Always Auditioning

I wonder what it is like to already be a star by now. I wonder what it’s like to actually be in the audience of the Tony awards and being nominated. I wonder what it’s like to walk up on that stage after hearing that you won best actress in a musical. I wonder what it’s like to see all those super stars looking up at me as I thank everyone for honoring me with the Tony award. I wonder what it’s like to have an agent. I wonder what it’s like to go to a private audition for my dream role, Fanny Brice, in a new production of “Funny Girl” for Broadway. I wonder what it’s like to get the phone call telling me that I got the role. I wonder what rehearsals for that role would be like and what it would feel like to experiment with such a great role. I wonder what it is like to open that show on Broadway as the new hit star on Broadway. I wonder what it is like to have a supportive husband and beautiful children in the audience cheering for me during bows. I wonder what it is like to have all of my dreams now. I really wonder about this a lot. I want it so desperately. The more I wonder, the more I want it. Someday, I won’t have to wonder because I will be living the dream.

Coughing is a danger zone for a singer. It is just plain bad news. It is like scratching the back of your throat over and over and over and over again. Eventually, it gets all red there. You think your vocal quality is going to be the same? Absolutely not.

Your vocal quality will start to sound worse and worse. You will develop mucus in your throat and find yourself with a constant frog in your throat. Sometimes, the coughs become more painful. Many people keep functioning normally because everything else feels okay. You can’t do this. If you really want your cough to go away and to be good to your vocal chords, here is a list of things to do for yourself:
1. Gargle 1/2 tsp of the following things in lukewarm water - kosher salt, syrup, and baking soda
2. shut up
3. drink a lot of water
4. rest
5 take Robitussin DM (it has the least and minimal side effects)
6. shut up!

I am not a doctor. I am a fellow singer who has dealth with this problem and knows how to care for herself (with the advice of a voice therapist) and it has made me a consistent and reliable vocalist. I could do a show on a horrible cough because I will be doing all these things outside of the show. I put “shut - up” in their twice because speaking is ten times harsher on your voice. You have to let your chords rest. A horn player wouldn’t play the horn all day (including time off). The same goes for the voice - especially when you are not in the best of health.
This is our job. It’s not a joke. Take care of yourself cause you deserve only the best.

I would be at this audition if I was good for the role. Dude, I would get to be the beautiful red-headed cartoon I was in love with when the first movie came out! For those who know me, yes, I did get to be Ariel with Disney Cruise Line years ago. I felt like an imposter. There I was, a brunette with a huge, Jewish nose, wearing this red wig, the seashells and the mermaid fin. It was sucky. It became quickly obvious to me that I was hired for the other role I played (Cruella) and every day I went up there and sang as Ariel, I imagined a girl sitting in the audience who was so much better for the role. I had always wanted to be Ariel, but as soon as I got the chance to be her, I was mortified because I knew myself so much better. I am not Ariel. That is why I am not at the audition today. I don’t want to be laughed at or waste their time. Yes, I already have auditioned for them. I thought if I went in there and denied myself those thoughts, I could possibly be right for the Little Mermaid. Who am I kidding? I am not a princess and I am fine with that. I love playing the evil roles and have so much fun when I do them.

I hate missing an audition. If memory serves me right, there is an audition for West Side Story today and I should be there. Why am I missing it? Work. I am that desperate for money that I had to take the job rather than jump on the audition bandwagon. This sucks. This happened to me another time years ago when they did a typing for “Wicked.” I was typed in. but then I had to leave because I had to go to work. It sucks when these money things get in the way. I wish there was a job that was more flexible and paid a lot more. I could use the dinero. When I miss an audition for a show that is really right for me, I feel like I am not putting in my 100 percent for what I want to do. I feel like I am getting lost in the life of the city and put myself at risk of forgetting why I am here in the first place. I am here to perform. I am not here to cater or babysit. That’s what I have to do to make money. I don’t like the jobs because they have nothing to do with performing and I don’t want people to remember me as a caterer or a babysitter. No, I am a performer. I wish I could be at that audition and I am jealous of those who get to be there.

Okay, so I finally just watched Mamma Mia The Movie. Before watching a musical put into a movie, I automatically have a bunch of doubt when there is not a single Broadway performer playing any of the leads. They may take talented and famous film actors, but that is totally different from people who have the true training.
If anything, I just don’t think it is fair. I think it would be so much better if they put the the Broadway stars on the film. Don’t you agree? I understand that it’s all about bringing people into the box office, but if they made it a regular thing to put these awesomely talented Broadway stars on the film, it would sell. That’s what I believe. I must admit, I also hope to be one of those lucky Broadway stars and get to be in the film of a musical myself. Can ya blame me?

I have learned that if I want to be at an audition at a good time, I have to be up at 6am. I eat and get my last minute things together and leave the home by 7/7:15am. I am not a fan of waking up at this time, but it gets me seen at a better time and leaves me more room for the rest of the day. I know, I know, it sounds totally crazy, however, I like having the time to go to work or class at the end of the day. It makes a difference. This week is majorly slow in every way regarding work and auditions. February is when everything picks up. Actually, today is the first day I’ve had to wake up at this time in a long time. I don’t miss it, but it is the small sacrifice I have to make in order to do what I love.
6am is my limit. I do know of some people who wake up and show up much earlier. When there is a big open call for something amazing like Wicked, there are those people who literally show up at 4am. I am not okay with that - I would not have a voice at the time of the audition and give an absolutely crappy performance. I suppose it is different for everyone. Each person has their limits. Mine is no earlier than 6am (which is already way early).

Yes, that’s right, I have done some research and I am sharing it with you. I hope you take advantage of these great opportunities to continue your training and grow as an artist.

ABRONS ARTS CENTER HENRY STREET SETTLEMENT THEATER PROGRAM
466 Grand St.
New York, NY 10002
(212) 598-0400, ext. 223/ fax (212) 388-1418
Email: ablitz@henrystreet.org,
ssapp@henrystreet.org
Website: www.abronsartscenter.org
15 students average per class.
All levels.
Auditing is permitted.
Ongoing.
Classes in acting, playwriting, directing and poetry for children, teens and adults. Performance opportunities for teens.
Work study program offered.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique; Children/Teens; Monologue/Audition/Coaching; Multipurpose

ACTION THEATRE CONSERVATORY
68 Union Ave.
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 772-6998/fax (973) 772-7684
Email: atcstudios@aol.com
Website: www.atcstudios.org
12 students average per class.
All levels.
Auditing is permitted.
By sessions.
Classes in acting, musical theatre, improv, TV/film, standup comedy, hip-hop, classics, and children’s theatre.
Offers work/study program.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique; Children/Teens; Comedy/Improv; Monologue/Audition/Coaching; On-Camera (Film/TV/Commercial)

ACTOR’S ADVANTAGE
Greg and Genevieve Seel
250 Fifth Ave., Ste. #501
New York, NY 10001
(212) 447-5649/ (212) 726-2863
Email: jgregs@aol.com
Website: www.actorsadvantage.com
8-12 students per class plus individual lessons
All levels.
Free demo lesson.
By sessions.
Acting technique using modern/contemporary scene study and monologues integrating hands-on Alexander Technique to free the instrument.
Sometimes offers work/study program.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique; Children/Teens; Monologue/Audition/Coaching.

ACTORS CONSERVATORY
Lily Lodge, dir.
312 W. 36th St., Rm. 6B
New York, NY 10018
Phone/fax: (212)967-0658
Email: conservatory@netzero.net
Website: www.actorsconservatory.org
6-16 students average per class.
All levels.
Auditing is not permitted.
Ongoing.
We develop the actor with sense memory technique.
Offers work/study program when there is a vacancy.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique; Monologue/Audition/Coaching

ACTORS LOFT
Maggie Maes
Classes held at:
244 W. 54th St.
New York, NY 10019
(212) 358-5003/fax (646) 349-1118
Email: actorsloft@aol.com
6-12 students average per class.
All levels.
Auditing is not usually permitted if a casting directing is teaching the class.
By sessions.
6-week musical theatre class with Bob Cline; six-week acting class with Maggie Maes; six-week lab with Erica Jensen; one-day workshops with casting directors in film, TV, and theatre & musical theatre concentrate on auditioning skills.
Offers work/study program in some classes.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique; Children/Teens; Monologue/Audition/Coaching; Multipurpose; On-Camera (Film/TV/Commercial)

ACTORS MOVEMENT STUDIO
PO Box 1098
New York, NY 10018
Studio address: 302 W. 37th St., 6th fl., New York, NY
(212) 736-3309/fax (212) 736-2596
Email: ams@actorsmovementstudio.com
Website: www.actorsmovementstudio.com
12-18 students average per class.
All levels.
Auditing is permitted; free introductory classes offered every semester
Ongoing.
Specializing in physical technique: Williamson movement training, period-style character (Elizabethan, Restoration, Edwardian), and Michael Chekhov technique, designed to expand and develop the actor’s instrument, physical flexibility, imagination, and freedom.
Offers work/study and intern programs.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique; Monologue/Audition/Coaching; Multipurpose

THE ACTORS THEATRE WORKSHOP
The Scott Conservatory
Thurman E. Scott, artistic dir. and founder
145 W. 28th St., 3rd fl.
New York, NY 10001
(212) 947-1386/ fax (212)947-0642
Email: outreach@actorstheatreworkshop.com
Website: www.actorstheatreworkshop.com
30 students average per class.
All levels.
Auditing is not permitted.
By sessions and ongoing.
Professional acting technique with an emphasis on developing the imagination and creating original work. For more information, visit the website.
Offers work/study.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique; Children/Teens; Comedy/Improv; Monologue/Audition/Coaching; Multipurpose; On-Camera (Film/TV/Commercial)

STELLA ADLER STUDIO OF ACTING
31 W. 27th St., 3rd fl.
New York, NY 10001
(212) 689-0087/ (800) 270-6775/fax (212) 689-6110
Email: info@stellaadler.com
Website: www.stellaadler.com
16 students average per class.
All levels.
Auditing is not permitted.
By sessions.
Focus on the Stella Adler technique of acting.
Offers work/study program.
Acting School Category: Multipurpose

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS-NY
120 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016
(212) 686-9244 or (800) 463-8990
Email: admissions-ny@aada.org
Also: American Academy of Dramatic Arts-LA
1336 N. La Brea Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 464-2777 or (800) 222-2867
Email: admissions-ca@aada.org.
Website: www.aada.org
16 students maximum per class.
All levels.
Auditing is not permitted.
Ongoing.
The academy presents comprehensive conservatory training in its full-time college program (nationally and regionally accredited) that leads to an associate degree with bachelor degree options. Both campuses offer a summer program. In NYC, there are also part-time Saturday programs for children, teens, and adults, and an evening program for adults.
Offers work/study program.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique

ANANIA STUDIO
350 W. 24th St.
New York, NY 10011
(646) 382-4171
Email: Janania1@aol.com
Website: www.ananiastudio.com
12 students average per class.
All levels.
Auditing is permitted.
By sessions and ongoing.
All classes, including scene study, are taught from a Meisner perspective.
Offers a work/study program.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique; Monologue/Audition/Coaching; On-Camera (Film/TV)

THE BARROW GROUP
Seth Barrish, Lee Brock, and Eric Paeper
312 W. 36th St., Ste. 4W
New York, NY 10018
(212) 760-2615/fax (212) 760-2962
Email: school@barrowgroup.org
Website: www.barrowgroup.org
18 years in operation.
16 students average per class.
All levels.
Auditing is permitted.
By sessions and ongoing.
The Barrow Group offers tools to maximize natural behavior and spontaneity on stage and on screen.
Offers work/study program on a limited basis.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique; Children/Teens; Comedy/Improv; Monologue/Audition/Coaching; On-Camera (Film/TV/Commercial)

JOANNA BECKSON — J. BECKSON STUDIO
325 W. 38th St., Ste. 203
New York, NY 10018
(917) 749-6922
Email: JTBeck417@aol.com
Website: www.joannabeckson.com
14-16 students per class.
All levels.
Auditing is not permitted.
By sessions and ongoing.
The Meisner approach based on “the ability to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” The actor aims to leave himself alone, eliminating self-consciousness.
The improvisation exercises are based on the actor’s sense of truth and sensitivity. For more information, visit the website.
Offers work/study program.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique; Comedy/Improv; Monologue/Audition/Coaching; Multipurpose

BREAKTHROUGH STUDIOS
Anthony Grasso, artistic dir.
212 W. 35th St., 11th fl.
New York, NY 10001
Studio: (212) 594-9616/fax (212) 594-9618
Email: Anthony@breakthroughstudios.com
Website: www.breakthroughstudios.com
14 students average per class.
All levels.
Auditing is permitted.
By sessions.
Breakthrough Studios specializes in on-camera training using various acting techniques (Method and Meisner). Classes focus on cold readings, commercial copy, film/TV scenes, and monologues.
Offers work/study program.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique; Monologue/Audition/Coaching; On-Camera (Film/TV/Commercial)

ELIZABETH BROWNING STUDIO
Classes in midtown Manhattan.
(212) 946-6575/fax (914) 788-1559
Email: elizabethbrowningstudio@gmail.com
Website: www.elizabethbrowningstudio.com
12 students per class.
All levels.
Auditing is not permitted.
By sessions and ongoing.
Classes and private coaching in the Lumin8 Technique taught by its developer Eugenia Buerklin. For more information, visit websites.
Offers work/study program.
Acting School Category: Acting Technique; Children/Teens; Multipurpose

Huge topic and it cannot be covered in one blog. Apparently, this person tried to cover it in a single video.

Okay, this is totally impossible to take a person through in a single audition. Through this blog, I have covered a couple of things to know and prep yourself for an audition but it does not happen over night. I do not want anything to seem like it can be fixed and prepped over night. Having the perfect audition takes a lot of practice - time and energy. You have to be diligent and you have to be patient with yourself. What seems like a great performance today will be a very weak performance for you two years from now because of your continued growth. Regarding talent alone, you have to always take classes and you must always be learning. If you want to be a singer, you have to take your voice lessons. It’s not like you take voice lessons for 10 years and then you don’t need another eye. How can you be the greatest judge of your own technique. Another opinion is always helpful; as long as it is a voice you trust, respect, and know only benefits you. The same goes with acting and dancing. There is always more to learn and better ways to improve your audition. Then, on top of all the classes, you have to learn and fully get a grasp your behavior throughout the audition process … man … attacking an audition is endless. Then, once you get a gig, you are still in a constant audition all the time because you are always being judged. With one bad move, you could easily be judged. This is a life where we are always auditioning because we never know where the next job may come from. How to audition cannot be covered in a single video or class because it is what performers must do on a regular basis. Auditioning is a way of life for a performer because every interaction could lead to great possibilities.

If you are a vocalist and are putting together a true audition book, you have a lot of work to do. This is not a process of grabbing whatever song you can find that you know and throwing it in your book. No way! In fact, you really have to take your time with every song you choose.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Is this in my range?
Does it show off my range?
Does this song show off a certain type I would play?
What shows would this be right for?
If I can’t do a whole song, does this have a strong 16 bar cut?
Can I relate with what this person is singing about?
Do I like the song?
After asking yourself these questions, you will prevent yourself from having songs that do the same thing. This prevents that pointless debate of which song to sing at an audition. On top of all of this, you will eventually end up with a a lot of songs in your book. A country musical asks for a country song - and you need to have an uptempo and a ballad in that style. What about a 50s musical or what if someone wants you to sound like Janis Joplin? What if you are auditioning for a Disney Princess or a witch? What if you are auditioning for Rent?
See what I mean? A lot of work goes into an audition book. As you grow older, the songs that were once right for you change regarding your look or increasing/decreasing vocal range. Putting together an audition book takes a lot of time, energy, and … work.

When I talk about getting back to work, I am not referring to a job where I am making money like catering or babysitting or anything else that allows me the flexibility I need to do auditions during the day. I am talking about getting to work on my acting skills and vocal skills. These things cost money and money is not what I have right now. Do I really have a choice in the matter? Not really. I have to work on my audition songs. I already have a great person on speed dial who I love to work with and who I totally trust. It’s only 40 dollars per hour because we are friends … and I get so much out of a single lesson. It’s well-worth the money. The second would be a regular acting coach. Now, I really don’t have the money to go on trying out a bunch of people. If anything, I need to get down with the work-study opportunities. I have already done my research and I will be making a ton of phone calls tomorrow to find which opportunity best suits me. And as for dancing, I just want to go out dancing. Forget the studying! I just want to go out and reconnect with my love for dance and that doesn’t cost a cent if I go to most clubs before midnight. My voice lessons are the easiest because I have a workstudy situation already planned out. Yes, I am back to work, with zero dollars, and I am going to make it happen for myself.

So annoying. This happened on Monday afternoon and I totally forgot to share it. I was exhausted from all the traveling and family events on Monday, but nevertheless, I went to a dance audition at 2pm on Monday. It was for Tuacahn Center for the Arts. There entire season includes Annie, Aida, and Footloose (there may be others, but those were the ones I wrote down). Because each show is very different, I had to pack different dance shoes and clothes. A different look goes well with each dance style. So, I ventured out in the freezing cold and got to the audition venue, Ripley Grier, at 1pm. For me, that is late because I like to get there super early to be at the top of the list. I got to the 16th floor and could not find a posting on the board that would tell me the room of the audition. Luckily, there were others searching for the same thing. A kind, fellow auditioner, walked up to us already knowing our predicament. “There was a typo in backstage and the audition is not for January 19, it’s for January 29th.” I was pissed and upset. I pushed myself through my exhaustion to be there and it wasn’t even happening. Man, if I can get my stuff together when I feel crappy, couldn’t the theatre do the same in respect to us?

I can sit at home and find so much to do for myself and mostly my career. It’s insane! Here I am, trying to take a day off at home and I ended up getting a ton of things done. I don’t know and I don’t understand people who are in this career and get bored. There is always another theatre casting, a theatre closing, and someone asking for submissions. Always. I find the work endless (in a good way). Plus, on top of all the business work, there are always things to work on … which leaves me here at this point. I had a day off at home and I am exhausted. I did not get the rest I needed, but simultaneously, I am grateful for how much I got done for myself. It’s fabulous!
I suppose I seem like some crazy workaholic, but I can’t help myself. I am totally that way right now. I am an insane workaholic. There, I admitted.
But then again … what have you done to promote yourself today? You have to work at it all the time. That is this business - out of sight, out of mind. You gotta keep your face out there because there are billions of others in line for the same job.

I don’t know what it is, but when I go to an event where there is dancing, I have an easy time connecting with people. All I have to do is dance and people come up and talk to me with ease. Because of this, I wish I could meet everyone at a club. Seriously, I think people would understand me more if we met that way. I am all about loving life and having a good time. Going to a crowded, smoke infested bar is not for me. It is too blech to have a real conversation. When I am dancing, I feel like I can totally be myself on the dance floor. I don’t have to fake a conversation through the music. I can just dance and let me tell ya - it is so much fun.
So, I was at this wedding dancing my butt off. There was a very talented band with fabulous live singers. They were incredible! I ended up befriending these people after I danced. I spoke with the owner and he was very impressed with me. I wish he was a casting director for Broadway! Seriously, I am telling you, when I am on a dance floor at any social event or a club, something happens. I think I give off a friendly vibe or something. People feel comfortable talking to me. It is such a blast.
I truly wish auditions were like this.

I never got a chance to talk about what it was like for me to close my last show! Well, sad first of all. My sadness was simply to close a run of a show that I really loved. I know it is healthy to move onto the next one, but I just love the stage so much. It depressed me to see it all empty. I found myself facing the empty stage after strike and staring. I was just looking at the empty stage and I was so sad. I was not trying to be dramatic. No one was there. I was just feeling. In fact, no one knows I did this and this blog is the first time I have talked about this.
Closing a show is not fun for me. Sometimes, if I am not happy in the cast or the show (this is rare, but it does happen), I am happy to leave.
Right now, I am just thinking about my last show. I have not performed since December 21st and I miss the stage so much. I know I am in the right business. My hunger for it never dies. I cannot wait until I get to be on the stage again. That will be a great feeling.
… and here is a clip of another show that has closed …

I am lacking so much sleep right now and my body is all confused with the time change in New York and the weather change. I had awful nasal drip last night because of the drastic weather change. I woke up in the middle of the night in so much because of it. In the end, I got at least 9 hours of sleep (thank G-d), but I am still adjusting. Why is this relevant to my life as a performer? There are some great auditions starting on Monday and I don’t want to miss a damn thing. So, here I am, being mute all day to ensure that my voice is fabulous on Monday. This career means the world to me and I will do what I have to do to ensure my success. Does that sound lame? Well, I don’t care. I love what I do so I am going to be mute if necessary … or even just in case. Now, … this is where things get a little difficult for me - sleep. I have never been so good at giving myself the rest I need and I can tell my body is screaming for it. I am praying to get to bed soon. I know that will help my body adjust and heal faster. Man, there are so many things a performer has to do just to remain healthy. It can get really annoying.