Stress. Anticipation. Anxiety. Tears. And full-on exhilaration. The whirlwind of emotions circling around the WT Woodson drama department's casting process is not to be taken lightly.
A week prior to auditions, all of the interested parties are sent to casting workshops to learn the required audition dance, song, and the requirements for the acting portion of the audition (usually a monologue of their choice). After putting in hours of laborious work memorizing the latter essentials, the nervous hopefuls gather in the auditorium to display their on-stage talents in an attempt to convince the director and her assistants that they are perfect for their choice role.
All the while, prattle flutters through the air like a cloud over the expectant thespians with opinions on who will be cast as what, who did a stellar job with their monologue, or even who would look best in a certain role. After the premiere batch of auditions, the call backs are made with an encouraging nudge to those who were not called back, saying "Don't worry, we're still considering you." But worrying is a rite of passage on this occasion.
After a rigorous call-back session, consisting of read-throughs and improvisation exercises, the cast list is posted. The waiting, the frustration, the apprehension are over. For some, this means another two months of diligent work and late nights, for others, sheer disappointment. But none are forgotten in the Woodson drama department. Those who are not cast, oftentimes volunteer for tech work, publicity crew, or perhaps costume and makeup design. And we can't forget the parents. They volunteer for concession and ticket selling, late-night rehearsal dinner donations (bagels are the Woodson drama favorite), or even so much as passing out a few flyers at the local bookstore.
With the cast, the crew, and the volunteers, the WT Woodson drama department is at an all-time success. A microcosm of merriment and silly antics, the casting process and final product of such proves intense and exhilarating for all who partake.