Lance Around Orlando

The American Idol Experience

GUEST POST–On 14 February, The American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios officially opens to the public.  Since we sell Disney Tickets at our business, my staff was offered the opportunity to see a preview of this new show.  Number One daughter turns 14 this month and she bravely decided she wanted to audition to be on the show.  Today, I took her for the audition.  In her own words, this is what the audition experience was like.  LanceAround

I was excited–Not knowing what to expect–Hoping to do well.

I was trying not to think about it very much.  When I came through the gates of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I tried not to think about getting before a person and singing for them.  I was focusing on the lyrics and I was making sure I had them down perfectly.  Then we started walking towards the audition and my nerves started to rise…

My nerves peaked until I got to the Producer.  Then, it was over.

I’m getting ahead of myself.  Here is what happened.  I walked into the audition.  I entered a small foyer and watched a short video.   Disney workers then guided me down a hallway and I waited until the first audition room was available.  My dad had to sign some paperwork.  If you are under 18, a parent has to go in with you.  You have to be 14 or older to audition.

My dad was in the room and that was kind of reassuring in a way, thinking about him, and not the audition.  He would encourage me to “punch it” and “shine.”  Good advice.

I was expecting to sing in front of three judges who would tell me to either go on the show or go away.  Instead, it was just one person.  The Casting Director was sitting behind a small desk with a computer and clipboard.  She asked me my name, age and what I was going to sing.  She told me to sing.

I began to sing.

She stopped me twice because I was having problems with my breathing techniques.  She asked me to relax because she could tell I was a little nervous.  That was nice of her.  I’m not sure many people would be willing to help me like she did.  She helped me to focus and to project my voice.

Enclosed in a small room…With a complete stranger…Asking me to perform for her…In short…Nerve racking!  I could barely keep my pitch in range and I faltered.  I failed.  I tried to keep in range without squeaking or going flat.

The Casting Director said that she was going to let me go on to the Producer, who is the higher judge.  I was very happy and proud that I got past her.  She said that only 10% of the people get past her, so I was even happier because I did not think I nailed that audition.  But I did!

She gave me a clipboard with my official American Idol number on it.  I walked out of the room and all the Disney workers clapped for me when they saw I had the clipboard.  I heard them do that for other people as well.

Number One Daughter gets her clipboard

They gave me an Ipod with over 100 songs.  I have to sing one, Karaoke style, for the Producer.  The list has all the songs you are allowed to choose for the actual show.  They do not repeat any of the songs for that day.  Once someone is selected to go on the show, they choose a song and no one else is allowed to pick that same song that day.

But when I went in front of the Producer, I choked, and it hurt my score.  It lost me my chance.

When you go to the Producer, you have to be able to perform.  You have to be a star, have pitch, punch it.  You have to, as my dad says, SHINE!

When I finished my song, he asked me a few questions.  He was very surprised to find out I was only 14.  He said that I have a lot of raw talent and I should practice more.  It was said in a very encouraging way–Not mean or hurtful–Very nice.

He said I was not right for the show and he shook my hand and I left.  The helpers guided me to the door and I left.

I was about to start crying.

I was disappointed.  I don’t know…It just kinda rose my…I kinda became hopeful…And kinda crashed.

Not a very large percentage that go to the Producer get to be on the show.  So I did not end up crying.  But I wanted to.

I turned my back and went back to my school.

Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t make it.  Don’t, like, hate Disney for it.  I’m thankful that I got as far as I got.  Yep!

LanceAround Notes:  Can you imagine how proud I am to be her father?  Please come back to LanceAroundOrlando on Sunday to read more about The American Idol Experience.  Oh, and by the way, she was MUCH better than the ones who were selected to perform in the actual show in front of the audience.  But I’m guessing you had figured that out already.

This entry was posted on February 6, 2009 at 2:00 pm and is filed under Disney. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.