Call backs

I went into call backs with a strong opinion about who I wanted to play Romeo and Juliet. Both of the kids are seniors and strong actors. I was sure they would bring their A-game to the call back, but I was wrong. We called back 18 kids and had the stage manager start them off with theatre games to warm up. I walked into the PAC as the warm ups were underway and made a really interesting observation. The younger kids (primarily sophomores) and kids with very little theatre experience were going full out on the games and having a really good time. My R&J "shoe-ins" were barely participating. I asked the SM to have them do something where they would go full out...again...nothing from the so-called thespians in the group. I was disappointed. The disappointment continued throughout the audition. I will say that they gave us an incredibly passionate kiss during one of the scenes, but the rest of the scene lacked any kind of emotional connection. It's too bad, because I always thought they were strong actors. I guess they entered the audition process with too much confidence. Well, I guess this will be a lesson learned...hopefully.


On a completely unrelated side note--

My friend who shot and is editing ST:OGAM sent me a link of some asshats on a Mac board dissing the movie. I've been avoiding all the message boards lately--primarily because I don't have time with the play starting and grades due next week. I'm sick of negative people who are so quick to judge the creativity of others. It simply amazes me that they complain about the acting, script, and special F/X from a 6 minute trailer. Some of them said that they only watched half the trailer...WTF! Yeah, I'm sure their lives are so important that they can't spare a few minutes to watch the entire thing. People like that make me sick! And they wonder why the majority of the computing world thinks Mac users are idiots...excluding the creative individuals who use it to make awesome fan films! LOL! I still want to bust out MACO-style on all the idiots who complain about things they know nothing about. ARGH!!!

It has begun!

On the opening night of Grease 4 years ago, I had a panic attack. It was one of the most frightening experiences I have ever had. The only other things that come close are the car accident I was in with my Dad when I was in high school and the fever I had last winter. Although those experiences were bad, they truly don't compare to the fear I felt that night. In fact, I think I had less intense fear when I got news that I had cancer. The cancer fear lasted longer--to this day as a matter of fact--but that night was something I can't really explain. I called Neal for comfort, and that really helped, but I wasn't myself until the next morning.

I recall swearing that I was done with theatre forever. The panic attack was my wake up call to quit...at all costs. I was ready to lose my job if they wouldn't let me out of my contract. I had tried to quit for a year and a half to no avail, but this time was different. My principal could tell, and he didn't argue with me. Well, it didn't take long--only 3 years--for me to break down and direct again. LOL!

I held the first set of auditions for Romeo and Juliet this afternoon. My co-director and I went out to dinner afterwards and determined who was on our call-back list for tomorrow. I just finished finding the scenes for the second round of auditions, and I must admit that I'm excited! Unfortunately, a Romeo and Juliet didn't pop out at me, so the selection will be tough. I'm disappointed that we didn't have a better pool of performers, but I guess that just makes me all the more important! I am the Queen ShakeGeek after all!

Breaking My Rule

Yeah...so...my head is killing me. I'm exhausted. And, frankly, I need to pee. I know I should spend a 1/2 an hour in word vomit mode, but I just can't bring myself to do it right now. I will make a couple of comments:

• I will never get my grades done on time if I don't start kicking kids out of my room during lunch. I don't want to hurt their feelings, but enough is enough.
• R and J auditions begin tomorrow...I hope that I just know when Romeo and Juliet take the stage. They hold the entire show together. The line load is incredible. I know these kids can handle it, I just want to make sure that I choose the right ones. The sucking up is going to end on Friday...I need to start milking it! LOL!
• I'm pissed that I have to wait for over a MONTH for Heroes to start again. Argh! Well, at least that will give me time to focus on R&J, Sci-Fi, scrapbooking, and...dare I say...exercise!
• I feel feverish. I need to go to bed.