We Opened!

So, yesterday (11/11/10) I opened as Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The show opened to a small crowd of about 12-15 people, but not to worry. Thursdays are strange days, and are probably not the best for an opening night, but the next day is always Friday. Friday usually means large(er) crowds. So I look forward to seeing who all comes tonight! For some  the sight of only 12 people in the audience could be a little disheartening, but not me. Why? Well, like I said, its Thursday. Also the show could use a little "word of mouth" advertisement. But most importantly, it doesn't matter how many people are out there watching as long as who ever it is is enjoying themselves, which I think they were.

Since it is live theater little things always pop up and go wrong, so maybe you miss a joke? But NEVER let it get you down. So you didn't get it that night, if you are running more than one night, you will have a chance to correct it the next evening. Also I'm sure there is more than one joke in whatever show you are doing so take pride in the laughter and applause that you did receive.

Well I just wanted to say that we did open and I made it through my first REAL leading role (even if it doesn't feel that way to me). But I did it! And I have 7 more chances to make it even better! 

Update and Worries

Before you read: If you are reading this andahoy are working on either of the plays mentioned DO NOT BE OFFENDED! The advice I give is not directed toward anyone individual. It is simply advice that comes from my expereince as both a member of stage crew and as an actor.
So I have done it! I have successfully memorized all my lines and my first actual performance is less than 2 days away. This performance is at the North Carolina Theater Conference regional competition, and it will be a cut of my school's play, Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge, by Christopher Durang. I will admit that I have my worries about how well we will do. It seems that our tech crew is a little behind on their knowledge of the play and changes, and a good amount of our stuff is still missing. Still there is one day left of practice, and this gives us just a little more time to get things in order. So what is the moral of the story? Well, it depends whether you crew or an actor?




ACTORS: DON'T WORRY!!! or at least try not to. If you're like me, then well you can't help it, but do your best. If your director has any sense then he or she will be just as worried as you, probably more so. Just try and let the director take care of anything, you just need to focus on the acting. I know that this can be difficult at school because it happens around you, and you could be called on to do crew for other school productions. A director once told me, any good actor does not need all of the costumes or sets or anything else to put on the show. As long as you and the rest of the ensemble can work together to create the characters and the world around you and you believe it and truly see it, then the audience will follow you and take the journey, even if they can't totally see the world. If you can create it they'll see it.



CREW: Do your best to know the play you are working on. If you can get a hold of a script early on, and read it, this way you can become acquainted with the play. It will also help you in anticipating any scene changes. Also if you are placed on the crew that is in charge of moving any scenic pieces, talk to the director or designer bout what the set looks like, this way you have a semi-visual, or idea, of what you will be moving. Now in most community theater, if you have the ability to sit in on early practices or run throughs, do and see if you can obtain a script. If you can't and are only present for the tech rehearsals, which is the common practice of most directors and crew, stay focused throughout the entire rehearsals. Stay quiet, listen to the scenes being performed, do your best to understand what is happening around you. Normally you will only have one week to know when changes come, how long you have, and where each piece goes. Focus on your part will relieve any stress on your director, the actors around you, and most importantly YOU!



So there you go, two lessons worth learning in the theater.



Oh hey, I also start tech for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels very soon,which also means we OPEN soon! Legs will be broken... I HOPE!

A Challenge

So I have recently taken on a new challenge of two Major shows, at once! Both in which I have MAJOR roles. The first show to be performed is the musical "Dirty Rottn Scoundrels." I am very excited about this show. It promises to be a riot I end up in a wheelchair and yodeling, oh it will be great. My other show is a little darker in it's humor, but still funny. The thing is both are full length shows, in which I have a lot of lines. So by November I will have 5 characters running around in my head(not counting the normal ones!) So the goal here is to memorize all my lines for both shows, and not to mention the normal things for this point in my student life. I will, or should be keeping you updated on my progress. Wish Me Luck!

Auditions

So this Up coming spring my one of my community theaters is producing Hairspray, and today my friend asked me to help her find an audition song. And it made me think. How much do I really know about auditioning? ... The answer is, more than I expected, and more than I practice. So here are the tips that I know: (Even if I do need to put them into practice a little more than I do now)

1. Find a song that compliments/shows off your range.
2. Find a song that is similar to the show you are auditioning for.
3. Try not to pick a song from the show because the auditioner may read that as "This is how I will perform this song if I am cast," and that may not be how they want it. So it seems like an "either or" situation.
4. Try to pick songs that either catch their interest, or so your voice off quickly because you might not make it all the way through the song.
5. If you know the original version of the show and the characters have a certain voice don't use it unless it is your voice. Show off you not the original character.
6. Practice! You can not walk into a room for an audition with a brand new song that you have never practiced.
7. If you are singing to another character in your song put that character just past the auditioners, do not bring them into your scene.
8. Be careful not to get to close to the auditioners.
9. Do not wear anything that distracts from your voice or acting skills.
10. But at the end of the day... you're another day older. (Sorry I couldn't help it.) But really at the end of the day all that matters is that the auditioners have heard you sing and that they know your voice.
11. AND DRINK WATER! Stay hydrated. All day. If you have an audition that evening try to drink water all day long. Warm up, it will help you feel more comfortable singing. Stretch you will most likely feel more relaxed in the audition. And have a good attitude.

So those are my tips for a singing audition, and as I think about it a lot of them would cross over to a monologue audition. always look around for tips. There is one fellow on Youtube that gave a lecture on auditions. Look for it and listen, it will help. Also the more you audition the more you learn about How to do it.
Do NOT get discouraged if you are not cast. In fact this is one of those moments where the phrase "what does not kill us makes us stronger," really rings true. Ask the director why you were not cast, if you have a way of contacting them. Although if you do this please be respectful. Directors WILL remember you, so be nice. Simply ask what they were looking for, and what you could have done differently to maybe have landed the show.
So those are my tips. I'm sure there are more out there, but that is all I can think of. I would like to thank :

• That Guy On Youtube
• Marjory Watson (pro singer and Actress)

And

• Scott Christian (pro percussionist)

For all of these wonderful tips.

New

Hi there. I'm new here and this is my first post! Woo. I'm currently on vacation, so that means no shows for me. I just finished work out at my churches Music and Arts camp as an Asst. Drama and Dance Instructor. I am currently a student and hope to one day pursue a career on Broadway! Hope you follow along in my adventures, how ever strange they may be. :-)

Feel free to check my website: www.eganacting.webs.com