Darien DeVries

Last Wednesday was the first audition I’ve done in a long time that required me to have a monologue. I auditioned for the Kaiser Permanente Educational School Tour. I was rather hoping to get this opportunity because it tours locally for ten months and would give me a touring experience I’ve not yet had. Not to mention it pays well and provides benefits! They were looking for people who could play characters between the ages of 8 and 18. The school shows cover a variety of topics from healthy eating to dealing with puberty and conflict resolution. I remember these sorts of shows coming to my school growing up and even though they are a little campy, I absolutely loved them and would be thrilled to perform them. Another interesting thing about this opportunity is that we would be put in a role of peer counselor for the students in the audience. Talk about a learning experience!

I liked the audition process – KP was very strict on the auditionees keeping their monologues to one minute or less. While in some ways this felt like we were being rushed along like cattle, it also meant that no one’s time got wasted. Yes, not even our time got wasted, which I very much appreciated. We were in and out of there in about an hour and could still get lots of other tasks accomplished in the daylight.

I’m pleased with the monologue I chose. I had, in fact, looked at some adolescent monologues I found online. Since I did not have as much time to prepare as I would have liked, I decided, rather than to learn a new monologue, to adapt my story for the upcoming clown show into a monologue.I think it went over well. Although once I finished my monologue, the panel was so nice and polite that it was really hard to tell if they liked me or not. I suppose that’s not too bad of a problem to have.

Needless to say, I didn’t get a callback. Neither did my two classmates who also auditioned. Listening to the names listed on the callback recording, it seemed to us that they were seeking a more culturally diverse cast for the current shows. That’s fine – I recognize that there are plenty of 20-something Caucasian females to go around at any audition – although I think we would have preferred the type being advertised in the casting call. Perhaps they felt because they were under the umbrella of a corporate entity, that they could not put such a thing in the casting call, as it would be perceived as discriminatory. The audition definitely have the feel of something more corporate so those organizing the school tours must need to tread a fine line between the industry norms of corporate office and theater.

Friday evening was our Clown Conservatory show – Fools Come Early or as it is on the fantastic flier my classmate created: Fools! Fools! Fools! I performed my story piece from the first show and I’m rather happy with how it turned out. I wish we were able to do this show over and over for an audience so I could really get the rhythm of it. The audience also liked the coat switch routine with my classmate. Oddly enough, they didn’t seem to care as much about the payoff (after the tussle, I end up with the coat while my partner celebrates her wrestling victory. Then once I scuttle offstage, she claims my tiny hat, which fell off my head, unbeknownst to me.) but applauded for the wrestling itself. While I’m thrilled they appreciated the technique, I hope they were entertained!

I feel that our duck mime piece – Fowl Revenge – went over quite well and that we hit our marks. There were a few last-minute things we’d added that very day that were forgotten in the adrenaline-frenzy of the show, but we received a positive response. Can’t ask for more than that!

Today, I watched part of the video from our show and once again, I need to remember to slow down and really allow moments to happen. It’s never until I see videos of myself that I realize I’m moving too fast through a piece. When I’m onstage, it always feels like I am moving more slowly than I am.

A note on performing for an audience of strangers vs an audience of fellow performers. I don’t like testing a piece out on my fellow performers. It’s not that I dislike them or don’t trust their judgment or anything like that. The problem is that we, as performers, look at artistic pieces with a critical eye. It’s not out of malice – on the contrary, we are often  looking for ways to help our classmates improve. However, we are judging because of that. And knowing that your audience is judging you changes the energy of your piece, just as being nervous when singing tightens up the throat and changes the performance.  When I am in front of an audience that’s there to be entertained, they are hoping I do well. They want me to succeed (because nothing is more embarrassing to an audience member than watching a performer obviously flounder on stage) and are channeling positive energy to that end. But they also have no expectations of me. I can feel myself and ready to go in front of that audience.

Southern Faire is coming around again. I look forward to having lots of audience again. And to singing with the Merry Wives. Hope to see you there!

After showing my DVD to a few friends and coworkers, it has become evident that: we done good! Another wonderful friend turned one of my headshots into a cover sheet for everything, and I prepared to take care of the last bits of business. Upon speaking with the representative from the Clown Conservatory, it is just fine that my audition package arrive on Monday.

I had some fun figuring out how to package all my materials. Here I was thinking I would have to find some kind of report folder and add sheet protectors and put this whole shebang together. But the presentation gods left me a gift at CVS: a presentation folder with built in sheet protector pages and a spot in the cover for an insertion. Brilliant! With almost the exact number of pages as I have materials! What could be more perfect than that? Okay, built in pockets for a DVD would be nice but a DVD envelope and a glue stick did just the trick.

I admired my work for a few seconds and even showed it off to the folks at Kinkos. Then into a 2-day mailer it went and it is on its way to San Francisco.

Woot! High five for me.

I will post updates after this weekend as the CC rep said she would let me know when they receive the package.

‘Til next time!

My DVD is finished. Many thanks to Jon for filming and editing. What a fantastic job — I love it! I think it captures who I am as a person and as a performer. Now to put a label on the DVD — check! Pack stationery — check!

Tomorrow I will print out my resume, letters of interest, and letters of recommendation, head to CVS for some nifty packaging, then off to FedEx to send it on its way.

I am unbelievably excited. Many thanks for all the support, well wishes, and confidence! Keep that positive energy flowing for the next few weeks!

Love you all!

Hopefully this will give the fine folks at the Clown Conservatory – and all of you – a bit more insight about me.

Many thanks to Quin for a wordsmith’s critical eye.

Why do I want to attend the Clown Conservatory, you ask?

I am a performer. I don’t just love acting, singing, and telling jokes. It’s written into who I am to entertain a crowd. I love bringing joy to an audience, creating new stories and new universes for them. Creating those same things for myself. Each time I make a wish, the wish is always the same: “To be a great and successful performer in my own right.” People can come into a theater strangers and I can help make them friends through the collective experience of laughter, fantasy, and fun. That kind of connection is my true love. Even in the face of great tragedy and heartbreak, I am the best ME I can be when I am on stage entertaining.

But why clowning? As I sit here, three things come to mind.

1. The first time I saw Cirque de Soleil I was undoubtedly amazed by the agility of the gymnasts. But it was the clowns who struck me the most. The stories told without a word through their performances. The simple humanity they represented that evoked tears as well as laughter. A clown can touch on the bittersweet aspects of life like no other, and help us work through uncertainty and sorrow with laughter.

2. Last Halloween, I took a stilt-walking gig for for the city of Norwalk and they requested that the stilt-walker be a clown – I was happy to oblige. Oh my, how the people of Norwalk love clowns! I have performed “clownish” characters before but it was a revelation to actually take on the iconic appearance and become an actual symbol of happiness as I brought joy to families. I was inspired beyond belief and left that evening with a giddiness in my soul that screamed “I must do this!”

3. This quote from your website put to me that clowning is the art form I have been seeking –

“Clowns always make the most vulnerable choice, naturally”  — Dominique Jando

A good friend of mine told me, “Darien, you have a glass face and an open soul.” My ability to express what I am feeling so vividly is my greatest strength as a performer. My face belies the truth – never a problem on stage as what I convey there is always the truth – and my body is an extension of my face.

I have been blessed with charisma, agility, and good muscle memory. A childhood of tap and jazz dance solidified this and further training in martial arts and belly dance as an adult has kept it fresh. I sing, play fiddle, walk on stilts, eat fire, and do a little juggling. I am an improvisational actor passionate about both comedy and drama.

I wondered how on earth to become a clown. Are there schools for this? How do I know which to choose? I researched several clown schools, but their programs did not appear to be as comprehensive or professionally-oriented as yours. Your school has a very solid reputation among my colleagues, primarily for its immersive approach to the art of clown technique, pushing students to be their creative best. I seek such an immersion. I seek to build upon the skills I have, to grow where I lack. To develop effective relationships and shows. To do this professionally and make it my life’s work. To become a solid solo performer so that I could be an even greater contributor to an ensemble.

I will put these talents to good use and make a little magic out there in the world. And I’d like your school to help me take flight.

I am ready now. My potential is great and my resolve is strong. Clown Conservatory, I am for you.

And now waiting for my fantastic video editor to do his magic.  squeeeee!!

I tell you, having this wonderful adventure to look forward to makes my day job so much more tolerable. Don’t get me wrong, I love my students. But having to turn them into numbers and force them down a path they may no longer wish to travel is both frustrating and heart-wrenching.

I will be posting my letter to the Clown Conservatory explaining why I want to attend their fine institution. I am very excited about this whole experience.

On another note, I have been very fortunate to receive 5 amazing letters of recommendation from my friends and colleagues. I only require 3.

I am a rich woman indeed. Thank you all.

So the time has come to archive my journey towards making performing my one and only. Here, I’ll be creating updates on each step in the process as well as posting information on my performances.  I will also include the distractions and inanities along the way.

Right now, you can find me at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire – www.renfair.com/socal – at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale, CA. I will be on stage with the other amazing ladies of the Merry Wives of Windsor! www.mwow.net Don’t forget to pick up a copy of our brand new CD, Happy Endings!

You can also find me on the Maybower Stage for the Mayor’s show and Queen’s show and stilt-walking in the morning and evening. This year, I am again the brewmistress. This time Scottish – one of the MacHurley twins, Morangus. Ach!!

My current goal is auditioning for the clown conservatory in San Francisco. The audition involves creating a DVD. Argh. Darien not so tech savvy. Fortunately for our hero, she has wonderful friends who *are* tech savvy.

Thank you wonderful friends! (especially the genius who set up this lovely website)

So the step I’m on now is gathering materials for my DVD.  The wonderful friend who does film and video editing is totally doing his part to put this together for me. My current project is getting the writing done. Updating my resume, creating a letter of interest, and a letter stating why I am interested in the clown conservatory.

I’ll post those as they are completed.

Thanks for joining me on this journey!

Take care, friends.