A Bad Audition

by Travis Rocha

Yesterday was definitely one for the books, but for all the wrong reasons. After my theater class let out, my friend asked if I was auditioning for the directors’ showcase. I told her I wanted to, but that I didn’t know where to do it. She pointed me in the direction of the sign-up sheet and I jotted my name down for a 6:45 p.m. audition. I was really excited and immediately began thinking of which monologue I should do.

I enjoyed lunch with a couple of friends and then took a nap for a few hours. I woke up around 5:30 and it occured to me I wasn’t sure what day my audition was. I figured it must be a few days away at the least, but, of course, I learned it was actually that very same day! I jumped out of bed and started searching for monologues online. I settled on one from the film “Crazy Stupid Love,” but time was already running way too short. I did my best to memorize and felt like I had rough outline of it that I could improv through. It was 6:35 and I hurried over to the Ferguson Center.

The rest of the story is, well, pretty embarrassing. My audition went horribly and I completely botched my monologue. I apologized for being ill-prepared and the directors were very understanding. I told a few self-deprecating jokes and shared a funny story in place of my monologue. I had them laughing, but I think it’s safe to say I won’t be getting any callbacks.

I was feeling pretty mad at myself for not looking at the date sooner as I walked home. I chatted with my housemates and told them about how it went and we laughed about it. Afterwards, I went to my economics class and then ended my night with plenty of friends coming over to hang out at the Greek house. It’s definitely been a long time since I’ve embarrassed myself like that, but you have to take the good days with the bad. Hanging out with my friends made me feel a lot better and I’m grateful that Christopher Newport keeps me busy enough so that I don’t dwell on the embarrassing moments like that audition!