itsaboutonemoment
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Callback situation...what would you do?Hey everyone!
So, I just got back from a callback. I had auditioned on Monday, and they had asked me to come back today and gave me a scene to prepare for today. So I prepared it, and arrived today and was waiting, when the monitor said, "Hey, just so you guys know, they'll want to hear the song they gave you first, then the scene." And I said to the monitor, "Was there a song I was supposed to have?" And she said, "Who were you called back for?" And I said, "The Mom." And she said, "And the song wasn't attached to your scene?" And I showed her my pages and said, "No, but if I can start to look at it now, that would be great." And she gave it to me, and luckily I sight read extremely well (I'm not tooting my own horn here, I just sight read very well). And to make a long story short, I went in, sang the song once, with maybe one or two wrong notes, but kept going, and then they asked me to do it again after giving me some direction, and I incorporated that into the song, again not worrying about those one or two notes. And then they had me read three scenes and it went very well.
So... the question... what would you have done? I decided not to tell them that I "just got it" because I felt like I had a good handle on it just from sight-reading and didn't want to sound whiny or make excuses if it wasn't 100% perfect. In my opinion, it was more important that she had me do it a second time and gave me direction to see how I interact and incorporate new things into a piece. Has this happened to you before? I'm just curious to hear other people's opinions. Overall, it was a great callback, so don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, just thought I would share an experience. 
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jazzygirlsings
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Honestly, I'm sure the monitor probably let them know at some point that you didn't receive the song prior to the audition. I'm glad that you chose not to make excuses! That is a WISE choice...
Also...I know it sounds weird, but being an excellent sight reader is a good thing to have on your special skills. Not many people can do it well and you should put that there...Casting directors look at that!
I've had that happen to me many times before...At first, you freak out on the inside. Then you BREATHE! LOL! Then you do what you know you can do. In your situation, I would have sight read it as well because I have a similar background in music. I think you did what I would have done...no excuses, just FULL STEAM AHEAD!
And they obviously liked you because they kept you there to read other things! SO GREAT!
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itsaboutonemoment
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Ah, my Astoria neighbor, I knew I could count on you. And actually, I do have it on my special skills, you read my mind!! I hope things are going well for you, and I'll keep you posted on if I hear anything from them!
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jazzygirlsings
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Definitely do! It sounds great! PM me...I have a one-act opening tonight!
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Chevstriss
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that has happened to me many times. Sometimes when I'm already in the room, and well, they just hand you the pages and give you a few minutes in the hall. and sometimes I've been sent song/sides for the wrong character. I was once emailed sides from the WRONG SHOW. at least i had time to ?? and correct the mistake on that one.
Hopefully the monitor is one of THEIR people, in which case they will let them know the true story (unless they were the one who did the initial screw up, then mum's the word). If the monitor was a temp for the day hired hand they might never know the real story.
moral of the story is - it happens all the time and shouldn't affect the outcome of the casting.
the best part is that you didn't complain or try to make one of THEIR people look stupid, cuz moaning "so and so didn't do their job" is a sure way to get straight into the circular file.
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jazzygirlsings
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| Chevstriss wrote: |
the best part is that you didn't complain or try to make one of THEIR people look stupid, cuz moaning "so and so didn't do their job" is a sure way to get straight into the circular file. |
I love that you also refer to the trash can as the "circular file"! LOL!
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Jenem
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This happend to me when I auditioned for Gypsy. I was going for the role of June, but they called me back for Louise. However, the producer neglected to give me the sheet music for callbacks, or even mention what songs I needed to prepare (I found out later that she was gunning for the girl who did inded get cast as Louise- who did in fact recieve instruction for the callbacks).
I do not sight read music well and they didnt even give me the sheet music at the callbacks! So needless to say, I did NOT do very well. We had to sing Little Lamb and Let Me Entertain You. I tried my best, with quick ear learning, but could not compete without the preparation.
Moral of story is, be as prepared as you can for callbacks—expect anything, research the show, learn all as many of the songs as you can, and don't always go by what they say is going to happen.
Anyway, I was quite happy with the outcome despite the casting situation. I got the role I had assumed I would get anyway, and the girl who got cast as Louise totally deserved it; she and I are good friends now.
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itsaboutonemoment
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Thank you Jenem, I'm sorry you were put into that situation, and I admire how mature you were about it. I'm glad to hear that you are such good friends with Louise now. And you are totally right. Do your homework, do your research, know the show you are doing! This was a brand new musical, so I had no access to the music, but in every other situation, Jenem is sooooooo right. It amazes me how many people are at auditions, and they even say in the waiting room, "Oh, I hear that there's a good role for a cute blonde in this musical, but I don't know it very well." Do your homework!!! Research!!! I understand that sometimes you're at one audition, and there's an audition next door that you could do as well, and it's best to get seen at least, but then if you get a callback, go home and find out all you can!!!!! I was even googling this new musical to see if I could find anything about the show. The director likes to see when you've taken an interest and put effort into what they're doing.
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Jenem
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^Thanks! It sounds like you were very mature about your audition as well; I definitely think you made the right choice not to cop out/make excuses. I hope it works out well for you!
Since Gypsy, I always look at auditions as pretty fateful. It wasn't the best show experience, but I made a wonderful friend who continues to encourage me in every theatrical endeavour from this point on— she has had a part in helping me with so many auditions since, almost like a real-life big sis!
Hey, every thing happens for a reason, so just roll with the punches, I say.
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itsaboutonemoment
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EXACTLY!!!!!!! I am a huge believer in everything happens for a reason. I am also a believer in not thinking that everyone around me is my competition. My only competition is myself! All I can do is sing and act and be the best I am, and if it's not what they were looking for, then I'm meant to do something else. At the end of the callback, they also double checked my height and asked what was my dress size. They probably need to find a Dad taller than me if they want to cast me, and if they can't, they'll go with a shorter Mom (I'm pretty tall). And of course, if they have costumes made, or it's easier to make a certain size that's not mine, they'll go with someone else of that size. It's so interesting how sooooooooo many things go into choosing who gets the role, besides just talent. And people tend to beat themselves up over not getting something they really wanted, when it was just out of their control, and it means they're meant to be doing something else. My favorite story is that one of the Carlotta dress's costs about $60,000 to make. So, you could be the best Carlotta EVER, but if you don't fit into that dress, they're not going to hire you.
Have I already told that story? I'm sorry, I'm so bored at work today, I'm cleaning out my audition book and just posting on all these forums.... 2 more hours to go....
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jazzygirlsings
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| itsaboutonemoment wrote: | EXACTLY!!!!!!! I am a huge believer in everything happens for a reason. I am also a believer in not thinking that everyone around me is my competition. My only competition is myself! All I can do is sing and act and be the best I am, and if it's not what they were looking for, then I'm meant to do something else. At the end of the callback, they also double checked my height and asked what was my dress size. They probably need to find a Dad taller than me if they want to cast me, and if they can't, they'll go with a shorter Mom (I'm pretty tall). And of course, if they have costumes made, or it's easier to make a certain size that's not mine, they'll go with someone else of that size. It's so interesting how sooooooooo many things go into choosing who gets the role, besides just talent. And people tend to beat themselves up over not getting something they really wanted, when it was just out of their control, and it means they're meant to be doing something else. My favorite story is that one of the Carlotta dress's costs about $60,000 to make. So, you could be the best Carlotta EVER, but if you don't fit into that dress, they're not going to hire you.
Have I already told that story? I'm sorry, I'm so bored at work today, I'm cleaning out my audition book and just posting on all these forums.... 2 more hours to go.... |
I swear we are of the EXACT SAME MIND on this one!!!!!!!!!! 
SO TRUE! (And I'm pretty tall, too!)
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MaryMag
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| jazzygirlsings wrote: | | itsaboutonemoment wrote: | EXACTLY!!!!!!! I am a huge believer in everything happens for a reason. I am also a believer in not thinking that everyone around me is my competition. My only competition is myself! All I can do is sing and act and be the best I am, and if it's not what they were looking for, then I'm meant to do something else. At the end of the callback, they also double checked my height and asked what was my dress size. They probably need to find a Dad taller than me if they want to cast me, and if they can't, they'll go with a shorter Mom (I'm pretty tall). And of course, if they have costumes made, or it's easier to make a certain size that's not mine, they'll go with someone else of that size. It's so interesting how sooooooooo many things go into choosing who gets the role, besides just talent. And people tend to beat themselves up over not getting something they really wanted, when it was just out of their control, and it means they're meant to be doing something else. My favorite story is that one of the Carlotta dress's costs about $60,000 to make. So, you could be the best Carlotta EVER, but if you don't fit into that dress, they're not going to hire you.
Have I already told that story? I'm sorry, I'm so bored at work today, I'm cleaning out my audition book and just posting on all these forums.... 2 more hours to go.... |
I swear we are of the EXACT SAME MIND on this one!!!!!!!!!!
SO TRUE! (And I'm pretty tall, too!) |
Wanna hear something sort of funny? At a Fiddler callback the other night, the director had all the potntional daughters and young boys stand next to each other on the stage. After looking at everyone he sighs and goes, "Oh good! There's no hideously tall girls!"
I have never realized how grateful I should be to blend in! (but what a tactless director!)
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itsaboutonemoment
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It doesn't sound like that director would like me much, I'm 5'10"!!! LOL. Unless he needed a Mom. I came to accept my type a long time ago, and let me tell you, I love it. I love playing the funny character roles, and the Mom!!! It makes me so happy when people embrace their type as well. You are who you are for a reason, that's how you were made, and there's no changing it. So, work with what you got, and make yourself the best you there is!
Again, look at me. Bored at work and rambling on....
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