There is no such saying as “Lights! Camera! Action!” when one auditions for a play or film. Although there may be lights or a camera, the only action taking place is that of an actor or actress attempting to impress the directors with their ability to fill a part in a play. On the stage, they have one chance to figure out how to entice the directors so that they notice the actor or actress’ ability over the various others auditioning for the same spot. If one doesn’t do so, then the probability of getting the part is slim to none. But in the midst of all this stress and anticipation, the true artists surface amongst the sea of less experienced performers. This is the atmosphere where the Fall Auditions take place.
On September 1st, Mr. Myers, Mr. Patterson, Father Hooks, and the student directors, along with a few other people in the audience, gathered in the Lecture Hall to judge the actors and actresses auditioning for the fall comedy and for many of the fall films. This event kicks off the year for the Stage and Film department, the starting point in a line-up of anticipated activities like the fall production, the One Acts, and multiple short films.
This year, the fall auditions took on a new tone, with student director Spencer Vilicic ’17 stating, “The auditions were different this year. In the past, the directors sat in the seats, but this year we sat on the stage in a semi-circle.” This places the directors directly in the vicinity of the actors and actresses, “adding a level of intensity of for both parties,” explained Vilicic. Gavin Loera ’17 also added, “in the past they separated the auditions for the films and the comedy. Last year they would have submitted a video audition.” Sharing his approval, Loera explained “killing two birds with one stone, the auditions make for a more efficient and diverse environment.” Additionally, the actual process of the audition is grueling for both parties due to the drill and kill method of each actor or actress performing one right after another.
With a challenging atmosphere for both the directors and the actors and actresses, the directors have to make sure that they are being respectful and attentive to every audition, while the actors and actresses try to cope with heightened anxiety.
The process of the auditions start out with all the actors and actresses going into the hallway, while the directors and audience remain inside the performance hall. The directors can neither see, nor hear the contestants out in the hallway, but they know that they are out there, waiting their turn to be called in. Vilicic added that “they’re out there waiting for us (the directors) to judge them, so once they get out on stage, it’s all on the line.”
In addition to the new environment of the auditions, the diversity of the students always accounts for an interesting experience with students auditioning from Jesuit, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Ursuline, North Richland Hills High School, and Bishop Lynch.  Although the diversity of the students comes into play, Henry Ainsworth ’16 adds, “the auditions were done more meticulously than ever this year as this cast is smaller than any other in many years.”  But the decline isn’t necessarily a bad thing as Ainsworth explains, “the show should be cleaner and better than any show we’ve had here for a while.” Touching on this brilliance, an unexpected surprise met the directors during the fall auditions.
This surprise came in the form of promising acting from the freshman class. Mr. Myers stressed that “we had an especially strong showing from freshmen on campus and for the first time — in at least ten years — cast a freshman as the lead in one of our two casts. His name is Maxwell Schutze.” Maxwell Schutze ’19, following in the footsteps of multiple brothers, had a stellar showing with Vilicic remarking, “he had obviously acted before,” and elaborated in saying, “he recited a part from a play that he had performed in the past.”
Maxwell not only put on a solid performance, but struck a similar tone that the directors had heard before with his brother, Cameron Schutze ’17. Loera commented that he was “remarkably like his brother,” in that they had “the same voice.” Loera also noticed “the same way he presents his lines,” and concludes ironically that “both Schutzes auditioned separately, but ended up getting the same role, a fitting role for both of them considering their similar styles of acting.”
Out of 57 kids that auditioned, 22 were cast for Steve Martin’s comedy, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” which is the choice for the fall production this year. “During the auditions, we also cast eight extracurricular films,” Mr. Myers clarified.  One of these films will be directed by student director, Spencer Vilicic. The only information he gave on his anticipated short film is that it is “very perplexing.  It’s a very metaphorical film about life, death, and camping.” So, if you’re interested, you might have to wait until it’s released or maybe sneak him a question in the hallway.
This year’s auditions were definitely something to remember. Carlos Cabré ’17 concludes with saying, “these are exciting times in the Stage and Film program, and auditions are just part of all the excitement. The auditions for the fall production [are] the first time many freshman and upperclassmen have ever auditioned, and although the cast for “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” is one of the smallest ever, One Act auditions are right around the corner.”
The fall auditions are essential to the fall events put on by the Stage and Film department, so if you pass by anyone that you know tried out, give them a pat on the back because not everyone can leave it all out on the stage like them. Also, give a shoutout to Maxwell Schutze for getting a lead role as a freshman, which hasn’t happened in “at least ten years,” according to Mr. Myers. Â “One performance night is the weekend of November 21st,” added Henry Ainsworth, so go out and support our boys and girls in Stage and Film.
