uditions are so much fun. I have been traveling these beautiful United States in search of the next theatre gig. I've been to Florida, Wisconsin and NYC and next week it's off to Las Vegas. You have a two to four hour plane ride, a night in someone else's bed ( take that how you like ) , and the taste of the local culture. Then you get to go spend two to four minutes singing and/or doing a monologue or reading a side from a script. You either get a phone call with the job, or you see the rehearsals have started and realize you didn't get it.
I personally don't mind the audition process. I have appreciated being able to travel and spend some time with old friends. On my trip to NYC, I had a harrowing day at the airport on my return. The flight was supposed to leave at 7:30 p.m., but was delayed until 11:45 p.m. This was during the Chicago blizzard that was headed for NYC. Needless to say, I was grateful to make it home. Anyway, it helped me figure out the Top Ten Ways to Pass the Time at an airport. So Strap This On:
The Top Ten Ways to Pass the Time at an Airport with No Full-Service Restaurants
10 ) Talk to total strangers. I was in a bar at LaGuardia. They had cafeteria-style service for the food. Since the bar stools were up against a wall with a counter wide enough for a small size paper plate to fit on, my breasts kept brushing up against the woman next to me and vice versa. I felt it was only proper that I introduce myself.
9 ) Drink. While they only had the choice of a cabernet or a merlot for reds, I was able to choke down several glasses.
8 ) Listen carefully to total strangers. It turns out the couple I sat near was in town for a funeral for someone who used to work at the company I do my day job with. This endeared us to one another. The next round was on them.
7 ) Find common bonds. It turns out that the young man at the end of the bar had lost his father recently as well. This brought about another round of drinks.
6 ) Mingle. As the bar closed, we heard the overhead page that there were some seats available on stand-by for an earlier flight to Chicago. I turned and smiled at an attractive woman who surprisingly turned out to be Lisa Ling. I told her how fabulous she was, and we chatted for about five minutes until she got on the plane. Sweet, lovely woman.
5 ) Put politics aside. The young man that had tagged along with the older couple and myself was on his way home to his wife and baby. He was on leave from the service. The earlier flight had one seat left on it, and the older gentlemen I was with said outloud that this young man was in the service. All of the business men that had obviously been in the airport all day as well stepped back and said, 'Go ahead, son.'
4 ) Follow friends to the Admiral's Club. None of us were members. We just took the elevator up, and all acted like we belonged there. They have a bar and free snacks.
3 ) Enjoy the ride. They had better wine in the Admiral's Club.
2 ) Think ahead. Make sure to take extra free food for the plane ride home. This way the food soaked up the third and fourth glasses of wine my new friend had so graciously bought me.
1 ) Steal electricity anywhere you can to keep that cell phone charged, so you can call your partner to give her updates on when you're coming home. Thanks, Robin!
Have a good travel story? Let me know at StrapThisOn@aol.com