Waking up this morning wasn't as nerve-wracking as going to bed last night was.
Except for the fact that I got up a good 20 minutes late... but no biggie. It all worked out.
So today I traveled all the way out to Yorba Linda for an audition. My parents suggested I take a taxi there, which made getting there a breeze. Plus, I was plenty early.
What was I auditioning for?!?
Disneyland, of course.
Disney held Character auditions in Yorba Linda, and I decided to go. It was my first Disney audition, though there were some people there who had been to a few auditions before. Even though I got there a good half hour early, I was number 94 in line to get inside (I found this out when they passed a sign-in sheet down the line). There ended up being... at least 200 people there. It was hard to tell, but I know for sure there were way over 100. One of my other observations (besides how cold it was outside) was how beautiful the people auditioning were. There were just... so many absolutely gorgeous people. It was cool! There were also a few people that I felt were trying pretty hard... one girl came with a shirt on that was almost costume-like for Snow White. Another in a sweatshirt modeled after Woody. But hey, at least they were excited.
There were two girls behind me that I talked to while we were waiting. There was also a guy there that was just there for moral support for his friend (one of the girls). They were all much older than me- out of college, at the least. The guy was from Melbourne! So that was pretty cool. The girl I talked to most had her first Disney audition for Disneyland Paris, and made it pretty far before she got cut. I didn't catch their names... but they were really nice!
Disney rocks at crowd control. We were herded like sheep exactly where we needed to be with great efficiency, even though the first place we were supposed to be was just a different configuration of a line to make getting inside much easier.
While we were there, one of the workers made a big announcement along the lines of, "If you're only here because you want to be a Face Character, you're wasting your time. Only fur characters are being looked for today." In other words, this wasn't a princess audition. This was an audition for the characters that don't talk and wear big masks.
I stuck around anyways. Why wouldn't I? I'd work as anything and anyone at the park. Besides, a lot of the face characters get hired from within current cast members.
Anyways, we were then ushered, in smaller groups, into the dance studio and split into some separate rooms. In my room, the Casting Director (he later introduced himself as such) welcomed us all and had us spread out. He told us the core basics of what he was looking for, and then told us what we would be doing.
We did it as a group first to practice: act like a cowboy, then act like a villain. Then, we crossed the floor, two by two, and spent fifteen seconds as each character before we were sorted to one wall or another. The mirror wall, it became clear, were the chosen ones, while those the director didn't quite see something in went to the wall.
I did my best, but I was sent to the wall. My suspicions were right- those that were sent to the mirror stayed to fill out forms and be measured and continue the process. Those at the wall were thanked, but their audition was done for the day. Myself included!
I don't feel too bad about it though. There were only 10 or 15 people that stayed in that room from the 50 people that came in at first. Disney knows efficiency, I guess! It surprised me how little time I spent in there though. The audition was supposed to start officially at 10. I was out of there at 10:20.
Well, I'll try again at the next audition. Next time though, I won't be so nervous. I wasn't what they were looking for this time, but next time I might be! You never know.
Thus began my adventure of getting back to campus... I decided to take the bus system back, because a taxi is expensive. I knew the bus line I had to catch... but I soon discovered that it was a good mile and a half or so away from where I was... so I started walking.
Now, on Friday, I got completely fatigued just walking to class and back to my dorm, since I've been sick. A mile and a half? Two days later? It's understandable how I thought I was going to drop dead and almost gave up the search for that bloody bus station. It was 11:20 when I finally found it... and then I got to sit and wait for the bus to arrive for a good half hour or so.
Phew. That was a trek. At least I had enough money for the bus. Initially, I was worried that I didn't, but turns out it was only $5 to get all the way to USC, and I had that in money that the bus would take.
The bus rides themselves took FOREVER. I didn't get back to campus until 2:30pm... Ugh. But at least they were peaceful and uneventful and safe.
Back on campus, I spent most of the day chilling out. Put Christmas presents together, rehearsed for my acting scene, watched YouTube, talked to my parents, other minor to do list stuff. The biggest adventure today was the audition though, obviously.
By the way, my mom and dad are the best ever. I'm so grateful for how supportive they are of me! They told me over and over how proud they are of me for going out there and auditioning, even though I wasn't cast. They're so proud of me and they're excited for me... and that just means the world to me. Thank you Mom and Dad!!!!
And you know... I'm proud of myself too. I'm really proud, actually. After how terrified I was of going last night, and how I found the courage to stick it out and go, I found some sort of inner courage in myself, I guess. I confirmed for myself that I really am out here chasing a dream, and that dream is real and exciting. Not only that, I was actually taking the first huge step toward making that dream come true. I was thinking, in the taxi ride over, about how I'm really proud of myself just for going out and trying. I found some courage and determination in myself today. No doubt it was thanks to the prayers that I'd been sending constantly this entire process, but still... those are traits I don't often realize I have.
They may not have been looking for princesses today, but I found one. I found quite a strong princess, in me.
It was a fantastic experience. My only regret is that they didn't have a part for me, and that I didn't fit the part they were looking for.
Just you wait, Disney....
Watch and you'll see,
Someday I'll be
Part of Your World....
Fight on, friends.
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