Amanda Gorman | Roar | Moth GrandSLAM

Summary

In this humorous and heartfelt monologue, the speaker recounts her experience auditioning for the role of Nala in Broadway's 'The Lion King.' Amidst the competitive atmosphere filled with ambitious children and pushy parents, she initially feels grateful for her supportive mother. However, her mother's transformation into a fierce stage mom is both surprising and comical. Despite her own challenges, including a speech impediment and an auditory processing disorder, she gives it her all during the audition, even resorting to walking on her hands at her mother's suggestion. Ultimately, she doesn't get the part but finds strength in her individuality and the support of her mother, concluding that she is a 'mighty king' in her own right.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The speaker auditioned for the role of Nala in 'The Lion King' on Broadway in New York, amidst a competitive environment with many other girls.
• 🌟 The audition room was filled with ambitious performers and pushy parents, creating an atmosphere of Hollywood glamour mixed with desperation.
• 😈 The speaker humorously describes the other children as 'little demons' and the mothers as 'monster moms', indicating the intense competition.
• 👸 The speaker's mother initially seems supportive and non-pushy, but later shows a fierce protective side when someone undermines her daughter.
• 🤸‍♀️ Despite the competitive environment, the speaker's sister is present not for emotional support but to remind her of the potential for failure.
• 🗣️ The speaker has a speech impediment and auditory processing disorder, which she acknowledges could be a challenge in her audition.
• 🙈 The speaker's mother encourages her to be assertive and even suggests she should mention having already menstruated to appear more mature for the role.
• 🐒 In a moment of desperation to impress the casting director, the speaker walks on her hands out of the audition room, acting like a monkey as a last-ditch effort.
• 💔 The speaker experiences disappointment when she doesn't get a callback, feeling broken by what she thought would be her big break.
• 🌈 Despite the rejection, the speaker's mother reassures her that she will always be Nala in her heart, showing unconditional support.
• 👑 The speaker concludes by affirming her self-worth and talent, stating that she is a 'mighty king' in her own right, regardless of the audition outcome.

Q & A

What was the main character's goal when she walked into the audition room?

The main character's goal was to audition for the role of Nala in a Broadway production of 'The Lion King' in New York.

How did the atmosphere in the audition room affect the main character's perception of the other participants?

The atmosphere was described as smelling of Hollywood and desperation, filled with competitive and pushy individuals, which made the main character feel glad that she and her mother were different from the 'monster mothers' and their 'savage children'.

What was the main character's initial impression of her mother in the context of the audition?

Initially, the main character was glad that her mother was not like the 'crazy, loco stage moms' she saw in the audition room, as her mother encouraged her to 'just have fun and try her best'.

How did the main character's mother's behavior change during the audition process?

The mother's behavior changed dramatically when someone criticized her daughter's performance, leading her to become aggressive and protective, even making nasty comments to other girls.

What advice did the main character's mother give her before meeting the casting director?

The mother advised her daughter to tell the casting director that she had already menstruated, indicating that she was post-pubescent and wouldn't grow taller, which would make her suitable for the role of Nala for a long time.

What was the main character's sister's role in the audition process?

The main character's sister was not there for emotional support but rather to remind her of the potential for failure, pointing out her speech impediment, auditory processing disorder, and physical appearance.

How did the main character feel after performing her audition?

The main character felt excited and hopeful after her audition, despite the unconventional actions she took, such as walking on her hands, at her mother's suggestion.

What was the main character's reaction when her name was not called back for a second audition?

The main character felt broken and disappointed when her name was not called back, as she had considered this her big break.

What comforting words did the main character's mother offer after the audition?

The mother comforted her by saying it was okay and that she had tried her best, and that she would always be Nala in her mother's heart.

How does the main character view her future and success despite not making it to Broadway?

Despite not making it to Broadway, the main character still sees herself as a 'mighty king,' proud and successful in her own right, working on her 'roar' and standing in the spotlight of her own stage.