Trusting Actors, Callbacks & Children - a Community of its own

There were 7 of us called back for the Commercial Mom role

each of us physically different but all old enough to have a 13 year old son

actually we were all old enough to have a 30 year old son...

teenage mothers we would've been...well, I'll speak for myself

we had already been notified to forget everything we did in the first audition

and be prepared to play when we go into the room, 

the directors want to have some fun...for you non-actors reading this...

play and fun in this case translates into improvisation...nothing kinky
So the lobby wait begins and there were several other call backs happening
a young guy comes in and announces that he has a callback for Dunkin Donuts
but he's working on the set around the corner and only has about 30 minutes
no requests just making a public service announcement to the lobby
then an older woman comes in and announces that she's on her lunch break
from a shoot down the street and really would like to be seen right away,
if possible, because she has to get back to the set...the audition monitor
took her name and said she would try to help but no promises
lastly, a lady who looked to be in her early twenties comes in
with a stroller made for twins with the twin boys inside
a baby on her back in one of those baby back-packs
I think that baby was a girl...she was wearing pink
and a toddler boy helping her push the stroller...
I couldn't wait to hear her announcement...
always a good feeling when in the company of winners
those who won the part and get to work around the corner
or down the street on the set...
waiting to hear this young mothers announcement
waiting and thinking about what bills I can pay when I book this commercial
then the lady announces that she has an audition next door that she has to
go in for in 10 minutes and asks if anyone would be willing to watch her
children while she does it...blank stare...blank stare...ok I volunteer
but I ask her if there was anyone next door who could watch them
she said no and that her children would be better behaved here
our lobby was full of adults and the one next door was full of children
I see...I think...ok...line um up right here next to me...
and the baby on the back,  I'll just hold her
great the young lady said and then rushed next door to her audition
here I am with 4 kids, very well behaved I must say
and they're looking at me and smiling...uh oh...
I'm next for my own audition
what to do with these little people...
ok listen up we're about to go into this audition
and no one can cry or talk or anything, ok?
The toddler boy nods his head and whispers ok
the other 3 just smile and then the audition monitor calls my name
I let the toddler boy help push the stroller into the room
since I only have one hand free...holding baby and all
I walk in the room and there are about 10 people inside and they
are immediately delighted in seeing these children...ice breaker...whew
but they have to be parked behind the camera...one of the producers
volunteers to hold the baby, the toddler stayed next to the stroller
I did my callback, played and improvised with the director and
left that room, with my four lucky charms
whose names I don't even know but feeling like a winner...
the children made my day and maybe next week
I'll be the one coming into the lobby
announcing I'm on the set a few blocks away
but I have a call back here today...
is it possible I can be seen early...my lunch break is over in 20 min....

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman