The Horror of It All

Horror stories usually happen on Halloween, but for actors, they can be year round. Late last year, the Chicago Local Conservatory held a fun evening of mock horror auditions at the KMRC.

The setting was a mock casting office, with “staff” portrayed by Conservatory Committee members. Once actors RSVP’d, the games began. Performers were either sent sides in advance, sent the wrong sides or they were not sent any sides — only to find out at the session that they should have received sides.

During the casting session, members encountered a ringing cell phone, a casting director who giggled during a dramatic read, an argument between the director and CD, having been given the wrong sides, and a CD buried deep in her cell phone. While all of these scenarios provided some snickers in the room, they were followed up by a discussion on how each scenario should be handled in an actual audition.

Photo: Members Suzy Brack and Bobbie O’Connor try to keep their cool during a mock audition.