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In the past, open auditions at Stage Door have been a zoo. Not because of bad management, but because of overwhelming response to open auditions. This time Robert Egizio assigned time slots. I don’t know what the actual design was, but it looked as if there were 5 or so people added to the mix every 15 minutes. And out of those people arriving every 15 minutes, there were people for each main character.

So when I went over the lines for our reading, there was a LARRY (who I read for), his wife TRACI, his mother ANGELA and a psychiatrist DR KRAPINSKY. It was actually a very fun read.

I have auditioned for Robert Egizio about a-half-dozen times, with no landed roles, and he knows me by name. When I arrived, his assistant (darn it – not sure of her name) knew my name. I was impressed with that.

And I walked out without a resume or headshot. I was so focused on dress the part that I forget to get the essentials. Luckily, I stopped by my wife’s office and printed out a resume. The first thing Robert said to me was “You need a new headshot”. This is true. Earlier in the year I was bald and it has grown back in. I do have an older headshot, about 4 years old, and a headshot taken earlier this year with no hair. But now I have even begun styling my hair differently from before. Robert has seen both headshots and probably has several on file.

I was very pleased with my reading. The best I have done for Robert. But I am pretty sure I will not get the role. The person who read KRAPINSKY was called in specifically to read LARRY. So no role.

Great networking though. I ran into two people I have done plays with, three people from acting class and a one off connection (someone in my currently play was in a play with this person).

I would love to be in a play at Stage Door, but alas, I don’t think it will be this one.

US Premiere of Spreading It Around, a new comedy by Londos D’Arrigo on Sunday, October 5 from 6:30 til 9:00 PM.

This light-hearted comedy finds Angela Drayton, a wealthy widow living in a retirement community in Florida. When she grows tired of footing the bills and handing out money to her inappreciative children, she and some of the other residents start the “S.I.N. (Spending It Now) Foundation,” an organization which gives to those really in need. Fearing they will lose their inheritance, her greedy son, and his shopaholic wife show up to try to have her committed for incompetence. Turning the tables, Angela shows them just how competent she is, and then shows them the door.

Casting:

Angela Drayton: an active attractive woman in her 60′s

Martin Wheeler: a fit, well preserved man in his 60′s

Larry Drayton: Angela’s son, arrogant, self important man in his 30′s

Traci Drayton: his self absorbed, fashionista wife in her 30′s

Dr. Krapinsky: psychiatrist in his late 40′s to early 50′s

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Rehearsals to begin late December, opening January 23, 2009 for a four week run. Performances are Thursday through Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Show is directed by Robert Egizio.

For an audition appointment, please call 770-396-1726; ext 7.

Bernard; 35 – mid 40’s
Jacqueline, his wife, 35 – mid 40’s
Robert, his friend, 35 – mid 40’s
Suzanne, his mistress, mid 30’s
Suzette, the cook, 20-30’s
George, her husband, 20-30’s

Bernard is planning a weekend with his chic Parisian mistress in a French farmhouse. He has arranged for a cordon bleu cook to prepare gourmet delights, is packing his wife Jacqueline off to her mother’s, and has even invited his best friend to provide the alibi. It’s foolproof; what could possibly go wrong? Suppose Robert turns up not knowing why he has been invited? Suppose that Robert and Jacqueline are secret lovers? Suppose the cook is mistaken for the mistress and the mistress is unable to cook? A farcical evening of hilarious confusion ensues.

Show will begin rehearsals mid to late August for a September 25, 2008 opening and will run for four weekends. Performance times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM, and Sunday afternoons at 2:30.

So a cast reunion. We will meet for dinner before hand, probably Italian, and then see the show.

Brink Miller, who has done many shows at Kudzu Playhouse as well as Stage Door Players, was also reading for HENRY. Brink looks the part age wise. I have seen Brink in 3 plays that I remember and he is very good. Remember HENRY is a 50+ character and, well, I look early 30′s.

Lane did tell us that he would only be calling those who received a role by 1 PM the next day. Already knowing that I did not receive a part, I get a phone call from Lane just before noon. I was a little shocked. Lane had called me to let me know that he could not use me in this play, but hoped that we could work together again. Lane is a great director to work for.

I am sure Lane has a superb cast for Play On! I plan on seeing it when it opens at Kudzu Playhouse.

Last night, after blowing my monologue, I read the part of the Father. Robert said there are 4 characters similar in nature and so a reading of one would do for all of those 4 parts. The Father, HARRY LAMBERT, was described as a “politically correct Archie Bunker” and “blustery”. The side was read with HARRY’s wife, EDITH. So instead of reading it like a “blustery Archie Bunker” like Robert described, I read it like a morose husband, somewhat sympathetic to EDITH but appalled that he may be the butt of a joke.

Another audition I did for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, after reading a side with one actress and was to read again with another actress, I was told that the character was a lawyer. I did not think about it right then, but did after I left. I read the side like I heard other people doing, as an angry person. It should have been read in an analytical way. The lawyer is logically stepping thought what he will do to achieve his goal and not angry.

Last night again, I did not really think about it and just read. I did not have much time to prepare and think about the side, but I did not read it like the director described the character.

What I need to do is to keep that information in my head like a mantra
“a blustery Archie Bunker”
“a blustery Archie Bunker”
“a blustery Archie Bunker”
“a blustery Archie Bunker”
“a blustery Archie Bunker”
“a blustery Archie Bunker”
even when I am reading the side. I need to force myself to spend 30 seconds and analyze what was told to me. This is critical in following the director’s instructions. I will never get anywhere if I do not.

This is one theatre I really want to do a play in. There are 4 levels of theatre in my opinion:
Professional/Community – Non-Equity only – open casting calls
Professional/Community – Non-Equity and Equity – open casting calls
Professional/Community ? Invitational only
Professional ? Equity only

Even though Stage Door Players states that it is a “metro-Atlanta non-professional theater that provides a venue to showcase the talents of up-and-coming local actors, directors and designers”, but will cast Equity actors, I still consider it a step above and would consider it an achievement if I were cast in one of it’s plays. This is just my opinion and impression of the theatre.

Still, not even a DQ Hot Fudge Sunday could console me on the way home last night.

“A married man in his fifties suddenly learns he’s becoming a father again. And since his 24 year old daughter and her husband live with him; she gets up for breakfast at lunchtime and he is curiously addicted to solitaire, he finds the prospect of another unthinkable. But then his previously meek little wife begins to lay down the law. Good old fashioned comedy.”

Looking to cast three men 50+, two men 30-40, one man 20-30, two women 50+, and one woman 20-30. Directed by Artistic Director Robert Egizio, rehearsals begin August 22, show opens September 22nd, and runs through the 16th of October. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00, and Sunday matinee at 2:30. All performers paid a stipend. Bring headshot and resume, please prepare a 60 second comedic monologue, and be prepared to read from the script.

See you at the Stage Door!

www.stagedoorplayers.net