I always wanted to be in a play
The idea to being a different person
Peaked my curiosity
I took a costume class while at University
I found a new proclivity
The costume teacher offer 100 points
To those who tried out for a play
An easy “A” hooray!
At audition I was asked to do a monologue
I didn’t even know what that was
The spot light shining intensely
Blinded any view of the directors
A Student, could audition for;
One or more of 3 Different Plays
I only was interested in one.
I heard my teacher’s voice
Do you know a nursery rhyme?
For a Grandma that was an easy question.
I recited Mary had a Little Lamb
with attitudes
Unbeknownst to me
The play I was trying out for
Evolved into a musical
Called back for a second audition to sing
They asked who wanted to go first?
my hand shot up get it over with I thought
I saying Hello Dolly A cappella,
perfect song for the part
What a wonderful experience to audition,
I thought I was done. but I just begun
I was cast in one of the three lead roles
The play based on history
Tiburcio Vasquez, the last California bandit
Robbed from the rich and kept it!
I was Californa-Kate
The head, Madame of the *******
I was to sing two solos
I was in 12 out of 13 scenes of the play
They told me it was death by fire.
For a first time actress
I was scared straight
They open auditions to the public,
so professional actors could apply.
The other two lead roles
were professional actors.
How wonderful to learn sewing Techniques
I got to make all my costumes
Authentic Period Costumes
from 1835–18 75.
Singing a solo on stage what a rush
There was no greater experience
Then a standing ovation
From a packed auditorium
Tom Hanks started his acting career
on that same stage.
Strangely, after every performance,
I was always the first one to run off stage
The costume was extremely heavy
I have a special wooden stool to sit on
So do didn’t wrinkle the crinoline dress
So many layers , petticoats and plates
By the end of the play, I just wanted
Out of the costumes
It was stressful. I didn’t enjoy
the moment
as much as I thought I would.
Afterwards students had to pick a person
From one of the 3 plays to identify with, and write an essay 70% of them
chose my character
I was 30 in a school of young adults
I presented a different flavor perhaps
Inspired song;
Hello Dolly,
By Louis Armstrong 1964
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day
Audition 1 – 30– 2025
An audition is a short performance to show the talent of someone such as an actor, or a musician, who is being considered for a role in a play or position in the orchestra
Imagine opening night I am on stage the band. It was underneath my hoop skirt with his leg sticking out behind me and I was seducing the sheriff in front of me. While my husband, all of his workers and the president of his company were in the audience oh, and of course, my children. many people asked me if I thought about becoming a professional actor because they thought I did a phenomenal job. I’m a writer and a poet acting was never something I was interested in I Learned how to write for the movie script, but I never wanted to be an actress. I think the real Calen is in the words. The actor and actresses were playing.. my analogy why be a nurse when you could be a doctor LOL
Another check off of my bucket list.