’t memorize things to save my life. Maybe it is best that I pick a new hobby.

     The more he thoughtabout his failure, the more he allowed the negative thoughts to invade his mind. Water gathered in his eyes, and angrily he wiped it away. His legs longed to take him away; they wished to take him out of the room and away from the stress. Unable to bear such shame, he refocused.

     After a shaky breath he nodded toward upstage left, directing the person controlling the CD player that he was ready. He watched her press the play button, and then turned his attention to the clock on the back wall.

     Ok… I’ve got this. You can’t ruin a Newsies song. Besides I have the accent to hide behind.

     His voice warbled through the room as he tried to find the right notes. Forcing himself to continue, he tried to steady his un-centered pitch.

At last the slow part came to an end and he took refuge in the faster staccato notes.

“Now is the time to seize the day.

Send out the call and join the fray.

Wrongs will be righted, if we’re united.

Let us seize the day!”

     Finishing his final note he frowned; he didn’t dare look out into his audience.

     He retrieved his CD and returned to his seat, murmuring a thank-you to a few people who politely congratulated him.

     Yeah right! He thought, like they really thought I did a good job. I completely blew it. 

    After a couple more auditions Jacob decided to leave early.

     They probably won’t have any callbacks tonight; they won’t even get through everyone here tonight, so I might as well get some sleep.

     The next day he sat in the very back row of the theater. He watched silently as the remaining actors did their auditions. Within an hour, everyone had gone, so the director started callbacks. Actor after actor got up for cold readings, but not once did the director call his name.

     Callbacks don’t necessarily mean anything, he reminded himself. Why are these people so good? I don’t stand a chance.

     At last the director called them all together, and told them that they can all go home and she promised that the cast lists would be emailed out the following morning.

     The sun rose high in the sky after a sleepless night. As his alarm went off, Jacob slapped the snooze button. He lay as he had been for the past four hours, staring at his alarm clock. The cast list should be sitting in his inbox right now, but he dreaded what he may find. At last, he rolled out of bed and turned on the computer. He drummed his fingers on the desk, waiting for it to boot up. Sure enough the email was there. He allowed the mouse to hover over the link for a moment before clicking. Scanning the names on the lists he held in his breath.

     Please, please let me be on here.

 

The Importance of Being Earnest Cast List:

Jack…………………………………………………………………Caleb Johnson

Algernon…………………………………………………………..Matheson Bryant

Reverend………………………………………………………….Jonathan Walton

Lane…………………………………………………………………….Carter Hall

Lady Bracknell………………………………………………………Audrey Daum

Gwendolyn………………………………………………………………Meg Hanna

Cecily…………………………………………………………………Audrey Hanna

Miss Prism………………………………………………………………Kaylee Long

 

Ruth: A Timeless Love Story:

Orpah……………………………………………………………………Lindy Meeker

Naomi………………………………………………………………………Amy Davis

Elimelech………………………………………………………………Joshua Sizelove

Kilion……………………………………………………………………..Frank Taylor

Ruth…………………………………………………………………Stephanie Shrager

Mahlon…………………………………………………………………….Dion Castro

Boaz………………………………….……………………………….Joshua Carswell

Chaim……………………………………………………………………Carson Collins

Judith……………………………………………………………………Melanie Martin

Lois…………………………………………………………………………..Meg Hanna

Bobby/Joe…………………………………………………………………Brian Shrager

Efraim……………………………………………………………………..…Ben Fuller

Edith…………………………………………………………………………Ginny Hall

Rachel……………………………………………………………….….Olivia Winslow

Elias……………………………………………………………………….Brandon Hall

Chorus…………………………………Amanda Winslow, Rebecca Hall, Paris Sterling,

                                                            Gavin Sterling, Sarina Edwards, Grace Martin,

                                                         Annika Snover, Becky Passner, & Jackie Curtis.

      Alas, nowhere on the lists could Jacob’s name be found.