[Rumpelteazer2006]

Soo...just got back from my CATS audition in Fresno...There were like 100 people there, and I was number 72, so there was a LOT of nervous waiting time (I hate that...I'd rather go and get it over with). Just when they got around to number 60, they decided to call my group to go dance instead of sing. (Arg!)
The dance audition was pretty hard...there were two dances that everyone did as a group. One was to the jazzy part in "Jellicle Ball" that Bombalurina usually solos. It was slower, so not so hard to keep up with. Lots of low lunging and "cat poses." I think I did ok with that one...just tried to look graceful! The second one was a lot faster "Jellicle Ball" sequence that consisted of many sashays, turns, leaps, kicks, and toe touches, ending in a split. I think she wanted to see what we were capable of...that one I pretty much bombed, just leaping in random places, hee hee...oh well. The third one was Victoria's solo dance. Eek! I can't extend to second position as far as she does, but at least I could balance without falling over. So I was super nervous after the dance auditions, but glad to get it over with.
Next it was my turn to sing. The funny thing is, my nerves were gone since doing all the tiring dance stuff..yay! And I needed the warmup anyway, cuz I sang "Shy" from Once Upon a Mattress, which is a big, comic, belty number, but in a cute way. I think that went super...the dancing really helped, as I had better air control than earlier when I was close to hyperventilating from anticipation.
So, anyway...the callback listing. I had to wait in line and announce my number, and we either got a "yes" or "no." To my surprise, I got a yes and was handed music for the part of Jemima! (Cool...that was my second choice..she's so cute). I went back to my table and talked to my friend who had gotten a callback for Skimbleshanks, and he grabbed my music to leaf thru it. Then he says, "hey, cool, we both got the ones we wanted!" I must have looked confused, because he pulled my music apart to show me that the callback piece for Rumpelteazer was also clipped there! YAAAAAYYYY! My jaw must've hit the floor. That's funny, cuz they're quite different as far as musical style. I think I got those cuz I have a young sounding voice. I love their costumes....I'd be happy with either! I'd say Rumpelteazer, Etcetera, or Jemima are closest to my personality anyway, so I'm psyched. I get to work on the songs this weekend, and I go do the callbacks on Monday night. This one's all vocal; no more dancing, thank goodness...my specialty's the singing. I guess those three months of speaking in Cockney for my last show will pay off! YAAAAYYYY!

[wonderjoe]

lol, awesome job! our dances weren't nearly as tough as yours sounds - we just had lunges, spins and those horse kicks (i don't know the dance term for that). I went back and listened to Jellicle Ball to see what parts you meant, and it'd be wicked if you got those parts.

[QuaxoCoricopat]

Congrats! Those do sound like awfully hard auditions, I'm glad you came through! Break your other leg Monday!

[Cassandra]

That's awesome! I'm all excited and nervous for you.

Are you actually going to sing M&R's song with a Cockney accent? Are you sure that's what the auditioners are looking for? I don't know which is best... play it safe and go with the American accent, or set yourself apart by attempting the Cockney?

[pkitty663]

*claps excitedly for you* Hi! You don't know me but all I have to say is YAY!!! I'm proud of you. ^_________^ I so hope you get what you want. I wish you luck heeheehee *hyper from a huge arse pixie stick and a venti caramel frappucino* they need to stop giving me candy...Oh my god I can't believe I get to talk to so many cool people here! *hyper and excited* Good luck I'll pray for you!!!

[Rumpelteazer2006]

[Nemi]

I'd suggest asking which the directors prefer. Something like "I know in a few productions of CATS, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer sing in Cockney accents, and they say that they are from Victoria Grove, and I was wonder if you'd like me to since with or not." That might very well prove to them you've done research on the character and are eagar to please. If they say they don't mind, do the one you know you can do best (which is probably a standard regional accent, I suppose?). I know that I would appreciate that gesture if I were a director (when I am one day, and if I direct CATS, you'd better audition... [/fake threat])

You wouldn't be copying the movie, as I'm pretty sure it was done in London too... right? Not in the Troika Tour, I know, but I'm almost posative it was in London...


You're rather tall, though, aren't you? I'd say a tall Jemima would be interesting to say the least.

Best of luck!

[Cassandra]

I'm no actress, but in my opinion, I would probably hold back. I've seen many adorable Rumples that didn't use the Cockney accent, so it's definitely not a requirement. You don't know for sure it's something the director wants. You made note of your ability on your audition form, so if they want to hear it, I'm sure they'll ask. Best not to assume in this situation, I think.

Just have fun with it, sound cute and a bit naughty, and I'm sure they'll be impressed!

[Jemima57]

Congratulations for the call back, let us know how it worked ! I hope you'll get a part, I cross my fingers for you

[abbeycat]

oh my gosh, well done Hun!

do the song as you feel comfortable, the worst that can happen is they stop you and say drop the accent, in which case you can!

oh and in London, they did m&r with cockney accents except for the words launceston place, kensington square,victoria grove (i.e: all the posh place names, i dont know which version of the songyou are doing so ive picked those as an example)if you do end up as rumple, see if you can say them in a posh british accent go for it (extra credit if you can roll your rrr's)try it.The Director will tell what s/he's after.
if its not comfortable then dont do it,try it several ways and see what fits!

but im sure you can come up with the spirit of rumple and jemima whatever you do!

good luck and well done!!!

[MrsJemimaMistoffelees]

Oh congratulations, Rumpelteazer2006!! I'm sure you'll do GREAT at the callbacks! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, and keep you in my prayers! ^_^

Veel Liefs,
Jemima

[enkeli-kitten]

Onnea!!! Good luck!!!

[Spylfyr]

Well done! It's fantastic that you got called back for the part you wanted! Keep us updated!

[Rumpelteazer2006]

Soo..the callback went really well, I think. There were about 15 called for Jemima, and a lot of them sang well, but belted it almost like Grizabella would. Maybe they didn't study the character? That was surprising, but there were some really good ones. I think I did ok on that one, but I don't think it was suited well for my voice..kinda high for me, so I hope I sounded ok. The Rumpelteazer one went super, I think...there were only 4 others! I thought it was kinda funny that the two I thought were the best were both redheads like me...looks like the director has a specific look in mind! I was the only one who used the accent (just a little hint of it), and I tried my best to show lots of personality and facial expressions. It was a little weird, cuz there was no Mungo up there to sing with...they're gonna cast him from the people they already heard, so I had to just sing both parts. I was kinda hoping to have someone to interact with a bit, but oh well. We'll see how it turns out...I have to wait for the call on Wednesday or Thursday evening...I hate sitting around waiting for the phone! Arg! I'll just be happy to get any part, even just an ensemble type thing. These darn hours passing slowly....it's torture!

[pkitty663]

gah! I hope you get called back! It's like american idol broadway style

[Rumpleteazer4760]

Great going! This must be such an awesome experience.

[wonderjoe]

lol, now it's time for the dreaded wait. best of luck!

[Rumpelteazer2006]

I....HATE.....WAITING. GRR.

[Rumpelteazer2006]

Soo...yeah, I didn't get the call this time. Not even as an understudy, darn it! Sigh. I am so majorly bummed! Ah well, I guess as an actress, you have to learn to deal with rejection sometimes. It'll be a good cast, though, from what I heard of who got in. Oh well...who knows, maybe they'll do it somewhere else in the area someday! In the meantime, I'm gonna go eat a pint of chocolate ice cream and be glad that I won't be sore every night from dance rehearsals at least!

[abbeycat]

oh That Sucks!

im sure they dont deserve you anyway, but yep, you gotta take the knocks in this profession Id love to audition for a US version ....can i grab a spoon and join you with the ice cream? lol!

chin up,there will be plenty more opportunities for someone with your talent and professionalism! at least the USA has the rights available for Cats....us poor Brits have to make do with the tour,and not getting a chance ourselves. if it was available i would sell my house to put it on and it would rock! on second thoughts, i could come over there and do it as a summer project.....hmmm....*plots*

[enkeli-kitten]

*hugs* that's such a pity. But hey, remember you're still better than most!!! After all you did get called back!
And yeah, you're lucky to live in the USA cos it's always around. NZ never puts on Cats *cries* and if they did, it'd be in Auckland which is like the other end of the country.

[JemiBoe1981]

Oh, I'm so sorry! You seem to have put alot of work into it. It's irksome to try your hardest and do well, then be left out... oh well. Keep trying and chin up! It's amazing that you got so far... you're lucky to have a great job like that.

[Rumpleteazer4760]

I'm sorry you didn't get the part. It's always such a disappointment. But there's always the next time!

[wonderjoe]

i'm sorry to hear that. I would say that you should keep your head up, since being called back means you're just a hair away from being the woman! Showing that you're not down after missing out just raises your chances if you tryout for a later show.

[QuaxoCoricopat]

Rejects are rough, especially after you get called back for stuff. They probably really wanted to cast you but didn't have space or they were too heavy on Sopranos (it happens) or they decided you were too tall for their Mungojerrie, or Bombalurina, or Munkustrap, you never know what happens in Directors heads...

They also could have extended their decision time, that happens too. They might just be really stuck on a role, and may have delayed until they got it all figured out. One person can effect the way the rest of the people are cast sometimes..

Then of course, something could happen to the girl playing Rumpelteazer and they end up calling you to fill in (This happened to me on Fiddler on the Roof... went from random chorus person to Chava in the space of about a day...)

But, there will always be other shows, and there might be a better role waiting out there for you that you needed to be open for...

[pkitty663]

I'm so sorry...I was so rooting for you too...well it's part of life I guess...but even though this door closed on you, another one will open up for you and you'll get your big break soon. I'm glad you're taking it well...lord knows I'd be bawling.

[Alonza0]

Rumpleteazer2006, you have no idea how much I've been thinking of you lately. I haven't had time to check the posts lately, so when I'm bored I'll think: "Oh I wonder what song she sung." or "I wonder if she tried out yet." Then when I finally was able to come here I seriously nearly cried when I saw you didn't make it. But you got call backs!!!! You should be so proud of yourself that you did. Think of all those people who tried out, and you got called back! That's awesome, at least. We love you and know that you are way more like Teazer than whoever got it, so don't feel bad! *hugs*

[Rumpelteazer2006]

Thanks, everyone, that's really sweet! Yeah, I believe that God has a reason for everything, so it's just not meant to be right now. It's OK...I just heard about auditions for "Into The Woods" at another theater company nearby, so I think I'll go for that one. (I'm one of those people who can't stand not to be performing...I might shrivel up and die, hee hee) Who knows...maybe I can convince their director to do CATS next year! Either that, or I'll start my own company and cast all you guys. (Too bad I'm broke...y'all don't mind performing in a parking lot wearing paper cat ears, right?) I appreciate all the advice and support from everyone. It was nice to know that I had people rooting for me!