Read Through

December 30, 2014 by dgraham Leave a Comment

Velma Takes The Stand – Part One

Introducing Theresa Hermann–who will be playing the role of Velma Kelly in our upcoming production of Chicago! Her blog for the run of Chicago will be titled “Velma Takes The Stand,” so look forward to more blog posts from her coming soon!
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Auditioning can be fun, stressful, painful, exhilarating, or all of the above. The one thing it isn’t is EASY. No matter how much you might prepare, there are always things that will throw you off your game. The trick is to recover quickly, with grace and humor (if possible!).

I first heard about the auditions for Chicago from some friends at work. I decided, somewhat spur of the moment, to go ahead and give it a try. I have an extensive background in theatre–in fact, that’s what I studied in college! I worked for several years as a professional actor in and around St. Louis. Now, that may sound glamorous but it actually entails long months with no auditions in sight, spaced between short intervals living out of a suitcase several hours from home. In between out of town gigs, I waited tables and bartended (just like every actor on the face of the earth!). Finally, about two years ago I decided I no longer wanted that gypsy sort of lifestyle and I took an acting break.

My audition for Chicago was my first in more than two years, and I was worried that I had gotten rusty! I decided to sing a song by the same composers who wrote Chicago–John Kander and Fred Ebb. I’ve always been taught that it’s ideal to sing something from a similar musical style so that the director can more easily picture you in the show. The song I picked is a not-very-well known jazzy belt song, called “The World Goes ‘Round.” It not only shows off my vocal range well, it also has a similar “attitude” to a song that Velma Kelly might sing. It’s a song about sucking it up, because life is hard for everyone and the world won’t stop turning for you. I could DEFINITELY picture Velma saying those exact words!

I felt like it went well, but as always, I would have loved another chance to do it even BETTER! We had a really great group of people in the room when I auditioned, and it was really cool to get to hear the songs that other people had selected. After everyone had a chance to sing, we all learned the dance routine together. The dance audition is always my kryptonite, but Rachel (the choreographer) taught it really well and it went okay.

The next day Andrew offered me the role of Velma Kelly! He told me he didn’t need to see me again at callbacks because he liked what I had done at the first round of auditions! Sometimes that can happen, but it’s pretty rare, so I was really honored. I couldn’t wait to get started! When the first rehearsal rolled around, I was so excited to meet my fellow cast members and the awesome crew that is going to make us look good! After that first read through, I can honestly say that I have never been so excited to tackle a role! We have such an amazing, diverse group of people that only good things lie ahead.

Now to work on those lines…

December 29, 2014 by dgraham Leave a Comment

Your Daily Dose of Sunshine – Part One

Introducing Omega Jones–who will be playing the role of Mary Sunshine in our upcoming production of Chicago! His blog for the run of Chicago will be titled “Your Daily Dose of Sunshine,” so look forward to more blog posts from him coming soon!
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I will say this right now, Omega Jones RARELY gets nervous. Yes, the need for third person was necessary. The point is, it’s just not something that happens with me. Now, we all get those jitters when opening night comes and we are waiting offstage for our first entrance, but this is different. I’ve always been at home when it comes to performing, so auditioning for musicals and the like has always came naturally to me. Being the youngest of six, music was at my family’s core. Whether I was dancing in my living room or belting out some note in the stratosphere in church, music has always been a part of who I am. So when it comes to theatre, musicals have always been that sanctuary for me. The nerves just don’t come — I’m at home and one wouldn’t feel nervous in their own home, right?

LOL wrong. I didn’t know what song I was going to for sure sing until the week of, I didn’t have my sheet music printed out — anything that could have possibly went wrong probably did. With the help of my other half, Shannon Slavik, I somehow got through those nerves. I chose to sing “Magic To Do” because in the beginning, I wanted to go out for Billy Flynn. Mary Sunshine wasn’t technically a backup or anything, but it was something I knew I could go for if going for Billy failed in the end. I planned on singing it a la Patina Miller and the revival cast, but instead, my inner Ben Vereen sprang forth and there I was, giving the fiercest magic show Act Two has ever seen! At least, I thought so, haha. Razzle Dazzle was playing in my ear as I sang; channeling Billy as I gave it my best. The dancing portion came easy as well, especially since I was familiar with the steps given to us. After it was all said and done, all we could do was wait.

Lo and behold, come Saturday morning, I had missed a call from Andrew Kuhlman himself and upon calling him back, I learned I was called back for both Billy Flynn AND Mary Sunshine — now that’s versatility, haha! The preparation for that was a bit on the hectic side, having to go from the suaveness of Billy to the flamboyance of Mary Sunshine, but it was something that I had to do if I wanted a part, right? The callback came and I can honestly say that it was one of the best callbacks I’ve ever had the honor of attending. Professional & fun — that’s all I want. There was no stress whatsoever. Andrew had his mission & goal and it was executed perfectly, in my opinion. Those of us called back had our room to sit and chill in & things were just very positive. At that moment, I knew that if I were cast, it would be one of the most awesome casts I’ve ever been a part of.

The Billy callback was pretty simple, singing All I Care About is Love — it’s in my range and honestly felt like a breeze. Mary Sunshine, on the other hand. Let me say this. Being one of two men called back for that role had to be one of the most nerve-wracking things I’ve ever had to deal with. Though the role is meant for a man, Andrew allowed females to audition and attempt it as well, seeing as the songs he sings are in the soprano range. One by one, they sang their hearts out and we clapped — but then my name was called and I swear my heartbeat could have been transformed into a drum beat. I don’t know what came over me, but somehow I sang it out, in the upper octave, mind you, & it was FABULOUS, HONEY! Again, at least, I thought it was! People laughed & smiled — that was enough for me.

The waiting process was so hard. Just knowing that at any moment, one’s phone could ring and you could have a role of a lifetime, it’s hard, but that’s what it’s all about, right? That magical moment of knowing that you’re going to be a part of something extraordinary. That it’s you someone will see and smile at from the audience. That it’s you who might make someone’s day. It’s why I perform and I’ll never stop. Soon enough, that call came and yours truly was officially Mary Sunshine. I was elated, let me tell you that!

I remember smiling as I walked into the room for our first read-through before the holidays. This was the moment it all would begin. The cast, one by one, came in and we all greet each other with open arms. We were the ones who would put on this amazing show. The read through was simple enough, only stopping to listen to the Original Broadway Soundtrack when songs came up in our scripts, so we could hear how they should be, compared to the movie version of the musical. I had to give them a taste of the falsetto, you know. 😉

Overall, even though I now know my fantabulous fur coat will be sponsered by Macys — inside joke — I know that this cast is going to knock this show out of the park! They are a talented group of individuals and I am honored to work amongst them. I have my highlighters & page turners ready. Time to get to work on this script! We are asked to be off book by January 4th, and while it’s doable, it is not without it’s trials & tribulations. So I’ll end this post & get started with that!

XOXO, <3

December 29, 2014 by dgraham Leave a Comment

Wrapped Up with Mr. Cellophane – Part One

Introducing Justin Spurgeon–who will be playing the role of Amos Hart in our upcoming production of Chicago! His blog for the run of Chicago will be titled “Wrapped Up with Mr. Cellophane,” so look forward to more blog posts from him coming soon!
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When I found out that Act Two was producing Chicago as the first show of their upcoming season, I knew I had to audition. To add to that, when I found that Andrew was directing, I definitely had to be there. I had heard nothing but wonderful things about Andrew as a director and I was able to see first-hand how wonderful of a director he was when I went to see The Curious Savage produced by Act Two as part of their 2014 season.

Next step, auditioning.

One of my dream roles has always been Amos Hart. Ever since I received the revival cast recording of Chicago my freshman year of high school, roughly 20 years ago.

What song should I choose to showcase my “Amos-esque” qualities? I chose “I’d Rather Be Sailing” from A New Brain. It’s a sweet, funny, heartfelt ballad about hope and change (something Amos craves from his spouse), and the point that we would all love to do what we want (I’d rather be golfing/sailing/singing/etc…) but then “come home to you” (as the song lyrics go). Amos loves Roxie, even when he is blindsided by her infidelity and the fact that she murdered a man in their apartment. He even goes as far as to incriminate himself for the murder before his wife takes the blame. Much like my audition song, Amos would rather work/drink/gamble/etc…but still come home to Roxie. Perfect choice, I feel.

Callbacks. Ugh. I don’t know any sane person that likes callbacks. It’s the period of the audition process where you stand toe to toe with your competition and give it your all, knowing full well that all but one will be heartbroken. I got a callback for Billy Flynn, a part that I placed on my audition form, but didn’t have my heart and mind set on. I was up against four very talented men, who thankfully all got cast in the end, so I sang my piece, and that was that.

What about Amos? No callbacks for Amos. You want to talk about nervous. That was the part I wanted, but it looked like Andrew already had someone in mind. Keep your focus. Amos. Amos. Keep your energy toward Amos.

Days later, my phone rings. It’s Andrew. He’s offered me the role of Amos Hart. (cue the screaming) I must have been the person he had in mind for the role of Amos all along. I was beside myself. This is a dream role coming true for me. I cannot put into words all the excitement bottled up (pffft…let’s be real, it poured out of me) when I sat in our read through room with all these wonderful people that I get to work with, especially Lindsay Gingrich, who was cast as Roxie Hart, my troubled wife. I have known Lindsay for about two years now, and she is so talented and I have the honor of sharing a lot of my scenes with her.

And now we gear up for the rehearsal process, and it’s onto the show!!

December 29, 2014 by dgraham Leave a Comment

Mama Always Knows Best – Part One

Introducing Lynda Waters–who will be playing the role of Matron “Mama” Morton in our upcoming production of Chicago! Her blog for the run of Chicago will be titled “Mama Always Knows Best,” so look forward to more blog posts from her coming soon!
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As I prepared myself for my audition, I was so scared.

Auditions are the worst part of being an actor. I fretted over what song to sing, what to wear, what time to arrive, how hard the choreography would be and how well I would be able to sing. I chose “When You’re Good to Mama” which I assumed Andrew and the production team must have heard over and over during the process. To my surprise, I was the first one to sing it! I was so nervous that I had to start over and was sure I had blown my chance to play one of my dream roles. When Andrew phoned to ask me to come to call backs, I was thrilled!

Then the fear set in again.

How many people would I be up against? Would we have a chance to read against other actors? Again, I was incredibly nervous. I loved that Andrew had each of us sing the song twice. He gave direction for the second attempt and I loved that. I felt fairly confident that I had done well, but now the endless waiting to see if I was cast began. When I received my call on Thursday night, I was ecstatic! I did it!

It was a bit intimidating going to the first rehearsal. I only knew two people in the cast and no one on the production team. I liked that we were able hear each person speak. The read through was a bit bumpy and hearing the original Broadway cast was not really what I had expected. I enjoyed that everyone was supportive of one another and believe we have a fantastic cast, crew, and production staff. When Andrew announced he wanted us to be off book as much as we possibly could by our next rehearsal on January 4th, I freaked out!

My daughter is coming home for over a week and I want to spend every second I have with her. I am sad that her brothers won’t be able to make it home this year and I have presents to wrap, shopping to do, the house to clean, clothes to wash, the litter to change, friends to see, parties to attend and my boyfriend to comfort and support while he directs a show that a cast member had to drop out of just three weeks before opening! In addition to my daughter, my sister and her husband will spend the 24th and 25th with us.

I will work hard on my lines and lyrics and be as prepared as I can be on January 4th! I like to record my cues and lines in addition to my music and listen to it whenever I have to go somewhere in the car. I forbid myself from listening to the radio or a CD during my preparation for my role.

More on the holidays later! I usually manage to have at least one kitchen disaster a week!

Velma Takes The Stand – Part One

Your Daily Dose of Sunshine – Part One

Wrapped Up with Mr. Cellophane – Part One

Mama Always Knows Best – Part One

Missouri Arts Council

Arts and Education Council

American Association of Community Theatre