Cast at last...

I had an audition this past weekend. I didn't mention it because, while I enjoy being honest, my tenuous grip on my self-esteem requires that I not broadcast all of my failures. But it was a good audition. And my work paid off. I got cast.

But I wasn't thrilled. I wasn't disappointed either. I was just hesitant.

The production is Twelfth Night, which I think I mentioned everyone is doing right now, and the part is Maria. I just think this is an odd choice. Not necessarily bad, just odd. This is not how I would cast myself in this particular play. But, of course, casting wasn't my job. And I do trust that there was a reason that makes complete sense for the choice, I just can't see it.

After the initial shock, I thought about it. The last show I was in I played a part that was perfect for my "type" (which is a four letter word, indeed). The show wasn't good, I wasn't great, and, were it not for my determination to maintain a positive attitude, the whole thing would've been a bad experience. A few shows ago I got cast in another part I didn't think I'd ever play. And it was awesome. I felt like maybe I should stop worrying about it and embrace it. After all, learning to see yourself in a different light can be liberating. Or, at the very least, educational. Plus, this is a wonderful opportunity to work on my wonderful comedy skills. Mad comedy skills, I tell you. So, while I think it's a weird choice, I'm going to go with it. And my Twitter friends seem to agree with this choice, so it must be a good one.

I think the most damaging lesson I learned in theatre school was about "type." Because, frankly, "type" is crap. And it is really not helpful to most of us. And it's a lazy, lousy way to cast a show. Sure, it's important to know how other people are going to view you when you walk into an audition, but this knowledge can also make it far too easy to pigeon hole yourself. And really, you don't know what anyone is thinking the first time they see you. I was told I'm an ingenue. I didn't like it. I learned to embrace it. And I've been cast against it 75% of the time since. So is this really helpful? I'm skeptical.

But every weird opportunity that comes your way is probably just another opportunity for growth. And, of course, for the making of new theatre friends. I will keep you all posted on how it goes--read through this weekend, wish me the best!