The Wait After the Audition
All day yesterday I was waiting by the phone. Yes, I was waiting for a guy to call me. He said that he would call, so I trust that he is telling the truth.
Kristian Steeler, the director/actor who auditioned me yesterday and the day before, said, that he was going to let his actors know whether they got cast or not. I wanted to be cast! I sent him an email on Saturday night, letting him know that I really want the lead role and that I enjoyed the audition.
So now I was just waiting for that special phone call. The phone call that will either get me really pissed off and depressed, or that wonderful call that will make me jump for joy and shriek with delight.
And finally it came in the middle of the SAG Awards Show. I checked my phone at a commercial break, and there was a message from Kristian, asking me to return his call. His voice was very matter of fact. It didn’t sound excited. It didn’t sound like he was smiling while he left the message. And he said that he was only taking calls until 10 pm. Uhg. It was 9:34 pm.
I was scared to call him back. If I didn’t get the part then it doesn’t matter if I return the call or not. If he wants to offer me the part or any other part, it would be very unprofessional not to call him by 10 and he might give the role to someone else. I began to dial.
The phone rang. I held my breath. I was anticipating the answering machine. But Kristian answered. I started making small talk, hoping that he would make the first move. I hate this moment of not knowing. I hate waiting and having to guess. So I cut to the chase finally and asked. “So?” I said. He laughed. But it wasn’t a full hearted laugh. It sounded very dry.
“I was wondering” he said, “if you are still interested in playing the part of Alyssa.” “YESSS!” I cried, and there was no response. So I gathered myself and said in a calm voice “Yes, I’d love to get the part. I’d really appreciate it!” Inside, though, I was ecstatic. I wanted to jump up and down. But nobody around me was sharing my joy. And Kristian sounded like a dead man.
But hey, that is o.k. with me! I GOT THE PART! And I love him for it! And maybe he liked that I rode my bike to the audition! I’M HAPPY! YESSSS! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAL!
