First post of the new year! It has already been a busy audition season here in Chicago. There are so many great theatres holding season general auditions this month. I attended the Drury Lane generals and I'm so excited about their new season, whether I am involved or not. Sweeney Todd, Sound of Music, and Gypsy!? I'd love to snag roles in any of those shows, but if not, I will definitely be in the audience. I fell in love with Drury Lane while doing Christmas Carol this past season, and I would love love love to work for them again. And not just because you get free food from the steam table at lunch break (but that IS a big plus in my book, hehee.) Free food? What!? Yes, please. That and the fact that Drury Lane has been putting on some top notch shows the past few years. I can't wait to see Spamalot, which is currently playing.
I also crossed a resolution off my list, which was to audition for more Shakespeare. (Or ANY Shakespeare, for that matter.) I went to the Oak Park Shakes auditions and to the St. Louis Shakes Taming of the Shrew call. I'm still honing my verse technique, but I feel good that I went and tested the waters. I hope to be "sexy with my Shakespeare" soon, as Susan and Jeffrey (my Shakes teachers) would say.
Then today I met some of the team at Lookingglass, and it was a lovely day. (I had attended their general auditions for the first time this year and was invited to audition for a new musical today.) It was a rare experience of working with the director and authors and trying new directions in the songs and scenes. It was not your normal 16 bar in-and-out musical audition. I'm so glad the team took the time to work with me and gave me a chance to try new things. Plus, auditioning at the Hancock Building is just plain cool. I know... I am a suburban nerd.
So, happy new year, and happy new seasons of theatre!