This section entitled Underpants, is where I make my friends and co-conspirators “drop trou” and reveal embarrassing audition experiences, personal triumphs, and their pre-audition rituals.
This week's featured artist is Kevin Greene. Kevin has performed on Broadway in A Tale of Two Cities, The Vegas Company of Mamma Mia!, and was a Top Five Finalist on the reality television show Grease: You're The One That I Want. Here's a bit of insight into his pre-show ritual, tough audition experiences, and the people who helped him through it all. For more info on Kevin check out his website, http://kevin-greene.com/.
Q: What was your Best/Worst audition experience?
A: I am not sure if you would classify
this as an “audition” in the traditional sense of the word, however my best and
worst experiences can be filed under this “show”. There was a show a while
back- a reality TV show, which aimed to find Danny and Sandy for the Broadway
revival of Grease. My agent submitted me to audition for this show (not
everyone has to wait in lines outside for hours- some of the cool kids like me got
to skip to the front) and after going through a couple of prescreens with the
casting director, and then the producers, I was ready for my big moment to step
out in front of Kathleen Marshall, David Ian, and Jim Jacobs. There was no
paino- it was me in the middle of the stage with lights camera zoomed on my
face and 3 shadowy figures sitting in the distance.
Now before I continue let me say,
that the holding room was a wreck of nerves, professional and armatures waiting
for hours to be seen, all going over their songs over and over again- pacing
incessantly. I was there for 4 hours, singing my song over and over again-
going back and forth unsure of what the best choice would be. I finally settled
on my song and right before I stepped onto the stage the associate producer
told me “ don’t be afraid to talk back to the judges- they will respect you”.
They needed good TV- not a good audition.
As I stand in the middle of the
stage- I introduce myself and say that I will be singing “cant take my eyes off
of you” by Frankie Valli and the 4 seasons…. Did I mention there was no piano??
The second I open my mouth to sing, I realized that I had started too high- and
as the jump to “I LOVE YOU BABY” got closer and closer all I could think
was---- “im fucked, im fucked, im soooo fucked”…. And guess what?? I was
fucked.
I cracked so hard- I had to stop the
song and just stand there covered in sweat. At this point all I could think
about was what the AP told me “don’t be afraid to talk back” so as the judges
told me how bad I was- I shouted “I promise you this is not an accurate
representation of what I can do, I wouldn’t waste your time if this is what I
had”. They paused for a moment- looked to each other and then said “Well come
back tomorrow to the dance call and prove it”
I left that audition- and called my
agent and said-“ There is no way I am coming back to that audition, they will
make me be one of the awful auditions like on IDOL” he told me it was ok and he
could inform them I was not coming back. Turns out my decision to quit the
audition process played in my favor- I became a STORY LINE!!! I was dubbed 2nd
chance Danny- and two weeks later Kathleen Marshall gave me a call on camera, and
asked me to come to LA as one of the top 25….
The process to bring the top 25 down
to the top 5 was a tedious one- however the first cut was by far the most
stressful.
50 people- men and women spend the
first week, reading together, singing together, and dancing together in hopes
to win the judge’s approval to make it to the next step. At the end of this
first week, we were asked to stand in 10 straight lines ( 5 people in each
line) in an old high school gymnasium. We had learned “Tears on my Pillow” all
week and were asked to sing this song while standing at attention while David
Ian would walk around row by row, person by person. He would listen (or feign
listening as their list had already been finalized) and if he tapped you on the
shoulder- you had to leave the gym immediately go straight to the hotel collect
your things and leave the competition. This went on not for 20 minutes- but for
1 hour, you see with TV epically reality tv, to get the reaction and raw
emotion needed you apparently must put every contestant through the emotional
ringer. After the hour of tapping and near tapping, Mr. Ian shouted “STOP!!!
SOMEWHERE IN THIS ROOM I AM LOOKING AT THE NEXT DANNY AND SANDY ON BROADWAY” I
cannot accurately describe the cathartic release that happened- never in my
life have I felt such a rush of relief and joy. To this day words cannot do it
justice. After he said that “We go together” started playing loudly and the
remaining contestants started dancing like rabid dogs…. I will always remember
how loud I screamed “a wop bobba loo bop, a wop bam boom” For all of the good
and bad of that audition experience- it changed my life, I made it to the final
5 and sang live on national TV every Sunday night. I booked my Broadway show
from that contest, and the Las Vegas production of Mamma Mia! However beyond
the direct bookings what I gained was a life time of self-belief- If I was able
to withstand those pressures, and I was able to sing live in front of 8 million
Americans- why would I get nervous to audition in front of Bernie Telsey? 5 people
behind a table no longer seemed like a big deal.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve
received regarding auditioning?
A: To
drink water before I started- I never felt grounded when I auditioned- the text
and music seemed to fly by and I didn’t have much control over it. Then a coach
told me to take my jug of water in (I carry a gallon with me) this way you can
bend over to put it down, touch the piano for a second and breathe. It worked
like a charm- not to mention I was known as the guy with the water jug- so they
remembered me
Q:
Do you have a specific practice/regimen before an audition or performance? or a
good luck charm?
A:I would show up no more than 10
minutes early- If I did my homework and I knew the text, why would I get there
30 minutes before and let myself get into the nervous energy of the audition
studio. Practice your stuff- Know it cold- then show up and kick ass. Don’t let
Todd from great neck and his nervous chatting throw you off of your game.
Q: Name 2 or 3 people who have been a
strong influence on your career.
A:1) Warren Carlyle- He gave me my
Broadway show and I will be forever grateful. 2) Joe Cassidy- He does not
realize this but during my first professional rehearsal I had to look into his
eyes as he rallied the troops and I just remember thinking “Oh shit- so THIS is
what being a professional actor is like, I better step up my game” 3) Janine
Divita- She is such a talent but she and I did something that all actors should
do- get a scene partner. We would rehearse our sides before major auditions and
make sure that each of us was ready and prepared to go in and kick ass. Without
her I would have been practicing with my bedroom wall- she rocks!
