Yesterday I went to a callback for a commercial. The wardrobe rule for this kind of event is to wear exactly the same outfit that was worn to the first audition. The folks who are casting want to see “that woman in the blue shirt”, or so we’ve been told. There are actors who keep a journal of what they wear to auditions for this very reason.
This was easy for me, because it was already one of my new favorite outfits: skinny dark gray pants, collared blue shirt with the sleeves rolled to 3/4, blue/silver earrings and my thrift store delight – embroidered dark blue leather heels from Spain. All comfortable, all fun. So, I pressed the shirt and went to the closet for my heels when I saw my pink Crocs with the red cross-straps. They spoke to me. I thought, “Well, I’ll probably be standing behind that table like I was in the first audition, so it doesn’t really matter.” I even changed my earrings to the little pink and blue ones.
There were three of us grouped for the callback, and I was impressed with the looks and talent of my colleagues. They were easy to love – smart, funny, and beautiful. We went in and did our pantomimed routine at the table (cooking together). The producer asked about our cooking skills in real life. Once again I was impressed by my fellow actors. Then he asked if we had any special physical talents. One was a yoga instructor/master and the other was an X-game cyclist on the weekends. “I – uh – I - uh – hike?” hmmmm. Then I was surprised to hear myself say “I can dance like Ellen.” “What?” “I can dance like Ellen Degeneres.” “Can you show us what that looks like.”
I stepped out from behind the table, and without hesitation broke into a kind of funky chicken/walk-like-an-Egyptian romp of joyful delight that was a huge hit! I was amazed at how much happy music was right there in my head. Where did it all come from? I hadn’t seen Ellen do her dance in years (love it and her – but I’m not a daytime television person).
For someone who lived the first major portion of her life being shy, I am so glad to know the freedom to play with strangers now. And I have a new skill-set for my resume. I really can dance like Ellen.
Maybe it was just the shoes.
