Cast Member Blog - 1001 - Adrianne DuChateau

As you may have heard, Blogfriends, our big fall production of 1001 is already in rehearsals, preparing to open November 11, 2010. 1001 is a postmodern retelling of Arabian Nights; a dark fantasy with more layers than a Mexican dip; a storytelling fantasia with political and comic overtones. In other words, it's something you need to experience. Remember, you can buy tickets already at the Horowitz Center Box Office, or online by clicking here.

As usual, I've got a great blog for you today. Written by 1001 ensemble member Adrianne DuChateau, Adrienne shares her journey through the 1001 casting process. Hit it, Adrianne.

I signed up to audition for 1001 the very last day of auditions. I grabbed a copy of the script and read as much as i could for twenty minutes, then nervously rushed to the Smith Theatre. I knew no one, and had no clue what to expect, but I lucked out because I had the most comfortable audition experience imaginable. I went in to read scene after scene, and was actually having fun with it. I remember wanting to learn more about acting, and how I could make even better choices. By the end of the audition, I had had a positive experience and really wanted to be in the show.

After the audition I went home and immediately lost the little slip of paper that had information about callbacks. I searched vigorously for a moment then moved on, hoping I would receive that call. I did, and realized I was scheduled to work for the time of the callbacks. A really stressful shift at work took place the night before callbacks. I kept trying to find someone to fill in for me. The trouble was, everyone was already scheduled to work on a Friday night! Finally, the managers cut me some slack and let me take the night off. They said I had better do well if I'm gonna be missing work.

Once I was free to attend callbacks, I looked over the scenes nervously, and went for it. Everyone was wacky and fun. I remember thinking that no matter who plays these characters, everyone working together will make it a great show. I got the call a couple days later and learned some glorious news! I was cast in the play. So thats that. My freshman year of college and I've gotten into my first, hopefully not my last, show. I'm excited to perform with everyone!!! I'm sure I'll learn a ton from it.

Cast Member Blog - On Broadway - Kami Elrod

The countdown is on, Blogfriends. The first show of Arts Collective's 16th season, On Broadway: A Musical Theatre Revue, is only three days away! This lucky blogger was able to see last night's run of the show, and let me tell you... it's some of the most fun, incredibly entertaining, visually stunning musical theatre I've seen in a long time. Tickets are selling fast, so click here and buy your tickets now!

For your reading pleasure today, we have a fantastic blog from cast member Kami Elrod. Read on to learn more about Kami's audition, her introduction to the world of musical theatre by her grandmother, and lots of Kami talking to herself.

The words dizzy, nauseous, and completely petrified do not even begin to describe how nervous I was as I got ready to sing for my On Broadway audition. There I stood, square in the middle of the big dance room, in front of the row of people who would soon decide whether or not I would be a part of this production, or if I would simply be watching it among the other audience members. Hands literally shaking by my side, I remember starting to sing my audition song choice of “If I Loved You” from Carousel and thinking, ”c’mon Kami, for goodness sakes dude pull yourself together! CRAP here comes the high note…”

If you’ve ever had one of those moments where you do something and then immediately want to pound your head chanting “stupid! Stupid stupid!” you’ll know exactly how I felt as I walked out of that audition room. I had sung that song a million and one times, and I had let my nerves get the best of me. I realized that probably most of the reason I was so utterly nervous, besides the fact that I NEVER let people hear me sing, is because I wanted to be a part of On Broadway more than anything.

When I first found out about the upcoming On Broadway production, I pretty much had a jump for joy session. Singing and dancing had always been huge passions in my life, and here was a production that not only had both, but was also dedicated to the classic unforgettable Broadway songs and performances throughout the decades. I knew I wanted to be in this show. BADLY.

Thanks to my Grandma, I grew up on oldies and Broadway music. My first play she took me to was at Toby’s Dinner Theater. After that first night of listening to Dorothy and her gang sing about following the yellow brick road, several other plays followed over the years. Oklahoma! The Sound Of Music, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and the countless other plays she took me to I completely fell in love with.

After she passed away, her music still lived on with me. Along with an insane amount of Broadway songs, composers like Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, and Perry Como took over my ipod. Songs from a time when music was so completely different from today’s latest K$sha or Lil’ Wayne pop hit. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy busting out to “Your Love Is My Drug” as much as the next American teenager, but Broadway, 50’s and 60’s music will always be my most beloved songs, closest to my heart.

I must have replayed my audition that day in my head a hundred times, going over what I wished I could change about my performance, and hoping that they would give me another chance to come back and audition again. So when I finally got a call from the wonderful On Broadway producer, Sue Kramer, asking if I would like to be a cast member, I pretty much had a joyous freak out of sorts that I could only compare to a bunch of pre-teen girls getting a chance to meet Edward Cullen from the Twilight saga…

Now, weeks later of practices and meetings (not to mention sore feet from trying to perfect that one tap number move I cannot for the life of me seem to get down [Editor's Note: This blog was originally written back in September, so I know Kami's gotten that move down!]) I am still just as ecstatic to be a part of this show as I was the day I got the phone call.

Thanks to our fabulous choreographers Jenny Male, Jill Grabau, and Sarah Brodine (all of whom I’d like to give a big “thank you for all your patience with me and my goldfish-like memory” shout out J ) the dances are absolutely AMAZING. The songs are fun, sassy, full of passion, and mesmerizing. And as for the production, well, you’re just gonna have to see it for yourself now aren’t you?