on campus audition schedule flexibility

mommafrog
Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:17:20 +0000

halflokum…I am so happy you found your zen in the crazy process of Logistics Coordinator. My daughter did the “(Almost) National Audition Tour” last year, and a lot of the responsibility (and associated details-related stress) falls to those of us making plane and hotel reservations and as Keeper of the Calendar. I understand the concerns about missing school, too. Even though she had talked to her GC and principal, who knew what she was doing and (well, as close as possible) why, she still received the official “truancy” notice from the district. Yes, she did have a signed note from each and every school, and did ask for as much work as possible ahead.

I agree with those who say, if it is possible/realistic, to arrive at the distant schools the evening/night before. For some of those, we did check into the hotel at midnight, as she had after school commitments that, like your d, she did not wish to meet. But being able to be in the city, even if it was just the hotel near campus, really helped. Those audition days start EARLY, and having the extra time to navigate an unfamiliar campus is a great thing…if you can do it. I do know some schools (don’t know your list) such as Elon, will try to work with you regarding transportation schedules (then again, their closest airport is not next door).

We looked at it as a very unique senior year. (I’m still waiting for my vacation time to build back up at work…). She got her teachers and others she worked with excited about the “glamour” (let’s face it – going to do auditions around the country is a pretty cool adventure) of the ride, picked and chose what things were crucial to her (she chose to be in the school play and spring musical, but decided that Winter Homecoming was not a biggie) and really communicated well with everyone she had a relationship/commitment with. We did get through it…and you will, too.

It’s funny…those trips are high on our “happy memory” list. In fact, we’ve promised to do a non-audition trip over her winter break – go to an as-yet-unnamed city, eat the ice cream and Chinese food we always seemed to find, play Bananagrams (our travel go-to when going crazy in a hotel room) and have a giggle-fest before crashing into the hotel’s bed. Yes, there are logistics, and YES there is stress, but it is also an incredible gift of a season, right before they go away, and the house suddenly becomes much more quiet.