What I'm grateful for

There are times when I question why I do Kidstuf. I mean, I gotta get up so early.

And there are times others question me about why I do Kidstuf. In some ways, it's theatre, in the same way that one would call a Kaiser Permanente show theatre, but it's not what one always envisioned when going to school. I know I figured I'd be getting paid six figures to do Cherry Orchard somewhere by now.

But when I ask myself that...or someone else asks me that...I can always point to this.

For this month, one of the "props" we're using is called a Grati-journal. You write down something you're grateful for. We got an e-mail with this in it...



If you can't tell, the text is, "I am Grateful for Church" with a drawing of the Kidstuf stage underneath.

To be doing something constructive. That is what I'm grateful for.

Forcing a post

Hey folks.

I really don't feel like posting today, but it's been a while and I have ample free time during Part 3 of the Henriad, so I thought I'd make myself do one.

I'm two sentences in and, already, it isn't my best work.

After the show closed on Sunday, I had to rush home to deal with some stuff. It worked out as well as it possibly could have, though, because I got to see Godspell at my alma mater. It was good, even though they were just starting dress rehearsals. It's always nice to sit in an audience and forget about life for a little while.

I'm contemplating a sequel to the Jacob York World Tour of 2005, but, this time, head from place to place auditioning. Any one want to come?

I'm pretty actively searching for something to do this summer. I look at the seasons of theatres in the Atlanta area, though, and I just don't see much there for me. UPTA and others, here I come!

Man, I am greatly anticipating December.

Red Rose

Tonight, we open the First Part of Henry VI at the Shakespeare Tavern. It's an incredible undertaking. To sit in the house after our preview last night, you would have thought we had a small audience. We were spread out a bit, but there's just a lot of people involved in this project.

I'm happy to be one of those people involved. I'm enjoying my time as Somerset. He's very different from anyone I've played on the Tavern stage, so it's good that I'm not getting plugged into a precise slot just yet. Unless that slot is "Hot Young Lord"...which...you know...

After the show opens tonight, there's going to be a party. I'll talk more about that at a later date, I'm sure. I have few goals for this party, but I at least want to play some Rock Band and watch Paul Hester dance.

It's been pretty quiet on the audition front, which isn't bad, exactly. I'm still looking around and trying to be as available as possible. I actually got to hand out one of my cards today to someone who came into my day job! Only 485 left to go.

If you haven't been able to get out to the Tavern to see my stuff, but you would still like to see me make a fool out of myself, you should go check out the Kidstuf website. I'm at the Buckhead campus, if you want to delve in. I'm even in the opening page video now. I find that when I don't have a script to follow, I dance a lot.

Come see Henry VI! My unofficial diagnosis is that, IF you can only see one (which, it goes without saying, you should try to come see all three), I think you should come see Part II. Just my opinion. Also, I fight in it. Yay!

Crogan's Vengeance

Also, I know I've got a link over there on the left, but you might have not had an opportunity to check out the work of my buddy Chris Schweizer. He's got a series of comics coming out from Oni Press, and the first of the whole is about to come out, entitled Crogan's Vengeance. I would strongly suggest all you comic book fans out there drop the $15 and pick it up.

Chris is a guy I've known for a long time. In fact, I shot a terrible parody of Se7en entitled 8te, of which, hopefully no footage still exists. To see him find his passion has been a pleasure. Plus, before I lived here, he was the guy I stayed with while I was auditioning. So you have him to thank for me. Thank him with monies in exchange for goods.

Recent non-acting related happenings...

I just got back from Florida. It was phenomenal. I went down, ostensibly, to attend the wedding of a good friend, but it was just as much to hang out with my ex, Leva, who is still one of my very best friends. Not to mention she got custody of the cat in the divorce, so it's an excuse to visit her as well. She slept on my chest when I stayed in Leva's guest room. It was pretty heart warming. I miss her.

The day after, we kicked around at Universal Studios and Halloween Horror Nights and I stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel. Pretty swanky, all in all.

The wedding was beautiful. The days spent there were amazing. It's one of those times that make me ache to go back. I know there are people who think I'm ridiculous for loving the area (Hi Mike and Carolyn...), but it's so ingrained in me to want to be there. It's the first place I found a truly rewarding non-acting job. It's the first place I really lived away from home. It's where, for lack of a better term, I sorta became an adult. I love it...

I came back and immediately drove to a huge Halloween party with Tavern people. Followed that up by going to see Weezer. Followed THAT up by getting up at 5:45 to go to Kidstuf rehearsal. I've been going non-stop since I got back, but I wouldn't trade it.

On one acting related note, I've got an audition coming up tomorrow, which is the last one that I'm going to stress about for a while. I actually had a dream about it while I was in Florida. I don't know if that means good, ill, or doesn't mean anything. Either way, it's been on my mind pretty heavily. Keep your fingers crossed for me tomorrow.

Spreading It Around

So, a little late, but I'm able to let you folks know that I accepted the part of Larry Drayton in Stage Door Players' production of the US Premier of Spreading It Around by Londos D’Arrigo. Larry is the son of the main character. He's sort of a douchebag, for lack of a better term. Actually, there are better terms, but I'ma refrain from using them on the blog. I haven't gotten hold of the script yet, but I'm excited about the prospect of working somewhere new. I first met Robert Egizio, the director, was at his yard sale when I bought the ill-fated weights, but I'll try to let that unfortunate event not come to taint our relationship.

I've got some exciting auditions coming up. Next week and the week after, there's two that I'm really looking forward to. And, there is also A Little Night Music.

Not only that, but in a week's time, I'm going to be in Florida. How very exciting!

WM Seeking Agent for long walks on beach...

I've sent out a communique to several of my friends, so I may as well open it up here. I'm trying to find some representation in Atlanta. I'd like to do commercial, industrial, etc. work. Anyone have any tips for me?

It's weird to think that I've been in Atlanta for a year and haven't even really thought about doing this until recently. It just occurred to me, out of nowhere, "Hey...there's work out there to be had!" Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to hustle my way to parts or plays, but there's only so much I can do with my limited means in all of the respects that an agency would assist me.

So, you know, if you have an agent, know an agent or are an agent looking for a tall, goofy looking dude, let me know.

I had to start memorizing a song for "A Little Night Music" auditions at the Tavern. I think I'll use this to launch me into an entire post about singing for auditions and the fear I've got connected to that. Some other time, though. Not tonight.

Also, I won't say it tonight, but I might have some interesting news tomorrow. As always, I wait until I've accepted it, so you'll just have to wait until it's final.