So here we are, back in Iowa City after another whirlwind weekend in Chicago. We drove there on Friday to attend festivities for Suzanne and Neal's wedding reception (they got married in Greece a few weeks ago). I must say that the party was just lovely, the food was amazing, I made a fool of myself dancing and miraculously didn't end up crippled by the cutest, least comfortable shoes on the planet, and it was so great to see all my favorite relatives in from out of town. Unfortunately, my grandparents are both ill and were unable to make it, and I feel terribly that we didn't have time to drive out to the suburbs to visit with them, as we had to get back home because Alex is slammed with work right now (midterms--blech!). But we did have a nice time throughout the weekend. Our visits to Chicago are just never long enough for my liking...
Although we had fun, I was excited to get back home myself, to find out if I'd been cast in any of the plays I auditioned for last week. Most of the callback auditions took place while I was away in Chicago, but I was able to reschedule a few of them and read for the parts quickly before I left town. I think that must have really hurt me, though, as I found Sunday night that I wasn't cast in any of them. :(
I was crestfallen, heartbroken, whatever whatever, for the rest of the night Sunday and all of yesterday (man, yesterday sucked), but today is a new day and I know that it's all part of the plan. I know that if I got cast in a major role that all the actors here who actually ARE students, who are paying to go to school here, would be pissed if I came into town as an outsider and stole their part--I know I would be if I were in their shoes. Not only that, but I came onto the theatre scene just last week, suddenly and out of nowhere, and no one here knows me or has really worked with me yet. Even in Iowa City, like LA, it seems directors want to cast actors they know personally, that they know will do a good job--it's difficult to take a chance on the unknown, on the untested and unproven... Plus, honestly? Two of my callbacks sucked. I didn't like the dialog or the characters, and I couldn't let go and really get into either role. I'm glad I wasn't cast in one of those roles--I'd probably be upset if I had been. And of the other two callbacks, one was awesome and fun and I reeeeally wanted the part but it was a total long shot, and the final one went really well but the director chose much heavier girls as the two incarnations of the character, so my skinny ass wouldn't have fit the bill anyway...
Anyway, so long story short, I get it. I'm not upset anymore. :) I also know that everything happens for a reason, so it must not have been meant to be. I'm sure I'll have enough going on next semester trying to re-adjust to being a student again anyway, and not having to get to rehearsals in the snow every day will be a blessing. But now, at least, people know who I am. My plan is to continue to focus on the play I'm currently in rehearsals for, and do a great job to show them how I work--and maybe I'll book another role again soon.
In the meantime, I am also continuing to seek representation in Chicago--and guess what?! I got a meeting! On November 12th, I'll be traveling to Chicago again to meet with a theatrical agent there--one of the best in town--and I am so psyched! I have a good feeling about this one... Wish me luck!
And now I'm gonna go to the mall and apply for a job at the Gap.
xo.
