I got a letter from Second City today regarding my admissions audition for Conservatory classes. I didn't get in.

I'm not too bummed, other than the obligatory pangs of rejection anyone should feel when getting such a letter in the mail, I guess. The original plan was that if I didn't make the audition, I'd pursue SC's writing program this fall, so that's what I'm gonna do. I think I'm going to finish out the improv class at Annoyance that I started, spend the rest of the summer working on some creative writing projects (I've been going to the library every day lately to work on a new short story), then get back on the Second City train this autumn.

I'm just happy I took the risk and made the effort and put so much energy into it. It's the first audition I've gone to since college YEARS ago, so just doing it was a bit of a victory for me. Also, I'm going to give thought to whether or not I'm an improv kinda guy, or if I should just chalk up my year of training to experience and use it for writing sketch comedy, which is something I know I can do much more comfortably. The whole idea of studying improv was to throw myself into a new form of performance that I'd never done. Now I've done it, and maybe it's time to go back to what I'm comfortable doing. I dunno.

Anyhoo. I'm a little bummed, but at the same time not really bummed at all. Thanks to everyone who wished me well - and I know all's not lost.

bummer...but at least you went in and did your best, that's all that matters.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

yeah, true - and i think i knew after the audition how things would turn out. all day i kept thinking of better lines and comebacks i could have said during the audition. i'm best when i have time to let the good stuff come to me - some folks are razor whip smart with making the funny on the spot - i'm thinking more and more that i'm just the kinda guy who needs to let it marinate. i'm also thinking i might wanna take some acting classes so i can get back into working with scripted material again, it's been a while...

and thanks

awwww... that's too bad.
Sounds like you've got a good game plan in place, though.

Stymie said:

it's all good - clearly they've never heard of a thing called STYLE.

everything happens for the highest good

even the things that kinda suck

Mach said:

yes, i believe that. and fortunately, i'm at a place in life where it's easier and easier to remind myself of that.

CarrieMpls said:

yeah - i spend a lot of time doing creative stuff these days. that's the most important thing of all.

that sucks you didnt make it

But at least you have a back up plan

There is always next year isnt there

Anxiety said:

Good work. I'm terrified of auditioning, so I know what a huge accomplishment that is in itself. Congratualtions on a great mindset, too. I'm excited to keep watching and see where your path takes you --

"Let the joy be in the doing, and not in the end." Mother Theresa (i think)

madartista said:

Thanks. There's a silly emotional part of me that wants to be upset, but there's a stronger, more life-weary part of me that says back, "why be upset?" Nobody else's judgment of my talent can ever take away my desire to create things, whether it's on a stage or on a page. I've done a lot so far and I have a lot more to do. Setbacks can be as good as victories sometimes.

Anxiety said:

True. And I say that emotional part isn't silly. You can have the maturity to see the wisdom of the outcome, and still allow yourself to mourn the part of you that did want to participate. Performers/entertainers have to work really hard to be balanced, and along the way deal with a lot of judgment and rejection. So there has to be an element of "Nobody else's judgment of my talent can ever take away my desire to create things, whether it's on a stage or on a page" to survive in the world and maintain sanity. But at the heart of the desire for expression, is also a real need to be heard. And when we're not heard, it's important to acknowledge that emotion and not judge ourselves for having it.

sorry to hear that Anx ...I agree totally with Mach tho everything happens (or in this case DIDN'T happen) for a reason in time the reason/s will become clear to you

"Let the joy be in the doing, and not in the end." Mother Tista

i think you're Hella funny i love how we were ad libbin' purple rain... LOL...

Mach said:

Co-Sign.

There will be other opportunities, certianly. And you're very funny (at least in writing that I can tell) and witty. I'm sure that if you weren't first nor had that wardrobe malfunction you would have had better wits about you.

Yeah I get the marinating thing...it's hard to be a whipper snapper when it comes to snazzy comebacks.

Good luck with the Annoyance thing.

Anxiety said:

That's the spirit! Never give up

Sorry to hear that but everything happens for a reason - I'm sure you'll end up heading in a direction that will be even more fulfilling for you.

it's a blessing in disguise... it may take longer than you want to fully realize it, but you'll see.

so much of life is not about having the talent or the skills (though it's very helpful) but it's about being in the right place at the right time.

As Miles Davis would say "Fuck them jive motherfuckers!"

I'm very sorry to hear that, Anx.

I'm sure everyone is telling you to just keep on trying (and you should) but my advice would be to drink heavily tonight and don't try to fight the pain.

THEN and ONLY then do you keep on trying.

Seriously, better luck next time.

Do you have any experience doing standup?

Clubkid said:

i believe this, too. if prince can get booed at a stones concert, if clint eastwood can get turned down by a movie studio for "being too ugly", if david bowie can fail an audition to be little richard's sax player....i can deal with a damn second city audition. not that i'm in their strata, but luck and discipline beats out some person i'll never see again telling me i'm not good enough. i didn't feel great about the audition, but i also know i'm better than what they saw, even though it may have been the best i could give them that day.

Awwwww shit! That sux Anx

Don't give up. Keep trying and you will succeed