Number 2....and a few auditions

Question number 2: Where am I?

Where am I? Well Uta, currently I'm sitting in a not-so-comfy chair behind a desk at my work. I've got 2 hours of work left. Let's see, I'm also...

-7 months away from graduating.
- almost 3 weeks away from the 3 year mark in my personal relationship.
- at a point where I'm just excited to see where things go in the future...
-ready for the next big project

Okay, not as in depth as it should be...but that's all I have for right now.

So, most recently I had two audition experiences, both completely different. The first was for "All My Sons", at my school. It was one of the worst auditions I've ever had. I used a monologue from "Another Part of the Forest" by Lillian Hellman, which was a great piece. I was stupid enough to depend on myself to memorize the monologue 2 days before the audition. I felt fine going into the room, I was confident and had no nerves. I started my monologue...and couldn't get past the first two lines. I tried three times to remember my monologue and just...couldn't! I don't know what happened! Thankfully the director was so kind and patient with me, and let me come back in after a few people and perform for her again. The second time I performed,  I got through the monologue, but I did not feel as connected as I could've been. However, I did make a choice at the end, and I tagged my piece. (Tagging your piece means giving a strong physical gesture or choice before delivering your last line to spark interest and to remain rememberable.) The director gave me some feedback, which I agreed with, and I was on my way.

I did not expect a callback at ALL. I was on the way home when I got the call about my callback. Really? I was completely in shock. But it happened! So, I went into my callback the next day, researched, refreshed, and ready to go. I got to read with a friend who I've worked with before and who I love working with. We read our scene once, the director said she enjoyed it, asked our height, and our conflicts. Excellent.

The cast list went up yesterday and I was not on it, but I felt good about my callback, so I'm satisfied. I felt like I redeemed myself at the callback which is what's important to me.

Audition #2: Film audition.

Yesterday, I auditioned for a low-budget film that I was invited to audition for by the director. Although it was deemed 'low budget', the audition process seemed a lot more professional than other film auditions I've attended. I was impressed! It was held at a photo shoot center, so they had proper lighting equipment, a camera, and a stool to sit on if we wanted. Also, the writers, the producer, and the director were all present. It felt very official. So, I performed a monologue for them (Smoking Lessons, by Julia Jorden) and then performed my side that they provided.

The reading of the side went well. I performed it once, they gave adjustments. (Be less theatrical, a little slower, a little more dream like.) So I did it a second time and they complimented me on the second reading.

So I guess we'll see...shooting is in February, which will likely end up conflicting with UPTAS and Midwest auditions.

 I suppose we'll see what happens!

Ode to Uta... oh Uta.

Uta Hagen. The 'It' girl of modern theatre theory. Teacher of the Stanislavski method. The woman whose theory on acting I will honor in these next couple of posts. What better way to get to know someone than answer the 9 questions?

Fact: The 9 questions are a set of questions that Uta Hagen has determined will help define, shape, and reform your character's inner self. The first question is...

Who am I?


I'm Melissa. I'm 20. I'm an Aquarius. I'm incredibly driven, and I have an unrealistic, but positive outlook on my life.  I am a sister, a daughter, a girlfriend. I have a huge heart and I'm relatively sensitive. I consider myself protective. I'm all about my family. I worry too much. I'm very impulsive. I'm emotional. I procrastinate and I try to fight against that impulse all...the...time. I might not finish this blog post.

I'm dedicated. I'm very curious... about everything. I'm energetic. I care a lot about my friends. I am not always confident in my appearance, but who is? I'm independent. I'm wishful. I make a lot of mistakes and I usually learn from them. I overanalyze everything. I stress out too much and I worry about being able to measure up to my own standards, which are very high. I compare myself to others too often, and I don't always appreciate my own values enough. I've just recently learned to stop doing that.

I'm 5"4. I've got brown hair, and brown eyes. I'm very pale and I'm proud of it. I used to have a gap in my teeth, but I got that fixed 2 years ago. I'm still kind of fond of that old gap, though.

I prefer to spend a chill evening at home, with friends, rather than party the night away. That's not to say that I don't like to party, though. :) I love being around people. I need to be around people. That's the actress in me.


So, this is a general overview of...me.

Here's to the beginning of this blog journey.

The Beginning

Well, it's about time that I start a blog that actually means something to me.

So hello. :) My name is Melissa and I go to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. I'm a theatre major. More importantly, I'm an actress.

And obviously that's what this blog is about! I want to ramble about my experiences, past, present, and future as an actress. I want to learn. I want to grow. I want to look back and say, 'Woah. That's awesome. I came from there.'

So. The next post will be about me.  This is just my little 'preview showing', if you will. ;)

I have to go do some Shakespeare homework, in fact.

Melissa