Weekend of Auditions Part 3

Sunday morning was the final day of Communtiy Engagement training. Once again we assembled in the Eden Grove Blue Lecture Theater for some lessons in creativity and isiXhosa phrases, followed by a site specific Q & A.

I signed up to volunteer twice a week at Jabez, a facility that provides care for people living with HIV/AIDs. My first day is Thursday. Can’t wait!

Very soon after training concluded, I took the fastest shower of my life and ran over for NatCaf auditions. My nerves were growing weary of the constant auditioning, but I was determined to have a blast at NatCaf auditions.

When I first arrived outside the dept. I saw a ton of people hanging around waiting for auditions. Many of the waiting people were either the choreographers from my horrendous audition yesterday or dancers who had done a much better job than I had. What do you call the opposite of a confidence boost?

As it turned out, there were auditions for another movement-esque based show at the same time as NatCaf. When the group separated and went to their respective venues, I was relieved to find that actually a smaller, less intimidating group of people had assembled for NatCaf than I originally thought. And only one of them had witnessed my humiliation the day before.

The audition that followed was one of the best auditions I’ve ever had in my life! We played games that they do in their show and just laughed and laughed with/at one another. There were two more members of NatCaf who hadn’t been at the show on Thursday. They were both hilarious and so much fun to work with. The more we did, the more confident I felt. Current members of NatCaf played with us and every now and then one of them would congratulate me on my performance in a sketch. I honestly didn’t want the games to end.

At the end of the audition they told us they would inform us soon about callbacks and before we left they just wanted to know who wouldn’t be around for the following year. Apparently, most of the current members are graduating, so they are hoping to build up the troupe with members who can help sustain it. My heart sank when I heard this. A member of the troupe I know from class, Kelsey, spoke for me, announcing that as I was one exchange I wouldn’t be around. Bill, one of the members that hadn’t performed on Thursday, stared me down like I had eaten his last Reese’s cup. Utter betrayal was painted across his face. He was teasing me, but also he was genuinely frustrated that I wouldn’t be returning next year. Finally he said indignantly, “I put you on my list!!!” Sure enough, he had loose leaf in his hands with a couple scribbled notes. I watched as he crossed off my name.

I totally understand if they choose not to add me to the troupe just because I can’t contribute beyond this semester. I’ll be disappointed, but it makes sense. BUT! I at least I can say I was on the list. I had a lot of fun and it was an extremely validating experience to say the least.

I've been watching Whose Line is it Anyway Youtube clips non-stop ever since.