Actor. Just actor.

I look back over this last year and I am floored with how many blessings have been poured out upon me. Not everything has been easy, but everything has had a point. Let's do a year end recap, shall we?

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I started off this year doing And Then They Came For Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank. The point was focus and representing the theatre to the best of my ability.

In June, I opened reasons to be pretty. There's no question that it's been the biggest challenge of my professional career up to now. The point was building stamina and proving that I could do serious contemporary, not to mention working together with a brand new theatre company.

Right after that was Sally and Glen at The Palace for the Essential Theatre Festival. The point was that there are parts out there that are written for me, whether or not the author is aware of that fact. To have had the opportunity to bring Glen to life on stage was such a thrill, and I truly can't say enough nice things about Peter Hardy's script. I hope, hope, hope that I'll be able to see Glen again.

In August, I came back to the Shakespeare Tavern to do A Midsummer Night's Dream. The point was that Demetrius doesn't have to be a jerk. He doesn't. And it served as a reminder of how much I miss that place.

In September, I was in Unnecessary Farce at Stage Door Players. Getting to work with Robert (of course), Carrie, Annie, Holly, Larry, John, Allan and Leslye was a great experience, as always. The point from this one is maybe the most important one that I've learned all year. It is important to be valued. I'm absolutely bowled over by the love that place shows me every time I go in there.

Finally, in October, I went back to middle school at The Alliance. During the run of Middle School The Musical, I learned so much about myself and all of my castmates. I truly hope they bring us back again next year to have another go 'round. Working with Rosemary is always a pleasure. No one is a bigger fan than me. The point of MSM was, really, the point of the year. Wasn't sure I could make it, but I was shown how.

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This coming January, come see me in AUTOBAHN (One Night Only!) for PnO.

This coming February, come see me in Fat Pig at The Aurora and see if I crash and burn or prove my mettle. This is, truly, one of the only plays I'm afraid of. We'll see how it goes.

This coming March, come see me in Academy ALSO at The Aurora and try to not notice that this is an actual, honest to God musical I'm doing, which is something I never thought I would professionally do.

This coming April, come see me again in Midsummer at The Tavern as we bring it back for a full run. Last time was just a tester. During this run, I fully anticipate beautiful things blooming.

Nothing after that. But just because I've got work now, don't for a second think that I'm letting up. It is in my nature to hustle and I'm still a hungry actor.

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This year, I've gotten to work with new companies. I've got to play leads and show that it isn't a mistake to give me a big workload. I've been back on stage at The Alliance, rapping like nobody's business. I wore a kilt for Robert Egizio. And even got on stage at the place that I still consider my home in Atlanta.

I look back on this year and I marvel that I had theatrical employment (Not even counting Kidstuf and reThink!) in all of them except December. I look forward on this next year and marvel that my first five months are already booked.

I will direct you to a blog post that I made last year where I said, "2010 is my year... Mark it, kids."

Well, holy crap if it didn't happen.

Here's the thing, though. I have to keep building. I have to keep striving. I have to stay hungry and I have to keep on the hustle. And I will. I will enjoy the moment, but I will not take a second of it for granted, because I know it could all be gone in a moment.

Lord, thank you. Ain't possible without you.

2009 was my year on the cusp. 2010 was the beginning of me actually having a career in Atlanta. 2011 will be my breakthrough.

2011 is my year... Mark is kids.

Nice things that were said about me in Unnecessary Farce

Here are any comments that I'm seeing for Unnecessary Farce for Stage Door Players in Dunwoody, Georgia.

"The sheer athleticism of Annie York, Jacob York, Markowski, Walrond-Hood and Phelps is amazing... Your sides and face will ache from the nearly nonstop laughter."
- Gayle Suggs - Dunwoody Crier - Dunwoody, Georgia

"...The excellent Jacob York scores as a kilt-clad hitman, armed with bagpipes and an amusing brogue."
- Bert Osborne - Sunday Paper - Atlanta, Georgia

We also got a nice notice on Artscriciatl.com saying, "Unnecessary Farce is good-natured, goofy and, if not a necessity, an indulgence that will give you an evening of laughs."

Too Too Too Fast

So, what's happening?

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Firstly, I guess I should get the shameless self promotion out of the way. I mean, let's be honest, part of what this blog is all about is aggregating all of the nice things that people say about me into one convenient location. Please note that this is not about me believing my own hype. Rather, it is in the hopes that someone else will.

I was singled out by Bert Osborne as one of the three "Up and Comers" of the year, by The Sunday Paper.

Also, Brad Rudy of Atlanta Theatre Buzz (As always...archived at Theaterreview.com.) mentioned me in his annual If I Picked the Suzi's column, once singularly from reasons to be pretty, then again as a member of reasons' ensemble.

I've had a very good year, and I'd be lying if I said the attention wasn't nice. But I really just want to keep working. So, keep liking what I'm doing, and I'll be more than happy to keep doing it.

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Also, a lady ran into my car when I was on the way to Midsummer yesterday. There's something.

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Birthday is coming up in a few days. I'll go ahead and keep the other info for a big post around then. Kinda tired now.

Nice things that were said about me in A Midsummer Night's Dream

Here are any comments that I'm seeing for A Midsummer Night's Dream for The Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta, Georgia.

"Let's start with the cast. For once, the four lovers are the comic equals of the "Rude Mechanicals" here. Jacob York's Demetrius towers over Matt Felten's Lysander, and a lot of comic mileage is made of that. Director Andrew Houchins has staged the forest scene with so much wit and slapstick and originality, that I (and, I daresay, everyone else in Friday's crowd) was actually breathless with uncontrolled laughter. These four performers are so dynamic, so compelling, that they could have carried the show themselves, without the "low-brow" Mechanicals."
- Brad Rudy - Atlanta Theatre Buzz (Archived at Theaterreview.com)

Concentration

So, what's up?

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Having a lot of really nice things said about Sally and Glen at The Palace. I think it's been pretty darn good. Just a few more appearances, and then we're putting Glen to bed as well. As it is.

Bert Osborne said nice things. Wendell Brock said nice things. Brad Rudy said nice things. Curt Holman didn't talk about us very much, but pick up the latest newsstand edition of Creative Loafing if you want to see the biggest picture of me that has ever been in any publication ever. Pretty crazy, huh?

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For a guy that doesn't have a day job, my time is starting to fill up, which is pretty great. We had our first rehearsal for Midsummer at The Tavern on Wednesday, and it was just great fun. So excited to work with all of those people.

On top of that, it looks like there may be another play sneaking in between Midsummer and Middle School The Musical. I will let you know when I have full confirmation on it, but it IS at a place that I have worked before. And we are having to do some shuffling to make it happen. It seems like it's all going to work out, so keep your fingers crossed.

On top of that, Kidstuf is going to be starting up again soon, and I'm trying to write more, which is giving my brain quite the workout. Let's see where it all leads.

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I have my first audition for a gig next year coming up in a week or two. You know me, blogfriend. I like to lock down stuff as soon as I possibly can. As I have said before, let's just hope that this next year is just as populated with jobs as this past year has been.

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A few plugs!

Some friends of mine have been working on a movie called Revelation Trail. They just released the new trailer. I think it looks fantastic. You should watch it...right...now.



Another friend, Angie Gregory just had her film, Goodbye, Wendell accepted into the Glen Rose Neo·Relix Film Festival. Excitement for her.

I'm sure there will be more. I'm excited for my school friends. Very lucky to have gone to school with such great folks.

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My Dad is coming to see Sally and Glen tonight. First show he's seen since The Lost Colony. Hope I don't blow it.

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I feel like there was something else. Perhaps it will come to me.

Nice things that were said about me in Sally and Glen at The Palace

Here are any comments that I'm seeing for Sally and Glen at The Palace for The Essential Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.

"You have to admire...the winning performances of Kate Graham (Sally) and Jacob York (Glen). York is a wonderful comedic actor who ultimately reveals his character’s tenderness and vulnerability ... Graham and York are two young performers to watch."
- Wendell Brock - Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Atlanta, GA

"Sally and Glen at the Palace is ... warmly realized by director Ellen McQueen and co-stars Jacob York and Kate Graham. The thoughtful and sensitive performances by York and Graham [prove] that bigger doesn’t always mean better."
- Bert Osborne - Sunday Paper - Atlanta, GA

"It doesn't hurt that Sally and Glen are given such vivid performances by Kate Graham and Jacob York. Glen is almost a "before" view of the character Mr. York recently played in "reasons to be pretty," obsessive and driven, earnest and naive, intelligent and clueless, all at the same time, and he is absolutely perfect in it."
- Brad Rudy - Atlanta Theatre Buzz (Archived at Theaterreview.com)
- Atlanta, GA

Nice things that were said about me previously...

I decided I needed a place to toss all of the nice things people have said about me, so here it is. If you want to keep up, feel free to check out the Nice Things People Have Said About Me label here.

Please note - All reviews are from professional theatres.

From The Faustus Project #14 for Crooked Twilight Theatre in Orlando, Florida.

"Jacob York is quite good as Doctor Faustus... Both York and Howard make it quite entertaining with their grand performances."
- Michael W. Freeman - The Ledger - Lakeland, FL

From The Lost Colony at The Waterside Theatre in Manteo, North Carolina.

"Director Jane McCulloch has cast ... accomplished stage veterans (narrator Greg London; Jacob York as fiery Spanish seafarer Simon Fernando)..."
- Julie York Coppens (No relation...) - Charlotte Observer (Archived Copy Available for a fee) - Charlotte, NC

"Lastly, but not 'leastly,' a charmingly evil Simon Fernando dashingly done to a beautiful turn by Jacob York. I do so love a good Simon Fernando!"
- Pat B. Fearing - The Coastland Times - Manteo, NC

Everything past this point will be somewhere under the aforementioned label.

Essential

Reply All. It kills me. It does.

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What's up, blogfriend!? I'll tell YOU what's up!

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This week, I'm opening Sally and Glen at The Palace (I keep wanting to type Palance...) for Essential Theatre Festival. I'm excited to get it on it's feet, even though there's one terrible, terrible picture of me in the promo pics. I swear, I don't have a double chin that bad in real life. Swear.

It's been an interesting process. Like I said in the video preview, this is a guy who is so much like who I was in high school and college. Putting on his shoes, has been incredibly easy and incredibly difficult at the same time. I think we're going to be good. Come see it.

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Up next, we've got Midsummer. I need to start working on my lines for that...

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Things went down with my day job! I am no longer working there. As is life. I need an agent even more than before.

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I have three auditions coming up in the next couple of weeks. Two in Atlanta (Lobby Hero for Pinch n' Ouch again and Unnecessary Farce for Stage Door Players) and one in Alabama for Alabama Shakespeare. It's not exaggeration to say that auditioning for them has been a dream I've had for a while, so I'm very excited about this opportunity.

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How are you, blogfriend? How are you?

Nice things that were said about me for reasons to be pretty

This is mostly for my own personal edification. Check out the reviews if you want to see nice things that were said about the production. Also, in case I need to prove to myself and my parents that I was, once, good in something, here it is. Real content forthcoming.

"York neatly captures how the unassuming slacker shakes off his go-along-to-get-along passivity."
- Curt Holman - Creative Loafing

"York does a really nice job of...showing how the character does mature."
- Curt Holman - Air Loaf

"...the four-character drama hinges on the ingratiating performance of Jacob York as Greg..."
- Bert Osborne - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"But this is Greg’s story, and Jacob York is a tremendously likable actor, mining the lines for every confused nuance, for every befuddled laugh, for every through-the-heart misunderstanding. He plays exceedingly well with his cast mates, and I look forward to seeing more of his work."
- Brad Rudy - Atlanta Theatre Buzz (Archived at Theaterreview.com)

First lead in Atlanta is in the books and done with. Here's to a couple more. The Dirty is treating me well this year. Keep on keepin' on.

Reviews of reasons to be pretty

Just a quick post about reasons. We're having some very nice feedback. Here's a review that Creative Loafing had. Also, if you want to hear Curt Holman discuss us, as opposed to just read his opinions, you can check out this podcast. If there's anything more, I'll update this and toss it here.

UPDATE:
Bert Osborne reports that I'm ingratiating for the AJC. I've got a pretty kicking vocabulary, but I will admit, I looked it up just to double check that it was a compliment.

That's two. Come on ArtsCriticAtl.com... They liked us! We're worth your time.

YOU TOO, fair reader.

UPDATE 2:
Same day! Susan Asher also says nice things about the show here.

Keeping Up

Since I've been in Atlanta, I've longed for a part that could really, truly be considered a lead. Now that I have it, I'm not quite sure what to do with it.

I'm joking, obviously, but I will say that the short rehearsal period for reasons to be pretty is grinding me down a bit. I'm just lucky that I've got a dedicated group of folks working on this with me to help stay on the right track.

Speaking of which, there's all sorts of stuff out there about us. Curt Holman gave us some press in his Creative Loafing blog along with another few writeups that are coming our way shortly. I'm very happy and lucky to get in with a company like this on the ground floor. Go buy some tickets.

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I will be making a return to The Shakespeare Tavern stage. Keep your eyes open in Midsummer Night's Dream for me. I'll be the one being a total jerk to a girl who really likes me.

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Things are heating up. I've got solid work through October, which is such a blessing. Here's hoping one or two more things can break my way and help me finish out this year right.

I said that this year HAD to be better than last year. At this point last year, I had finished up Hamlet at the Tavern, and Spreading It Around at Stage Door Players. I didn't even know about Middle School The Musical. Those were all great situations to be in, but that was it. Three shows. This year, I had a nice long run with And Then They Came For Me, and I've got four shows that haven't even opened yet. When it rains, it pours. Let's just hope that I can keep it flowing.

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The last paragraph had a couple of really labored metaphors. Whatever. I'm not sleeping well. My head has too many lines in it.

Very, very thankful to have such a problem.

Reasons to Be at The Palace

HEEEAAAAYYYY!!

That was my favorite line from my time in And Then They Came For Me, so it's only fitting that I use it as my triumphant return to blogging. I thank all of my fans (read: Carolyn) that waited with baited breath for me to slouch back to relevance.

Some things have happened! Let me inform you.

- I wrapped up my time at Georgia Ensemble doing the afforementioned And Then They Came For Me, and I feel like much more a part of the Atlanta scene. I mean, they've been doing this show for, like, 13 years. I can name at least five friends off the top of my head that have done this show, and that doesn't even count the people who were in it with me. All in all, it was a good experience. I loved the folks out there and here's hoping I'll be there again next season.

- I have two (count 'em) shows coming up this summer. First, I have reasons to be pretty (It kills me to not capitalize that...) for a brand new company in Atlanta, the Pinch N' Ouch Theatre. Second, Sally and Glen at The Palace, written by Mr. Peter Hardy (my director for ATTCFM) for The Essential Theatre Festival. I've got to be honest, I'm super excited about both of them. They are tied for "First time Jacob has been a lead in Atlanta" and they're each deep, contemporary plays that I can really sink my teeth in to. Hopefully, you'll be able to make it out to one or both of them.

- After that, Middle School The Musical is coming back to The Alliance stage, so I've got three shows coming up, which is just lovely. Only a couple of slots left for the rest of the year. Book me soon! I'm very popular right now.

- Other than that, personal life is what it is. Go to Manny's with me some time. We'll talk all about it.

I'll make an effort to be on this more, but for now, that's a good update. Consider yourselves updated.

Update.

This is one of the nicer countries in the world!

I'm deep into And Then They Came For Me right now, so the absence is, as always, excused. This week, for instance, we have a stretch of three shows where I'm going to have to get up before the sun in order to make call time. It's something else.

Other than that, not much is going on, folks. I'm heading to Lexington next week to audition for some folks who are going to be at SETC and some friends for a movie they're probably going to shoot in April. I do love a good road trip.

Things are progressing. I went in to The Alliance recently to take some pictures for a certain show I might be in. That was pretty exciting.

ALSO, I got smacked down at UPTA. Did I tell you about that? I did.

I also lost some progress on a screenplay I was working on.

Stalled. Stalled. Stalled. That's where I am, kiddies.

Joke / Truth by Aziz Ansari

Never stop hustlin'. When you feel like quitting the hustle, start hustling harder. When you've hustled harder and you're like, "Ok, I can take a break from hustling." Then.. YOU HUSTLE EVEN HARDER.

This is how I live my life. Only without all of the street connotations.

Take You To My Castle Far Away

You guys.

One mere week ago, I was up at 8:30 in the morning to sing Peter Cetera.

Now, granted, I'm not what you would call "musically inclined." I don't often sing in shows, but I've been singing more than a bit in Kidstuf recently. We've got an interpolation of "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera (The theme from Karate Kid II...) that the comic hosts had to come in and record for the February show.

I will say this. I went for it. And no one can take that away from me. But that man will break your soul if you have to sing like him without properly warming up for eleven hours.

Eight thirty, you guys... That's too early for that.

Tune into the website after the show, too. Jon Williams, Brandon O'Dell and I also shot some videos. They're all improv. I'm not sure whether I would rather someone write for us or not...

AND go to the website NOW to see the very last landing page that Allison and I got to do together. And, after you see how hilarious it is, write to the Kidstuf staff and convince them to bring it back.

Although, real talk time, I guess I understand why they're getting rid of them, and all I can say is that I'm so happy to have had them for so long. I go back and watch the old landing pages, and you can really see our relationship and chemistry mature. When she came in, I'll admit, it was a tumultuous time and not exactly the way I wanted my first couple of months at Kidstuf to go. Without the time we spent working together in those landing pages, it would have taken much longer for us to get our patter down. And, even beyond that, become such great friends. Truly, she is someone that I look at as a big sister now, no matter how I treat her on stage.

And so much of that was built on the landing pages. I loved the opportunity to do them for so long. It was a blessing.

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I had a couple of auditions last week. I feel like the one for New Harmony in Evansville, IN went pretty well. I'm not as happy with the one I did out at Actor's Express (my first audition for them!), but I do think I showed them what my interpretation of the character would be like, so in that respect, I'm pleased.

I have a couple more the next few weeks. But I'm worried about going to UPTA. It's going to be a bear of a drive alone.

I also think my Georiga Shakespeare audition went well. Diany's Georgia Shakespeare audition, on the other hand, was... not what one would expect.

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There's not much to update, really. Things are going as well as they can, I guess. I'm starting rehearsals for And Then They Came For Me on the 1st, so there should be more to talk about.

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Good to talk, blogfriend. Here's hoping I have all sorts of stuff to talk about in this new year.

This is real...

So, the new year, huh? It's already better than the last one.

As I've said before, I think that my problems stemmed more from my years on Earth as opposed to the calendar (I.E. my 26th year, as opposed to the year 2009...), but I'm still happy to see 2009 in my rear view.

It was eventful.

I initially had a lot more stuff typed up, but let's just leave it at that, what do you say?

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I've got at least an audition a week to close out January. That's great, even if I don't necessarily think I'm going to get any of them. I'll still take it. One is at ART Station, one is a Georgia Shakespeare, and one at New Harmony in Evansville, Indiana. I just love logging miles.

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Speaking of which, as of my most recent count, I had travelled more than 12,000 miles for theatre last year. My poor car.

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2010 is my year... Mark it, kids.