These past three months I had the amazing opportunity to play my dream role... Eponine in the production of Les Miserables. The journey was long and hard, but well worth it. Before the audition I contemplated not going in at all because I was afraid that I wouldn't even get in... so I sat in my car and decided to flip a coin, heads I go in... tails I don't... funnily enough, it landed on tails. But I remember thinking while it was in the air, please land on heads, this is my dream. So I decided that what I really wanted to do, was to go inside and audition. Whether I failed and didn't get to be apart of the show, at least I went and tried. The callback list came out, and I saw that I got callback for Cosette and Eponine, and if you know nothing about Les Mis, just know these characters could not be more different. I went to the callback and the director decided to do Cosette first, so I went up there and completely made a fool of myself, I could not sing her songs for the life of me. So I thought, there's no way I am getting into the show. Then right after Cosette callbacks they made us do Eponine. I was so nervous, I decided to go last. We only sang a portion of the song, and it was the highest part. Mid-song, I felt lik
e I was going to have a Pitch Perfect moment and projectile vomit into the audience, someone even took a video of my callback and you can hear me trying not to die. There are no feelings that can describe how an actor feels after a callback because we think we did super well, but did we? A few days pass and I still was super anxious. Then one day, I was at work and decided to go into the back and check my phone, the stage manager had posted on our Facebook page that the cast list was emailed to people that were going to be in the show, and if you didn't get an email... sorry. Well obviously my first instinct was to go and check my email, and there was nothing. Right then and there I started to BAWL my eyes out. This role meant way more to me then I thought... then I got a text message from one of the tech members, she said "CONGRATS ON GETTING EPONINE". I was beyond confused... I didn't get an email... what was this girl talking about. So I texted the stage manager and he apologized for the heart atta
ck he gave me, and was able to reassure me that I got the role!
Then rehearsals started, I was so nervous because we were a high school doing one of the hardest shows ever. But when I walked into the first rehearsal and I heard the cast singing One Day More... I knew, we were going to be just fine!
These past 3 months flew by like a rocket, and I am so sad that it is already over. I usually never cry when a show ends, but when I was singing the Epilogue with the whole cast, I couldn't hold back my tears. And then going out to see my family, especially my mom, I couldn't stop crying!
Before I end this blog, I have to thank some people, because without them... I wouldn't have been able to do it. The first person being Kelli James, she is my vocal coach here in Arizona, and also played Eponine on Broadway over 30 years ago! She is my second mom, Kelli has nurtured my voice into being the best it can be. The second being James May, he has taught me so much, not only with singing but helping me connect to the music and the words that I am singing. James also conducted Les Mis on Broadway! How is it even possible that I got so lucky with having these two people in my life, I will forever hold them near and dear to my heart. Last and most definitely not least... I want to thank my parents. My dad has been my #1 supporter ever since I was little. I always see him in the crowd with a smile on his face and it brings me joy to see how happy he is. Then my mom, without my mom, I wouldn't have been able to have this beautiful voice, she found the small amount of talent that I had when I was little and decided to put me in theatre! I love you mom and dad, thank you for everything. What an amazing time I had during this show. I couldn't have asked for a better cast and crew! I now know, I'll never be On My Own.