my audition experience

i keep getting asked what the casting process was like. i posted this on a theater board, but will modify for here.

the main auditions were back in december. i couldn't make either the adult or kid audition, and really, i wasn't sure i wanted to go to asia, so i didn't even press the issue. i was called and asked to come to one of the calls, but i couldn't go to either call and i couldn't secure an appointment, so i didn't think of it.

but then the notice went up again a month later, and got me thinking. i knew the show had been mostly cast by then, so i wasn't sure what would even be left, the two roles i'd wanted had been cast. but why not?

i was originally planning to get there about an hour hearly, just in case. but i didn't think a lot of people would be there since the show was mostly cast by then.

i was way down on the list when i signed in around 11am. and when the call was finally cut off, 253 had signed up, and more were coming. the call was cut and no more people were allowed to sign up. over 250 for a CAST show!

the casting director wanted to see everyone, so after much deliberation, she decided not to type but to break the call in half, and told everyone after a certain number (150?) to come back the next morning.

the girl i was sitting next to was friends with the girl cast as liesl, and was hoping to get in as an u/s, but she was probably too tall (i think 5'4) for the liesl/louisa track. she was very nice. i dont know if she got seen or was cast or anything. but she was definitely very nice.

it seemed as though most people there didn't realize most of the show had been cast, including most of the roles that were advertised in the second notice.

there were definitely a LOT of liesls and rolfs, and even many marias. many nun types as well.

the woman who went in the room before me was quite literally in the room for about a half an hour. in the hallway we were like, "she must be signing a contract!" she was singing mother abess songs, so maybe that role hadn't been cast, or an u/s was needed. i didn't get to meet her, but i'll bet she was cast! what we could hear was incredible!

i was able to get in that day and sang my song, and was asked for another. and then i received a callback for the next day.

i came in the following afternoon, and about 25 women were there. i would say about a dozen were liesl types, and the rest mixed nun/elsa types.

we sang one of the nun songs in 4 part harmony. i had not been given the nun song the day before like everyone else, so i had to learn it on the spot, which wasn't too hard, and was one of only a few who was willing to sing the alto parts (note to the ladies... EVERYone sings soprano... if you have the choice in a group setting... go for a lower part, you'll stand out). because only a few of us sang alto parts, i got to sing a few times, which was fun.

then there was deliberation, and a cut was made. well, not really a CUT, they were told there were other things they needed to cast, but not right then. so, about 6 liesls remained, and a few women who sang for elsa.

we were all about 5-5'2. none of them knew the role had actually been cast and that we were there for the u/s track. while the elsa's were singing, one girl had asked why i was looking at louisa sides, and i said that we were there for the liesl/louisa u/s track. there were some shocked faces. i didn't think it was news, but i guess they didn't realize...like the other 200+ people who came to the audition the day before.

i went in the room and read the liesl side and did the song. the director was there, casting director was there (dave clemmons was also there but had stepped out during my audition), and another lady, but she wasn't introduced, so i'm not sure who she was. it went really well!

and the next day, on wednesday, i received the official word:

i was offered the track!