by Chris Saunders
IDS News
October 7, 1999

The dream of performing on the Broadway stage is one step closer for sophomore Justin Johnston.

Johnston will be traveling to New York Oct. 21 for his seventh audition for the Broadway musical "RENT." He attended the "RENT" open calls Sept. 29 at the IU Auditorium along with about 300 other hopefuls. Only five people from these auditions were called back.

After performing his 16 bars of Mint Condition's "Pretty Brown Eyes,"  Johnston was asked to return so another "RENT" casting associate could audition him.

Upon hearing him, Casting Director Heidi Marshall gave Johnston music from "RENT" for the characters Benny and Angel, and asked him to return the next day. All told, Johnston was seen six times during the three days that the "RENT" casting team was in town. And it's not over yet.

"I just really expected to get some experience," Johnston said of the initial audition. "I never expected it to go this far."

The New York audition will last two days. Marshall and other casting associates will spend the first day with Johnston preparing him for the second day, when he will actually audition for Director Michael Greif and Musical Director Tim Weil, the creative forces behind the original version of the show.

Marshall commented on the typical audition route for "RENT" hopefuls.

"After we see them in the open call, we'll give them music from the show and see how they do with that. We'll work with them, and if we see a real possibility, we'll eventually have them come to New York and audition for the director and musical director."

"Eventually" has turned into less than a month for Johnston, and he is still overwhelmed by the outcome of his audition.

"The whole time I was auditioning here, I just wanted some closure. I kept expecting them to say, 'That's enough, Justin. Thank you very much,' but they never did! I was really on edge."

Johnston is still unsure exactly how he'll be traveling to and from New York, but he is working with "RENT" casting associates who are attempting to help.

Meanwhile, although he is still working on the four pieces from the show, he is not holding out for a role in "RENT." Wednesday night, he auditioned for IU Theatre Department's production of "Once On This Island."

"I'm just going to take it all as experience. They still might not see a part for me. I'm just surprised I got this far," Johnston said of his "RENT" expectations.

Johnston is not the only one who auditioned at the Bloomington open calls who was asked to return.

Freshman Matthew Hamilton, junior Elizabeth Stanley and freshman Corey Williams were also asked to attend another "RENT" callback.

Today was intended to be the Chicago callback date, but it was abruptly canceled when Musical Director Weil realized that he would be unable to attend because of an unexpected conflict.

"At this point, I'm not sure if this callback will be rescheduled, or if we' ll ask those called back to come to a different city. We just found out  today that it was canceled," "RENT" publicist Molly Solomon said Wednesday.

Solomon said those called back for "RENT" will be informed on a new call  back date and place when a decision is reached.