There were three rookie actresses whispering things to each other even before the auditions started while glancing at a bunch of actors who were present there to audition themselves for [Friends].
They still were more than an hour early, yet weren’t surprised looking at all the faces who were there, more energetic than ever.
The closed wooden indoor theatre was booked for a week by DTA for the auditions, and since 9 a.m. actors and actresses, with much hope and passion in them, kept coming to the studio.
“I have seen the guy in the corner in the front in [Fair Dare], the cute one!”
“Oh!!!! I know right! I feel kind of nervous seeing everyone here, the number just keeps on increasing?!”
The tallest among the three of them commented while still looking at everyone, one by one who came in.
The whispers knew no end. But among all those whispers their postures were maintained professionally.
Even though their words sounded like a bunch of fans who are obsessed with actors to the core, they maintained stoic faces to show that they were professionals and are at the same level as everyone else. ‘Fake it till they make it’ they say.
As soon as different local agencies heard and knew about the auditions of [Friends], they knew there’s a high possibility that even a low-grade actor might get a chance to show their talent and climb up the ladders of their career with this opportunity.
With every whisper that spread, every step a person took inside the theatre, their hopes and confidence in their skills and talent increased. It was the same for everyone, irrespective of their gender, age, or level.
Acting in fact, never came or went to the top with such factors, which was a genuine factor here, with more than a thousand actors, everyone was hoping for a chance.
They all were filling up the space in the theatre. The morning silence which was filled enough to echo her shoe steps when the staff member opened the theatre, was now filled with voices. Not even a scream would be clearly audible in the crowd of thousands.
The first round of auditions for [Friends] started and one after another, the actors were getting auditioned by DTA agents and Susan, the producer for [Friends].
There were different kinds of actors and actresses. Some were overly ready and prepared, while some others were basically here to waste their and the judges’ time.
At one point, an agent went on saying.
“Whatever agency you are from, you’re not going to be selected like this. Tony, tell the staff that we are not taking in any actors from Huntsman Agency.”
That was how intense the auditions were. The entire panel including the casting director was extremely judgy due to several obvious reasons.
After a few hours which felt like an eternity for the participants, they decided to take a quick break. During that, a few actors walked through the exit knowing they stood no chance.
But the majority remained knowing that anything could happen and that they need to give their best; which was everyone’s thought at a certain point.
Two staff members were discussing and whispering amongst themselves while looking at all the nervous participants in front of them.
“Is Will Evans going to recruit more rookie actors? I mean, it works for him like ALL THE TIME!”
Staff member A whispered to her friend, staff member B.
“It’s really not possible since all this hassle is for a TV series, and there are many characters in it. But again, anything is possible with Mr. Evans. Let’s just hold onto that,”
Staff member B who was clinging to her friend’s arm whispered in reply.
They were watching everyone else from the back of the hall because the break seemed to excite things up here and there.
“Ah, girl! If only Mr. Evans got interested in me! I would become a queen in no time! I might even be able to pull some strings for ya,” The blonde-haired Staff member A commented while swooning at the thought.
“Haha.. Don’t joke, even if you spent two more lives praying to every god above, it wouldn’t be possible. But you can try for some other dude, maybe we might find someone here.”
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They giggled and went on their ways to do the stuff they were assigned to do.
***
Will Evans, Jenifer Charlies, Susan Levin, and a few other agents from DTA were now seated to audition the final hundred actors that were chosen from the previous audition.
“Today I am hoping to find the faces that are needed for the remaining slots.”
Jennifer said while Susan showed crossed fingers which signaled that she was hoping for the same thing too.
“But why do you think all this is necessary, Will? I mean, this would have been much easier if we just took some actors that the day-to-day TV watchers are comfortable with.”
She continued and asked the question which bothered her the most.
“Yeah, I understand what you are trying to say, but I really want to see some new faces in the TV show business. Supporting cast would be proven actors and if we can’t get them from the auditions, we would have no choice but to go with actors from DTA. It won’t be that bad either.”
Will said, trying to explain his point to her.
“You have got a point, like always, Mr. Evans.”
One of the agents said, who was listening to the whole conversation.
The auditions started after quite a while and the final hundred were drawing in exhaustion inside out. It was pretty visible with some, but others were too good at hiding; perks of being a good actor.
Five actors would come to the stage and they would be asked to perform a short scene and then leave.
“Next five, please. Introduce yourself,” The casting director asked all the five people who stood on the stage.
With years of practice, they answered most of the interview questions and tried to maintain the minimum decorum while they performed the given scene with each other.
Looking at the six judgy faces and competitive crowd, all of them had the inner thought of wanting to show the best of their skills. Especially when Will Evans sat right in front of them.
“Okay, stop. We will let you know, thank you.” Will said to the last candidate in the group.
“They are not good right?” Jennifer asked.
“Yeah, the second one lacked the charm I am looking for, and the last one had bad comedy timings. A thing that these actors don’t understand is, [Friends] is a comedy series and the wittiness should come from within them. The harder they try to come out as funny, the more idiotic it seems.”
Will explained, his voice being low so that just the judges could hear him.
“Next, please. Yes, can you four wait down there, okay. Introduce yourself a bit.” The casting director asked, being as professional as ever.
Even after interviewing almost 60 actors, his tone remained the same from the first to the present one. It was no joke that these people trained years in their careers, and the professionalism started being vibrant while working.
“I’m Ava Sofia,”
“Okay, get into the role, start!”
He commanded while she started acting in a comedy scene.
“Okay so I don't know if there are stragglers, but I'm just going to start the tour. Hi, I'm Marissa. Hi. Welcome to Alcott College for Women, founded in eighteen ninety five. You are here because we are the best. You know the saying. Smith to bed, Mount Holyoke to wed, and Alcott to run your company. But our grads are not all CEOs-”
“Okay, stop. Thank you, we will let you know next.”
The casting director looked at Will and shook his head. Will shrugged in return, it was such a bad performance.
“We still need some actors and actresses to fill in, I wonder when we will find them. Around thirty more are left, would it be even possible at this point? We might have to go with DTA.”
Susan said to herself.
While they were wondering if it was possible or not, the next actress who stood up in the position to audition took Will by surprise.
“Huh-”
Will mouthed out unintentionally and looked at the two actors and one actress in line. Since one person did the audition in their group of five, Will looked at the other three in the queue, and his eyebrows rose in surprise.
The actress who stood on the stage right now was Jennifer Aniston. She was a beautiful and elegant lady. That’s what one would hear about her in Will’s previous life.
To the right, another legend stood tall and handsome wanting to get auditioned; he was none other than Matthew Perry himself. Seeing these two, Will snickered to himself.
Matthew Perry, who Will knew, acted as Chandler Bing in [Friends] series. The standing legend unknowingly was an American-Canadian actor, comedian, and producer in Will’s eyes.
Just for [Friends] he had won several awards including, Funniest Supporting Male Performer In A Television Series, Favourite Television Actor, and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, and won millions of hearts through his comedy acting.
On the other hand, Rachel in [Friends] was starred by Jennifer Anniston and what more could Will even ask after seeing her wanting the role so badly in front of him.
She was someone who had won many awards like SAG Award nominations for her role in [Friends]. The actress’s worth Will knew could be proved in one statement; on how the Films with her in the leading role have grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide, and how 12 of them earned at least $100 million.
“Go ahead and Introduce yourself.”
Will said aloud for Jennifer to hear.
She smiled in return knowing who the young man in front of her was.