Monday 17 February 2014

Auditions, or, Convincing Others That You Aren't Dreadful

Good day, dear reader!
It has been a while.

I am delighted to say that this week is reading week, and it could not have come at a better time! The past couple weeks I was beginning to feel a little squirrelly, that is for sure. Unfortunately, I still have a veritable pile of work to do, but at least I can sleep in and don't have to go to class.

The advent of reading week also meant auditioning for the University of Alberta's Bachelor of Fine Arts program. This program is one of the most prestigious in the country, accepting only six men, and six women each year. You are required to prepare four pieces: one self-choreographed movement / dance piece, one Shakespearean monologue, one contemporary monologue, and one song. For my monologues, I selected one of Ariel's monologues from Shakespeare's The Tempest, and another from Alias Godot for my contemporary. The song I chose was "Not While I'm Around" from Sweeney Todd.

My audition was Saturday morning at 11:00 am! Needless to say, I was tremendously nervous! I went to campus at 9:00 in order to warm up and mentally prepare myself. By the time 11:00 rolled around, I was still nervous, but I felt confident in my abilities and bolstered by the kind words I had received from friends and family. I am even more delighted to say that the audition went very well! No stumbling or forgetting of lines, and I didn't miss the high note in my song that had been tormenting me for weeks. The auditioners gave me direction on my contemporary piece (which is natural for at least one of your monologues) and seemed quite pleased with the adjustments I made.

Generally, the committee members appeared interested in my performance and genuinely seemed to like me! One hopes that this means I'll receive a callback for this coming weekend. However, If I do not receive a callback, dear reader, I feel so entirely proud of the performance I gave and for putting myself up to such scrutiny. And I would undoubtedly audition again next year!

If you have a similar experience approaching, dear reader, I hope that you give it your all and break a leg! And if you're on reading week as well, remember to take some time to luxuriate and enjoy the day for yourself. I'll even promise to do the same.