Oakville Beaver

28 Artscene• WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2006 Lots of idle time for Idol hopefuls ■ By Krissie Rutherford there was a lot of singing, dancing OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF and sleeping, and every hallway and bathroom was a practice ground. The auditioning “Everyone is really outgoing and process is edited into one-hour likes to display their talent, even episodes that show ridiculous, funny before they audition,” said McCaffrey, and talented Idol hopefuls in each smiling. “Not me.” city – that’s what viewers see. Adding to the action at the Elgin As The Oakville Beaver discov- Friday was an appearance by last ered Friday while following T.A. year’s Canadian Idol, Melissa O’Neil Blakelock’s Eryl McCaffrey through and runner up, . The pair her audition in Toronto, it’s a long recently wrapped up their Let it Go and gruelling process to earn that tour and were checking out the scene golden ticket to Hollywood — well in in Toronto. the Canadian version, Toronto. “The best advice I could give to The 17-year-old arrived at Yonge people today is just to have as much Street’s Elgin and Winter Garden fun as you possibly can,” Goudie told Theatre at 12:30 p.m. for Toronto’s The Oakville Beaver. “It’s going to be first of two audition days and was a long day, but it’s going to be a lot of shocked to find no line-up outside fun. When you get in front of the the theatre. judges, just be yourself and have “I was expecting a line around the fun.” block, people sleeping in sleeping After an hour of hearing numbers bags,” said McCaffrey, who is the lead announced, McCaffrey was still more singer of a local band called Front than 600 away from her audition. and Center. “It’s a relief – that takes “It’s very nerve-wracking. The the pressure off.” TARA WALTON / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER longer I have to wait, the more nerv- But just because people weren’t ous I get,” she said. “I wish I could lining up doesn’t mean they weren’t LUCKY NUMBER 20246: T.A. Blakelock student Eryl McCaffrey shows her Canadian Idol audition ticket number just go and sing now, that would be waiting. at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre last Friday. The ticket number indicates she is the 20,246 person to audition for so easy.” More than 1,300 people showed the popular CTV television show this year. The wait was so long that she had up to audition Friday, but instead of packed with contestants and was Holy Trinity students Stephanie age Canadian Idol will accept to time to eat lunch and shop at the waiting in a line, contestants were showing Canadian Idol re-runs Santamaria and Kristen Ellerson, audition. nearby Eaton’s Centre, which was given numbers. For most, that behind a stage full of people wearing who left their homes Friday at 6:30 “Since we’re old enough now, it’s full of Idol hopefuls with numbers meant waiting all day to hear that ‘Are you the One?’ T-shirts. “Oh my a.m. to try to beat the crowd and cut an experience – something to say we pinned to their chests. When she number called. If it wasn’t called by 9 God I’m going to pass out.” down their waiting time. did later on in life,” said Santamaria, returned at 4 p.m., she was still hours p.m., contestants were told to come It turned out people were called in Hundreds of other contestants who sings in a local choir. “We’re away from her audition. back on Saturday. groups of five to audition for two had the same idea – people started really excited.” After a nap on the floor in a hall- McCaffrey was 20,246 – that’s the judges in a room behind the stage. lining up outside the Elgin Theatre at So, did the girls think they have way outside the theatre, the numbers number of singers Canadian Idol had Judges would decide if they made it 5 a.m. and weren’t given numbers or what it takes to be the next Canadian had just cracked the 20,000 mark. At seen across the country up until that to a second audition that same day to allowed inside until 8 a.m. Idol? 5 p.m., McCaffrey had 246 to go. point. try to earn a blue ticket. “We knew we would have to line “We have qualities and aspects, I “I’m starting to get more nervous “My chances are good,” she said, That ticket meant they’d return up, but the time has gone by really think,” said Ellerson, laughing. and realize that I actually have to do rolling her eyes. either Monday or Tuesday to audition fast,” said Santamaria, whose leg was “We’ll try our best and that’s really all this,” she said. “I’m really excited at McCaffrey was expecting a lot of in front of celebrity judges and cam- nervously shaking as she waited for we can do.” the same time.” people would try out, and she was eras – the process they show on TV – 19,558 to be called. By 1 p.m. – after a six-hour wait – After more waiting and practicing expecting to wait all day to audition. for that infamous golden ticket. “At first it seemed like the line-up the girls’ numbers were called. Faith Hill’s There You’ll Be, which Aside from that, she didn’t know how But first they had to wait. was so long, but then we started “Oh my God I’m so nervous,” said she would sing for her audition, the day would go. McCaffrey had to wait for 765 moving and it didn’t take too long,” Santamaria. “Nervous and excited.” McCaffrey’s number was called at “Oh no, do you audition in front contestants to audition before she added Ellerson. “Everyone in the line At that point, McCaffrey’s wait had 6:30 p.m. of everyone?” she asked as she walked would be heard. was singing and having a good time.” just begun. She was settling into the She got into a line-up with 20 into the Elgin Theatre, which was Among those ahead of her were At 16, the girls are the minimum atmosphere at the Elgin Theatre – ■ See Better page 30

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