"Ok so I've spent all morning getting ready, and now I'm ready.
Big Eastman live audition today...
Do I have all my stuff? (Run through checklist for the 74th time)
Yes, I do. Ok, let's go.
I love this evening dress, even if it is noon now.
Man, I feel my blood pressure spiking.
Suprisingly, my brain is very calm.
Too bad my body hasn't caught on yet...
It will, it will... deep breath..
Drink water.
Mom decided to drive me.
We got here early, always a plus! Low stress, low stress.
Where's the warm-up room?
What? Right next to the audition room?
That little room with just a few sheets of sheetrock
between me and the current auditioner?
I think not. I'm way too loud.
The halls will do 'til accompanist gets here.
Relax.
Drink water.
Oo! Time for info session!
Do I have any questions?
Just the little one about the discrepancy on the website where
one page says I have to only sing 4 songs,
and one page says I have to sing 7.
SEVEN.
Drink water.
We'll figure it out when it's my turn in the audition room.
What? Rent for a loft apt. in Rochester is only $400? I was really expecting more...
Here's my accompanist!
Warm up together in a giant room.
Good acoustics!
Oh yeah, feeling good.
I wish my heart would stop pounding.
Ok really now, heart. Chill.
Just a bit.
My legs aren't shaking, right?
I hate it when the legs start shaking... nothing,
no, Nothing
will stop them once they've started.
Drink water.
I'm really gonna have to go to the ladie's room later with all this water..
Glad no one can hear my thoughts so they won't hear that last part..
not really ladylike...
just true.
How much longer?
ooo I'm next.
eek.
EEK.
It's ok.
I feel calm in my brain.
Body is still behind.
Poor heart.
I feel like I'm in that really uncomfortable state when
you're getting your blood pressure taken, and it lingers on the tight setting.
Yep, body all in turmoil just like that.
Could I have prayed over this audition any more?
No.
Drink water.
Glad my mind grapes are clear.
I just said mind grapes.
Talk to the nice people in the hall.
Oh Matt is here! And Dean!
Nice to be auditioning with friends. What if we end up schooling together again?!
Fun.
Drink water.
Door's opening.
Here we go.
SWEET!
I only have to sing the 4 songs.
Sheesh, so that extra emergency lesson working the extra 3 was kind of a waste...
Oh well.
First song, here we go.
I love French! Glad I'm starting with the easiest one.
Ok get into character.
Just singin' about the flowers and woods.
Deep stuff.
ack, did I just say Le when I should'a' said Les?
Good thing I haven't broken character.
Just keep singing. You love those flowers and woods.
One down, 3 to go.
German next.
Drink water.
Remember to release the tension on those passagio notes.
Release, but keep strength and energy full.
Singing is such a fun, yet difficult contradiction.
2 down. 2 more.
Drink water.
Alright! English aria. I've got this.
Who's my character- Blanche DuBios
What's my thought process- I've lost my young husband,
lost my estate, much of my dignity,
live in complete denial,
must have this man understand and love me anyways,
surely he'll understand in spite of my senility.
Got it. Now sing.
Last note. phew. Not bad, Annie.
Last song!!
Italian aria.
Now I'm a woman falsely accused of killing my baby boy and mother,
and am going crazy in jail.
It's kind of fun to play a crazy person!
Final note!
Done.
Out of character.
Just me now, just Annie.
All done.
My heart hasn't busted out of my chest yet,
my legs didn't shake,
I had great high notes, even passagio passages,
stayed in character well, moved as my characters gracefully,
and shared yet another big moment with my accompanist and mom.
Sweet mom came and actually sat outside... waiting for me now!
She gets so nervous, but came anyway to listen instead of sit downstairs.
I'm a lucky gal.
WOOHOO
All done!
Won't hear anything about acceptance till mid-March.. boooo.
But I'm done!
Auditioning really isn't as bad as I thought it'd be!
So great preparation really is everything.
Feelin' pretty good.
Thanks, God.
Now to lunch with the family, who are taking me to lunch just 'cause they're proud.
So lucky.
All in a day's work.
Man, I love this."
