Re: Zeitgeist Stage

Terry -

Recently ran across your blog entry about auditioning for FARRAGUT NORTH, and how you were surprised you weren't given a second side to read.

In the Information Sheet (yellow) you were handed to read, along with the audition form to complete, it states that due to the large volume of people auditioning everyone will receive only one reading. You were encouraged to "Make choices and take chances." We had over 130 people signed up to audition, which does not allow us time to offer multiple readings to those auditioning.

Sorry, you were disappointed that you didn't get a second reading, but we are up-front about that during the audition process.

Thanks
David Miller
Zeitgeist Stage Company


David,

Thanks a lot for reading. And thank you even more for your clarification.

What I personally like about my Farragut North post (it's not fantastic, but, well) is that it leads with the initial excitement over the material, but ends without even a reflection. I didn't mean to suggest that I was upset or that it wasn't at all worth my time. I just thought it would read funnier with that kind of brevity.

Though I hope to try and use my blog as a young professional's guide to the audition process, my 10 Headshots posts come very much from the gut. It's difficult for me to separate my working actor's mind from my writer's mind, as difficult as it is to recognize the results of my audition as being a reflection of my skill against expectations, or of my own karma against fortune. In these situations it's very easy to write from a "me vs. everyone else" perspective, and cynicism as a writing quality comes very naturally to me. I find that both children and actors have a hyper-developed sense of unfairness, and that theme tends to runs throughout the blog. It's fun, but I'm certain that it's not always helpful as a persisting mindset, to me or to any readers.

I did see Farragut North a few days ago, along with Andres' sister. I thought it was pretty terrific. And I'm not just saying that.

Keep reading, and I hope I see you around.

Terry



While I realize it is agonizing for actors putting themselves out there for the audition process, the producers are under an obligation - in my mind - to give everyone an equal opportunity and to be respectful of the actor's time. Since we had so many people come out for our last several auditions, we developed the 'one reading' rule as a way to try and do both. Communicating that to the actors beforehand is also important, I feel.

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed Farragut North. Keep coming out, you never know when you'll be the right one for a role.

David