My NYC Story

A few years ago I really thought it was happening. I’d lived in NYC for about three years and I had been hustling. The last few audition seasons I’d promoted myself as a dancer who sings; this season I decided to lead with my voice. So far, it was going well. My resume showed  I was a dancer, so when I walked into an EPA or Singers ECC I was able to surprise them with my voice (which, by the way, is problematic that this stereotype persists). However, despite the couple callbacks here or there, I still felt like I was just cruising through audition season...until I went to the EPA for Finding Neverland. Now, say what you will about that show, but the contemporary dancer in me loved it! It was a dream of mine to work with Mia Michaels and I knew I was the right type for it. I walked into the room feeling a little nervous, but prepared. I’d worn a dress that made me feel good and I sounded great. (If I may say so myself.) I still chuckle a little bit when I think about the surprise on the casting director’s face. He asked about my resume, he noticed that I had an extensive concert dance background and asked if I’d ever worked with Mia before. In my head I was bursting to say OMG NO BUT I’D REALLY LOVE TO!! Instead I responded with a humble “I haven’t had the chance yet, but I’ve always wanted to.” We kept chatting about my background and what I’d done recently- normal “In the room” chit chat. It was lovely; and you better believe I got that callback and a few other auditions as well! In that room I had been seen. Seen as “more than a dancer” and I’d been given an opportunity to make a real connection with someone. I had more invited auditions than ever that year because that casting director saw something in me. Finally, I wasn’t standing in rooms full of women who looked just like me but dressed in a different color. Finally, I wasn’t standing in a straight line being asked to “do a double pirouette one at a time. And hey, really make something out of it to show your personalities.” Finally, I was getting into the room and actually showing them what I could do and it felt so good. In the meantime, after a few callbacks, I was invited to a “workshop” with the assistant choreographer of Finding Neverland. It was an awesome day filled with dancing and a shot at working the choreo outside of the audition room. However, that was also the day I learned that the casting director with whom I’d built a professional relationship was transferring to the L.A. office. Damnit. I would have to start all over again building a relationship with the new NYC rep.

But that’s our industry, isn’t it? Everything and everyone in it is constantly changing, moving, and evolving. Once you’ve figured out how to hit four ECCs in one day, Ripley Grier opens another studio five blocks north. You work for years to get into the room with a casting director and when you arrive, they transfer offices. You book Broadway and COVID- 19 shuts down the industry. It so often feels like we are climbing uphill and you know what really baffles me? Why don’t we give up? To outsiders, we must seem insane to continue “professionally interviewing” as some people call it. But I think it’s something to be admired. I mean, we believe so much in ourselves and what we are meant to do, that we are willing to continue to climb, even when it seems like no one is seeing us. We believe so strongly that we will be seen by the right people one day - that work will indeed beget work. And to be honest, it does. I’ve gotten more of my jobs based on recommendations from past directors than I have from auditions. But just because it’s true, doesn’t make the wait any easier. It is hard to age in audition rooms; each year, feeling farther and farther away from the fresh faced girls asking “how does the list work?” Each year, despite your connections and your resume, getting passed over for the people who have just graduated from the latest “it” school. But we do it, and we make it. Tenacity is the secret of every performer that ever was. 

So how can we feel seen? Well, we can start by seeing each other. Send audition postings to your friends if you see something they are right for. Invite someone to class with you. Repost someone’s video, acting scene, or latest photoshoot image. Cheer each other on. I remember once, my friend got cut from an audition we both attended and I received a callback. Could you believe that she met me at Pearl Studios that week and helped coach me and I practiced and prepared? She believed in me so much that she was able to put aside her disappointment to help a friend move forward. What would our industry be like if that happened more often? So today, while you are considering what to post on instagram and tik tok, or taking your 16th try at getting a “candid photo” to submit to Maisel TV, consider who might use some encouragement. Who could you cheer on? Who could you see?