Click on the title above to see some footage from ‘In the Heights’ on Broadway. “ITH Montage” gives a good feel for the whole show.

As one of my recent efforts to “get out there”, I decided I could pretend to be ethnic enough to audition for such a show. There was an equity dance call about a week ago. Because the show is so type specific - meaning only people who look a certain way can really audition - I figured I would have a good chance of being seen as a non equity member.

First go round my friend Selena and I showed up a good 26 hours early. oops… So for round two we actually showed up on the right day. By this time, we were really ready to audition. I grabbed my gold hoops, hair gel, red lipstick, short skirt, borrowed a pair of nike dunks and headed to the dance call. 

We went in with the first group of 35 girls - only 8 equity girls showed up - and there were 2 more groups of equal size to follow (which is actually a pretty modest turnout). The combination was quick and it was hip hop. Putting aside the fact that everyone around me looked completely legit, I worked my stuff as much I could as a white girl from Virginia, currently training in modern dance. The choreographer was very nice and seemed like he’d be great to work with. With our headshots/resumes in hand (which cost me a whole $5.00) the big guys in charge made “yes” piles and “no” piles within minutes of seeing us dance - 5 at a time. After all the groups had done the combo, they called four of us out to do it again - this is what we call the ‘make it or break it’. I was called last so I got gypped in the line up. I had to dance in the back corner where he was barely even looking. Didn’t make the cut. Oh well! It was a bummer because I wanted to get to the salsa portion of the audition which is where I know can strut my stuff. But in the end I realized that not only am I not a trained hip hop dancer, but I do not posses the racial diversity they were undoubtedly looking for. In this world, you gotta look the part, be a killer dancer, and be in the right place at the right time. Oh, the odds! Many people in the room could dance the material, you just had to be exactly what they were looking for- head to toe.

For the record, I had a blast. I also feel confident that I didn’t hold back. I have almost no regrets about my performance although I do know where I should have made different choices. Auditioning requires thinking about so much in such a short amount of time! I learned though.

Also, I am addicted to auditioning. I love doing it. This is a good thing.

Until next time!