Hi, I'm Amy Speckien (prounounced Spuh-keen). I've been told I no longer look like my headshot but I can't afford new ones. Such is the life of an actor. These headshots are coming up on five years old-that means they're the same headshots I used the first time I auditioned for SKETCHBOOK about 4 years ago.
I remember my first SKETCHBOOK audition clearly-which is weird. Usually I get done with an audition and make a beeline for the nearest bar. I drink bloody mary's until the audition is fuzzy like a dream and I can honestly question whether it really happened or not. That's the only way I can sleep at night after an audition. Anyway, I digress.
For the audition we were asked to do thirty seconds of anything. I wanted to show that I was creative but not come off as super weird. On the recommendation of a friend I stayed up late memorizing that song that lists all the United States in alphabetical order. I went to bed as the sun was coming up (it's a really hard song to learn!) and when I woke up I realized that I didn't want to sing that state song at all. I thought if given the chance to be funny, I should be funny. But how? I drank a boat load of coffee, showered, and threw on my "look at me, I'm quirky" plaid pants that I wear to every comedic audition ( I still wear the same pants to this day...can't afford new quirky pants, either) and hit the road. On the way from Lincoln Square to the Chopin I was racking my brain for an audition idea. I think I even prayed for the first time since my parents made me. I didn't come up with ideas. I got to the Chopin. As I was fishing in my purse for quarters for the meter I was so nervous that my hand was shaking. Or maybe it was from the coffee. Anyway, I walked in, gave them my name and sat down on the couch, still with shaky hands, no audition idea in mind. Then I thought, "I wish I was drunk." Then I thought, "Well, I know all the words to Glory Days...." Then they called my name.
I walked into the theater and looked out at the auditors. My first thought was that there were a crap ton of people. My second thought was that they were all really young and seemed happy to be there. What??!! I was confused as I announced that for my audition I'd be singing 'Glory Days' like I was drunk. It was one of the best received auditions I've ever had. I got pretty lucky for not having prepared anything, at all. I didn't drink bloody mary's afterwards.
I was cast in the ensemble piece 'Beauty and Light' directed by Co ach Moseley. I call him Coach because he can frequently be found trying to positively motivate large groups of people at a high volume of speech. Through Beauty and Light I learned that well done ensemble pieces can be more rewarding than straight pieces with leads and supporting cast and such. I did ensemble pieces the next two years and not only did I have a great time but I think I know every single actor in Chicago now. I get a lot of "Evites". This year I have lines. It's super weird.
Since Beauty and Light, SKETCHBOOK has become part of my summer lineup. Ribfest, beer gardens, the 4th of July at my parents' cabin, and SKETCHBOOK . Yum...Ribfest. Yum, Sketchbook.
The Lurker Radio Hour by Drew Dir and Directed by Karin Shook
presented in Program A of The 8th Annual SKETCHBOOK
June 15 - July 15, 2008 at The Merle Reskin Garage Theatre)
sounds a lot like the first time I read (my poems) to an audience...
1967 at a "happening" in Berkeley...
nothing "wrong" with 5 years ago pictures nothing (much) has happened since!
I betcha.
Posted by: Ed Baker | June 17, 2008 at 03:02 PM
sounds a lot like the first time I read (my poems) to an audience...
1967 at a "happening" in Berkeley...
nothing "wrong" with 5 years ago pictures nothing (much) has happened since!
I betcha.
Posted by: Ed Baker | June 17, 2008 at 03:02 PM