GTC Bound

Georgia Theatre Conference. Here I come.

I recently passed the screening to be able to audition at GTC to possibly audition at SETC to possibly get paid summer acting work. Yeah, that's right. It's that complicated.

SETC, or South Eastern Theatre Conference, is one of the largest professional theatre conferences in the nation. In addition to fantastic plays from all over the region and workshops taught by theatre professionals, there are auditions. Oh yes, more auditions. Over 90 professional theatre company representatives sit in an enormous room, and 25 auditionees are ushered in at a time. One by one, you get to stand up there, say your number (not your name), and give your monologue and snippet of a song in 90 seconds.

I feel as if auditions are an inextricable part of my life. They follow me, beckon me, taunt me, put me down. Yet I keep coming back because they hold the key to my success. Why? I LOATHE auditions. Strongly, passionately, and with a deep burning hatred. They control what I do. If I pass, I get work. If I don't, I'll wait tables.

So, I am always always always reading plays, searching for that perfect monologue for my acting style. I am always always always listening to Broadway music, searching for that perfect song for my range. It is constant. Never ending.

It is sort of a catch-22 it seems. I have always told myself that I would never do something I hated for the rest of my life. Yet it seems as though in order to do what I love for the rest of my life, I must do something I hate. Is it worth it? Does the love outweigh the hate?

Yes. Always and forever, yes.

"Somebodies"

The pilot for the show Somebodies leaves much to be desired. Though it succeeds in defining who the main characters are, their characterization falls flat. The little bit of characterization present in the first couple of episodes is very superficial and ridiculously stereotypical. Perhaps the point of the show is for black people to rise out of stereotypes by knowingly portraying those very stereotypes. But instead of clearly understanding that purpose, I was left with the feeling that all of the jokes and characters to come in the script would be predictable. I am still unclear as to the purpose of some of the characters. All of Scottie's friends sort of run together and lack distinctive traits other than their physical appearance. I don't know why his ex-girlfriend is still in the picture, though she certainly adds some spice with her risky acting choices.

As far as the acting goes, it is less than believable, especially the younger, primary characters, which is unfortunate. The strongest actors by far are the older actors who play Scottie's relatives and the churchgoers. Other than those few, who got some laughs out of me with their detailed character acting, the acting is bland.

The story lines were fairly well intertwined though at times there wasn't a clear definition between the A and B story lines. There were certain well-planned moments, such as the meeting of Scottie, the club leader, Scottie's friend, and the tennis instructor.

The second episode does have a more intriguing story and gives a little more insight into Scottie's character. There is an arc, and there are definite improvements from the pilot, but I'm not sure they are enough to compell audiences to watch a third episode.