So yeah, I just got back from Chicago… I auditioned for a new sitcom for CBS, and read for one of the series leads. It was a great experience, the casting people loved me, but ultimately I’m not the right type for the part. Could be worse! They could think I sucked!

Rob Decina (head casting director for Guiding Light) teaches in his auditioning class that the most you can hope to do in an audition is make a good impression, and show potential. Anything beyond that is totally out of your control. And I feel I did just that! I made a good impression, and I think I showed potential… hopefully building a little bit of a relationship with the casting directors I met at the audition.

The rest of the trip was an opportunity to have a great time with friends in Chicago that I haven’t seen in years. I visited the Art Institute of Chicago, where I saw a great exhibition of works by Girodet (old master), a solid collection of surrealist works (Man Ray, Dali, etc), and a medievil weapons and warfare exhibit that captured my attention for hours. I went to the top of the Hancock Building (twice#–once in the afternoon, once at night) and took some amazing photos (soon to be online), and I walked all over downtown Chicago, taking in the sights and sounds.

And even though I did what I set out to accomplish, and even though I had such a great time, I couldn’t help but feel a little blue. :( Because no matter how much we convince ourselves otherwise, we always want that role we read for! And then I read an article today on Backstage Online and it made me feel a little bit better. It’s about T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy’s George on ABC) and his struggle to begin his career. It’s stories like this that give actor’s hope, and the courage and strength to get up and audition again tomorrow…