Melissa Brayden - Waiting in the Wings

How soon can you be in New York? Thats how the call began. I hadnt bothered to check the caller ID before answering because I was preoccupied with the fifteen thousand things I was trying to accomplish to be out of my apartment and on my way to the city in the next four days.

Im sorry. Who is this? Not my nicest phone voice, but I was busy.

Its Andrew Latham from the Journey Agency. Come on, Jenna, tell me I made a better impression on you than that. I cringed.

In an embarrassing turn of events, it was my new agent Id just barked at, also known as the guy who held all my cards in his slick little hands. I was immediately nervous and cursing myself for the oversight. Automatically, I stood and stared at myself in the mirror above my dresser. My first observation was that I was a total mess, as Id been packing for the move most of the day. I straightened the bandana holding back my blond hair Id let grow long for casting purposes, and reminded myself that Andrew Latham couldnt see me and to relax and hold it together.

Sorry, Mr. Latham. I think we had a bad connection at first.

How are you?

Excellent! Hows does it finally feel to have that diploma under your belt?

I opened my mouth to answer, but Andrew Latham had no intention of slowing down.

Melissa Brayden

Listen, I have an audition Id like to submit you for immediately.

Oh, wowIm, uhIm thrilled to hear that. You have no idea. Yeah, those were the words I heard leave my mouth. Way to play it cool there, Jenna.

Id met Andrew Latham briefly at my senior showcase. The house had been full of agents and industry people scouting out the newly minted talent, and Id been handed quite a few cards after my performance. Two days later, the Journey Agency offered to represent me, and of course Id leapt at the opportunity. It doesnt get much better when youre twenty-three with only college and regional acting experience.

Id just graduated from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and with no job lined up, I was off to New York at the end of the week, along with my fellow out-of-work classmates, to wait tables until I found a way into the business. Not the sturdiest game plan, but its all I had. Id like to hear a little bit more about the part, but any audition is welcome at this point.

Perfect! he bellowed back at me. Im going to level with you. This casting notice came out this morning and theyre starting to see girls for the part tomorrow. I thought of you immediately.

Its ensemble work for a touring musical and they need someone yesterday. You fit the breakdown and Id like to get you in there ASAP. Can you be in New York tomorrow? I thought for a moment. Could I? There was a lot I had to accomplish to be out of the apartment, and the plane ticket Id purchased wasnt until the end of the week, but surely I needed to make this happen. I had nothing else going for me. Of course I can, I said. What do I need to prepare?

Come with a song, a monologue, and wear comfortable clothes for the dance audition. I have your e-mail address, and my assistant Debbie is going to send you the details of the call on Wednesday.

Thanks, Ill keep my eyes open for it, Mr. Latham, I said numbly, my mind racing. Surely, there were questions I should be asking, but I was still all kinds of flustered.

Waiting in the Wings

Great, well talk soon, he said. And then he was gone. Just like that.

I stared at the receiver in my hand. Had that really just happened? It had. An opportunity had fallen into my lap and it was time to jump. I promptly threw away everything in the pile I was sorting through and opened my laptop to see about that plane ticket.

New York City in June was crowded and hot and wonderful.

I couldnt get over the bustling streets and the feeling there was so much going on in such a small radius. Id managed to book a hotel room on Priceline located only five blocks from the rehearsal studio where the auditions were taking place.

I got up early that morning, wanting to take my time and hit Starbucks before my ten a.m. audition slot. As I sipped my vanilla latte, I talked myself through the beats I needed to hit in my monologue from Hatful of Rain and the breathing techniques that would carry my voice to the high note in Life of the Party, the song Id chosen to sing.

By the time I arrived at the rehearsal studio, Id talked myself into a serene state of mind. This was my zone. This was the place Id gotten myself to mentally when Id snagged role after role at CCM.

It was all a matter of showing these people what I was capable of.

After that, it was out of my hands. That was my mantra and thats what I would repeat over and over until it was my turn.

The casting notice Andrew Latham had sent my way was fairly vague. They were looking for a twenty-something actress to replace a girl from a touring production of a Broadway show. It was an equity show, so the fact I already had my union card from my regional work helped.