Monday, February 27, 2012. Perfect day; can't complain. Everyone wants to know the juicy details, right? Here we go! Sit tight; keep your arms, legs, and everything else inside; and enjoy the ride! --just kidding, I do hope you enjoy my story, though.
Let's start with the morning, before New York. I was heading out to a friend's house to leave my car for free parking while I'm out in New York for the day, of course. However, the car started stalling on me; that would have ruined my day! So, I decided to take the bus and subway to get to the Greyhound Station. I was initially in a rush and ended up being 2 hours earlier than my scheduled bus time, but I wasn't paying a fee just to switch...so I sat, waited, and observed. Philly can be a strange place sometimes, filled with strange people. (That's all I'll say about that!)
11 am, and I'm off to New York! Keeping in mind that my phone's battery life was already less than 90%, I knew it'd be difficult to let people know what was going on throughout the day; I did my best. Anywho, my 2 hour ride was quicker than I thought. There, I met up with my buddy Marqus to guide me through New York. After we got something to eat, we started walking towards the Jacob Javits Center. The confirmation email from AGT stated that it was on West 54th Street. So, we started walking up to 54th street; little did we realize it was MUCH further than where we were, but we continued walking. In fact, we walked for 2 hours to find this place, and realized that we went even further! It turned out that the place was on 34th street, so we had to walk some more.
Finally, Marqus and I reach our destination. We got there at 4pm and what a hike! We looked around for restrooms and passes a HUGE waiting room below the escalators. That's when I started getting nervous. Usually when I'm nervous, my body starts shaking uncontrollably, and nothing I tell myself will make it stop! However, I was truly confident; no nervousness! Afterwords, we go to the top of the escalators where staff gave us a wristband and some papers to fill out. The papers were pretty much a consent form that stated they are not responsible for any injuries, pains, or anything of that nature; AND if we somehow get on TV, that we give them permission. This room was gigantic; I don't understand why buildings need rooms that big. So anyway, Marqus and I are in the waiting room resting our legs from all that walking. There were singers with guitars practicing; dancers in groups with matching costumes; and much more. We were unable to take any photos, so I do not have any to share (except for my contestant number). About 5pm comes along and we decided that I'm ready to hand in my paperwork. The next batch of contestants (that's me!) were called. While I waited in line, Marqus went to see if there were a quicker way to get back to the Greyhound Station.
So we get called up; they split us up even more. Singers w/o instruments (a capella) in one line. Singers and other musicians with instruments in another. I didn't hear what was said after that. My group, the singers w/o instruments, begin moving. A man brings us outside of the waiting room to the outside of a smaller room with chairs. They split us up again into smaller groups. Now I'm in a group with about 5 or 6 other people (I did not pay attention the number). The man had us sit down while he collected our paperwork for the judges. In the meantime, this is when I became even more nervous. My body started shaking, and it wouldn't stop.
The man calls us into the room. I started getting more nervous when I realized I was auditioning in front of these other people. I silently kept telling myself to calm down, and there's nothing to worry about. It semi-worked. There was one lady anxiously awaiting our arrival; she had a computer and a video camera. She politely told us to briefly introduce ourselves and begin.
The first contestant went. I honestly felt bad because she had messed up several times. One huge rule in this type of industry, when in an audition, never repeatedly apologize or ask to start over; we know you're nervous--we all are! The next few contestants began. The only man in our group sung in Latin, the famous "Ava Maria". As each contestant was called, I started mentally singing their song in my head because I knew a couple of the songs. It was getting intense because I knew it was wrong of me. I knew if I kept doing that I would forget the lyrics to the song I sang. Finally, "Jessica" was called. I walked up to the center of the room; stated my name, age, and where I'm from (I'm the only one representing Pennsylvania!). Then, my little heart started. I sang 'Maybe This Time' from the musical Cabaret. I made my own version of it; maybe put it on YouTube some day. But really though, I was great. I did not mess up; body stopped shaking; I was 100% confident. I was golden. Everyone clapped for each contestant. I truly left that building with a cheesy smile.
Monday, February 27, 2012 could not have been a more perfect day. The nice lady said that if we are chosen for the next round (callback), we will be contacted in 2 weeks. Well, in 2 weeks I'll be back in New York City to audition for The Voice. And that will be another story.
JLynn, out! <3
P.S. Thank you to all those who listened to me. It was a wonderful experience, and you were truly what helped give me the confidence to do this.
Let's start with the morning, before New York. I was heading out to a friend's house to leave my car for free parking while I'm out in New York for the day, of course. However, the car started stalling on me; that would have ruined my day! So, I decided to take the bus and subway to get to the Greyhound Station. I was initially in a rush and ended up being 2 hours earlier than my scheduled bus time, but I wasn't paying a fee just to switch...so I sat, waited, and observed. Philly can be a strange place sometimes, filled with strange people. (That's all I'll say about that!)
11 am, and I'm off to New York! Keeping in mind that my phone's battery life was already less than 90%, I knew it'd be difficult to let people know what was going on throughout the day; I did my best. Anywho, my 2 hour ride was quicker than I thought. There, I met up with my buddy Marqus to guide me through New York. After we got something to eat, we started walking towards the Jacob Javits Center. The confirmation email from AGT stated that it was on West 54th Street. So, we started walking up to 54th street; little did we realize it was MUCH further than where we were, but we continued walking. In fact, we walked for 2 hours to find this place, and realized that we went even further! It turned out that the place was on 34th street, so we had to walk some more.
Finally, Marqus and I reach our destination. We got there at 4pm and what a hike! We looked around for restrooms and passes a HUGE waiting room below the escalators. That's when I started getting nervous. Usually when I'm nervous, my body starts shaking uncontrollably, and nothing I tell myself will make it stop! However, I was truly confident; no nervousness! Afterwords, we go to the top of the escalators where staff gave us a wristband and some papers to fill out. The papers were pretty much a consent form that stated they are not responsible for any injuries, pains, or anything of that nature; AND if we somehow get on TV, that we give them permission. This room was gigantic; I don't understand why buildings need rooms that big. So anyway, Marqus and I are in the waiting room resting our legs from all that walking. There were singers with guitars practicing; dancers in groups with matching costumes; and much more. We were unable to take any photos, so I do not have any to share (except for my contestant number). About 5pm comes along and we decided that I'm ready to hand in my paperwork. The next batch of contestants (that's me!) were called. While I waited in line, Marqus went to see if there were a quicker way to get back to the Greyhound Station.
So we get called up; they split us up even more. Singers w/o instruments (a capella) in one line. Singers and other musicians with instruments in another. I didn't hear what was said after that. My group, the singers w/o instruments, begin moving. A man brings us outside of the waiting room to the outside of a smaller room with chairs. They split us up again into smaller groups. Now I'm in a group with about 5 or 6 other people (I did not pay attention the number). The man had us sit down while he collected our paperwork for the judges. In the meantime, this is when I became even more nervous. My body started shaking, and it wouldn't stop.
The man calls us into the room. I started getting more nervous when I realized I was auditioning in front of these other people. I silently kept telling myself to calm down, and there's nothing to worry about. It semi-worked. There was one lady anxiously awaiting our arrival; she had a computer and a video camera. She politely told us to briefly introduce ourselves and begin.
The first contestant went. I honestly felt bad because she had messed up several times. One huge rule in this type of industry, when in an audition, never repeatedly apologize or ask to start over; we know you're nervous--we all are! The next few contestants began. The only man in our group sung in Latin, the famous "Ava Maria". As each contestant was called, I started mentally singing their song in my head because I knew a couple of the songs. It was getting intense because I knew it was wrong of me. I knew if I kept doing that I would forget the lyrics to the song I sang. Finally, "Jessica" was called. I walked up to the center of the room; stated my name, age, and where I'm from (I'm the only one representing Pennsylvania!). Then, my little heart started. I sang 'Maybe This Time' from the musical Cabaret. I made my own version of it; maybe put it on YouTube some day. But really though, I was great. I did not mess up; body stopped shaking; I was 100% confident. I was golden. Everyone clapped for each contestant. I truly left that building with a cheesy smile.
Monday, February 27, 2012 could not have been a more perfect day. The nice lady said that if we are chosen for the next round (callback), we will be contacted in 2 weeks. Well, in 2 weeks I'll be back in New York City to audition for The Voice. And that will be another story.
JLynn, out! <3
P.S. Thank you to all those who listened to me. It was a wonderful experience, and you were truly what helped give me the confidence to do this.
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