WHEN I was asked by a member of the Limelight Theatre whether I could audition for Fame the Musical and write about the experience, I must admit it was a nervous ‘yes’ that I gave in reply.
I had not performed in any productions since I was in high school but I had attended many Limelight Theatre shows in the past - all of which were to a high standard.
The butterflies in my stomach soon increased to elephants pounding in my gut when I walked into the All That Jazz studio in Wanneroo on the day of the audition and realised that nearly everyone was wearing professional dancing shoes, and I was in sneakers from Kmart.
I had been rather naïve and had not even thought about the dancing section of the audition, due to my obsessive thoughts over the singing part.
Unfortunately, dancing was up first, and I stumbled over the routine while those around me leaped and jumped and seemed to be able to do the splits without batting an eyelid.
I, on the other hand, had never had a dancing lesson in my life and looked more like a clumsy break dancer trying to master ballet moves amongst the jazz dancing experts.
After the one minute routine (that felt like a ten minute solo performance) was over, I slouched back into the waiting room and tried to relax before I was called to audition for the singing and acting parts.
I must admit that a feeling of serenity was near impossible as the voices from the people auditioning before me drifted through the door.
I began to wonder why they were auditioning for amateur theatre when they clearly belonged on Broadway, when my name was called.
I stumbled over the theme song Fame, completely out of time as my jitters got the best of me, and then read a section of the script.
Although I had not worked on my New York drawl, I felt that this was the most promising part of my audition.
When I walked out the studio doors a while later with a trickle of sweat running down my forehead, I knew that I had probably not got in to the musical, and an email a few days later confirmed this.
I was slightly disappointed but the adrenalin rush I received from stepping out of my comfort zone seemed to overwhelm my failure.
Obviously, a Bette Midler career isn’t for everyone - but you never know if you don’t try.
I recommend you go and see Fame at Limelight when it runs in November and December - I can assure you that my behind the scenes experience allowed me to get a glimpse at the talent that will be on show!