My mom and I rushed into the room a little past 8 and we were surprised to see that the room is already entirely full of anxious kids, and even more nervous parents. We quickly found a spot near the back just as the current CMU students began calling out names to take our pictures. As we were waiting, I filled out the form asking for our information and dance experience, and handed the sheet to one of the current students. After everyone was done taking pictures, we waited for another 5 minutes before Gary, Kaf, Barbara and Claudia entered the room to introduce themselves. They were all very nice and very welcoming to us. Gary even said that this was “our audition” and that we just need to be ourselves and showcase the best of ourselves.
The day started and the students announced that they would be calling people up a group for their acting auditions and another for singing auditions.
After about an hour (I still hadn’t gone) we ended up moving to a different room because some CMU students needed the space for their rehearsal for “The Wiz”. After moving, and some more waiting, I was finally called to do my acting audition. At first, they had me wait to go see Barbara, but then Kaf’s room opened up and I went there first instead. As soon as I walked in the room, Kaf greeted me and asked me to take my heels off (3 inches of torture lol). She asked me to start with whatever monologue I felt most confident about, and I proceeded with my humorous contemporary piece. She rarely looked up, which didn’t really bother me, but it was something to note. After I was done she asked to hear my dramatic monologue from Tartuffe. When I was done with that one she told me she noticed on my resume that I speak French fluently, and that she as well speaks French. Then, knowing that Tartuffe is a French play, she asked me to redo the piece in French, saying that speaking in a different language may reveal something different from an actor. I nervously proceeded to fumble through the piece in French (it was quite difficult to do on the spot). She asked me to sit down with her and we chatted a bit about what other schools I’m applying to, and she answered some questions I had about the program.
Kaf then sent me off to sing, first with Claudia. As soon as I walked into the room, she asked if I was a dancer (I’m not) and I told her I wish I was. I handed the music to the accompanist and started with my belt piece. After that I did my more legit piece. When I was done with the two, Claudia asked if she could hear another legit piece. I nervously scrambled through my book and chose a song that I hadn’t sang in months. Claudia worked with me on opening up more, and with loosening my jaw for the high notes of the piece. Afterwards, she thanked me and sent me off to see Gary. Gary welcomed me into the room so kindly. I started with my belt piece and then went onto my more legit piece. After that, Gary asked me to sit on the stool in the room, and sing my legit piece again without worrying about tempo or rhythm. He wanted to see me sing as if I were having a conversation with someone else (the song is about being in love). I proceeded to do a “rhythm-less” version of the song, and afterwards I felt so alive and aware! Then Gary told me to do my piece again, with rhythm and tempo, and try to incorporate elements of what I was just feeling. I did so, and afterwards he told me I was “lovely”. Gary then sent me off to do my monologues again with Barbara.
I am 100% sure I was the last one to see Barbara because she had already started leaving the room when I arrived. One of the current CMU students, who was helping out with auditions hailed her down and told her there was one more she needed to see. Barbara greeted me warmly into the room and told me to take my heels off. I started off with my comedic contemporary monologue, and went on to the more dramatic one from Tartuffe. She asked me if there was anything else I had prepared. I did my dramatic contemporary one, and then I did my Shakespeare. She then asked to hear my Tartuffe piece again, but to do it in a “sexy French accent”. I giggled a bit, but took up the challenge. Barbara asked me to sit with her and chat. She kept mentioning how smart I was and asked me if I was applying to any schools for academics and not theatre. I told her I was applying to Northwestern and she said “oh you won’t have any trouble there”. We talked a bit more, and then she sent me off. I came back to my parents who were one of the last people still waiting for their kids. We left CMU with a warm feeling and got Chinese food to celebrate!
Sorry it’s so long!!