Actor’s Reflection On LHS’ Bye Bye Birdie

By Emma Gift

(Editor’s Note: Emma Gift who was named Colorado Backstage’s permanent theatre reviewer, needed to step aside for Bye Bye Birdie since she was cast in the play. We were fortunate to have Faryn Tobler take the role of reviewer for this show. Not wanting to complicate Emma’s already busy schedule, it seemed like a prize of an idea to have her write her reflections from the inside out of Bye Bye Birdie. Every actor from novice to professional will be able to identify with her words. The auditioning/callback process remains nerve wracking whether it is the first time or the 1000th. She captured the experience. It’s a prize, and so is sheÉHolly

Walking into the audition for Bye, Bye, Birdie, I was anything but confident. I was terrified that I would forget the words to my monologue, not be able to repeat the dance steps, and my voice would get shaky on my song and ruin everything. However, my audition went pretty well, I remembered all the words and most signs of shakiness were gone. Because I had to stay for the IB (International Baccalaureate Program, higher level academics) meeting later that night, the callback list was posted before I left school. So after the meeting my mom and I went to go check the list and my name was on it! I was in complete shock, and the whole next day I was freaking out about callbacks. I think I was more nervous for callbacks than auditions. During callbacks we went up in groups of three and sang a piece of Healthy, Normal American Boy and they weren’t nearly as scary as I anticipated (of course). The day after that, I checked the list and saw that I had made it into the teen chorus. Yea! I was SO excited to begin working.

During our first read/sing through I discovered that I would be part of the Teen Trio. The three of us were adults hired by Albert Peterson to walk around Sweetapple, Ohio and sing the Conrad Birdie song to enforce the enthusiasm about Conrad Birdie’s trip to Sweetapple. Our characters were sarcastic and apathetic, but I, myself was anything but. I met new people, learned A LOT about performing, and had a blast. And even though I felt painfully shy, I looked forward to going to each and every rehearsal. It seemed like everyday was hectic (probably because it was) and I felt so privileged to be working with such talented people who knew how to do everything with such ease including crew members, actors, and musicians.

I also felt honored to be in Mr. Kron’s last show as drama director at Littleton High School. I am so lucky that he had the faith in me to cast me in this show and I hope I did the role justice. I LOVED being in this musical and I wish that I am fortunate enough to be able to do it next year.