Those of my readers who are classic film buffs (you know who you are) will recognize my title as a line from the comedic gem
Some Like It Hot.
After Joe accepts the offer to drive hours away from Chicago for a gig, his partner Jerry cries, “All the way to Urbana for a one night stand?” Joe replies, “It’s 12 dollars. We can get one of the overcoats out of hock.” They of course never make it to Urbana, because…well if you haven’t seen this movie go fucking watch it right now!
After Joe accepts the offer to drive hours away from Chicago for a gig, his partner Jerry cries, “All the way to Urbana for a one night stand?” Joe replies, “It’s 12 dollars. We can get one of the overcoats out of hock.” They of course never make it to Urbana, because…well if you haven’t seen this movie go fucking watch it right now!
I have been feeling a bit like Jerry these days. Only I don't have the justification of getting $12 for my effort!
In the past 2 weeks I have driven to Indiana and two suburbs of Illinois for either an audition or a show to review. The reviews I don’t mind as much, because it is a free ticket to a show I otherwise wouldn’t see. But when it comes to auditions, it really sucks.
When I peruse the audition listings of Chicago it irritates the shit out of me to see the many casting calls in da burbs and the dirth of those in Chicago (like in the city). I get that city space is expensive to rent, but when I was told Chicago was a great theater town I thought it meant Chicago! Not the fucking suburbs. If I wanted to work in the suburbs and have to commute for an hour, I would’ve stayed on the east coast where at least I knew people.
In the past 2 weeks I have driven to Indiana and two suburbs of Illinois for either an audition or a show to review. The reviews I don’t mind as much, because it is a free ticket to a show I otherwise wouldn’t see. But when it comes to auditions, it really sucks.
When I peruse the audition listings of Chicago it irritates the shit out of me to see the many casting calls in da burbs and the dirth of those in Chicago (like in the city). I get that city space is expensive to rent, but when I was told Chicago was a great theater town I thought it meant Chicago! Not the fucking suburbs. If I wanted to work in the suburbs and have to commute for an hour, I would’ve stayed on the east coast where at least I knew people.
Obviously not all theaters in the suburbs are
community places, but it’s difficult to
tell the professional from the amateur. There’s also monetary issues to
consider. Granted I pay to use the CTA to get to
any inner city audition I attend, but that is a different expense than
if I am cast in a show in say Waukegan and have to drive 1-1.5 hrs
multiple times a week for rehearsals. This is entirely speculative,
because A) I don’t often audition in the suburbs, B)
I don’t often audition at all and C) I don’t often get parts these
fucking days!!
Sorry, I’m a little artistically frustrated.
So here I am weeding through the audition listings and kicking myself if I accidentally submit for an audition an hour away.
Maybe I shouldn't be so picky, but hey! Offer me $12 and maybe we'll have a deal!
So here I am weeding through the audition listings and kicking myself if I accidentally submit for an audition an hour away.
Maybe I shouldn't be so picky, but hey! Offer me $12 and maybe we'll have a deal!
