I've really been enjoying my time back in The Netherlands. The HUGE event was my older son's wedding! Billy and Frauke tied the knot down in Germany, surrounded by friends and family, including several friends from Billy's pre-K class, back when he was four.
My last project in the U.S. was "Buddy" and my previous post included hopes for several more standing ovations. Well, it definitely reached that goal, ELEVEN in a row, the entire run!! The show deserved it, too. I had a blast in the show, playing Buddy's manager, playing bass for the "Winter Concert" and dancing my "bil" off during "Johnny B. Goode" and "Oh, Boy!" I met several GREAT people that I hope to work with more in the future, especially Toly and Brandon.
A quick summation of my first trip to New York includes about 15 projects, highlighted by performing on Broadway (ummm, for one night, sigh), having two "national" commercials, doing "Perp! The Criminal Musical," a show that I really think has a future, freelancing with a boat load of agents, being cast in a main role in a TV pilot/film and lastly, getting callbacks for FIVE national tours which resulted in an offer for "Fiddler!"
I also met quite a few wonderful people in NYC, like my roommate, Walter and two of his friends, Amos and George. Bumping into Aubrey at one of Walter's performances reinforces how chance can help you meet the nicest people!
"Fiddler" will begin rehearsing on Sept. 24 in NYC, head to Alaska for several tech runs around Oct. 12 and then open in Alaska on October 20th, if my memory serves me right. We will then hit 40 cities in the next eight months, including my birthplace, Louisville, my "second" hometown of El Paso and my older sister's city, Omaha, as well. I hope to see many people that I haven't seen in YEARS!
Living as part of a gypsy troupe will be interesting! I have two friends already on the tour as well, Stephen and Pamela, plus another Kentuckian, Clay, that I am looking forward to meeting. Updates will be coming, of course!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
"The Buddy Holly Story" Opens! July 7
After only nine (full!) days of rehearsals, we opened officially on July 7 to a decently-sized house at the Millbrook Playhouse. However, the previous night saw a packed group of senior citizens raising the roof to the music from their youth in our final preview!
I told the cast that this would be a very enthusiastic audience and people doubted me, thinking of previous previews for the older crowd, a mainstay of this playhouse's outreach/community program. "They will just probably sit there looking bored" was the collective response of many other actors. Guess again!!!
This "grey army" soon began singing along early in the show and by the end, those who looked like they couldn't even stand up were dancing in the aisles, LOL! "Do you want to hear one more song?" and a thunderous roar left no doubt that another reprise was in order.
I didn't know how nine days could bring such a result and seeing the process is very impressive and informative. I didn't know if I could learn all I needed to learn, especially considering that this was the shortest rehearsal period I've ever tried. People really go all out every show here and the tech crew are the ones who have the biggest job. Try to imagine an entire set being built in one day (and late into the night) so we could get going the morning of the next day. The show is also filled with light and sound cues, far beyond all shows I've ever been a part of before.
Well, we've got two standing ovations in a row, now. I'm curious if the string will continue and my personal feeling, considering the quality of product, it WILL!
By the way, I play Buddy's first manager, Hipockets Duncan. From backstage, I play bass in the Apollo Theater scene and I also play, on the stage this time, for the "Winter Dance Party." I get to jump around, etc., while playing, a huge difference from how I usually play at church, LOL!
Unfortunately, my character has NO opportunity to sing in the show...which is quite painful for me, a "in-the-flesh" rock and roll singer, but the ending scene with us dancing around in the audience is fab fun!
This show is a great way to cap off my U.S. experience before I head back to The Netherlands. I'm really thankful I got this opportunity, especially considering it is in honor of my namesake. The Music Lives!!!
I told the cast that this would be a very enthusiastic audience and people doubted me, thinking of previous previews for the older crowd, a mainstay of this playhouse's outreach/community program. "They will just probably sit there looking bored" was the collective response of many other actors. Guess again!!!
This "grey army" soon began singing along early in the show and by the end, those who looked like they couldn't even stand up were dancing in the aisles, LOL! "Do you want to hear one more song?" and a thunderous roar left no doubt that another reprise was in order.
I didn't know how nine days could bring such a result and seeing the process is very impressive and informative. I didn't know if I could learn all I needed to learn, especially considering that this was the shortest rehearsal period I've ever tried. People really go all out every show here and the tech crew are the ones who have the biggest job. Try to imagine an entire set being built in one day (and late into the night) so we could get going the morning of the next day. The show is also filled with light and sound cues, far beyond all shows I've ever been a part of before.
Well, we've got two standing ovations in a row, now. I'm curious if the string will continue and my personal feeling, considering the quality of product, it WILL!
By the way, I play Buddy's first manager, Hipockets Duncan. From backstage, I play bass in the Apollo Theater scene and I also play, on the stage this time, for the "Winter Dance Party." I get to jump around, etc., while playing, a huge difference from how I usually play at church, LOL!
Unfortunately, my character has NO opportunity to sing in the show...which is quite painful for me, a "in-the-flesh" rock and roll singer, but the ending scene with us dancing around in the audience is fab fun!
This show is a great way to cap off my U.S. experience before I head back to The Netherlands. I'm really thankful I got this opportunity, especially considering it is in honor of my namesake. The Music Lives!!!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Cox is on the Air!! May 4, 2011
At my recent auditions, I had a couple of actors I know come up and say they were visiting relatives out of NY and saw my Cox commercial! It won't be shown here in NYC so I had no idea it finally made it to the airwaves.
It was directed by a top man, who also does Nike and other big name companies, by the way. He made two versions, a 60-second version and a 30-second version and I have different dialogue in each one. The office workers have the same dialogue in both, though. The links are somewhat invisible on this page. Just circle your mouse around and you will see the complete links. They can be seen at:
http://picturepk.com/wittenmei
http://picturepk.com/wittenmei
In other news, on Monday, I just had my fifth callback in three weeks for a national tour, for "Fiddler on the Roof!" I nearly didn't make it as I was passed by firetrucks and blaring sirens...going to the building I was to audition in!!! I had to reach the top floor of the building and thoughts of burning up on top of a building flooded my head. After finally being reassured by the firemen it was safe, I arrived about five minutes late. The alarms kept flashing on the top floor for another five minutes and I was quite nervous about that, let alone the callback. I should hear something this week if this "hot" show wants me. That was a crazy day!
Today, I have a callback for a SAG project...even though I'm not SAG, umm, yet! ;) It's nice to beat out union competition to get this far. No telling if I'll get further but I'm ready for it!
It was directed by a top man, who also does Nike and other big name companies, by the way. He made two versions, a 60-second version and a 30-second version and I have different dialogue in each one. The office workers have the same dialogue in both, though. The links are somewhat invisible on this page. Just circle your mouse around and you will see the complete links. They can be seen at:
http://picturepk.com/wittenmei
http://picturepk.com/wittenmei
In other news, on Monday, I just had my fifth callback in three weeks for a national tour, for "Fiddler on the Roof!" I nearly didn't make it as I was passed by firetrucks and blaring sirens...going to the building I was to audition in!!! I had to reach the top floor of the building and thoughts of burning up on top of a building flooded my head. After finally being reassured by the firemen it was safe, I arrived about five minutes late. The alarms kept flashing on the top floor for another five minutes and I was quite nervous about that, let alone the callback. I should hear something this week if this "hot" show wants me. That was a crazy day!
Today, I have a callback for a SAG project...even though I'm not SAG, umm, yet! ;) It's nice to beat out union competition to get this far. No telling if I'll get further but I'm ready for it!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Success is "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close!" April 25
It really does feel like I am being teased sometimes, especially in the last month. At least, I feel like I'm making progress.
It all began by me auditioning for the national tour of "Beauty and the Beast" and getting a callback for TWO parts, Maurice and Cogsworth. Then came "Rock of Ages" and I got called back for the musical's villain, Herr Hertz. Next was "Spamalot"...and I got called back for King Arthur. Just last week was "My Fair Lady" and the part this time was for Eliza's father, who sings that wonderful song, "Get Me to the Church on Time."
With all those shows, I am an unknown and many good people were at every callback. Getting cast takes a LOT of luck. Am I going to be lucky? I will know some time in the next couple of months as the process can be incredibly sloooooooooow! As for the Disney show, people have waited up to a YEAR before finally joining the production.
One GREAT project is that I filmed a national commercial last week! It will be shown every hour for the next month, starting in the second week of May. The spot is for Kioti tractors and I play a farmer. It's on a national cable program, "The Weather Channel." I also heard that my other commercial has been playing for a week now, also in markets across the U.S. That one is for Cox Communications.
Just today (and the reason for the "headline") I heard I am going to be auditioning for a part in the Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock movie, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" as they need an actor/magician between the ages of 50 and 60. I absolutely SWEAR I didn't write the advert for the part...but I sure could have. If I had, I would have added a part about needing to also speak Dutch, LOL!
The audition is tomorrow! Prayers will be greatly appreciated!
It all began by me auditioning for the national tour of "Beauty and the Beast" and getting a callback for TWO parts, Maurice and Cogsworth. Then came "Rock of Ages" and I got called back for the musical's villain, Herr Hertz. Next was "Spamalot"...and I got called back for King Arthur. Just last week was "My Fair Lady" and the part this time was for Eliza's father, who sings that wonderful song, "Get Me to the Church on Time."
With all those shows, I am an unknown and many good people were at every callback. Getting cast takes a LOT of luck. Am I going to be lucky? I will know some time in the next couple of months as the process can be incredibly sloooooooooow! As for the Disney show, people have waited up to a YEAR before finally joining the production.
One GREAT project is that I filmed a national commercial last week! It will be shown every hour for the next month, starting in the second week of May. The spot is for Kioti tractors and I play a farmer. It's on a national cable program, "The Weather Channel." I also heard that my other commercial has been playing for a week now, also in markets across the U.S. That one is for Cox Communications.
Just today (and the reason for the "headline") I heard I am going to be auditioning for a part in the Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock movie, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" as they need an actor/magician between the ages of 50 and 60. I absolutely SWEAR I didn't write the advert for the part...but I sure could have. If I had, I would have added a part about needing to also speak Dutch, LOL!
The audition is tomorrow! Prayers will be greatly appreciated!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
SUPER SUMMER SHOWS? March 30, 2011
Sorry I haven't written, but I've been waiting for some good news to counteract some very bad news, the passing of my father-in-law. He had been quite ill for the last couple of months so it's been a long-running issue. I will greatly miss him and our great times out on golf courses. He was also an amazing wood carver, quite the opposite of the bear-of-a-man engineer with the huge, ham-like hands that always seemed so unsteady.
Here in New York, there's been non-union auditions for lots of summer shows and national tours...and it's going GREAT! I got eight callbacks, which means asked back for a second round audition. Four of those were at one theater, for shows running at the same time, so only two was the maximum possible. Anyway, I've got my choice down to two theaters and two, rather different places. I've made up my mind but I won't write about it, yet.
Later in the summer, I'm up for TWO national tours!! One is for "Rock of Ages," a show with HUGE 80s rock anthem-type songs. I got called back for the part of the villain, "Herr Hertz." The other show is "Spamalot," Monty Python's hilarious Holy Grail...for the part of "King Arthur!" That call back will be Friday so please pray for me. Both tours are done by the same production company, Phoenix Entertainment and will involve a year-long contract.
Of course, the downside would be that I wouldn't be around to do commercials but the upside is to be part of a wonderful show and in a major role! I could never pass that up. The only thing better would be if I were in a Broadway show. Speaking of Broadway, I auditioned for "Memphis" last week and don't expect anything. I have seen that nothing has changed in the intervening years in reference to the difference between union and non-union, no matter what laws say.
Still, I am making such amazing progress in an incredibly short amount of time. It baffles my friends here...and me, as well!
Here in New York, there's been non-union auditions for lots of summer shows and national tours...and it's going GREAT! I got eight callbacks, which means asked back for a second round audition. Four of those were at one theater, for shows running at the same time, so only two was the maximum possible. Anyway, I've got my choice down to two theaters and two, rather different places. I've made up my mind but I won't write about it, yet.
Later in the summer, I'm up for TWO national tours!! One is for "Rock of Ages," a show with HUGE 80s rock anthem-type songs. I got called back for the part of the villain, "Herr Hertz." The other show is "Spamalot," Monty Python's hilarious Holy Grail...for the part of "King Arthur!" That call back will be Friday so please pray for me. Both tours are done by the same production company, Phoenix Entertainment and will involve a year-long contract.
Of course, the downside would be that I wouldn't be around to do commercials but the upside is to be part of a wonderful show and in a major role! I could never pass that up. The only thing better would be if I were in a Broadway show. Speaking of Broadway, I auditioned for "Memphis" last week and don't expect anything. I have seen that nothing has changed in the intervening years in reference to the difference between union and non-union, no matter what laws say.
Still, I am making such amazing progress in an incredibly short amount of time. It baffles my friends here...and me, as well!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
A LEGIT AGENT! Feb. 2, 2011
Another huge help to an actor is belonging to Bobby Holder's "Actor's Project-NYC." I was smart enough to get a lifetime membership for a lifetime of acting/monologue help and that is just the tip of the iceberg!
Bobby is always looking for ways of getting industry people in to see showcases or to get them to come to other evenings and that's how I finally met Mariusz of Metropolis Artists Agency! He was at an evening event, spoke to most of the actors from the "Project" and took their headshots. I sent him a postcard with my recent successes and Mariusz called me in after a couple of weeks.
Actors fear meeting with agents but Bobby helps with this, too! On top of that, Jagger Kaye and his events also make an actor at ease with industry people. If you could only work with two people in all of New York, Bobby and Jagger would be the two to meet. Don't ask me to only name one. That's like asking a father which of his sons he loves more. ;)
What I can say, though, is Bobby is really geared toward using original comedy monologues to reach industry people...and they know they are going to laugh their butts off. Jagger uses actual advertising copy, teaches you how to analyze it and present it in a "real" fashion, no "acting" allowed. They are two, incredibly unique approaches to have in your acting "tool box."
On top of that, you can tell they do this because they love it! Some people teach for the money but not these guys.
I never would have imagined that I would have three agents in just three months, all due to wonderful instruction!
.
Bobby is always looking for ways of getting industry people in to see showcases or to get them to come to other evenings and that's how I finally met Mariusz of Metropolis Artists Agency! He was at an evening event, spoke to most of the actors from the "Project" and took their headshots. I sent him a postcard with my recent successes and Mariusz called me in after a couple of weeks.
Actors fear meeting with agents but Bobby helps with this, too! On top of that, Jagger Kaye and his events also make an actor at ease with industry people. If you could only work with two people in all of New York, Bobby and Jagger would be the two to meet. Don't ask me to only name one. That's like asking a father which of his sons he loves more. ;)
What I can say, though, is Bobby is really geared toward using original comedy monologues to reach industry people...and they know they are going to laugh their butts off. Jagger uses actual advertising copy, teaches you how to analyze it and present it in a "real" fashion, no "acting" allowed. They are two, incredibly unique approaches to have in your acting "tool box."
On top of that, you can tell they do this because they love it! Some people teach for the money but not these guys.
I never would have imagined that I would have three agents in just three months, all due to wonderful instruction!
.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
BOSTON BOUND! Feb. 1, 2011
This Friday, I will be heading to Boston to film a commercial there! I will be administering a lie detector test to a man, asking him embarrassing questions like, "Is your Twitter name 'I heart unicorns?'" The filming is on Saturday and I will be back in time for the Super Bowl...ummm, if the snowstorm cooperates!
Commercial acting technique is different and I have to thank Jagger Kaye the most for teaching me what I need to know! I have him listed on my resume for just that! It's one way I can say "thanks!" to him. Following Jagger's approach, I won a commercial class in an acting competition to an acting school/casting office/and more place called Weist-Barron Studios, run by a very nice group of people. So far, I have had a class with Batt Jonson and one with Tod Engle. An excellent casting director, named James Calleri, also taught me some useful stuff, crucial for me to get this commercial, too. This commercial director wanted everything "under acted," just like James likes. This is a continuation of what Jagger teaches, and his motto, which I will paraphrase, "No acting allowed, only 'real' moments." Sorry if I messed that up, Jagger.
Tomorrow, I also have another meeting with an agent, a former bass player from Europe who now works in NYC. I must admit, I feel we've gotta hit it off! Several people I take classes from like this guy, too, so I already feel good about hopefully working together. We've chatted briefly once before and he seems super nice and very competent!
Here, an actor "freelances" with agents, sometimes called "dating," until one signs him/her. I hope to sign at some stage, too, but it'll be a tough choice. I'm currently dating two, excellent agencies that also happen to be downright nice people. This part of the business is still a mystery to me. Simply put, I'd like to make them ALL a lot of money!
This is similar to the system in Holland and I worked with about ten agencies/talent bureaus at my busiest in the 1990s. I once signed with one, who promised a Far East tour, and that was a huge mistake that lasted three years and killed my music career. The economy in the East went south, pun intended, and the tour couldn't happen, the agency split in half and I ended up in the wrong half.
I'm much more optimistic about my current situation!
Commercial acting technique is different and I have to thank Jagger Kaye the most for teaching me what I need to know! I have him listed on my resume for just that! It's one way I can say "thanks!" to him. Following Jagger's approach, I won a commercial class in an acting competition to an acting school/casting office/and more place called Weist-Barron Studios, run by a very nice group of people. So far, I have had a class with Batt Jonson and one with Tod Engle. An excellent casting director, named James Calleri, also taught me some useful stuff, crucial for me to get this commercial, too. This commercial director wanted everything "under acted," just like James likes. This is a continuation of what Jagger teaches, and his motto, which I will paraphrase, "No acting allowed, only 'real' moments." Sorry if I messed that up, Jagger.
Tomorrow, I also have another meeting with an agent, a former bass player from Europe who now works in NYC. I must admit, I feel we've gotta hit it off! Several people I take classes from like this guy, too, so I already feel good about hopefully working together. We've chatted briefly once before and he seems super nice and very competent!
Here, an actor "freelances" with agents, sometimes called "dating," until one signs him/her. I hope to sign at some stage, too, but it'll be a tough choice. I'm currently dating two, excellent agencies that also happen to be downright nice people. This part of the business is still a mystery to me. Simply put, I'd like to make them ALL a lot of money!
This is similar to the system in Holland and I worked with about ten agencies/talent bureaus at my busiest in the 1990s. I once signed with one, who promised a Far East tour, and that was a huge mistake that lasted three years and killed my music career. The economy in the East went south, pun intended, and the tour couldn't happen, the agency split in half and I ended up in the wrong half.
I'm much more optimistic about my current situation!
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