First Philly Audition--and a few thoughts about Christmas.

I want to preface this by saying that my experience in real-world auditioning is pretty minimal. I'm more used to auditioning for people who know me already- who have had me in class or seen me perform or have already decided that a role is mine. And yeah, that's nice, but in a way, it's also crappy. I remember one of the only times that I felt like nothing aside from the audition had legitimately won me a role- and it was an awesome feeling. And now that I am no longer surrounded by teachers and friends and a consistant support system, I can only hope that someday, I will get to feel that wonderful winning feeling again. I hope.

That being said....

I had an audition recently. I'll skip the specifics just in case someone who is even remotely affiliated with the show should stumble onto this page. What I WILL say is that it is an ensemble cast looking for a female replacement, and that the only positive thing I felt for this audition was the nice neighborhood that it allowed me to see. But I digress

The audition took place at the venue, which was in a REALLY nice neighborhood. The audition was for a role that was comedic, consistant (every Saturday night into the forseeable future), and PAID. The audition was ten minutes long with nobody else in the room besides the "local director" and a couple other hopefuls. I read two sides, was grilled about scheduling, and then told I could leave. I never heard anything else.

Now, I know that I will run into about a zillion more situations like this in my life. I know that this type of structure is probably typical in the real world, and that you don't always get a chance to read more than once, or audition with the people that you would eventually be working with--even though I feel like, in this case, that would have made a lot of sense. I'm not going to try and be aloof and say that I didn't even want that part, because I DID, I really did- even though I thought the sides were kind of poorly written and questioned the credentials of this "local director", I wanted to book it, or be asked to understudy, or at least get a callback. But I didn't. And hey, that's okay, it was certainly not the best audition that I can recall having, and I AM glad that I got at least one under my belt. And I have my foot in various other wonderful doors right now- I have an internship that is fantastic with people who are wonderful and knowledgable and hilarious. I have a part-time job that allows me the freedom to pursue other projects AND get hugs from 30 of the most adorable children I've ever met in my life on a daily basis- I have a lot of great things going on. But I really want to be onstage again. I know that I have to start at the bottom and work my way up here- I know that it's going to take a while to get my foot in the door and that I have to be persistant and remember that nobody here owes me anything-nobody is obligated to cast me. I just have to keep trying. And I will.

I sort of feel like that rant was a little pointless. But I've spent too much time typing it out. There it will stay.

Anyway.

In other news, I have managed to make about 80% of this year's Christmas presents completely by hand, which was not easy, but feels freakin' awesome- there is something very satisfying about looking at the huge pile of handmade crap you have to somehow fit in your suitcase without breaking or crushing it and knowing that YOU and your craftiness are responsible for all of it. AND I've just learned how to crochet hats, which is very exciting. I'll be in the great state of Maine form December 23rd to December 30th, which I think is JUST enough time, and I can't wait to see my sister. and my FRIENDS!

that's all for now!

except...this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kQ1PCP6B0a). Merry Christmas-week to all!! And to all, a quick journey to Friday!!

Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you stay on TV tonight?

the chiropractor that lives on my street has a giant house with a driveway (huge) and a big open-air porch. in an effort to get the entire neighborhood into the christmas spirit, this chiropractor has placed a life-sized animatrontic santa claus on his porch, which does nothing but stand there and wave at all the passers-by. i go back and forth on thinking it is festive and cute or just plain creepy.

anyway. i was standing in front of this waving santa, talking to my mother when she brought something rather strange to my attention. "I was watching Fox News this morning- (the be-all and end all with my rabid conservative parents), and there was some crazy old man who had published a book bashing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer."

ummm----do what now??

my mother elaborated on the story---obviously this man was a deranged liberal, and thank GOD there was a conservative genius there to point out the error of his ways--

and i guess i won't even touch that part of it. to me this isn't so much about political parties as it is about a beloved Christmas character.

HERE is the story, you can make up your own mind. Everybody has a right to their own opinion, and if the bullying in the story frosts your sugarplums, then that's that. But here are my two cents:

1) yeah, Rudolph IS bullied by the other reindeer AND by his teacher. he is different and they are uncomfortable with that. HOWEVER, isn't this whole story about realizing everybody's differences and celebrating them?? doesn't rudolph meet a bunch of misfit toys that were once rejected and find homes for all of them? and DOESN'T Rudolph end up guiding the freaking sleigh and "going down in history?" all of those that once made fun ate their words. he overcame everything!!

and

2) by that token, if you are going to put a ban on Rudolph for the bullying portrayed there, why don't you put a ban on the story of Lady Gaga, who overcame bullying and is now one of the most well-known musical icons anywhere? or (as much as it pains me say it) Robert Pattinson, who was bullied for his interest in performing arts as a child? Or better yet, why not tell President Obama that his stories of being bullied when he was younger are not something to be discussed-even though he is now the President, his past might be upsetting.

look, i'm not saying that bullying is right, or that it should be tolerated-ever, because it isn't, and it shouldn't be. it is NEVER okay to make another person-particularly a child- feel bad about themselves. however, i think if Rudolph were not a fictional talking reindeer, he would be a part of the "it gets better" campaign, telling kids that even though you might feel bad now, you can rise above the hardships and really make a good life for yourself. Rudolph would join the ranks of people like President Obama, Lady Gaga, and that wonderful guy from 2nd City that does the Sassy Gay Friend skits to encourage children to be brave in the face of bullying, and teach other children that bullying is wrong and should be stopped. I also think that Rudolph would encourage everybody to embrace what makes them different and special, which is a lesson that everybody needs- not just at Christmas, but all the time.

So let's not put a ban on the movie!!

Also, my favorite Christmas song is at the end--- let's give that a listen. OH and make sure to look for the elf wearing sunglasses as he hooks Rudolph up to the sleigh. I love that part.