Recently I trekked over to one of the largest casting offices in NYC, to audition for the Broadway musical “Wicked.” Those who audition in NYC know what a madhouse these sessions can be. People coming in and out; noise from the audition rooms bleeding into the waiting area; people sizing each other up and warming up their bodies and voices..all happening amidst a thick veil of professionalism.
I looked around me and it was easy to see which role each actor was going for based on their personal style. Men wore casual dress slacks and slim-fitted button down shirts, unless they were there for Fiyero,in which case they came slightly more flashy. Women there for Glinda curled their hair and wore brightly colored dresses or skirts and blouses; Elphabas wore dark colored clothing and spiked their hair.
But what stood out to me were the people waiting to attend other auditions. There were older men in suits, younger women in tight-fitting tank tops and heels. I tried to imagine what they were there to audition for: theater? Film? TV? Commercials? I guessed commercials, and I was right. The men were there for an insurance commercial. The women? Bud Light.
This reminded me of something I teach my students: We all know
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