David Chiu

A reader has asked me to share the experience of my first audition. So here it is:

My first “real audition” was back in 1994 in Utah for the show “Touched by an Angel“. I had no idea what I was getting into. My agent had told me that the casting director, Cate Praggastis wanted to see new talent from the agency. So I was being sent over to be seen.

I drove to a wherehouse on the outskirts of the city and took the elevator upstairs. When the door opened I realized that I was on the set of “Touched by an Angel”. I had never been on a real set before so this was very exciting. I walked to the back of the wherehouse where the casting office was located and picked up the sides for the audition.

The role I was reading for was a guest starring role as a police officer. In the scene, I bust down the door with a gun and scream orders at the main character. Pretty easy.

When I was called into the office I was standing across from Cate Praggastis and Roma Downing. The casting director told me to start anytime I was ready. So I read the lines. (you have to realize, I was nervous as hell and had absolutely no training!) The casting director then asked me to try to improv the scene with Roma. I formed my fingers into a gun and pointed it at Roma. I screamed, “Freeze!”, then my mind went blank. I didn’t know what to say next. So I busted out laughing. The casting director asked me to try it again and not worry about the words but just stay in character. So I did it again, this time mumbling some words I don’t remember.

Suffice it to say, I didn’t get the part. But I did enjoy the whole process. I was able to get close to the lights of “Hollywood” and I wanted more…