Today I had an audition. For a play. The Cherry Orchard by Chekov. A great play. A great role. Something I’m trained for.

(Not to mention it is going to star [URL=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000906/]Annette Bening[/url] and [URL=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000547/]Alfred Molina[/url]…)

So, anyway, it was a big deal.

I should have known. It started out bad. I got the call about the audition last night and received the voicemail around 8pm. I went home to collect the info off of my e-mail and unfortunately the link my agents sent me was not working. And it was too late. They were gone for the day. All I could do was start to read the play. This morning they called me first thing and faxed me the audition scene. I worked on it for just 2 1/2 hours. CHEKOV! I was sweating. And that was when I read the production info more carefully and found out who was already cast. (Did you know Annette went to A.C.T., also??)

Anyway, I prepared the best I could. I drove all the way downtown and arrived in the area 20 minutes early. PLenty of time to walk to the building and sit for a few moments before my appointment. NOPE! I drove around and around looking for parking…not wanting to pay, I hoped and searched for a metered spot. Finally I pulled into the garage and the lady told me “$17.00”.

“What?” I thought I heard wrong…

“$17.00 prepay” she insisted.

I said, “It costs $17.00 to park my car here for maybe 20 minutes??”

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“An audition” I replied.

“Oh, then it’s $7.00” she said happily.

“Well, I only have $5.00, what do you suggest I do?” I’m getting nervous as the minutes are ticking away to my 1:00pm audition. (12:53pm)

She directed me to the nearest ATM machine, at which I had to pay the $1.50 service charge since it wasn’t my bank. I ran up the stairs. Got my money and ran back down. As I gave her the $7.00 she told me I had to move my car to a different area of the lot. (12:57pm)

I jumped back in the car and moved it down the parking lot. I hurried around looking for the stairs and ran up to the street level. I waited for the light to change. I crossed the street. And I entered the audition building. I rounded the corner and the door to the audition room was open. (1:00pm)

The casting director walked out and said, “Oh, you must be Ali. Whenever you’re ready…”

“Oh, great thanks!” */shit, shit, shit/*

I took a swig of water and entered the room. (1:01pm)

I read the scene. I did my best. I was supposed to be having a scene with my sister, while reading with a male actor. (I hate that) When I was finished with the shortish scene the casting director said, “Thank you, Ali, it was nice to meet you.” (casting director code for: nope.)

“Nice to meet you, too. Thank for having me.” And I walked out of the room.

I exited the building onto the street, put my sunglasses on and began to cry. (1:05)

I paid $7:00 for a 4 minute audition!! And it didn’t even go very well…

Luckily, I called my dear friend Amanda and we talked through it. She helped me get over it and move on with my day. Thank you, Panda.

But someone. Please remind me why I continue to go on these misery inducing auditions??

I just have to laugh. : )