Dan's Papers - October 16, 2009 - How Do You Get to Broadway? Audition ...

A few weeks ago, Center Stage at the Southampton Cultural Center held auditions for the production of 12 Angry Men, the dramatic play by Reginald Rose that was made into a movie starring Henry Fonda in 1957. Michael Disher, who will direct the play, plans on a January 22 opening night.

With 27 men, who didn't seem angry at all, waiting to be auditioned, I took my seat and waited for my shot. I was asked to fill out a form with basic contact information along with experience, weight, size, and height. I was asked if I'd prepared a monologue, which I hadn't, but I'd improvise by reciting some short Lord Byron poetry I memorized in eleventh grade - almost exactly 40 years ago. I still remembered it line by line; Mr. McConnakie would have been proud.

One by one the actors stepped up to the stage and let it rip. Daniel Becker's monologue was powerful and dramatic. Amazingly enough, Mitch Robin, a few moments later, had the same monologue-a fact that made neither man happy. Stephen Scheck had lots of gumption, Matthew O'Connor had fire, Alan Stewart had spark, Michael Horn had everything - fire, spark, drama. James Macaluso showed poise. Paul Consiglio had a very direct style. Standing out from everyone had to be Joe Pallister, whose monologue about his dad and little league was powerful - by the way, he was the only one who didn't have to give back the playbook at the end. Robert Donovan was very impressive. All were equally prepared and quite accomplished. Heck - it was good theater just watching these 27 hopeful men audition.

Then, Disher, a known talent in both directing and teaching actors, asked me to go up next. I thought, should I stand or should I sit as some had? Should I walk around or should I be still and pose like Michelangelo's David? Should I shout or should I whisper? In the end I basically recited it as I did for Mr. McConnakie, but this time, perhaps with a deeper voice. My monologue, according to Disher will be forever remembered for its, "brevity." (No stage hog, I.)

As I sat down I realized I had not impressed anyone, but I thought I did okay considering the circumstances - that being that the other men were extremely serious about the acting profession even at the community theater level.

But then the strangest thing happened. On the stage was a table with only nine chairs around it. Disher appointed certain actors the numbered juror roles, such as juror #1, juror #8 (Henry Fonda's role) for a reading on stage. The mix was interesting. As Disher said, the voices were all powerful, different and effective. With his keen ear, Disher assigned voices for the parts that seemed to bring the words into a dramatic flow, just in the reading. I wanted to hear more. Then after a few run-throughs of a few scenes, I was sent up to read with the other men. I tried my best to be a sort of angry man by thinking of the final days of my divorce proceedings. It helped. I didn't stutter. I didn't miss a word or cue. Of course I only said 14 words, but with great panache. The fact that I wasn't given a playbook right then and there has me still wondering. But it was fun and thrilling - an experience that will forever make me smile.

By the way as of this writing I have not been officially rejected. No matter who is chosen, judging by the talent in the room and the readings, 12 Angry Men, will be powerful, relevant and very worthwhile theater.

Disher said the caliber and the level of excellence was very encouraging. He said there is a strong talent pool to draw from in the Hamptons - which is great. He offered the following tips for hopeful actors: Don't do Willy Lowman types of monologues. Stand (don't sit) and don't use your hands too much. Next time I will remember all of that.

For more information about 12 Angry Men or the other two plays, The Laramie Project, by Moises Kaufman, and Private Lives by Noel Coward (all directed by Disher for Center Stage) contact the Southampton Cultural Center.