制霸好莱坞

Competition in the Chicago troupe was fierce, with many actors vying for the limited spots. This time, there were only about five new vacancies, yet two to three hundred actors showed up for auditions. The process began after a resume screening and the first interview, where the acceptance ratio was about three to one. By the time of the second interview, only about ninety candidates remained. The interview this time was more intense, with assessments of basic skills, paired performances, and the performance of specific scenes assigned by the examiner.

For Jenny, these were skills she had been honing over the past six months, so she was confident and not overly nervous. She had become accustomed to the interview atmosphere, having developed the ability to block out distractions, focusing solely on the camera, herself, and the person in front of her.

The audition atmosphere for the troupe was more relaxed than that of film crews. The interviews were held in a large rehearsal room where candidates sat on the floor, creating a more casual environment with plenty of onlookers. Jenny took the opportunity to observe others, evaluating her own chances of success.

As expected, those who reached the second round were strong contenders. They had solid acting skills, could deliver lines naturally, and sang beautifully with stable pitch and volume. While some contestants were visibly nervous, none were completely out of tune. Jenny thought that while her acting skills were competitive, her singing was only average—she didn't have a standout advantage there.

However, if appearance were included in the total score, she would likely score well. After all, a beautiful girl who sings well would generally go into the music industry, and not many would choose to pursue musicals.

After the second round, Cesare called to check on her progress. Jenny shared her thoughts, and Cesare responded without any compliments, "Agata has a good impression of you. She told Rob she has 'little confidence' in your third audition. If Rob or I can make it, we'll be there."

Jenny had joined the crew late, and filming for Chicago was nearing completion. With the holidays approaching, there was a chance the crew would take an early break. Jenny was touched by Rob's kindness. "He's so good to me," she thought.

"Make sure you don't disappoint his expectations," Cesare added. "From what I know, James Schubert will be at the third round. Whether you land the role of Roxy or not, he will have a big say in the decision, so don't take this lightly. The least you can do is not embarrass Rob. He called James multiple times to arrange your interview."

Jenny knew little about James Schubert at that point, but Cesare explained that Shubert Theater, where Chicago was regularly performed, was managed by the Shubert Organization, one of the three major forces in Broadway. James Schubert was the manager of the Shubert Theater, which gave him significant influence over the troupe.

"In Broadway's power hierarchy, the theater manager is above the troupe leader and director," Cesare clarified. "The theater covers the costs and collects the box office revenue, making them the primary financial backer. So, Schubert's decision is key."

Cesare also hinted that he may have contacted Schubert beforehand to promote Jenny, though he didn't go into detail. Jenny didn't probe further, instead asking, "So, is James...?"

Cesare paused before replying, "Yes, he's straight."

Jenny breathed a sigh of relief, and Cesare continued, "But don't worry too much. Didn't Robert once think we were a couple?"

Jenny smiled, glad that her relationship with Cesare had never been questioned. She then joked, "Cesare, do you think we should set up a system where I get a dollar every time you call me Jefferson?"

Cesare teased her in return, replying, "Yes, Jefferson," before hanging up the phone.

Between auditions, Jenny kept up her training. Agata, who had been reviewing Jenny's progress, gave detailed feedback. "Your dancing is solid, but your singing needs work. Your breath control is weak, but your voice is in good shape. With some improvement, the singing part of Chicago won't be too difficult." Agata encouraged Jenny to practice breathing exercises and to strengthen her lung capacity.

Jenny threw herself into her practice, spending long hours in a performing arts space, working on her vocal technique. She recorded her sessions, though she looked like she was sleeping while performing them. Her dedication paid off, and Agata began to notice her improvement.

William, a fellow student, joked that Jenny's progress was almost supernatural. "Your speed of improvement is insane, Jenny. If I saw a few more people like you, I'd give up my own Broadway dreams."

Jenny laughed it off, offering him words of encouragement, "I'm not some prodigy, William. I just work really hard. You have a family and a life, while all I have is this."

Her sacrifices were real—long hours of practice, limited food options, and no personal life. But the potential payoff, a role like Roxy, would be worth it.

William, still jealous of her, asked, "Why give up life for success?"

Agata, overhearing, replied, "No one becomes famous without sacrificing something. The big stars you see enjoy success because they've given everything before that."

Jenny's drive was reinforced by her desire to prove herself. Agata warned her not to overstrain her voice, but Jenny was determined.

On the day of the third audition, the atmosphere was tense. With only five spots open and thirty candidates waiting, the competition was fierce. Most of the candidates were young women, and the elimination rate for them was much higher. Jenny could sense the pressure building, especially as the audition progressed slowly.

When her name was finally called, Jenny's nerves surged. She entered the audition room, where she immediately spotted Rob and Agata. Her focus shifted to James Schubert, who had been observing her. She had noticed him earlier—standing in the doorway, watching her intently. His gaze was direct, unlike any attention she had received before.

Jenny tried to block it out, but his focus on her was undeniable. Eventually, he walked into the audition room, and Jenny realized he was the one running the show.

As the audition continued, Schubert smiled at her. "I originally only wanted to see you dance, but I heard your singing has improved. I've been told you're familiar with Roxy's parts."

He gestured behind him, and a familiar face appeared—Dietrich, the black actress from Chicago. Dietrich smiled at Jenny, though her attitude seemed distant.

"This is Velma," Schubert introduced. "She will perform with you in the final show. There will be no rehearsal for the part."