The Audition

17th August: Friday night – audition!

Every waking moment from Tuesday night was Joseph Joseph Joseph, and more to the point, my pending audition. Wednesday was ‘Exhibition Wednesday’, and I had the day off to find the speech I needed to memorise for the audition. I had thought of something on Tues night so I just had to find where I got it (someone had put it on a bulletin in My space), but after having wasted 3 hours going through past bulletins it wasn’t there, so I googled! This is what I attempted to memorise: Noah

I already knew my audition song, Someone Like You, from Jekyll & Hyde and annoyed my next-door neighbour no end whenever I sang it loudly in the shower. I’d sang it several times in other auditions, including the last time I auditioned for Joseph at Act One theatre (and got the role of Narrator) so I was hoping the song would be good luck.

My audition time was 9.00 and I got there early so I could chill out a bit. I took some pineapple pieces with me to eat to cut through the phlegm and calm me a bit. I’d been reading “The Secret” all afternoon, so I was thinking lots of positive thoughts. I had warmed up in the car on the drive down - I pity the cars I was parked next to at the lights.

The audition went as smoothly as I could have hoped for, although it wasn’t perfect. I knew there was no way I’d remember all of the Noah story so I made a list of all the things I needed to remember, folded it into a very long concertina and worked it into the gag, which went over well. I forgot a couple of bits in the middle, notably the EPA and the globe bit but I got through it without stammering and I had them laughing really loudly so I was happy with my effort.

I forgot a little bit of the song too – same bit I’d forgotten in my Savoyards Oklahoma audition, but it was only a word or 2 and I recovered. It was a bit sharp due to my nerves but I got through it, got lots of applause from the audition team, and then got a hug from Brad! I went home on a high.

Joseph - Information night

14th of August – Information night!

We’ve known this year’s musical was going to be Joseph since Nunsense last year and we’ve all been a buzz, well, I have at least. (It was last year’s worst kept secret) I kept an eye on the web site, Sunnybank Theatre Group Inc. on and off for a few months and noted the dates, and it’s finally here. I got there a bit before the 7.30 start time and it’s like school’s back in after the Christmas holidays – so many old friends I haven’t seen in ages, so many kisses and hugs, it’s good to be home again.

So once we all said our hellos the night started with the usual introductions from the production crew- Brad and Lesley as co-directors and Brad as Musical Director; Matt, Assistant Musical Director; Caroline Stage Manager and Diva Control (again); Katie, the choreographer, (please God, no more tap dancing!); Ashley (my sparring partner) as set designer, and the usual suspects who are helping with construction and lighting. A surprise entrant this year is Jenny, as Costume designer. Last year Jen had a major role in Nunsense and it’s a shame she can’t be in the show this year due to other commitments. She’s a great seamstress though as proven by Nunsense and Puss in Boots, so I’m rather excited to see what creations she comes up with.

Anyhoo, after the intros, they got down to business talking about the auditions and what was expected, the characters, and what songs to sing etc. then we lined up, got our names down on the audition list and then that was essentially it. My audition is 9pm Friday night.

Oh bugger, they want us to do a 2-3 minute speech, learned from memory and I have 3 days to learn something…

For those who know nothing about Joseph, look here: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat