Last night I assisted my friend Sam with auditions for a local production of Camelot. Now, I know very little about musical theater. I just know that it pays well in an industry that usually pays very little. Typically, at any given audition, you’ll find people that can sing well, dance remarkably, and act marvelously…but rarely all three at once. Hence, one must weed out those who have two left feet but sing like a lark. Roles are doled out depending on the actor’s strengths. I have not delved into musical theater because I can’t sing…so even though I can presumably dance and act I would never be cast as a lead. (So why bother, really?) Sam hired me to learn a piece of choreography and repeat it HUNDREDS of times, while rows of aspiring dancers stood behind me and repeated the moves. The idea was that if their minds were off the pressure of learning choreography it would be a fairer audition. I didn’t mind dancing the same counts over and over again, (although one set of 8 counts was galloping across the stage as if riding a horse), I had a lot of fun. In fact, despite the singing, I think I might actually be good at musical theater. Perhaps it’s my inner campy nature or my addiction to pointless schtick.
In other news I finally buckled down and ordered a monthly bus pass. The anxiety over change and quarters proved to be too stressful for me. Even now I am calucated how much is in the change jar. Single dollar bills become infinitly precious to me and I can’t even part with a single quarter.