As briefly mentioned in last week’s roundup, I had two super fun performing events last week. The first was Storytime with Piedmont Opera. It was a lot of fun to get to perform while pretending to use my masters degree in library science for once.

After learning a little bit about the opera and the orchestra and Omar the orangutan, who wanted to join the opera, we did some warmups together before they rehearsed their pre-school graduation songs for me.

Much fun. And the paycheck didn’t hurt (;

Two days later, I did a table read of a web series written by MFA screenwriting students who are about to graduate. Their teacher was at the luncheon I attended before Spring Dance, and we had a lovely time meeting — especially when we realized our husbands work together!

Pilar’s students had an actor with transportation issues two days out, so she sent me an email to see if I was free. There was nothing pressing on my boss’s calendar, so it was yet another wonderfully random “other duty as assigned”.

Even better: this was set up the day I went to opera storytime! What a special Monday I had, feeling good about my random assortment of skills and connections.

And then this Monday, I auditioned for a role I was great for and that I really wanted.

And didn’t get it.

It has been… a while… since this happened, for which I am grateful.

But it still is a bummer.

I was called back for two roles, one of which I never expected to get because I doubted they would have an appropriately-aged and -sized person to play the character’s twin brother opposite me. I was, indeed, definitely old enough to have birthed all the folks I was auditioning against, and the two dudes who were singing for the character’s love interest.

For the role I really wanted, it’s recommended that she play the piano, and despite my nerves and lack of rehearsal time with the callback music, I did… ok. Not at all great, but we just got the music that morning and I have a day job and it is surprisingly hard to find a piano in an empty room at an arts conservatory during finals week.

The MD was tough on vocals, but thanked me for taking a note when she had me redo a line, so I was all, “well, she knows I am teachable, that’s good”, and left feeling pretty ok.

Even better for my ego — one of the young gals I was auditioning against saw High Point’s 9 to 5, and now uses “Get out and Stay Out” for auditions and will for an upcoming competition, as well!

Both her and the other gal up for the role had lovely, unique voices, compared to my stereotypical bright belt, and made good choices. Good for them. I shall use this unexpected free time to spend more time at my keyboard for funsies — while enjoying my sour grapes about not driving to Greensboro for a free show.