Throughout this past year, I auditioned for many musical theater college programs. Along my audition journey, I happened to stumble upon a few characters inside and outside of the "Room Where It Happens." So I thought I'd share a brief list describing some of the people I met.
1. That boy / girl singing the same song or doing the same monologue as you.
All you could do was be the best that you could be and have confidence in yourself. But you still wondered what the person behind the table was thinking. Were they comparing the two of you? Who did they like better? What did the other person have that you didn’t? And so on.
2. That family member, teacher or stranger who asked you what your "plan B" for college was after you told them you wanted to major in musical theater.
You had two responses, depending on the person you were speaking to and how you felt at the moment. You either lied because you didn’t have the time or energy to explain this to another human being, or you defended yourself and your life choices because you knew and still believe that no matter what people said, you couldn’t imagine pursuing anything else. Musical theater was (and forever will be) your passion and no one could take that away from you.
3. That person bragging about how much he / she loves her L.A. ducas.
Meanwhile, you wore your Capezio brand character shoes with pride in every dance call.
4. The stage mom who boasted about all of her child's principal roles in high school.
Wasn't it so entertaining? I mean, you definitely asked them for their resume and headshot so that when they become famous, you can say you met them during college auditions. (I hope you are sensing my sarcasm here.)
5. The boy / girl who replied, "That's it?" when you told them how many schools you were auditioning for and then they said, "I'm doing over 20!"
Over 20? Good for them. It’s not like you asked for their opinion on how many schools you were auditioning for, nor did you ask for their judgement. But that’s life in the theater. The show must go on.
6. That one girl singing "On My Own" or "Think Of Me" as one of her audition songs (or any other overdone audition songs of the century).
(You definitely cringed and sighed deeply. Maybe even a face palm was seen.)
7. That boy / girl in your dance call that can do a triple pirhouette into a fuette into a flip.
And wasn't it great when that person went right before you? Or even better; was part of the same group as you when it was time to perform the combo?
8. That boy / girl with the same audition outfit as you.
Practically a theater kid's live version of "Who Wore It Better” at the UNIFIEDS.
9. That boy / girl who you saw at practically every audition you went to.
And to be honest, you probably still don't know what their name is... (Whoops.) (Smiles and waves awkwardly.)
10. That person you met at one of your auditions who is now one of your best friends.
You currently have their number, have a strong snap streak going, are friends on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and like all of their photos on Instagram. They’re basically your bae even though you just met a couple months ago.
