Reply All. It kills me. It does.
---
What's up, blogfriend!? I'll tell YOU what's up!
---
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.
---
Up next, we've got Midsummer. I need to start working on my lines for that...
---
Things went down with my day job! I am no longer working there. As is life. I need an agent even more than before.
---
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.
---
How are you, blogfriend? How are you?
Showing posts with label auditions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label auditions. Show all posts
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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.
---
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.
---
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.
---
Good to talk, blogfriend. Here's hoping I have all sorts of stuff to talk about in this new year.
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.
---
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.
---
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.
---
Good to talk, blogfriend. Here's hoping I have all sorts of stuff to talk about in this new year.
Monday, September 28, 2009
King of the Road
So, remember when I said I'm sure I would post another blog last week? Well, that was before the power supply on my computer went kaput thanks to the storm. Oh well...here's a bunch of random notes.
---
I'm on the road again this week. It seems like I'm always in my car. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just that I'd like to slow down a bit. I know, though, that I've got AT LEAST one thing taking me out of town through December, and maybe through February... We got American Shakespeare Center, DC trip, Christmas and UPTA. Lots of miles...
---
We're about to begin rehearsals for Middle School Musical at The Alliance, which is exciting. I think this is going to be a good show already. We're all bringing a lot of stuff to the table.
---
BUT, you know me well, blogfriend... Just because I currently have a job, doesn't mean that I've stopped freaking out about future employment. I've got nothing in November and December, which is...ok. I would have liked to have gotten It's a Wonderful Life out at ART Station, but losing out to any of those folks isn't a diss to me. There are more opportunities coming up in January, which is good, but not exactly something I can fall back on... I'm just hoping I can get in for a few auditions at some places I haven't been before (Actor's Express, Dad's Garage) and maybe get a solid part in Lear or Shrew at The Tavern. Eh, I'm just thinking out loud at this point. I try to plan so meticulously, but it rarely works out...
---
There are some people in my life that I really miss right now... Hope I get to see 'em soon.
---
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, which a Youth Players show at The Alliance that I'm assistant directing with KG Morton, is going beautifully. There are a lot of really talented, really great kids in it. It makes me wish I had done stuff like that when I was young...
More info on that when we get closer to performance time.
---
I'm a man of means, by no means king of the road.
---
I'm on the road again this week. It seems like I'm always in my car. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just that I'd like to slow down a bit. I know, though, that I've got AT LEAST one thing taking me out of town through December, and maybe through February... We got American Shakespeare Center, DC trip, Christmas and UPTA. Lots of miles...
---
We're about to begin rehearsals for Middle School Musical at The Alliance, which is exciting. I think this is going to be a good show already. We're all bringing a lot of stuff to the table.
---
BUT, you know me well, blogfriend... Just because I currently have a job, doesn't mean that I've stopped freaking out about future employment. I've got nothing in November and December, which is...ok. I would have liked to have gotten It's a Wonderful Life out at ART Station, but losing out to any of those folks isn't a diss to me. There are more opportunities coming up in January, which is good, but not exactly something I can fall back on... I'm just hoping I can get in for a few auditions at some places I haven't been before (Actor's Express, Dad's Garage) and maybe get a solid part in Lear or Shrew at The Tavern. Eh, I'm just thinking out loud at this point. I try to plan so meticulously, but it rarely works out...
---
There are some people in my life that I really miss right now... Hope I get to see 'em soon.
---
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, which a Youth Players show at The Alliance that I'm assistant directing with KG Morton, is going beautifully. There are a lot of really talented, really great kids in it. It makes me wish I had done stuff like that when I was young...
More info on that when we get closer to performance time.
---
I'm a man of means, by no means king of the road.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Retrospective
The end of the year is generally my time for retrospection, but I think this is a special cause. Let me break it down for you. This is going to get a bit personal.
26 has not been a good year.
I mean, sure, one or two good things have happened in it, but, by and large, it will be remembered for the following things.
- The year Clair (my girlfriend of ALMOST 3 years. Almost.) and I broke up.
- The year ALL the dogs in my family died.
- The year I fell off a bit in regards to work. Granted, maybe this is just my opinion, but it seems like I've worked less this year. I was so very busy last year...
- The year my Granny died.
It's been a hard one, but, as I've said to other people, this is the year that everything shows. The work that I have put in this year is going to pay dividends starting now. I've got some good stuff going into my 27th year of life. My gig at The Alliance is coming up, along with the TYA show I'm co-directing for them, which has been great fun. I've got two out of state auditions coming up with places I would really love to work for. I've gotten more confident singing at auditions, which was a big stumbling block in the past. All this, and I started off the year in one of my favorite places in the world with one of my favorite people in the world.
26 was balls, folks. Let's be honest. 27...now that's the year for me...
---
Needless to say, Florida was fun. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween was WONDERFUL! I strongly advise anyone go... it was the best.
Also got to ride the new coaster at Universal, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket. You've never ridden a coaster until you've ridden one with Daft Punk blaring in your ears, that's all I'm saying.
---
That's all for now, but I'm POSITIVE that I'll have something more this week, in spite of how busy I am. High five.
26 has not been a good year.
I mean, sure, one or two good things have happened in it, but, by and large, it will be remembered for the following things.
- The year Clair (my girlfriend of ALMOST 3 years. Almost.) and I broke up.
- The year ALL the dogs in my family died.
- The year I fell off a bit in regards to work. Granted, maybe this is just my opinion, but it seems like I've worked less this year. I was so very busy last year...
- The year my Granny died.
It's been a hard one, but, as I've said to other people, this is the year that everything shows. The work that I have put in this year is going to pay dividends starting now. I've got some good stuff going into my 27th year of life. My gig at The Alliance is coming up, along with the TYA show I'm co-directing for them, which has been great fun. I've got two out of state auditions coming up with places I would really love to work for. I've gotten more confident singing at auditions, which was a big stumbling block in the past. All this, and I started off the year in one of my favorite places in the world with one of my favorite people in the world.
26 was balls, folks. Let's be honest. 27...now that's the year for me...
---
Needless to say, Florida was fun. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween was WONDERFUL! I strongly advise anyone go... it was the best.
Also got to ride the new coaster at Universal, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket. You've never ridden a coaster until you've ridden one with Daft Punk blaring in your ears, that's all I'm saying.
---
That's all for now, but I'm POSITIVE that I'll have something more this week, in spite of how busy I am. High five.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Kentucky Kisses
I've had an up and down couple of days. More up than down. Let's vent, blogfriends.
---
Dennis wrote a country song about me. Yeah, I'd listen to it.
---
Had an audition with Nashville Shakes the other day. Feel pretty certain nothing will come of it, but the audition felt GREAT. It was one of those monologues where you feel more powerful at the end than the beginning.
---
Also went home for a bit. That was good. It was good to see everyone before my birthday.
---
I don't know...I truly don't have much to talk about here. I feel that there's a big, comprehensive "Passing of the year" post coming, but I'm not quite there yet. The big day is this Wednesday (9:16 AM on 9/16) and I'll be in EPCOT that day, so don't expect a post then. We shall see.
---
Had my Synchro audition. I'm not good at memorizing things. It's a failing I have as an actor that I work, and work, and work at. But, I buckled down and really worked on one of the sides for Dead Man's Cell Phone that I KNEW I needed my hands free for. So, I worked my tail off and got really off book for the audition...and we didn't even touch that side. We only did the other side. The one that I didn't prepare nearly as much for.
THAT is sorta how my year has gone.
---
Also had my Alliance audition. Eh, I dunno. I mostly leave auditions in a state of indifference. Jody Feldman called me a "smart guy." I'm not sure what that means.
---
My phone is BROKEN! Let's see if Apple can do something for me today...
---
Heading out of town on Monday. Send all gifts beforehand, please.
---
Dennis wrote a country song about me. Yeah, I'd listen to it.
---
Had an audition with Nashville Shakes the other day. Feel pretty certain nothing will come of it, but the audition felt GREAT. It was one of those monologues where you feel more powerful at the end than the beginning.
---
Also went home for a bit. That was good. It was good to see everyone before my birthday.
---
I don't know...I truly don't have much to talk about here. I feel that there's a big, comprehensive "Passing of the year" post coming, but I'm not quite there yet. The big day is this Wednesday (9:16 AM on 9/16) and I'll be in EPCOT that day, so don't expect a post then. We shall see.
---
Had my Synchro audition. I'm not good at memorizing things. It's a failing I have as an actor that I work, and work, and work at. But, I buckled down and really worked on one of the sides for Dead Man's Cell Phone that I KNEW I needed my hands free for. So, I worked my tail off and got really off book for the audition...and we didn't even touch that side. We only did the other side. The one that I didn't prepare nearly as much for.
THAT is sorta how my year has gone.
---
Also had my Alliance audition. Eh, I dunno. I mostly leave auditions in a state of indifference. Jody Feldman called me a "smart guy." I'm not sure what that means.
---
My phone is BROKEN! Let's see if Apple can do something for me today...
---
Heading out of town on Monday. Send all gifts beforehand, please.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
On to the next one...
So, what's going on in my life?
---
I've been listening to Jay-Z's "The Blueprint 3" all day. Good stuff.
---
I've got another audition at The Alliance tomorrow. This time for the Kendeda winner, Tennis in Nablus. Devotees may remember that I went in last year for Smart Cookie, last year's Kendeda winner. As always, it is very nice to be thought of and here's hoping this (and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe AND Middle School Musical) is the beginning of the flowering of a lovely friendship between The Alliance and myself.
But, until then, gotta tweak that Irish accent.
---
Still haven't had my Dead Man's Cell Phone audition yet. Swine flu scare. Yes, I'm serious. It's something I've been looking forward to so much, I just might burst when I actually get to do it. Yes, I'm serious.
Truly, I want this show very badly. But you know this.
---
I've got friends coming into town on Friday! Friends that love me unconditionally. It should be a heck of a time. We're going to Dragon*Con.
---
It looks to be a heavy month for driving. I may head home after an audition for Nashville Shakespeare, and then to Orlando a couple of days after that. Busy, busy, busy.
---
And it's on to the next one...
---
I've been listening to Jay-Z's "The Blueprint 3" all day. Good stuff.
---
I've got another audition at The Alliance tomorrow. This time for the Kendeda winner, Tennis in Nablus. Devotees may remember that I went in last year for Smart Cookie, last year's Kendeda winner. As always, it is very nice to be thought of and here's hoping this (and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe AND Middle School Musical) is the beginning of the flowering of a lovely friendship between The Alliance and myself.
But, until then, gotta tweak that Irish accent.
---
Still haven't had my Dead Man's Cell Phone audition yet. Swine flu scare. Yes, I'm serious. It's something I've been looking forward to so much, I just might burst when I actually get to do it. Yes, I'm serious.
Truly, I want this show very badly. But you know this.
---
I've got friends coming into town on Friday! Friends that love me unconditionally. It should be a heck of a time. We're going to Dragon*Con.
---
It looks to be a heavy month for driving. I may head home after an audition for Nashville Shakespeare, and then to Orlando a couple of days after that. Busy, busy, busy.
---
And it's on to the next one...
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Day 3 - Revenge of High School Jacob
Hey folks. Before we get into your regularly scheduled musical post, I do have a short bit of news.
I was so worried I wasn't going to be acting this fall. Looks like I'm going to be singing in Middle School Musical, a Theatre for Young audiences offering from (dramatic pause) The Alliance. I'm ridiculously psyched. This couldn't have worked out better on multiple levels. I'll still get to go to Orlando on my birthday, I'm going to be able to work out my other trips out of town, I get to branch out and get a musical and a new theatre on my resume, I get to work with the amazing Rosemary Newcott, and, on top of it, it's the Alliance. I mean, come on! What isn't to like?
I really lucked out here, guys. I don't know how it happened, but I'm pleased it did.
---
All of this came from a pretty hectic and stressful day yesterday.
8:00 - Wake up. Iron clothes. Shower. Get ready. Drive.
9:30 - Shoot a video for reThink. Wear cowboy boots. Eat one chicken biscuit.
3:00 - Head from reThink straight to The Alliance for my Middle School Musical callback.
5:00 - Head STRAIGHT from the callback to work.
9:00 - Head STRAIGHT from work to my audition for Grease at Georgia Ensemble Theatre. It doesn't shame me to say that I don't consider myself a "singer", but I am always proud of myself when I overcome the fears I have and really commit to it. Thanks to Bethany Irby for being the one playing the piano. She calmed me down quite a bit...
If I have time to prepare, I'm a servicable singer... It's still nerve wracking. But a little pat on the back to me for doing it twice in one day. Watch out, folks. Musical theatre royalty coming through. (/irony)
10:00 - Go home. Collapse. Sleep like a baby.
---
Now, why you really came... You want to know what the next mix is.
Day 3 - Revenge of High School Jacob
1 - House of Pain - Jump Around
2 - Lit - My Own Worst Enemy
3 - Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way
4 - Counting Crows - Mr. Jones
5 - Dave Matthews Band - Lie in Our Graves
6 - Fun Lovin' Criminals - Fun Lovin' Criminals
7 - Live - All Over You
8 - Pearl Jam - Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town
9 - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Soul to Squeeze
10 - Sevendust - Black
11 - Spin Doctors - Jimmy Olsen's Blues
12 - Fastball - Out of My Head
13 - Green Day - 2000 Light Years Away
14 - Rufio - Above Me
15 - Rx Bandits - Analog Boy
16 - Goldfinger - Superman
17 - The K.G.B. - I'm a Player
18 - Less Than Jake - Last Hour on the Last Day of Work
19 - Suicide Machines - New Girl
20 - D'Angelo - Send It On
22 - The Fugees - Fu-Gee-La
23 - Wyclef Jean - To All The Girls
24 - Beastie Boys - Sure Shot
I was so worried I wasn't going to be acting this fall. Looks like I'm going to be singing in Middle School Musical, a Theatre for Young audiences offering from (dramatic pause) The Alliance. I'm ridiculously psyched. This couldn't have worked out better on multiple levels. I'll still get to go to Orlando on my birthday, I'm going to be able to work out my other trips out of town, I get to branch out and get a musical and a new theatre on my resume, I get to work with the amazing Rosemary Newcott, and, on top of it, it's the Alliance. I mean, come on! What isn't to like?
I really lucked out here, guys. I don't know how it happened, but I'm pleased it did.
---
All of this came from a pretty hectic and stressful day yesterday.
8:00 - Wake up. Iron clothes. Shower. Get ready. Drive.
9:30 - Shoot a video for reThink. Wear cowboy boots. Eat one chicken biscuit.
3:00 - Head from reThink straight to The Alliance for my Middle School Musical callback.
5:00 - Head STRAIGHT from the callback to work.
9:00 - Head STRAIGHT from work to my audition for Grease at Georgia Ensemble Theatre. It doesn't shame me to say that I don't consider myself a "singer", but I am always proud of myself when I overcome the fears I have and really commit to it. Thanks to Bethany Irby for being the one playing the piano. She calmed me down quite a bit...
If I have time to prepare, I'm a servicable singer... It's still nerve wracking. But a little pat on the back to me for doing it twice in one day. Watch out, folks. Musical theatre royalty coming through. (/irony)
10:00 - Go home. Collapse. Sleep like a baby.
---
Now, why you really came... You want to know what the next mix is.
Day 3 - Revenge of High School Jacob
1 - House of Pain - Jump Around
2 - Lit - My Own Worst Enemy
3 - Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way
4 - Counting Crows - Mr. Jones
5 - Dave Matthews Band - Lie in Our Graves
6 - Fun Lovin' Criminals - Fun Lovin' Criminals
7 - Live - All Over You
8 - Pearl Jam - Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town
9 - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Soul to Squeeze
10 - Sevendust - Black
11 - Spin Doctors - Jimmy Olsen's Blues
12 - Fastball - Out of My Head
13 - Green Day - 2000 Light Years Away
14 - Rufio - Above Me
15 - Rx Bandits - Analog Boy
16 - Goldfinger - Superman
17 - The K.G.B. - I'm a Player
18 - Less Than Jake - Last Hour on the Last Day of Work
19 - Suicide Machines - New Girl
20 - D'Angelo - Send It On
22 - The Fugees - Fu-Gee-La
23 - Wyclef Jean - To All The Girls
24 - Beastie Boys - Sure Shot
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Back in the day...
So, I've got a call to come into The Alliance for a play called "Middle School Musical". It's, essentially, sort of a "Second City for Kids" vibe, so improv is going to be a big part of it. One of the points was that I had to make up a song about my middle school experience.
THUSLY, our sprang the following paen, which I have entitled "A Hip Hop Tribute To A Girl From My Past As Told By A White Kid From Western Kentucky."
Sung to the tune of "Excursions" by A Tribe Called Quest.
Back in the days before I was a teenager
I was such a nerd, still am, but then MAJOR.
Just couldn't get a girl to look at me twice
Even though I showered regularly and smelled nice
My main crush in the group was one Joni Walker.
She didn't even notice when I stumbled past her locker.
There's more to the story, than her walking right past me
But if you need more than four lines, you'll have to cast me.
THE END!
Yes, I'm rapping at an audition again.
Ah, Joni Walker. My first real crush. *sigh*
---
Nothin' doin' with the It's a Wonderful Life audition. That's alright. I'm not going to act like that wasn't an intimidating room. Every single person in that room, I had seen perform before. Especially the guys reading for George... I mean, guys like Brik Berkes and Googie Uterhardt have been at this for years in this town, so there's no shame in losing out a part to them. No shame at all.
Friends have been saying, "Hey, that's awesome that you were in there. You're in that class of actor!" But, I mean, I'm not. I'm a non-eq who is still, really, just getting his start. It doesn't help me to have the cred. Forget the cred, give me a part, you know? Though, who knows, maybe there is no cred? Maybe just friends making a friend feel better. But it was flattering and very nice to be called in twice for such a big part.
---
There was one part during the audition where I felt like I gambled big. The big scene where George is about to leave for college and confronts Potter was great fun to do, simply because there's really something in that scene. Beforehand, I keep reading it over and over, thinking about how this guy was just heartsick over his father's death, how he felt the responsibility as the new man of the house weighing on him, his desire to escape the trap of Bedford Falls and his hatred of Potter and all that he represents, and how I would react in a situation like that. It just all came out. Who knows, maybe nothing I did was what they were looking for, but that moment felt good. It felt true to me.
---
His nature is not remorseless, but to escape a trap, he must act without pity. Tom from Glass Menagerie and George are the flip sides of the same coin in that respect.
---
Two more auditions coming up fairly soon. Grease for Georgia Ensemble. Dead Man's Cell Phone for Synchro. We'll see. You know I haven't booked a part that I've actually auditioned for since Spreading It Around? Time for a change of career?
---
Back in the days when I was a teenager / before I had status and before I had a pager / you could find The Abstract listening to hip-hop / my pops used to say it reminded him of bebop.
THUSLY, our sprang the following paen, which I have entitled "A Hip Hop Tribute To A Girl From My Past As Told By A White Kid From Western Kentucky."
Sung to the tune of "Excursions" by A Tribe Called Quest.
Back in the days before I was a teenager
I was such a nerd, still am, but then MAJOR.
Just couldn't get a girl to look at me twice
Even though I showered regularly and smelled nice
My main crush in the group was one Joni Walker.
She didn't even notice when I stumbled past her locker.
There's more to the story, than her walking right past me
But if you need more than four lines, you'll have to cast me.
THE END!
Yes, I'm rapping at an audition again.
Ah, Joni Walker. My first real crush. *sigh*
---
Nothin' doin' with the It's a Wonderful Life audition. That's alright. I'm not going to act like that wasn't an intimidating room. Every single person in that room, I had seen perform before. Especially the guys reading for George... I mean, guys like Brik Berkes and Googie Uterhardt have been at this for years in this town, so there's no shame in losing out a part to them. No shame at all.
Friends have been saying, "Hey, that's awesome that you were in there. You're in that class of actor!" But, I mean, I'm not. I'm a non-eq who is still, really, just getting his start. It doesn't help me to have the cred. Forget the cred, give me a part, you know? Though, who knows, maybe there is no cred? Maybe just friends making a friend feel better. But it was flattering and very nice to be called in twice for such a big part.
---
There was one part during the audition where I felt like I gambled big. The big scene where George is about to leave for college and confronts Potter was great fun to do, simply because there's really something in that scene. Beforehand, I keep reading it over and over, thinking about how this guy was just heartsick over his father's death, how he felt the responsibility as the new man of the house weighing on him, his desire to escape the trap of Bedford Falls and his hatred of Potter and all that he represents, and how I would react in a situation like that. It just all came out. Who knows, maybe nothing I did was what they were looking for, but that moment felt good. It felt true to me.
---
His nature is not remorseless, but to escape a trap, he must act without pity. Tom from Glass Menagerie and George are the flip sides of the same coin in that respect.
---
Two more auditions coming up fairly soon. Grease for Georgia Ensemble. Dead Man's Cell Phone for Synchro. We'll see. You know I haven't booked a part that I've actually auditioned for since Spreading It Around? Time for a change of career?
---
Back in the days when I was a teenager / before I had status and before I had a pager / you could find The Abstract listening to hip-hop / my pops used to say it reminded him of bebop.
Friday, August 14, 2009
You want the moon?
I actually have some stuff to cover! How exciting.
I saw one of the last performances of Pippin at Stage Door Players. I don't know what it is, but I've come into the two shows I've seen at SDP expecting to not like them. Don't Dress For Dinner? Eh, it's a farce. Don't care for farces. Pippin? Eh, it's a musical. I'm not a musical person. BUT, both times, I've really enjoyed myself.
Seriously, y'all. I'm NOT a musical person, but Pippin was pretty great, in parts. Josh and Courtney Donahue (Fellow Kidstuf'ers) were faboo. Craig Waldrep was great as Charlemagne. Will Bradley as Pippin was exactly what I imagine Pippin to be, mercurial without seeming too annoying. All in all, I truly enjoyed it.
Speaking of SDP, I'll be heading out there next Friday for my very first Woodie Awards. Don't hold out hope for me in my category, y'all. It ain't happening. But, it should be a fun night. Robert Egizio is a beacon of energy and I'm going with Abby Parker, so there's no question it'll be a good time.
I've got a couple of auditions coming up. One is my second callback for It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at ART Station, the other is an audition for Dead Man's Cell Phone at Synchronicity. I only mention this, because I want them both quite a bit. Send good vibes my way. I'll update you if there's anything worth updating.
There's another thing I'll be doing (not acting) at a pretty big theatre in town, but I'm still not talking about it until I'm involved in my first rehearsal...or whatever. So I'll cover that later as well.
Birthday is in about a month. I can say, in all honesty, it's going to be awesome.
I saw one of the last performances of Pippin at Stage Door Players. I don't know what it is, but I've come into the two shows I've seen at SDP expecting to not like them. Don't Dress For Dinner? Eh, it's a farce. Don't care for farces. Pippin? Eh, it's a musical. I'm not a musical person. BUT, both times, I've really enjoyed myself.
Seriously, y'all. I'm NOT a musical person, but Pippin was pretty great, in parts. Josh and Courtney Donahue (Fellow Kidstuf'ers) were faboo. Craig Waldrep was great as Charlemagne. Will Bradley as Pippin was exactly what I imagine Pippin to be, mercurial without seeming too annoying. All in all, I truly enjoyed it.
Speaking of SDP, I'll be heading out there next Friday for my very first Woodie Awards. Don't hold out hope for me in my category, y'all. It ain't happening. But, it should be a fun night. Robert Egizio is a beacon of energy and I'm going with Abby Parker, so there's no question it'll be a good time.
I've got a couple of auditions coming up. One is my second callback for It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at ART Station, the other is an audition for Dead Man's Cell Phone at Synchronicity. I only mention this, because I want them both quite a bit. Send good vibes my way. I'll update you if there's anything worth updating.
There's another thing I'll be doing (not acting) at a pretty big theatre in town, but I'm still not talking about it until I'm involved in my first rehearsal...or whatever. So I'll cover that later as well.
Birthday is in about a month. I can say, in all honesty, it's going to be awesome.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Are you gonna bark all day, little doggy, or are you gonna bite?
So, this last weekend I went to Florida for an audition at Mad Cow Theatre in Orlando. It was an enjoyable trip, but I do sorta get the vibe that the folks in the audition were sorta like, "Alright...you live in Decatur, GA. Are you planning on moving down here? No? Ok, you can go ahead and do your monologues, since you drove all this way." Now, I could be completely wrong, and maybe they'll want me for The Lion in Winter or Mackers or something, but, as with all auditions, I'm not holding my breath.
The main reason I'm doing a post about it, though, is because I saw a play when I was in Orlando that I have...mixed feelings about. The show was Reservoir Dogs, as produced by Greater Orlando Actors Theatre. Full disclosure...I didn't know anyone in this show, but the person I went with knew Mr. Blonde and Mr. Brown. Also, full disclosure, the first thing I thought of when she mentioned this to me was the section in "Waiting for Guffman" where they talk about staging "Backdraft." There were a lot of people who really enjoyed it, I think. I'm sure you can find some really solid reviews online. This isn't so much a review of the play itself, but...
Now, on a sheer performance level, the show had highlights and lowlights. It was neither good enough to praise, nor bad enough to enjoyably eviscerate, so why am I commenting on it? Because, to my mind, it committed a cardinal sin of theatre. It was completely and utterly pointless. Everyone in that room has seen that movie. The group of actors that performed it for us would have been well served in another show where they wouldn't have had to do impressions of other actors. Not everyone did this, (Steve Hurst as Mr. Blonde was pretty solid, to my mind.) but there were some performances that were ripped right out of the film. No naming names, but they were pretty significant parts...
I just don't see the reasoning behind it. I mean, you have to strive to bring in a different demographic to stay relevant. I get that. But, if you ARE going to do Reservoir Dogs, don't be so dogmatic to the script. There are tricks that movies can get away with that theatre can't, and vice versa. So, for all of Mr. Orange's speech where he's telling the story about the drug bust that almost was, don't take it to a full blackout between parts of his story. Part of the joy is watching him grow in one, seamless stream. Also, just an idea, DO NOT USE FOOTAGE FROM THE MOVIE UNLESS YOUR GOAL IS TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH! I really can't stress that enough. I'm more than happy to watch a stage version of Reservoir Dogs, but give me something different... Give me a reason to come out to your theatre and watch it, as opposed to popping in the DVD. Cut it down, streamline it, make the audience a part of it, and I don't mean by spattering blood on them, pull every trick you've got in your bag to remind the people who are paying ticket price that this ISN'T a movie.
Don't just bark. Have a little bite.
The main reason I'm doing a post about it, though, is because I saw a play when I was in Orlando that I have...mixed feelings about. The show was Reservoir Dogs, as produced by Greater Orlando Actors Theatre. Full disclosure...I didn't know anyone in this show, but the person I went with knew Mr. Blonde and Mr. Brown. Also, full disclosure, the first thing I thought of when she mentioned this to me was the section in "Waiting for Guffman" where they talk about staging "Backdraft." There were a lot of people who really enjoyed it, I think. I'm sure you can find some really solid reviews online. This isn't so much a review of the play itself, but...
Now, on a sheer performance level, the show had highlights and lowlights. It was neither good enough to praise, nor bad enough to enjoyably eviscerate, so why am I commenting on it? Because, to my mind, it committed a cardinal sin of theatre. It was completely and utterly pointless. Everyone in that room has seen that movie. The group of actors that performed it for us would have been well served in another show where they wouldn't have had to do impressions of other actors. Not everyone did this, (Steve Hurst as Mr. Blonde was pretty solid, to my mind.) but there were some performances that were ripped right out of the film. No naming names, but they were pretty significant parts...
I just don't see the reasoning behind it. I mean, you have to strive to bring in a different demographic to stay relevant. I get that. But, if you ARE going to do Reservoir Dogs, don't be so dogmatic to the script. There are tricks that movies can get away with that theatre can't, and vice versa. So, for all of Mr. Orange's speech where he's telling the story about the drug bust that almost was, don't take it to a full blackout between parts of his story. Part of the joy is watching him grow in one, seamless stream. Also, just an idea, DO NOT USE FOOTAGE FROM THE MOVIE UNLESS YOUR GOAL IS TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH! I really can't stress that enough. I'm more than happy to watch a stage version of Reservoir Dogs, but give me something different... Give me a reason to come out to your theatre and watch it, as opposed to popping in the DVD. Cut it down, streamline it, make the audience a part of it, and I don't mean by spattering blood on them, pull every trick you've got in your bag to remind the people who are paying ticket price that this ISN'T a movie.
Don't just bark. Have a little bite.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
But anything worth doing is worth doing badly...
So, how many out of town auditions have I been on?
Just wrapped up SC Rep. There is also Springer Opera House (If you want to count them...), Orlando Shakespeare, Tennessee Shakespeare, Tennessee Rep, UPTA... That's all for this year, though I did go to Staunton fairly late last year.
Is that really it? It just doesn't seem like much, when you put it like that. Although, there is some solace in knowing that, outside of Springer, they are all at least a four hour drive...
Also sent out headshots to Cincinnati Shakespeare, NC Shakespeare, and Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, along with some other spots.
I think I'm probably done doing the out of town thing for a bit. Most places are ratcheting down their audition season, so I guess I can look forward to a new slate of places to audition for in a couple months.
***
I jammed my finger pretty well yesterday playing basketball. It's grown a bit and is a cute purple shade. Yay!
***
I have two reThink shoots this week, as well as a Kidstuf shoot at the beginning of next week. Other than that, no performance opportunities. I'm trying to stay on people's radars as much as possible, but there just isn't much coming up until...really, January. There are spots here and there, but chances are slim (But not impossible) that I would move from something in September, to Buy My House...Please at the Aurora to Fair Use at Actor's Express. That's how tight it's looking, folks. Seriously. January opens up because there are no less than 8 places I'd love to work during that month.
Keep your fingers crossed, man. I can use all the luck I can get.
***
Maybe I'll do my Atlanta Theatre Life post in the next couple of days. Or maybe I'll have something to talk about so I won't have to scrounge for content. We'll see...
Just wrapped up SC Rep. There is also Springer Opera House (If you want to count them...), Orlando Shakespeare, Tennessee Shakespeare, Tennessee Rep, UPTA... That's all for this year, though I did go to Staunton fairly late last year.
Is that really it? It just doesn't seem like much, when you put it like that. Although, there is some solace in knowing that, outside of Springer, they are all at least a four hour drive...
Also sent out headshots to Cincinnati Shakespeare, NC Shakespeare, and Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, along with some other spots.
I think I'm probably done doing the out of town thing for a bit. Most places are ratcheting down their audition season, so I guess I can look forward to a new slate of places to audition for in a couple months.
***
I jammed my finger pretty well yesterday playing basketball. It's grown a bit and is a cute purple shade. Yay!
***
I have two reThink shoots this week, as well as a Kidstuf shoot at the beginning of next week. Other than that, no performance opportunities. I'm trying to stay on people's radars as much as possible, but there just isn't much coming up until...really, January. There are spots here and there, but chances are slim (But not impossible) that I would move from something in September, to Buy My House...Please at the Aurora to Fair Use at Actor's Express. That's how tight it's looking, folks. Seriously. January opens up because there are no less than 8 places I'd love to work during that month.
Keep your fingers crossed, man. I can use all the luck I can get.
***
Maybe I'll do my Atlanta Theatre Life post in the next couple of days. Or maybe I'll have something to talk about so I won't have to scrounge for content. We'll see...
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Relay
ALRIGHT...another day...another nothing to say.
I don't know, folks. Not much is going on in my life right now.
---
We wrapped up the Kidstuf season. That was great. The show really came together well. I'm indescribably blessed that I was able to be a part of it this year. We're starting back up in August, and here's hoping for a less tumultuous time this year. I kept losing hosts...I went through three in a year.
---
No new information on any of the things I've auditioned for. Although I was specifically told I would hear back about one thing this week. Tomorrow is Friday, so here's hoping.
I should know more about my year by next week. I should know more about the whole season, in fact. Hey, Synchronicity, True Colors, 7 Stages, Center Theatre, Dad's Garage, and OnStage Atlanta! Get on it and announce those suckers!
---
I've got an audition for South Carolina Repertory Company next Saturday. I have NO CLUE what their season is. That's exciting. Either way, I think we're getting close to the time of the year where my travels are going to cool down a bit. Really, I don't know where else to go. Who else wants me? I'd love to audition for you... Just let me know.
---
Hustle is important, as I've covered before. I have to keep reminding myself that it's a matter of getting in front of people more than once. Not just in far off places, but close too... I have to, have to, have to keep putting myself out there. That's not normally a problem, since I love the audition. I love the hunt. But I'd be lying if I said that having this much time off wasn't daunting.
---
I had people tell me I needed to get more personal. How's this for personal?
---
Tomorrow, I'm going to head back to Marshall County. I'm heading back for Relay for Life. In case you don't know about it, check the link. I don't want to get too far into it, but my county...my area has close ties to Relay. It's a big deal, sorta. I even co-captained my own team in high school (with my pal Kenny Pratt) which was sort of a fool's errand, but fun.
It carries so much weight this year. It carries the weight of a loss. It carries with it the cold hard fact that, this year, the luminary doesn't say, "In Honor of...", it says, "In Memory of..."
I don't know why I'm going, really. There's no reason. I'm going to walk around my high school track a couple of times, catch up with some old friends, and probably cry a little. But I'm not there raising money and I'm not there as part of a team. Though, let me backtrack. My head says that there is no reason to go. My heart knows better. I say I don't know why I'm going, but I know full well. I'm going to try and prove that I was worth the honor. I'm going to show the world/God/whoever may be watching that it was supposed to be me who was holding her hand. That it was no fluke.
Part of me thinks I'll spend the rest of my life trying to prove it. And part of me is ok with that.
Love you, Granny. See ya Friday.
I don't know, folks. Not much is going on in my life right now.
---
We wrapped up the Kidstuf season. That was great. The show really came together well. I'm indescribably blessed that I was able to be a part of it this year. We're starting back up in August, and here's hoping for a less tumultuous time this year. I kept losing hosts...I went through three in a year.
---
No new information on any of the things I've auditioned for. Although I was specifically told I would hear back about one thing this week. Tomorrow is Friday, so here's hoping.
I should know more about my year by next week. I should know more about the whole season, in fact. Hey, Synchronicity, True Colors, 7 Stages, Center Theatre, Dad's Garage, and OnStage Atlanta! Get on it and announce those suckers!
---
I've got an audition for South Carolina Repertory Company next Saturday. I have NO CLUE what their season is. That's exciting. Either way, I think we're getting close to the time of the year where my travels are going to cool down a bit. Really, I don't know where else to go. Who else wants me? I'd love to audition for you... Just let me know.
---
Hustle is important, as I've covered before. I have to keep reminding myself that it's a matter of getting in front of people more than once. Not just in far off places, but close too... I have to, have to, have to keep putting myself out there. That's not normally a problem, since I love the audition. I love the hunt. But I'd be lying if I said that having this much time off wasn't daunting.
---
I had people tell me I needed to get more personal. How's this for personal?
---
Tomorrow, I'm going to head back to Marshall County. I'm heading back for Relay for Life. In case you don't know about it, check the link. I don't want to get too far into it, but my county...my area has close ties to Relay. It's a big deal, sorta. I even co-captained my own team in high school (with my pal Kenny Pratt) which was sort of a fool's errand, but fun.
It carries so much weight this year. It carries the weight of a loss. It carries with it the cold hard fact that, this year, the luminary doesn't say, "In Honor of...", it says, "In Memory of..."
I don't know why I'm going, really. There's no reason. I'm going to walk around my high school track a couple of times, catch up with some old friends, and probably cry a little. But I'm not there raising money and I'm not there as part of a team. Though, let me backtrack. My head says that there is no reason to go. My heart knows better. I say I don't know why I'm going, but I know full well. I'm going to try and prove that I was worth the honor. I'm going to show the world/God/whoever may be watching that it was supposed to be me who was holding her hand. That it was no fluke.
Part of me thinks I'll spend the rest of my life trying to prove it. And part of me is ok with that.
Love you, Granny. See ya Friday.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Do you think about me now and then? Well, I'm coming home again.
So, I really feel like I don't have much to talk about. Let's start typing and just see what comes, shall we?
---
I was just at home for a week and a half. What a whirlwind trip! I can talk about that...specifically, my first big audition adventure of 2009.
---
So, I went home to Marshall County, Kentucky this last week. As I crossed the border, I could feel my life getting better. I could feel life starting to make sense again. Stuff have been sort of hard the last few months. Life, in general, has been hard, and as I drove past the state line, singing country songs at the top of my lungs ("Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big and Rich if you must know...), I felt myself start to heal up. Now, granted, as my mom loves to point out, I didn't even like country music when I lived at home, but that's not really the point. The point is, it reminds me of home. There are few songs that remind me of home as succinctly as "Hog Wild" by Hank Williams Jr and "Paradise" by John Prine.
My first stop was Belew's, a dairy barn on the lake that lives on the outskirts of the county that I called home for so very long. As I pulled in, I grabbed Doug Graham's copy of Proof to give it a quick re-read, since I was going to be auditioning for it shortly. As I sat there, reading these words that I really wanted to play, I let the sounds of my home wash over me. The cadence of the speech, the shrill giggles of kids at play, and, underneath it all, the silence that I miss when I'm living on the outskirts of Atlanta.
There are times when it seems like it would all be worth it to pack it in. To settle down and live my life well in the place that my father lived, and his father, and his father. This place where my roots are so, so deep and my family is all within twenty minutes of each other. Where my friends come together as if no time has passed and life moves at the most leisurely pace. Where I feel right. Where I feel like, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, I feel like I belong.
I do like Atlanta. I do. Maybe even love it. But, make no mistake, home is where my heart is.
---
So, MONDAY THE 18th, I left my home to go to a general audition at Tennessee Rep. Now, I went into this audition with no illusions. They were doing Steel Magnolias (Precast, but all women anyway.), A Christmas Story (No parts for me.), Big River (Can't...rather, would prefer to not sing) AND Proof...which has one part for which I would be good for. So...pretty specific stuff... Anyway, went in, felt alright about the general audition. After that, drove onward to The 404! Spend the night in the 404!
TUESDAY THE 19TH! Got up and went out to Theatrical Outfit and had what I judge was my worst audition of the three I had. I don't know...
That night, I drove the two hours to Columbus, GA so that I could audition for Springer Opera House's season. Tiring!
WEDNESDAY THE 20TH! I head home, right? WRONG! I'm an hour out of Nashville, heading back to Kentucky when I get a call from Tennessee Rep! They want me to come in and read for Hal! Awesome! Tonight! ...Not quite as awesome. I'm so tired, but I buck up and do it...and I have to say, I feel like I killed it. I may not get it, but I felt great about what I brought into the room. PLUS, I got to read with Tia Shearer! Who I hadn't seen since...I saw her at the Tennessee Shakes audition. How great to actually get to read with her.
---
Anyhow, that was my crazy audition time. I think that suffices for an entry. Hey, waddya know... I did have some stuff to talk about.
---
I was just at home for a week and a half. What a whirlwind trip! I can talk about that...specifically, my first big audition adventure of 2009.
---
So, I went home to Marshall County, Kentucky this last week. As I crossed the border, I could feel my life getting better. I could feel life starting to make sense again. Stuff have been sort of hard the last few months. Life, in general, has been hard, and as I drove past the state line, singing country songs at the top of my lungs ("Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big and Rich if you must know...), I felt myself start to heal up. Now, granted, as my mom loves to point out, I didn't even like country music when I lived at home, but that's not really the point. The point is, it reminds me of home. There are few songs that remind me of home as succinctly as "Hog Wild" by Hank Williams Jr and "Paradise" by John Prine.
My first stop was Belew's, a dairy barn on the lake that lives on the outskirts of the county that I called home for so very long. As I pulled in, I grabbed Doug Graham's copy of Proof to give it a quick re-read, since I was going to be auditioning for it shortly. As I sat there, reading these words that I really wanted to play, I let the sounds of my home wash over me. The cadence of the speech, the shrill giggles of kids at play, and, underneath it all, the silence that I miss when I'm living on the outskirts of Atlanta.
There are times when it seems like it would all be worth it to pack it in. To settle down and live my life well in the place that my father lived, and his father, and his father. This place where my roots are so, so deep and my family is all within twenty minutes of each other. Where my friends come together as if no time has passed and life moves at the most leisurely pace. Where I feel right. Where I feel like, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, I feel like I belong.
I do like Atlanta. I do. Maybe even love it. But, make no mistake, home is where my heart is.
---
So, MONDAY THE 18th, I left my home to go to a general audition at Tennessee Rep. Now, I went into this audition with no illusions. They were doing Steel Magnolias (Precast, but all women anyway.), A Christmas Story (No parts for me.), Big River (Can't...rather, would prefer to not sing) AND Proof...which has one part for which I would be good for. So...pretty specific stuff... Anyway, went in, felt alright about the general audition. After that, drove onward to The 404! Spend the night in the 404!
TUESDAY THE 19TH! Got up and went out to Theatrical Outfit and had what I judge was my worst audition of the three I had. I don't know...
That night, I drove the two hours to Columbus, GA so that I could audition for Springer Opera House's season. Tiring!
WEDNESDAY THE 20TH! I head home, right? WRONG! I'm an hour out of Nashville, heading back to Kentucky when I get a call from Tennessee Rep! They want me to come in and read for Hal! Awesome! Tonight! ...Not quite as awesome. I'm so tired, but I buck up and do it...and I have to say, I feel like I killed it. I may not get it, but I felt great about what I brought into the room. PLUS, I got to read with Tia Shearer! Who I hadn't seen since...I saw her at the Tennessee Shakes audition. How great to actually get to read with her.
---
Anyhow, that was my crazy audition time. I think that suffices for an entry. Hey, waddya know... I did have some stuff to talk about.
Monday, May 11, 2009
23 > 24
I hope you will forgive my off topic dallience, but I am loving playoff basketball. I love that I get sucked into a game every time I sit down to watch five minutes. I love that Kentucky players are playing very important parts on playoff teams (What up, Rondo and Chuck!). I love that the Hawks, even though they're probably going to get swept, are putting up a heck of a fight with such adversity around them. And I love that the mathmatically impossible title of this blog post is a call to those who know the new math.
Also, speaking of Rondo, everyone who is a basketball fan should check out the following article: Strange Fits of Passion Have I Known. The whole discussion started from the comment "Watching Rondo in this series feels like one of those "origins" comic book movies where we see the villain as an innocent boy, and we understand that becoming evil was simply a survival mechanism. Even if he goes on to become the new Isiah, I will love him because I saw the child in him die." I don't disagree. As much as I am rooting for the Magic to win the series, I have to that that I am rejoicing / despairing in Rondo's evolution / devolution. He's become a star, but at (the risk of sounding cliche) what cost?
---
I'm going home on Thursday / Friday! Yeah! Then I'm driving back on Tuesday for a couple of auditions. Actually, I've got three auditions in a two day space. It's that time of year again.
Also, I am disappointed in the lack of response to my cry for help about Hal. I expected more from you, blogfriend.
---
No Monologue Monday today! I'm plumb out right now. But, have no fear. I'm looking into some this very night. Maybe I'll have some new stuff for you soon.
Also, speaking of Rondo, everyone who is a basketball fan should check out the following article: Strange Fits of Passion Have I Known. The whole discussion started from the comment "Watching Rondo in this series feels like one of those "origins" comic book movies where we see the villain as an innocent boy, and we understand that becoming evil was simply a survival mechanism. Even if he goes on to become the new Isiah, I will love him because I saw the child in him die." I don't disagree. As much as I am rooting for the Magic to win the series, I have to that that I am rejoicing / despairing in Rondo's evolution / devolution. He's become a star, but at (the risk of sounding cliche) what cost?
---
I'm going home on Thursday / Friday! Yeah! Then I'm driving back on Tuesday for a couple of auditions. Actually, I've got three auditions in a two day space. It's that time of year again.
Also, I am disappointed in the lack of response to my cry for help about Hal. I expected more from you, blogfriend.
---
No Monologue Monday today! I'm plumb out right now. But, have no fear. I'm looking into some this very night. Maybe I'll have some new stuff for you soon.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Let Your Love Grow Tall
Yesterday, I had a day off with nothing to do. The last time that happened was February 23rd. Pretty exciting, huh?
I insist that you, by hook or by crook, procure a copy of Passion Pit's new album, Manners, coming out...soon? It's really great. Then, after that, I insist that you come with me to see them at The Drunken Unicorn on June 6th. They perform along with The Harlem Shakes. It should be a show packed with awesome.
I'll be going home for a little over a week next Thursday. I'm pretty excited, but I'm not going to act like it isn't melancholy. It'll be the first time back in town since Ren, my dog, died. It'll be the first time back in town since Clair and I broke up. It'll be the first time back in town since Granny died. All in all, it's just going to be odd.
I went to the Tennessee Shakespeare audition in Memphis on Monday. It was alright, but the best part was seeing Tia Shearer, out of nowhere. I had no clue she would be there. She played my girlfriend in Bookends, the film I shot that will probably never get released. We met each other, literally, five minutes before the camera rolled, so we weren't comfortable yet, but as the scenes go on (The "party" section was filmed chronologically.) we get more and more at ease to the point where, I judge, our scenes toward the end are some of the high points of the film. It was just so much fun working with her. Here's hoping I get to do it again.
Speaking of film, I was just cast in Bane of Matthias, a feature length set to be filmed in the Atlanta area. You can go to the website and see my picture. Ch-Check it out.
I've decided I will have a post once a week detailing my fitness progress. I'm going to condense the week into one, easy to ignore post. It'll probably be called "Jacob's Fitness Diary - Week ___." It may be boring, but at least it'll keep me accountable, which I like.
So...who has announced seasons?
Alliance, Horizon, Stage Door Players, Theatre in the Square, Georgia Shakespeare, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Theatrical Outfit... That's it? Anyone I'm missing.
---
Monologue Monday people, I need some help. I'm putting out a call for a couple of contemporary monologues. Here's the back story.
I'm heading up Monday, the 18th to audition at Tennessee Rep's generals. Looking at the lineup, the only thing I know I'd be good for is Hal in Proof. So, basically, I need two monologues that show I can play Hal. I know some people like it if you do a monologue FROM the show, but I just don't swing like that. So, what do you guys think? He's very much a contemporary, laid back guy with a nerdy side...in case you are one of the five people who hasn't read Proof. Nothing absurdist or crazy. Just...charming? I dunno. Think on it and let me know. Remember, I have a short turn around time, so the sooner, the better. Let's make it happen.
I insist that you, by hook or by crook, procure a copy of Passion Pit's new album, Manners, coming out...soon? It's really great. Then, after that, I insist that you come with me to see them at The Drunken Unicorn on June 6th. They perform along with The Harlem Shakes. It should be a show packed with awesome.
I'll be going home for a little over a week next Thursday. I'm pretty excited, but I'm not going to act like it isn't melancholy. It'll be the first time back in town since Ren, my dog, died. It'll be the first time back in town since Clair and I broke up. It'll be the first time back in town since Granny died. All in all, it's just going to be odd.
I went to the Tennessee Shakespeare audition in Memphis on Monday. It was alright, but the best part was seeing Tia Shearer, out of nowhere. I had no clue she would be there. She played my girlfriend in Bookends, the film I shot that will probably never get released. We met each other, literally, five minutes before the camera rolled, so we weren't comfortable yet, but as the scenes go on (The "party" section was filmed chronologically.) we get more and more at ease to the point where, I judge, our scenes toward the end are some of the high points of the film. It was just so much fun working with her. Here's hoping I get to do it again.
Speaking of film, I was just cast in Bane of Matthias, a feature length set to be filmed in the Atlanta area. You can go to the website and see my picture. Ch-Check it out.
I've decided I will have a post once a week detailing my fitness progress. I'm going to condense the week into one, easy to ignore post. It'll probably be called "Jacob's Fitness Diary - Week ___." It may be boring, but at least it'll keep me accountable, which I like.
So...who has announced seasons?
Alliance, Horizon, Stage Door Players, Theatre in the Square, Georgia Shakespeare, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Theatrical Outfit... That's it? Anyone I'm missing.
---
Monologue Monday people, I need some help. I'm putting out a call for a couple of contemporary monologues. Here's the back story.
I'm heading up Monday, the 18th to audition at Tennessee Rep's generals. Looking at the lineup, the only thing I know I'd be good for is Hal in Proof. So, basically, I need two monologues that show I can play Hal. I know some people like it if you do a monologue FROM the show, but I just don't swing like that. So, what do you guys think? He's very much a contemporary, laid back guy with a nerdy side...in case you are one of the five people who hasn't read Proof. Nothing absurdist or crazy. Just...charming? I dunno. Think on it and let me know. Remember, I have a short turn around time, so the sooner, the better. Let's make it happen.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Reeling
I am in love with the new Passion Pit song The Reeling. Now, that being said, I think I might just be in love with Passion Pit. They're coming to the Drunken Unicorn in June! Who wants to come with?
We're a week into Hamlet. It's going pretty well. We're getting a lot of good response to it, so what else can you ask for, really?
I've had a couple of odd e-mails the last few days that have knocked me for loops. No true offers yet, but the idea of an offer is throwing my life upside down a bit. One of the e-mails wanted me to audition for something next Thursday in Manhattan. Guys, I would sincerely love to, but I've got two shows that day. So I don't think I'll be able to make it. To New York.
I'm still champing at the bit to find out some seasons... Theatrical Outfit was ON IT, but most other places are still a mystery to me.
I saw Suddenly Last Summer at The Express last night. It was pretty fantastic. Both of the leads were Amazing (Note the capital "A".) and I was pleased as punch to see my former Lost Colony castmate Erin Burnett. She'll be in Zanna, Don't, which is the next show out at AE, so go see it if you get the chance. But, you should ABSOLUTELY go see Suddenly Last Summer. They were pretty great, y'all. No lie.
I'm suddenly feeling a little bit less panicked about my options, post-Hamlet. Let's hope this feeling sticks around.
We're a week into Hamlet. It's going pretty well. We're getting a lot of good response to it, so what else can you ask for, really?
I've had a couple of odd e-mails the last few days that have knocked me for loops. No true offers yet, but the idea of an offer is throwing my life upside down a bit. One of the e-mails wanted me to audition for something next Thursday in Manhattan. Guys, I would sincerely love to, but I've got two shows that day. So I don't think I'll be able to make it. To New York.
I'm still champing at the bit to find out some seasons... Theatrical Outfit was ON IT, but most other places are still a mystery to me.
I saw Suddenly Last Summer at The Express last night. It was pretty fantastic. Both of the leads were Amazing (Note the capital "A".) and I was pleased as punch to see my former Lost Colony castmate Erin Burnett. She'll be in Zanna, Don't, which is the next show out at AE, so go see it if you get the chance. But, you should ABSOLUTELY go see Suddenly Last Summer. They were pretty great, y'all. No lie.
I'm suddenly feeling a little bit less panicked about my options, post-Hamlet. Let's hope this feeling sticks around.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Neck cramp
And everything slows down for a day.
My neck hurts. Hence, the name of the blog post.
Today, I slept in. It was phenomenal. Though, I still say that my best day of the last two months was last Wednesday, just because of the simplicity of it. Drew cancelled the 10 out of 12 for Hamlet and make it into a dress rehearsal. I woke up late, worked out, did laundry, all the little stuff. So glorious.
This week is going to be another busy one. In fact, I think they're ALL going to be busy until May, when Hamlet wraps up. I don't anticipate having a day off this month, in fact. Let's check the stats!
The only chance I will have for a day off is a Monday, since we've got Hamlet every other day. Sooo...
April 6th (Today) - Day job. At night.
April 13th - (Fingers crossed.) Orlando Shakespeare's General Auditions (Fingers crossed.)
April 20th - reThink, probably.
April 27th - I WILL be going to App Co '09 scene night... Does that qualify as work? I bet I'll open that day...
May 4th - Tennessee Shakespeare General Auditions.
What a schedule, huh? After that, it slows down CONSIDERABLY. In fact, it slows down so much that I'm not schedule for anything outside of Kidstuf. Once again, I face the truth of being an unemployed actor...
This summer is going to be an interesting one. To my knowledge, I won't be involved in any performance, outside of whatever I'm doing with Kidstuf. On one hand, that's good, because it will give me time to straighten up my life (Degree, fitness, home, etc.). But, on the other hand...it's still so long between performances. I've worked really consistently since coming to Atlanta. Gulfs scare me.
The Unified auditions were a lot of fun! I need to ask Jeanette how I did...
Disjointed blog post!
Wednesday, I'll be going to see Suddenly Last Summer at Actor's Express! If you happen to go see it, as well, you make sure you tell Erin Burnett I said hi. She's pretty great.
Also, tell Freddie Ashley I said hi. And that I am available this summer.
My neck hurts. Hence, the name of the blog post.
Today, I slept in. It was phenomenal. Though, I still say that my best day of the last two months was last Wednesday, just because of the simplicity of it. Drew cancelled the 10 out of 12 for Hamlet and make it into a dress rehearsal. I woke up late, worked out, did laundry, all the little stuff. So glorious.
This week is going to be another busy one. In fact, I think they're ALL going to be busy until May, when Hamlet wraps up. I don't anticipate having a day off this month, in fact. Let's check the stats!
The only chance I will have for a day off is a Monday, since we've got Hamlet every other day. Sooo...
April 6th (Today) - Day job. At night.
April 13th - (Fingers crossed.) Orlando Shakespeare's General Auditions (Fingers crossed.)
April 20th - reThink, probably.
April 27th - I WILL be going to App Co '09 scene night... Does that qualify as work? I bet I'll open that day...
May 4th - Tennessee Shakespeare General Auditions.
What a schedule, huh? After that, it slows down CONSIDERABLY. In fact, it slows down so much that I'm not schedule for anything outside of Kidstuf. Once again, I face the truth of being an unemployed actor...
This summer is going to be an interesting one. To my knowledge, I won't be involved in any performance, outside of whatever I'm doing with Kidstuf. On one hand, that's good, because it will give me time to straighten up my life (Degree, fitness, home, etc.). But, on the other hand...it's still so long between performances. I've worked really consistently since coming to Atlanta. Gulfs scare me.
The Unified auditions were a lot of fun! I need to ask Jeanette how I did...
Disjointed blog post!
Wednesday, I'll be going to see Suddenly Last Summer at Actor's Express! If you happen to go see it, as well, you make sure you tell Erin Burnett I said hi. She's pretty great.
Also, tell Freddie Ashley I said hi. And that I am available this summer.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monologue Monday - Macbett by Eugene Ionesco
I haven't been able to deliver a Monologue Monday in a bit, I've decided to give you a two-fer today. Both are from the play Macbett by Ionesco, which is a sort of bizarre retelling of Macbeth.
The first is one that I've actually used several times. It's the part of Soldier, who shows up for this monologue and that's about it. He's just coming from a battle. I feel like this one is pretty self explanatory.
I don't know. I was just coming out of the pub and a sergeant on horseback lassoed me. My mates were lucky. They got away. I tried to resist, but they hit me over the head, tied me up and carried me off. They gave me a sword. Oh, I seem to have dropped it somewhere. And a pistol. (He puts the pistol to his head and pulls the trigger.) Out of ammunition. Must have fired it all. There were a load of us out there on the field and they made us shout "Long live Glamiss and Candor."
And then they shot at us, and we shot at them.
And then they took us prisoner. And then they told me if you want to keep a head on your shoulders, you'd better join us. They told us to shout, "Down with Gandor, Down with Glamiss." And then we shot at them and they shot at us. I was hit several times, wounded in the thigh, and then I guess I fell down. Then I woke up and the battle was still going on a long way away. There was nothing but heaps of dying men all around me.
So, as I said, I started walking; and my right leg is hurting, and my left leg is hurting, and I'm losing blood from the wound in my thigh. And then I got here... That's all I've got to say --- except that I'm still bleeding.
The second one is Macbett himself during the analogue of the dinner scene from Macbeth. In this one, the ghost of Duncan appears to Macbett and all his party guests. Macbett is pretty nonplussed, but his guests are freaking out. This is his reaction to that. I've cut this one together, a but, but I think it flows pretty well, all things considered.
You didn't believe Banco was real, but you seem to believe that Duncan exists all right and is sitting there in the throne. Is it because he was your sovereign that you've grown used to paying him homage and holding him in awe? Now it's my turn to say, "It's only a ghost." (To Duncan) As you can see, I've taken your throne. And I've taken your wife. All the same, I served you well and you distrusted me. (To his guests) Get back to your places. (He draws his dagger.) Quickly. You have no king here but me. You pay homage to me now.
(To Duncan) I don't want to see you again till you've been forgiven by the thousands of soldier I slaughtered in your name, and till they have been pardoned in their turn by the thousands of women that they raped, and by the thousands of children and peasants they killed.
Go on, shoo! you silly old ghost.
Maybe that one is a little intense, but I love the juxtaposition of the rape and murder with the "Shoo, you silly old ghost." To me, hilarious.
---
Today is Atlanta Unifieds! I love auditions. Today, I will be judged only by what I bring into the room. If you're following my Twitter, you've seen this already, but allow me to expound upon it a little.
At auditions, it doesn't really matter what you've done before. It doesn't matter what you can do, how well you can dress, what else has been going on in your life. None of that. All that matters is what you bring into the room. What you show them. I love that. I love the challenge. It's freeing. To be able to look a group of people who, in some cases, may have my financial future (Really, most certainly, my Atlanta future...) in their hands, and say, "This is what I am today. Nothing more. Nothing less." I love the calm that overtakes me. I love the sense of competition that I get. I love listening to music before I go on stage and I love the feeling of being wholly and 100% myself, while being wholly someone else. Someone who I'm not entirely comfortable with. Someone who hasn't had the chance to find out exactly who they are in the world with a month of rehearsal with a cast. It falls on my shoulders and mine alone. And I love that feeling.
The first is one that I've actually used several times. It's the part of Soldier, who shows up for this monologue and that's about it. He's just coming from a battle. I feel like this one is pretty self explanatory.
I don't know. I was just coming out of the pub and a sergeant on horseback lassoed me. My mates were lucky. They got away. I tried to resist, but they hit me over the head, tied me up and carried me off. They gave me a sword. Oh, I seem to have dropped it somewhere. And a pistol. (He puts the pistol to his head and pulls the trigger.) Out of ammunition. Must have fired it all. There were a load of us out there on the field and they made us shout "Long live Glamiss and Candor."
And then they shot at us, and we shot at them.
And then they took us prisoner. And then they told me if you want to keep a head on your shoulders, you'd better join us. They told us to shout, "Down with Gandor, Down with Glamiss." And then we shot at them and they shot at us. I was hit several times, wounded in the thigh, and then I guess I fell down. Then I woke up and the battle was still going on a long way away. There was nothing but heaps of dying men all around me.
So, as I said, I started walking; and my right leg is hurting, and my left leg is hurting, and I'm losing blood from the wound in my thigh. And then I got here... That's all I've got to say --- except that I'm still bleeding.
The second one is Macbett himself during the analogue of the dinner scene from Macbeth. In this one, the ghost of Duncan appears to Macbett and all his party guests. Macbett is pretty nonplussed, but his guests are freaking out. This is his reaction to that. I've cut this one together, a but, but I think it flows pretty well, all things considered.
You didn't believe Banco was real, but you seem to believe that Duncan exists all right and is sitting there in the throne. Is it because he was your sovereign that you've grown used to paying him homage and holding him in awe? Now it's my turn to say, "It's only a ghost." (To Duncan) As you can see, I've taken your throne. And I've taken your wife. All the same, I served you well and you distrusted me. (To his guests) Get back to your places. (He draws his dagger.) Quickly. You have no king here but me. You pay homage to me now.
(To Duncan) I don't want to see you again till you've been forgiven by the thousands of soldier I slaughtered in your name, and till they have been pardoned in their turn by the thousands of women that they raped, and by the thousands of children and peasants they killed.
Go on, shoo! you silly old ghost.
Maybe that one is a little intense, but I love the juxtaposition of the rape and murder with the "Shoo, you silly old ghost." To me, hilarious.
---
Today is Atlanta Unifieds! I love auditions. Today, I will be judged only by what I bring into the room. If you're following my Twitter, you've seen this already, but allow me to expound upon it a little.
At auditions, it doesn't really matter what you've done before. It doesn't matter what you can do, how well you can dress, what else has been going on in your life. None of that. All that matters is what you bring into the room. What you show them. I love that. I love the challenge. It's freeing. To be able to look a group of people who, in some cases, may have my financial future (Really, most certainly, my Atlanta future...) in their hands, and say, "This is what I am today. Nothing more. Nothing less." I love the calm that overtakes me. I love the sense of competition that I get. I love listening to music before I go on stage and I love the feeling of being wholly and 100% myself, while being wholly someone else. Someone who I'm not entirely comfortable with. Someone who hasn't had the chance to find out exactly who they are in the world with a month of rehearsal with a cast. It falls on my shoulders and mine alone. And I love that feeling.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
"...and I was wondering if every Dairy Queen blizzard must suddenly seem a little sweeter."
I just Googled myself (Oh please...act like you've never done it...) and discovered that this blog is the third thing to come up. I feel like that puts some pressure on me...
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite piece of media this week, which is where my headline comes from. Slate has been incrementally covering my favorite show, Friday Night Lights. Incidentally, you should ALL check it out. It's wonderful television. I'll let you borrow season one if you want... Anyway, I digress. Even though one of the people covering it is Emily Bazelon, who I have SUCH a nerdy crush on, I've got to say that Meghan O'Rourke has taken the cake for a beautiful paragraph she wrote about the most recent episode. I'm going to quote it here, but I feel very strongly that you should go check out the piece which is located right here and is called The Joy and Melancholy of Being a High-School Senior.
Meanwhile, everyone is growing up and preparing to move on. Somehow, this episode really caught the flavor of senior-year joy and melancholy: the way that suddenly you feel adult, replete in the new sensations of independence, and at the same time feel the pangs of change. A new life is just around the corner for a lot of these people—even if it's just the new life of being post-high school in Dillon, without a job. I spent this past week in West Texas, a couple of hundred miles from the real place that Buzz Bissinger wrote about in Friday Night Lights; the seniors in town had been getting their acceptance letters, and you could feel that same sense of nervy excitement around them. Things were going to change. I remember that feeling, and I was wondering if every Dairy Queen Blizzard must suddenly seem a little sweeter.
People often ask me about my hometown. About why it means what it means to me, and, somehow, this paragraph encapsulates everything about home that I love. It makes me ache for home and for the simple joys of a life well lived. While you're over on Slate, I'd also recommend her wonderful series on grief called The Long Goodbye.
What does she say is the best thing to read while grieving? It's obvious, isn't it? Hamlet.
Hamlet is going well. We're about a week away from tech, which always shocks me when it happens. Especially this time around, when, even though I only missed one day, I feel like I'm coming in mid-stride. I'm incredibly busy, driving from day job straight to rehearsals on many days, not having much time to get anything other than fast food to eat. But this week is going to be a cake walk compared to next week. What's so bad about next week, you ask? Well, I've got Kidstuf rehearsal, inventory at my day job, Hamlet tech-ing and opening AND, to top it all off, Atlanta Unified auditions.
I'm excited about Atlanta Unifieds. I mean, first off, I'm grateful that I got in. There are many talented performers, people I think are fantastic, who are on the outside looking in this year, so I'm happy to have slipped through. I'll be using the same set of monologues I used at UPTA, so I won't really have to worry about time. I don't know, man. I just like auditioning.
Speaking of, I've got a couple of out of town auditions coming up, both of which are going to require me driving all night to audition in another state in the morning. Oh, what we do for our (jobs) art.
Nothing on the horizon in Atlanta. It looks like this summer is going to be quiet. I'll be going home to be in a friend's wedding ($160 is just too much to pay for a rented tux, am I right?) and at least I'll be available for Kidstuf and reThink.
There is much to be grateful for. Much.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite piece of media this week, which is where my headline comes from. Slate has been incrementally covering my favorite show, Friday Night Lights. Incidentally, you should ALL check it out. It's wonderful television. I'll let you borrow season one if you want... Anyway, I digress. Even though one of the people covering it is Emily Bazelon, who I have SUCH a nerdy crush on, I've got to say that Meghan O'Rourke has taken the cake for a beautiful paragraph she wrote about the most recent episode. I'm going to quote it here, but I feel very strongly that you should go check out the piece which is located right here and is called The Joy and Melancholy of Being a High-School Senior.
Meanwhile, everyone is growing up and preparing to move on. Somehow, this episode really caught the flavor of senior-year joy and melancholy: the way that suddenly you feel adult, replete in the new sensations of independence, and at the same time feel the pangs of change. A new life is just around the corner for a lot of these people—even if it's just the new life of being post-high school in Dillon, without a job. I spent this past week in West Texas, a couple of hundred miles from the real place that Buzz Bissinger wrote about in Friday Night Lights; the seniors in town had been getting their acceptance letters, and you could feel that same sense of nervy excitement around them. Things were going to change. I remember that feeling, and I was wondering if every Dairy Queen Blizzard must suddenly seem a little sweeter.
People often ask me about my hometown. About why it means what it means to me, and, somehow, this paragraph encapsulates everything about home that I love. It makes me ache for home and for the simple joys of a life well lived. While you're over on Slate, I'd also recommend her wonderful series on grief called The Long Goodbye.
What does she say is the best thing to read while grieving? It's obvious, isn't it? Hamlet.
Hamlet is going well. We're about a week away from tech, which always shocks me when it happens. Especially this time around, when, even though I only missed one day, I feel like I'm coming in mid-stride. I'm incredibly busy, driving from day job straight to rehearsals on many days, not having much time to get anything other than fast food to eat. But this week is going to be a cake walk compared to next week. What's so bad about next week, you ask? Well, I've got Kidstuf rehearsal, inventory at my day job, Hamlet tech-ing and opening AND, to top it all off, Atlanta Unified auditions.
I'm excited about Atlanta Unifieds. I mean, first off, I'm grateful that I got in. There are many talented performers, people I think are fantastic, who are on the outside looking in this year, so I'm happy to have slipped through. I'll be using the same set of monologues I used at UPTA, so I won't really have to worry about time. I don't know, man. I just like auditioning.
Speaking of, I've got a couple of out of town auditions coming up, both of which are going to require me driving all night to audition in another state in the morning. Oh, what we do for our (jobs) art.
Nothing on the horizon in Atlanta. It looks like this summer is going to be quiet. I'll be going home to be in a friend's wedding ($160 is just too much to pay for a rented tux, am I right?) and at least I'll be available for Kidstuf and reThink.
There is much to be grateful for. Much.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Maybe there's no harm in a wasted summer with no drummer
So, I got back from UPTA at about four in the morning yesterday... Some things have occurred to me. Allow me to share them with you.
Both myself and KG, my friend who I went with, had about sixteen callbacks last year. This year, we dropped to about three. Now, I can't speak for her, but I will say that I wasn't particularly shocked by this. But, it is the beginning of a rant... A rant that, if you talked to me in the last few days, you might be familiar with. Feel free to skip it.
(Rant) To set this up for you, UPTA is spread across four days. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. One of those days is not like the others. Which one? Monday, of course. Why is it different? Because Monday is a typical actor's day off from performance. Most places are doing shows on Friday and Saturday, with at least a matinee on Sunday. Now, I understand that Monday is the end of a very long weekend for most folks and they have to be thinking about packing and heading out. I'm just curious why you wouldn't want to stay and watch the auditions on the day when 90% of actors working in the month of February could make it. I did the math before I went, and was supposed to be auditioning for 55 companies. After I checked out my callbacks, I took a look at the lists and there were about 29 that watched my group. Plus, when you factor in that I had on my information that I wasn't particularly interested in children's theatre or an internship just at the moment, there just weren't a lot of places that I could audition for left.
I'm not saying that what the companies are doing is wrong. I just don't see why you wouldn't want to check out the people who are working currently and, thusly, in demand. UPTA has to find a way to either incentivise companies staying or give a financial break to those going on Monday. Monday auditions oughtn't have to pay the same price for, roughly, half the opportunity. UPTA is still the best cattle call audition I've ever been to, don't get me wrong. But I'm not entirely sure I'll go next year if I can only go on Monday. (/rant)
All that being said, the three callbacks that I got were quality, with two specifically that I'm interested in. Plus, I was able to sneak in to Lost Colony to put my Simon on tape for them. I'm not expecting, necessarily, to go back there, since they've got in such a different, musically inspired direction. But, I do know that I'm a damn good Simon Fernando, and no one can take that one away.
I also had a moment where I made a realization. (Realization) I've got resume envy. I look at other resumes, and want what they have sometimes. I want names that pop and casting directors to raise an eyebrow when they come across something. Now, don't get me wrong, I think my resume is pretty darn solid, but I'm still...I dunno, envious isn't a good word for it, but it's the only one that comes to mind. Which is why I'm trying to get rid of it. I have to make my successes my own. No one else's success is mine, and that should be alright. I need to get to a point where I'm alright with my resume being, simply, what it is. That's easier said than done, but realizing it was the first step to, I think, a happier and more content career. (/Realization)
Also, I think I'm going to be doing some more stuff with reThink! Which is awesome. I was in a cape, essentially, from 9 to 5 the other day. Here's hoping the Amazing Brian was amazing after all.
So, that was my weekend. But enough about that. I'm going to go walk to the gym and enjoy this weather while it's still here.
Come Saturday, you'll come to stay, you'll come to sway in my arms.
Both myself and KG, my friend who I went with, had about sixteen callbacks last year. This year, we dropped to about three. Now, I can't speak for her, but I will say that I wasn't particularly shocked by this. But, it is the beginning of a rant... A rant that, if you talked to me in the last few days, you might be familiar with. Feel free to skip it.
(Rant) To set this up for you, UPTA is spread across four days. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. One of those days is not like the others. Which one? Monday, of course. Why is it different? Because Monday is a typical actor's day off from performance. Most places are doing shows on Friday and Saturday, with at least a matinee on Sunday. Now, I understand that Monday is the end of a very long weekend for most folks and they have to be thinking about packing and heading out. I'm just curious why you wouldn't want to stay and watch the auditions on the day when 90% of actors working in the month of February could make it. I did the math before I went, and was supposed to be auditioning for 55 companies. After I checked out my callbacks, I took a look at the lists and there were about 29 that watched my group. Plus, when you factor in that I had on my information that I wasn't particularly interested in children's theatre or an internship just at the moment, there just weren't a lot of places that I could audition for left.
I'm not saying that what the companies are doing is wrong. I just don't see why you wouldn't want to check out the people who are working currently and, thusly, in demand. UPTA has to find a way to either incentivise companies staying or give a financial break to those going on Monday. Monday auditions oughtn't have to pay the same price for, roughly, half the opportunity. UPTA is still the best cattle call audition I've ever been to, don't get me wrong. But I'm not entirely sure I'll go next year if I can only go on Monday. (/rant)
All that being said, the three callbacks that I got were quality, with two specifically that I'm interested in. Plus, I was able to sneak in to Lost Colony to put my Simon on tape for them. I'm not expecting, necessarily, to go back there, since they've got in such a different, musically inspired direction. But, I do know that I'm a damn good Simon Fernando, and no one can take that one away.
I also had a moment where I made a realization. (Realization) I've got resume envy. I look at other resumes, and want what they have sometimes. I want names that pop and casting directors to raise an eyebrow when they come across something. Now, don't get me wrong, I think my resume is pretty darn solid, but I'm still...I dunno, envious isn't a good word for it, but it's the only one that comes to mind. Which is why I'm trying to get rid of it. I have to make my successes my own. No one else's success is mine, and that should be alright. I need to get to a point where I'm alright with my resume being, simply, what it is. That's easier said than done, but realizing it was the first step to, I think, a happier and more content career. (/Realization)
Also, I think I'm going to be doing some more stuff with reThink! Which is awesome. I was in a cape, essentially, from 9 to 5 the other day. Here's hoping the Amazing Brian was amazing after all.
So, that was my weekend. But enough about that. I'm going to go walk to the gym and enjoy this weather while it's still here.
Come Saturday, you'll come to stay, you'll come to sway in my arms.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)