Always Auditioning

Worst thing for my voice the day before an audition - staying up late, drinking, and TALKING IN A BAR. All was well last night when I was on a date in a cool bar in the west village. The conversation was great because we didn’t have to talk over anything. All of a sudden, the music came on and the place was bumpin. That’s great if I came there to dance, but we were there to talk. i was not happy about having to raise my voice so I could be heard. Not to my surprise, I started to feel sore in my throat on the way home. Luckily, I do not have an audition today. If I did, I would be doing even more damage on my throat. It is a little swolen today - I can feel it. I am not exaggerating anything - this is simply a fact and something I need to avoid if I want to be on my A game as a singer/actor.

For some reason, I woke up yesterday morning unbelievably dehydrated and it exhausted. Could it possibly have anything to do with getting off a plane I had a sore throat because of it. To correct the problem, I have been forcing myself to drink an extensive amount of fluids as I waited. My trick worked, but I definitely was a little affected by the dryness when I belted my face off. It was not something the auditors would have noticed, but I could tell. Overall, I would say my audition went extremely well. I was vocally on and into the whole performance/audition. I showed my very best … I just wasn’t what they were looking for - and got a “thank you” signal to leave the room. I really want to do the show and I know my time will come.

I do not have a lot of experience with cold readings, but I am ready to go for it today. I have read the sides and am now wary of wearing out myself by looking over it - over and OVER again. I could drive myself mad with the constant studying. The people in the room are quiet and friendly - the opposite of the people audition for Rent next door (will talk about that in my other blog today). Because the vibe in here is more focused and quiet, I have chosen to hang out in here. Much better.
In this particular reading, the girl I am auditioning for has to be able to do two dialects - southern & spanish. I can do both, but I fear doing them at the drop of the hat with an unfamiliar script. I have done my homework to better embody my goals in the two scenes I am reading. As I write this, I have to go to the bathroom. I’m wearing these sexy boots that are terribly uncomfortable. I do not want to feel the pain when I stand, but I think I will have to put up with it soon. When you gotta go, you gotta go. … okay, I am going to the bathroom. Wish me luck with the cold reading!

Here’s a video of someone who really has to pee:

“All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go …”
I just had to say good-bye to a gifted and ever-so kind individual today. It was so sad to do the good-byes that I had to leave before I totally lost it. Luckily, I know I will see this person in New York. The sucky part is that this time really can never be repeated. I am sorry if I am being repetitious, but that is something I have to deal with several times a year. To be honest, there have been times when I have been more than happy to go, but for the most part, I do not like ending a show.
To the cast of “High School Musical”: I wish you all the best. I hope only good things come your way. When I see you again, I will still hold all the memories from this experience and promise to never forget. Take care!!!!!

Just closed the show today. We had two final runs in a single day and they both were a huge success. By the end of the second show, my eyes were filled with water. It’s sad to see this show close. It makes me even more sad knowing that this time in my life can never be repeated. I am a big fan of pictures/video/anything I can create to reminisce. So, I went full out and made a bunch of videos for the cast. I had so much video footage that I gathered over time. I chose to make several videos so that one video wasn’t too long. Here are a few I made. I will share the more emotional one tomorrow. For now, I will share the footage that just brings a smile to my face. This has been a great experience in so many ways and I have learned so much. I look forward to getting back into auditions and booking my next gig!!

Apparently, in Wisconsin it is common to have fireworks on both the third and the fourth of July. Fun, right? Well, we had a great BBQ with the entire cast on the 3rd of July. On top of it being the fourth of July, it was also a cast member’s birthday. It was so great to have so many things to celebrate as we reach the end of this contract. I am ready for this show to close, but I am not counting down so much. I don’t know when my next gig will be, so I am cherishing every moment I have on the stage. As I watched the fireworks, I felt oddly centered despite some of my fears about going back to New York. I am excited to get re-situated back there, but also … I have no clue on where my life will head next. I know it’s the life I have chosen, but it would be nice to just know/already have my next gig.

… happy fourth of July!

This is not allowed. This is not a legal thing to do. That being said, you need to get video footage of yourself performing. What does that mean? You have to do something illegal. It’s a double-edged sword in this business. As video reels get in more demand, the more we need to get our shows on film.
I have been lucky to get a lot of great footage of myself performer. I am very grateful for all that I have gotten for myself. It has really helped me out in self promotion and gives a great idea on my abilities. Before meeting me, if you have seen either my acting or dancing or vocal reel, you have a good sense of how I will be in a show. This first impression only helps me in getting into shows. Even if the show footage doesn’t land me the job, it does give me a leg up when I walk into the audition room.

I was not what they wanted or what they were looking for at the audition. Man, I had a great audition too. I was more ashamed coming out of the audition room. With the people they liked, they were asked to read sides for the show. I was not asked to do anything. Instead, I was told “thank you.” A sign that they are not interested and my audition is over. So depressing. I wanted to cry because I put a lot of energy and hopes into this show. I wanted it so badly that I really could taste it. … and I didn’t get it. The tears welled up in my eyes as I got dressed back into my regular clothes. I started my 2 1/2 hour drive back home and passed a mall. Retail therapy time! I got a new audition dress and felt a lot better. Good call. As time has passed, I am still sad about not getting the great opportunity, but I am still moving on and forward in my career. Nothing can stop me.

So, here I am at the audition and I am early. An hour early. To me, for an audition, that is running late. Usually, there is a LONG LINE to sign up. Here in Evanston, Illinois, there is anything but a long line. Crazy, right? There are two other actors and they both just decided to go for a walk. I, on the other hand, decided to stick it out and write a little blog. The casting people are already here - another shock to me. I am used to them arriving just on time (well, that’s what I’ve usually seen happen in New York). So, here I am and I am in utter shock at how empty this audition is. I know they have appointments for performers throughout the day, but it is hard for me to believe that practically no one has arrived. This is a Fanny Brice musical! This is huge! Why would someone not show up for this great opportunity. It’s interesting to see what the people look like who will be watching the audition. I am really excited to show them my performance. Technically, it’s an audition with me performing a monologue and a song. Here I am! I am really happy to be here and to have this opportunity to perform. I have my dress and make-up all ready-to-go. Good times. My acting teacher would be very proud of how I am feeling at this moment. It is truly organic and I am just in it to win it right now. Now that I am starting to understand how I can do no wrong and only have a fun time at my audition, I feel ready to just jump right into it. I love what I do!

Here’s a clip from something you may recognize where a person is dealing with nerves …

I am super excited for a big audition tomorrow. I think I mentioned it before. It’s in Evanston, Illinois for a new production about the fabulous Fanny Brice. It is an equity call, so I do risk the chance of not being scene, but it’s a role I have always dreamed of, so it is worth it. I’ve been getting all of my last minutes together and I’m getting more excited about the whole thing. My monologue goes straight into my song. It’s a bold monologue and I simply cannot wait to do it. It truly is a fun performance I get to do at auditions. I have fun things planned for myself afterwards, but first things first - the audition. Oh, man. This is going to be so exciting! I am in the process of calming myself down. If I don’t get much sleep tonight, so be it. This ebullience is overwhelming. Wish me luck!

Once again, I am going to reiterate that I am not a fan of counting down a show. I don’t know when my next show will be, so I want to cherish every moment I have on that stage. I may be exhausted when I am off stage, but once I am out there, it’s like everything is fine. It’s such a relief to be on that wonderful stage and get to sing music I enjoy. I love interacting with all the talented and loving people. It’s great to look into another person’s eyes and see that he/she is right there with me. There is no wrong as long as it’s in the context in the show. As an actor, that is forever attractive to me. After this show, those interactions come to a close. That is sad to me. I do hope to work with many of these people again. I feel very lucky and blessed to have this final week coming up to do “High School Musical.”

This is something that happens all the time in the industry. It’s impossible to avoid. I have definitely been one to be a part of it. We’ve all done it even if we’d like to think we don’t. The worst end of it is being the victim. I always feel badly about the person who’s getting talked about - if they hear about it. There’s this feeling of alone-ness that comes over me when I hear of awful things said about it. … and there is no escaping if you are living in the same house with these people. It’s funny. As I write this, you are probably wondering - did this just happen to Jenna? Duh. Totally has. I have my good friends here to lean on and talk about it. It really wasn’t such a horrible thing to learn, but I am a person who analyzes the crap out of things. Many of us go through this and it’s good to know you are not alone. That is why I am writing this. We all end up at the shit end of the stick sometimes. I just make sure that I appreciate it when things are going well so much more because of the rough times.

When I heard the news this afternoon, it was my instinct to go into denial. Michael Jackson was rushed to the hospital? He couldn’t be dead. He’s Michael Jackson. He will have more time on this earth. Unfortunately, my assumption was wrong.

Thank the lord I am Martha Cox. I was able to throw in a few dance moves in this evenings show in tribute to Michael Jackson. I remember growing up and watching all of his movies. Captain E-O was a big attraction at a theme park. I was all over that as a child. Sure, there is no doubt that he has his issues with the media. It does not change the fact that he is a huge icon in this industry. I am really sad about the lost and hope people continue to be forever inspired by this artist.

A few poor performers in my cast are struggling vocally. This is a tough thing and my heart sincerely goes out to them. It can be so frustrating when you feel like you are doing everything you can and the odds just seem to continue to go against you. The times I have struggled vocally, that is exactly what I did.
If you are someone reading this who has gone through or is going through some vocal bull, just know that you are not alone. Talented, working artists have to deal with these things all the time. We work through them or sometimes are forced to take some time off to prevent any permanent damage.
No matter what, don’t ask for other opinions. Be true with yourself and you will know what to do to get yourself back to health.

I had one of those amazing days with three of my fellow cast members on Monday. We did a trip to Noah’s Ark (waterpark) in Wisconsin and had the time of our life. We all had such a blast experiencing the adventure of each waterslide. We threw caution to the wind and did thinks that scared us. We ate the yummy junk food the park had to offer. It was a day of laughter and good conversations. I felt we were patient with each other and fully ourselves. The underlying thing we shared (and I know this sounds cheesy) was love. That’s what we had throughout the day even though some of us are still getting to know each other. It was a quick bonding event and I loved every moment. This kind of thing doesn’t happen everyday. I am forever grateful for the experience.