Chuckles — Clowning Around at Auditions
I knew that deciding to become an actor meant that there would be times I wouldn’t have any acting work, but that didn’t change the fact that there were bills to be paid, so, in between acting jobs, I opted to host for children’s parties. When I went to my first professional theatre audition, I included my employer’s business name on my resume.
Auditionees are usually asked to sing first, after which there was usually a short interview. After singing, I waited nervously for the pronouncement. Secretly, I was already thankful for the fact that I didn’t get cut off with a thank you that signaled a sure rejection.
Furthermore, I was on tenterhooks because the late Bibot Amador of Repertory Philippines, who was part of the audition panel, was legendary for her fiery temper and flaying tongue.
She looked at me sternly and said, “Next time, I don’t want you making jokes on your resume.”
I looked at her blankly, not knowing what she meant. Motioning me closer, she pointed to the section on my resume that listed Present Employment where I wrote—‘Clowning Around.’ Hastily, I explained the circumstances of my job and how it was the name of the company, etc.
Fortunately, she let me off the hook.
However, years later, I hear the same story being told by a Rep actor and realized that, unwittingly, my audition had become part of the odd bits and ends of theatre lore.
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