The story goes on . . .
The author trying to calm down her daughter. —DEEDEE AGUSTINES
It was quite a busy—and mildly stressful—Saturday morning. Beyond that it would be a two-show day for us over at “Fun Home,” March 18 marked a milestone in the Salonga family: two of our younger members would be auditioning for the very first time!
My daughter Nicole (or Nic) and niece Carmen both gave their best tries as they auditioned for Atlantis Theatrical’s final musical offering of this year, the Broadway and West End hit, “Matilda.”
Based on the beloved Roald Dahl novel, Matilda is the story of how a powerful and smart little girl, despite the unfavorable circumstances surrounding her, gets to take control of her life and be her own hero and that of her teacher, Miss Honey, as well as the nightmare of headmistress Miss Trunchbull.
As of this moment, I don’t have any casting information for either the “revolting children” or the adults they revolve around, but I’m sure announcements will be forthcoming when it’s time.
We arrived at G-Force’s spacious studios before the appointed time (Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante’s daughter, Sophie, was auditioning this morning, as well), but already there were lots and lots of kids, all of them hoping for a spot in the show.
We spied the daughters of friends of ours, a bunch of youngsters from “The Voice Kids,” and the children of fellow artists. Some of us who knew each other carved out a spot in the waiting room, sitting on the floor having a powwow.
Nic was extremely nervous, despite having prepared well. We had her sheet music ready (thanks to my brother, Gerard). Despite her knowing everyone in that audition room from my working with Bobby Garcia, Bobby Barreiro and Manman Angsico enough times, this was different. She wasn’t going in as my daughter; she was going in as Nicole Chien, actor and singer, trying out for a part in a musical.
Before anyone was brought in to sing, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Steven Conde and Maro Garcia (audition facilitators) made an announcement to the kids and their parents, that everyone who goes in to sing should just enjoy themselves and the process.
Also, that at the end of each audition, if a child gets a callback (the next stage of the process, where the kids learn a song from the show, as well as choreography), a slip of paper will immediately be given, but if they don’t get that slip today, it doesn’t mean they’re not called back. It means that the director will need some time to think about a particular child a little more.
I stayed in the waiting area with my friends, while my husband Rob stood by the audition room door to listen to Nic sing. She was in that room for maybe five minutes maximum, but it must’ve felt like the longest five minutes of her life.
Once she exited the room, she was crying, then ran into the waiting room and into my arms, still in tears. “You did it, honey,” we told her. “You did it!”
Katie Bradshaw, one of our Small Alisons got to hear Nic sing from outside the door, too. “She was really good!” Then Maro walked in with a slip of paper and a smile on her face. She got a callback! We were all very excited! And Nic … well, she was still crying.
A bunch of our other friends got callback slips, too, as well as many of “The Voice’s” young artists.
I’m aware that, for some folks, this is do or die. For us, though, I just want Nic and Carmen to experience the butterflies of the process, to understand what it is we’ve gone through at their age, in the hope that they appreciate the various steps taken to reach the next levels of our careers.
Today, on this very day, we begin taping “The Voice Teens.” So I have auditions of my own to oversee.
Now I understand what the parents and guardians of those young people must go through. The nerves, the preparation, the hope, the sleepless nights, the kid’s audition piece running nonstop in their heads.
My mother, sitting comfortably waiting for her granddaughters to finish, said, “Now you understand what I went through.” Yes, Mom, I totally do.
How interesting to look at this process from both sides.
To the children who will ultimately be cast, consider yourselves extremely blessed, not only because your talent has found an avenue, but that you’ll be surrounded by love and laughter. Be grateful always.
I am proud to call Atlantis my theater home.
