Saturday, February 27, 2010

#8 & 9. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

Comm Shakes is putting up Othello in the Boston Common this summer. It's kind of like The Publick Theater's Shakespeare in Central Park, except in Boston Common, so, y'know, it's more New English.

I needed two contrasting monologues - one classical. I figured that I could kill two birds with one stone and learn a new comedic monologue that I could also use for a future audition.

So I chose a monologue from MoliƩre's The Misanthrope, in which Acaste tells a rival suitor that he is the greatest and the best because he is rich and can feign intelligence. Whether or not I'd ever be cast in the role, it's a great monologue.

Of course, I spent all week goofing off, playing Breath of Fire III and Heavy Rain. I woke up the day of the audition having still not memorized the monologue.

So I transcribed the monologue in a notebook and worked on it everywhere I went. Taking it off the page in the subway, practicing aloud and loudly as I walked from place to place as the rain was ever-threatening, tasting every syllable in every way that occurred to me. from Kendall to Central to Inman to Sullivan. I even practiced on Prospect hill, which I didn't even know existed.



I didn't get to stand on the top, but it was a nice place to work.

I practiced all the way into Downtown, through Boston Common, all the way into the Paramount Center at Emerson College. I went up to the sixth floor, looked at all the nice things that I didn't have access to while I was attending, then was asked into the audition room.

Three gentlemen made me feel quite welcome, then asked me what I'd be doing for them.

"I have two pieces from The Misanthrope and Another Bad Night at the Candy Factory by Jeff Belanger."

And then I laughed uproariously at the three men on the other side of the room. By throwing myself for a loop I managed to unleash something like an adrenaline rush which really added a spark to my performance. Also, laughing at my audience was a boon for my self-esteem, not unlike imagining them in their underwear.

Then the director told me that I gave a great audition and that they'd be in touch. He says that to a lot of people, I'm sure, but at least he didn't tell me to get the hell out!

I felt great. Makes me wonder if I shouldn't cram a new monologue before EVERY audition! I don't even care if I get called back - I was on fire.

Too bad they asked for two headshots.



1 headshot remains.

1 comment:

  1. Good luck to you! Strangely, I happened upon this blog while googling "headshot," which I need to apply for CSC's summer apprenticeship program, so this was quite the coincidence.

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