You’d be surprised by how many of your favorite performers get the jitters before a show
When I was 13, I decided to audition for the Chayelle Regal show, a professional theater production for women and girls that’s based in Ramat Beit Shemesh. I was actually really nervous about auditioning, but the first time I auditioned was during Covid. Instead of the usual in-person auditions in front of the directors, everyone had to just send in a video of themself — that obviously made it much easier for me! I got into the choir, and loved every minute.
The following year, life in Israel went back to normal — and so did auditions. I was too nervous to audition in front of everyone, so I didn’t join the show that year. A year later, I decided to just go for it, this time auditioning for the play. That year the show was The Lost Prince. On audition day, I reminded myself that I was doing this just for fun, and that helped get me through it. Auditions took place in the local community center. There were at least ten judges sitting at the table, including Chayelle Regal and Rikki Reichman, the show directors. It was beyond intimidating! We started off as a group of about 60 girls, singing, dancing, and acting together. Occasionally, one of the judges would ask a girl to step out of the room and perform by herself for a little bit. There were a few rounds of auditions, with girls being sent home after each round. Eventually, there were only about 15 of us left. When I was asked to come for callbacks, I knew that it had just gotten real. Getting a callback (a second audition) means there’s a 90 percent chance that you’re going to be in the actual play. The callbacks are just a way for them to figure out which girl will play each part. At callbacks, I gave it everything I had — and I ended up getting the co-lead part in the play, The Rat. (I wasn’t an actual rat; my part was a street urchin whose nickname was “The Rat”.)
In total, there were 11 performances — eight in Yerushalayim’s largest theater, and another three in England. On the day of the very first show, I was freaking out! I must have looked completely crazy because people were plying me with energy drinks and doughnuts. Thankfully, as soon as I got onstage, I clicked into my character and got a wave of energy, and I was fine. The audience was very responsive, which really helped. Standing on the stage, you’re practically blinded by those bright spotlights shining on you, which means that you can’t really make out the audience. But the audience gasped and laughed in all the right places, and that was very encouraging. Baruch Hashem, all the performances went well and there were no major disasters. But as soon as I got backstage at the end of that first show, I collapsed from exhaustion and relief. Still, the first show was my favorite of all because it was the most exciting.
Looking back, I realize that I was sure I would be terrified to be onstage. But I practiced my lines and knew them all well, and in the end everything flowed smoothly. If you can sing or dance or act in front of your mirror, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to do it on stage, too.
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