January 19, 2001
At the audition, Susan gave me a fair amount of notes of we spent some time going over the scenes. I think together we had prepared something that was quite good. The role of Michael is within my scope and the fine-tuning of the audition piece put me in a good place going in to see the producers today.
Ahh... the producers. Today the producers were none other than John Masius and Bob DeLaurentis. Familiar names? In general, no. But to me, yes. Todd Kessler cut his teeth under the fine hand of John Masius, first on The Visitor and then on the first season of Providence. I have heard tale of John's "erratic" behavior in the office, not always saying or doing what people might consider appropriate.
When I read for The Visitor lo these many years ago now, John Masius made some sort of remark about Harvard and dressing up like a girl (in the Hasty Pudding), but it was harmless and insignificant. That was about three-and-a-half years ago so I don't think he remembers who I am or that I have any connection to Todd. So I don't know what would explain his behavior at the end of my audition today, but perhaps that is because Masius himself is unexplainable.
I went through both scenes, focusing on the items Susan and I had worked on, but more importantly really getting into the character and the scene and having a good time doing it. When I reached the last line of the scene, I really let "my dad" have it, as snotty and awful as I could be. It was a good moment, yes. But I was still surprised when out of John Masius' mouth, at about 100 decibels, comes my name. And not just him speaking my name, I mean a full gutteral bellowing of these two words...
THE DUUUUUCCE!
And so John Masius did not disappoint. He lived up to (or down to) my
expectations of him. God bless him. Now I just hope he gives me the part.