My First Role
For starters, before actually getting a role, I had only one show on my back - The Music Man. I did this production at a community theatre and had the time of my life. At the time, I was still attending UC Irvine and doing the undergraduate programs in dance and drama. Auditions for school shows were happening all the time. I didn’t miss a single musical audition. Fortunately, I continued to be hopeful despite my endless rejections.
A talented undergraduate was holding auditions for a production of “Ruthless.” I did not know much about the show and failed to do much research on it. I didn’t fully understand the importance of research. I ended up reading for Miss Thorn and had so much fun. The director let me improvise as the character. She gave a fun scenario and I simply played.
I got the part.
It was my first role and my second musical. I worked my butt off. My roomy, another drama student, coached me with all of my scenes. I reviewed all of my lines even after the show had opened. It became a pre-show ritual. I was always working on my character. I wanted to nail it everytime. Plus, it was my first role and I was very fearful of forgetting to do what I was told. On the final day of the show, I was told that I was the cast member who grew the most. I loved hearing this because I felt that it acknowledged all the hard work I put into the show.
So, that was my first show. I had a great time, worked my ass off, and got recognition. I am still grateful for that opportunity and experience.
