I last mentioned getting two call backs. Well, change that to four in ONE WEEK! Two were for musicals, "Cabaret" and "Anne of Green Gables," one for a film, "Patriotic Retribution" and one for a TV series pilot, "Beat Cafe!" With the Holiday break, I'll probably be waiting for a while until something happens in January.
In the meantime, I have a little film project for "Alcoholics Anonymous" that will be Sunday. It'll have a "vintage" footage look from the 1950's.
However, the BIG news is that I have an agent to freelance with that handles commercials and TV. Some people end up with several to freelance with, working unsigned. However, I'd prefer to be signed with someone at some point.
I went to their office, did a monologue, read a commercial and they suggested I start doing voice overs here, as well, something I've been wanting to do, as I had done them in Europe, so why not?
Today, with a very nice lady, we sang Christmas carols at a soup kitchen on the lower east side of NY. It was an extremely moving experience that is difficult to describe. It was a very special morning, to say the least. I got there about 15 minutes early and the line had already covered one side of the block and much of the other side, as well. It all opened 75 minutes later and as soon as they got in the door, the frustration of waiting out in the freezing cold was forgotten and a party began!
Last weekend, I joined a LARGE crew in doing a make-over for a MS teen who only had the use of her head. My job was detail painting, something I've done before for theater work. You should have seen Keosha's smile at the end! There must have been at least 50 relatives and friends that came to the "reveal!"
Between these two experiences, I can again see how we are all one family on this little planet. God is so good.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
"PERPS" ARRESTS AUDIENCE!
Tonight was THE night! Our audience crowded into the Loewe Reading Room at the Dramatist's Guild for six of our songs and to hear from Laura's hilarious script! Laughs abounded and now we'll see what happens next. The site for the show will hopefully have photos from the show and maybe some clips... Who knows? Look at http://perp-o-rama.com/ for the bios for now!
It's a majorly busy weekend that will include TWO call backs and an audition that I was selected for, after sending in my resume and photo. That really contrasts with the rejection that has been such a challenge so far. It's especially nice since they're PAID projects!
It's a majorly busy weekend that will include TWO call backs and an audition that I was selected for, after sending in my resume and photo. That really contrasts with the rejection that has been such a challenge so far. It's especially nice since they're PAID projects!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Happy Birthday to Me! Nov. 16
I check my email about three times a day, each time hoping to see something from my last auditions on November 5, for example. I asked an actor friend about the timeline they've experienced in the past, you know, how long it takes to hear if you got something. You never hear if you don't. I knew it could be up to a month or even longer and she confirmed it. That means I'm still hoping about those auditions.
Since then, I've done another spot for PMSports. I don't have to audition with them. These last two times, I just get a call, see if I'm available and off we go. This last time, I played a friend of the NFL Commissioner. As we talk about possible safety changes, he's waving a loaded gun carelessly around, often in my direction. It's a pretty funny bit and should be online very soon, like in a week.
I'm also in a play with my roommate as they needed someone for about 10 (comic) lines. The play is called "Memory" at the "Jewel Box Theater" and is about a mobster who loses chunks of his memory after being shot in the head. He's asked to write a book about his life but can't fill in all the blanks and needs his ex-girlfriend's help. They didn't part on the best of circumstances and they meet in tense situation in a bar where my character is a waiter. Just taking their order is a drama. It's a small part but very fun!
I've also auditioned for two shows at the same time...again, but both are with the same theater company that is from Florida. Those productions begin in February of 2011. They are "Plaza Suite," a comedy and "Light From the Piazza," a musical.
I sent the company my photo and CV rather late, Friday night, and the auditions were for Saturday and Sunday. (I thought I had already sent it but hadn't...dummy!) They would then say an appointment time...IF they wanted me. I decided that by Sunday, if I hadn't heard anything, I would go to the auditions anyway and see if they'd like me to audition. After all, maybe they hadn't even seen my email. As I was sitting in the waiting room, I got a call from them, asking me to come down. "I'm in the holding room" I replied. At least at that point, I felt less like an intruder.
I had an audition and a call back that afternoon and it seemed to go well...not great, but hopefully, well enough. I read with two different actresses and sang twice. I wasn't thinking of singing, thinking that "Piazza" was supposed to be classical but it isn't/wasn't and only had "New York, New York" with me. We'll see if that song is lucky for me...again! That was the one I ended up singing three times (each time, raising it up higher and higher) for someone in the back of a dark theater that later turned out to be who most people say is the world's most famous producer, Cameron Mackintosh. Now it's time to keep checking the email accounts....again and again. One of these days...
Oh, yes, it's my birthday today! I don't have anything special planned as in 30 minutes, I need to head to an indoctrination workshop so I can tutor in the New York Schools. I enjoy teaching and will always do some of that, no matter if I'm in a show or not. Then I'll be off to an acting workshop at Actor's Project-NYC and then to a church study group, made up of people in the arts. Finally, I'll meet my roomie and friends, one of whom is also a birthday boy, at Bryant Park, where there is a skating rink. I'm not much on skating but hanging out sounds good enough!
Thank you all for your support! Please sign up so Hanne doesn't look quite so lonely there! ;)
Since then, I've done another spot for PMSports. I don't have to audition with them. These last two times, I just get a call, see if I'm available and off we go. This last time, I played a friend of the NFL Commissioner. As we talk about possible safety changes, he's waving a loaded gun carelessly around, often in my direction. It's a pretty funny bit and should be online very soon, like in a week.
I'm also in a play with my roommate as they needed someone for about 10 (comic) lines. The play is called "Memory" at the "Jewel Box Theater" and is about a mobster who loses chunks of his memory after being shot in the head. He's asked to write a book about his life but can't fill in all the blanks and needs his ex-girlfriend's help. They didn't part on the best of circumstances and they meet in tense situation in a bar where my character is a waiter. Just taking their order is a drama. It's a small part but very fun!
I've also auditioned for two shows at the same time...again, but both are with the same theater company that is from Florida. Those productions begin in February of 2011. They are "Plaza Suite," a comedy and "Light From the Piazza," a musical.
I sent the company my photo and CV rather late, Friday night, and the auditions were for Saturday and Sunday. (I thought I had already sent it but hadn't...dummy!) They would then say an appointment time...IF they wanted me. I decided that by Sunday, if I hadn't heard anything, I would go to the auditions anyway and see if they'd like me to audition. After all, maybe they hadn't even seen my email. As I was sitting in the waiting room, I got a call from them, asking me to come down. "I'm in the holding room" I replied. At least at that point, I felt less like an intruder.
I had an audition and a call back that afternoon and it seemed to go well...not great, but hopefully, well enough. I read with two different actresses and sang twice. I wasn't thinking of singing, thinking that "Piazza" was supposed to be classical but it isn't/wasn't and only had "New York, New York" with me. We'll see if that song is lucky for me...again! That was the one I ended up singing three times (each time, raising it up higher and higher) for someone in the back of a dark theater that later turned out to be who most people say is the world's most famous producer, Cameron Mackintosh. Now it's time to keep checking the email accounts....again and again. One of these days...
Oh, yes, it's my birthday today! I don't have anything special planned as in 30 minutes, I need to head to an indoctrination workshop so I can tutor in the New York Schools. I enjoy teaching and will always do some of that, no matter if I'm in a show or not. Then I'll be off to an acting workshop at Actor's Project-NYC and then to a church study group, made up of people in the arts. Finally, I'll meet my roomie and friends, one of whom is also a birthday boy, at Bryant Park, where there is a skating rink. I'm not much on skating but hanging out sounds good enough!
Thank you all for your support! Please sign up so Hanne doesn't look quite so lonely there! ;)
Friday, November 5, 2010
November 5: Doublely Lucky!
Monday saw the very exciting prospect of singing and dancing on Broadway! This was a dream come true, to say the least. The show went great and my monologues were extremely well received! Studio 54 is a gorgeous theater with a huge balcony, making every seat in the house seem close by.
After this high of a wonderful show came the crash back down to earth. My next project won't happen until December 3, the musical "Perps!" which will be done as a reading. That means that we will have a minimum of rehearsal but are expected to do the show without a script in our hands, if possible.
A new activity I started on Tuesday is called, "The Actor's Project-NYC." Using their own writers, (and maybe me in the future?), they create original comic monologues, skits and full-length plays. Agents and other industry people come to their productions and showcases. I went to my first actor's meeting and had a lot of fun doing a "cold reading!"
Otherwise, my activity for the rest of the week was to see what auditions I could get into until "Perps!" starts. Not being in the American union, Equity, makes it much more difficult and three times this week, I was denied the chance to audition, including for one of the shows I REALLY want to do, "Wicked." As it was, over 300 people showed up, not including nonunion like me. That's huge!
On Wednesday, though, I got to audition for, don't laugh because I'd like to do this, the "Starlight Diner," a 1950s style diner where the wait staff sings as the entertainment. About ten of us sang between songs by the regular staff and I was second up...and I brought the house down! It felt soooo good to sing a song where I didn't have to "think, feel, emote" and I could just let go right there, which I did when I sang, "Great Balls of Fire!" I really appreciated the wild applause and compliments, so different than a regular New York audition. The owner LOVED the singing but wonders if I have enough experience as I've not worked in a large restaurant. I think I'd have no problem with that or the computers, which look quite similar to the ones I used at our football/soccer club. Even several members of the wait staff told me they hope I get the job!
Yesterday, I auditioned for a play, the "Body Politic." My monologue went OK but I don't think I was what they were looking for.
Then, here came Friday. On paper, I had nothing going on. However, an email from a fellow actor, Booker, said I should head down to the union office where auditions were going on. We spoke on the phone and he said he'd show me what the procedure was, which turned out to be similar to other union auditions. You always have to be prepared to wait, wait and wait until there aren't any more union people or there is a gap.
There were auditions for "Treasure Island" and I chose a script for a marooned sailor, Ben. Most actors had come the day before and after a very short wait, it was my turn. I decided to play him a little crazy, nervous, edgy...and a bit of a nice guy. Well, it seemed to really please the casting people! They smiled, laughed and even complimented me.
After leaving the room, I headed to another room that had a musical audition. I signed up and was inside in about ten minutes! It was for a country/rock musical and I thought "Great Balls" would be a good choice, again! Well, after the first line of the song, the author/director's jaw dropped and he scooped up my resume for another look. Both he and the casting director seemed thoroughly pleased with huge grins on their faces...at least I sure hope what I saw was what happened!
Even if I don't get called back for either show, I know I made an impression. Most people do this for a few years and then, finally, they get ONE part. I hope I beat that average, time wise!
As I said at the top, I feel doublely lucky, two auditions that went very well on a day I had none scheduled! Tomorrow, I have been asked in to audition for a film, "Patriotic Retribution." They liked my head shot and resume and asked me in. We'll see what happens. While typing this, a director called about a bit part in a play my roommate is in. I'll head over there after the film audition.
No matter what, I feel like I am making progress in a town where I am so unknown that I have very little chance. Talent is only one part of the package they are looking for. However, the producers from "Keepers" said they were delighted that they had chosen me for their production. This involves the other factors people want from their actors. Hopefully, others will see this in me, that I can really do well in the job and be a part of the team!
However, I feel just lucky to be included in "Keepers"...and I now have the right to say that I've performed ON BROADWAY!
After this high of a wonderful show came the crash back down to earth. My next project won't happen until December 3, the musical "Perps!" which will be done as a reading. That means that we will have a minimum of rehearsal but are expected to do the show without a script in our hands, if possible.
A new activity I started on Tuesday is called, "The Actor's Project-NYC." Using their own writers, (and maybe me in the future?), they create original comic monologues, skits and full-length plays. Agents and other industry people come to their productions and showcases. I went to my first actor's meeting and had a lot of fun doing a "cold reading!"
Otherwise, my activity for the rest of the week was to see what auditions I could get into until "Perps!" starts. Not being in the American union, Equity, makes it much more difficult and three times this week, I was denied the chance to audition, including for one of the shows I REALLY want to do, "Wicked." As it was, over 300 people showed up, not including nonunion like me. That's huge!
On Wednesday, though, I got to audition for, don't laugh because I'd like to do this, the "Starlight Diner," a 1950s style diner where the wait staff sings as the entertainment. About ten of us sang between songs by the regular staff and I was second up...and I brought the house down! It felt soooo good to sing a song where I didn't have to "think, feel, emote" and I could just let go right there, which I did when I sang, "Great Balls of Fire!" I really appreciated the wild applause and compliments, so different than a regular New York audition. The owner LOVED the singing but wonders if I have enough experience as I've not worked in a large restaurant. I think I'd have no problem with that or the computers, which look quite similar to the ones I used at our football/soccer club. Even several members of the wait staff told me they hope I get the job!
Yesterday, I auditioned for a play, the "Body Politic." My monologue went OK but I don't think I was what they were looking for.
Then, here came Friday. On paper, I had nothing going on. However, an email from a fellow actor, Booker, said I should head down to the union office where auditions were going on. We spoke on the phone and he said he'd show me what the procedure was, which turned out to be similar to other union auditions. You always have to be prepared to wait, wait and wait until there aren't any more union people or there is a gap.
There were auditions for "Treasure Island" and I chose a script for a marooned sailor, Ben. Most actors had come the day before and after a very short wait, it was my turn. I decided to play him a little crazy, nervous, edgy...and a bit of a nice guy. Well, it seemed to really please the casting people! They smiled, laughed and even complimented me.
After leaving the room, I headed to another room that had a musical audition. I signed up and was inside in about ten minutes! It was for a country/rock musical and I thought "Great Balls" would be a good choice, again! Well, after the first line of the song, the author/director's jaw dropped and he scooped up my resume for another look. Both he and the casting director seemed thoroughly pleased with huge grins on their faces...at least I sure hope what I saw was what happened!
Even if I don't get called back for either show, I know I made an impression. Most people do this for a few years and then, finally, they get ONE part. I hope I beat that average, time wise!
As I said at the top, I feel doublely lucky, two auditions that went very well on a day I had none scheduled! Tomorrow, I have been asked in to audition for a film, "Patriotic Retribution." They liked my head shot and resume and asked me in. We'll see what happens. While typing this, a director called about a bit part in a play my roommate is in. I'll head over there after the film audition.
No matter what, I feel like I am making progress in a town where I am so unknown that I have very little chance. Talent is only one part of the package they are looking for. However, the producers from "Keepers" said they were delighted that they had chosen me for their production. This involves the other factors people want from their actors. Hopefully, others will see this in me, that I can really do well in the job and be a part of the team!
However, I feel just lucky to be included in "Keepers"...and I now have the right to say that I've performed ON BROADWAY!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Rehearsals Begin for "Keepers!"
There's something I love about rehearsing... You meet new people, work hard together and after a few weeks, you've put together a show! Well, we only have ten days to rehearse "Keepers" and after only two days, we have the two hardest songs pretty well "down," the opening and the closing songs!
As it turns out, I have two monologues to present, no solo songs, but given the short time involved, I don't really mind! I will rehearse my monologues tomorrow for the first time and I am pretty close to having them memorized but without any blocking (movement) which helps me memorize. This blocking will be a big help in really "anchoring" the words into my memory.
It's all very exciting, especially after we toured "Studio 54," a huge theater with a massive balcony. I took a photo on my phone and now that is my "wallpaper." It truly is a Broadway theater so after this show on November 1 at "Studio 54," I can actually say I performed on Broadway, LOL! Tickets are only $95. Anybody wanna come?
The next scene from "Death of a Salesman" at Columbia went pretty well. As a dream sequence, it was actually a nightmare for Willy's wife. I got to meet four new actors and in three rehearsals, we put together a 15-minute piece...that was supposed to only be about seven minutes long. Again, I am really working on my memorization skills, my weakest area, by far.
I auditioned for the "Actor's Project of New York," with only one of seven actors getting through. Well, using my comic monologue, I got through. This group develops original humorous pieces and plays. They charge a membership fee for the first year and then it's free forever. I'm still trying to decide what to do about it but am strongly leaning toward doing it as I LOVE doing original material, especially if I am writing it, too.
I did the last class for a five-week "Musical Auditioning" class, led by Dale Brown of Tara Rubin Casting. It went OK and I've ended up with a pretty strong song added to my "book," as musical performers call it. Overall, the feedback from the five agents who attended the final "performance" was luke warm. I listened to what I recorded of me singing that night and I was too careful. I just need to "go for it" and need songs that let me do that.
Another problem with my singing is this New York air, which I expected. My recorded voice sounds "thin" to me, but I'm also trying to flow through the acting part at the same time and the vocals are suffering. I'll get there.
Tomorrow, I hope to be auditioning for "Catch Me If You Can." I tried to get in there today but they were running late and then I had to go to rehearsal. I also have rehearsal tomorrow but the auditions "should" still be going on afterwards, if the poor agent hasn't lost his patience. There were absolute idiots there today, wasting his time. It shows the desperation of some performers...but they are keeping others from getting a chance.
At the same casting office, I hope to also audition for "Wicked," a show that is second on my list of ones I REALLY want to be in!!! The other is "Memphis!" by the way.
I also auditioned for and got a callback from the "Chamber Theater Productions" company that puts out shows to tour the entire U.S. It pays OK but I don't know if I should do that. I did a pretty crummy German accent during my second audition so maybe I blew it already. I don't know...
I think I may have already written this VERY true adage in my blog, "An actor's job is to audition." As long as these other projects don't get in the way of the other musical I will be doing, "Perp!" then that will be fine. Both "Catch" and "Wicked" wouldn't start until 2011, I think. Still, it is a very tough thing to get a part in either show, like one out of a thousand odds, I would guess. However, I will keep trying! Why shouldn't I?
As it turns out, I have two monologues to present, no solo songs, but given the short time involved, I don't really mind! I will rehearse my monologues tomorrow for the first time and I am pretty close to having them memorized but without any blocking (movement) which helps me memorize. This blocking will be a big help in really "anchoring" the words into my memory.
It's all very exciting, especially after we toured "Studio 54," a huge theater with a massive balcony. I took a photo on my phone and now that is my "wallpaper." It truly is a Broadway theater so after this show on November 1 at "Studio 54," I can actually say I performed on Broadway, LOL! Tickets are only $95. Anybody wanna come?
The next scene from "Death of a Salesman" at Columbia went pretty well. As a dream sequence, it was actually a nightmare for Willy's wife. I got to meet four new actors and in three rehearsals, we put together a 15-minute piece...that was supposed to only be about seven minutes long. Again, I am really working on my memorization skills, my weakest area, by far.
I auditioned for the "Actor's Project of New York," with only one of seven actors getting through. Well, using my comic monologue, I got through. This group develops original humorous pieces and plays. They charge a membership fee for the first year and then it's free forever. I'm still trying to decide what to do about it but am strongly leaning toward doing it as I LOVE doing original material, especially if I am writing it, too.
I did the last class for a five-week "Musical Auditioning" class, led by Dale Brown of Tara Rubin Casting. It went OK and I've ended up with a pretty strong song added to my "book," as musical performers call it. Overall, the feedback from the five agents who attended the final "performance" was luke warm. I listened to what I recorded of me singing that night and I was too careful. I just need to "go for it" and need songs that let me do that.
Another problem with my singing is this New York air, which I expected. My recorded voice sounds "thin" to me, but I'm also trying to flow through the acting part at the same time and the vocals are suffering. I'll get there.
Tomorrow, I hope to be auditioning for "Catch Me If You Can." I tried to get in there today but they were running late and then I had to go to rehearsal. I also have rehearsal tomorrow but the auditions "should" still be going on afterwards, if the poor agent hasn't lost his patience. There were absolute idiots there today, wasting his time. It shows the desperation of some performers...but they are keeping others from getting a chance.
At the same casting office, I hope to also audition for "Wicked," a show that is second on my list of ones I REALLY want to be in!!! The other is "Memphis!" by the way.
I also auditioned for and got a callback from the "Chamber Theater Productions" company that puts out shows to tour the entire U.S. It pays OK but I don't know if I should do that. I did a pretty crummy German accent during my second audition so maybe I blew it already. I don't know...
I think I may have already written this VERY true adage in my blog, "An actor's job is to audition." As long as these other projects don't get in the way of the other musical I will be doing, "Perp!" then that will be fine. Both "Catch" and "Wicked" wouldn't start until 2011, I think. Still, it is a very tough thing to get a part in either show, like one out of a thousand odds, I would guess. However, I will keep trying! Why shouldn't I?
Friday, October 15, 2010
Moving Onward?
I put a question mark there because some days, you wonder. Yesterday, I attending an "agent meet" that had ten casting and business agents. The place organizing it sent links to pieces an actor could choose a scene, which I did. In hindsight, it would have been better to find my own but time was short.
Still, I feel it went well but would have been much better with a better scene. On top of that, I already knew the agents weren't quite who I needed to meet but you can never tell. I will wait and see if I get any contact from the agent
The day before yesterday, I auditioned for an Equity show, "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom." "Equity" means it was a union show and since I am not a member in the U.S., they are HARD to get into quite often. Each of us went in, sang for about two minutes and then out we came, none of us knowing if we did OK or what. That is how it is often done. You always hope that the agent or agents will ask some questions, etc., but the one guy in there didn't say a thing to anyone as far as I know. Maybe you get a call or email later or maybe not. It would be nice to hear "no" but some people freak out with that. I would just like to know...anything!
Good news! One musical (in development) that I auditioned for, "Perp! The Musical," didn't know which part to give me as there were two parts I could do. One was a ridiculous criminal and the other was his defense attorney. Well, I ended up with....both! They don't appear together on stage at the same time so I will change my appearance a bit, mostly for the lawyer, I guess.
Columbia U emailed me again! Ray, who directed me before asked me to do another scene for his grad class. It'll be a "dream sequence" and it sounds like fun already. We'll rehearse tonight, Saturday and Sunday and present the scene on Monday. It's also from "Death of a Salesman."
My biggest project is coming up, "Keepers," a musical showcase to go on November 1 at "Studio 54," formerly the world's most renowned nightclub. Rehearsals will start October 21 and I'm supposed to receive the music and texts I need to do... With so many projects, I really need all the time I can get to keep the texts straight in my addled brain.
This coming Wednesday, I will audition for "The 39 Steps," a show I saw in London's West End two years ago. This show has been on Broadway, is currently off Broadway and they are casting for a group to tour nationally here in the U.S. It's a comical, four-actor version of the Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name. Each person plays several parts and I am hoping for the part of the comic character that plays even more parts than the others. It's a great piece of fun!
Hey! My roomie's show in the "Irish Theater Festival" was selected as "Best Play!" I've started calling him, "Champ," which he deserves! There is even talk of taking it over to Ireland and performing it there.
Every day, I send off emails with my photo and resume attached, hoping to get parts in movies and plays that I see advertised on a site called, "Actor's Access." I've gotten about three "jobs" from it and every day, you never know what you might see in your email inbox. There's also something called playbill.com.
Between the internet and everything else, I have very little time for writing and I need to do so. I had a song idea last night while I was on the subway and should have written it down. I'll try now. Bye!
Still, I feel it went well but would have been much better with a better scene. On top of that, I already knew the agents weren't quite who I needed to meet but you can never tell. I will wait and see if I get any contact from the agent
The day before yesterday, I auditioned for an Equity show, "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom." "Equity" means it was a union show and since I am not a member in the U.S., they are HARD to get into quite often. Each of us went in, sang for about two minutes and then out we came, none of us knowing if we did OK or what. That is how it is often done. You always hope that the agent or agents will ask some questions, etc., but the one guy in there didn't say a thing to anyone as far as I know. Maybe you get a call or email later or maybe not. It would be nice to hear "no" but some people freak out with that. I would just like to know...anything!
Good news! One musical (in development) that I auditioned for, "Perp! The Musical," didn't know which part to give me as there were two parts I could do. One was a ridiculous criminal and the other was his defense attorney. Well, I ended up with....both! They don't appear together on stage at the same time so I will change my appearance a bit, mostly for the lawyer, I guess.
Columbia U emailed me again! Ray, who directed me before asked me to do another scene for his grad class. It'll be a "dream sequence" and it sounds like fun already. We'll rehearse tonight, Saturday and Sunday and present the scene on Monday. It's also from "Death of a Salesman."
My biggest project is coming up, "Keepers," a musical showcase to go on November 1 at "Studio 54," formerly the world's most renowned nightclub. Rehearsals will start October 21 and I'm supposed to receive the music and texts I need to do... With so many projects, I really need all the time I can get to keep the texts straight in my addled brain.
This coming Wednesday, I will audition for "The 39 Steps," a show I saw in London's West End two years ago. This show has been on Broadway, is currently off Broadway and they are casting for a group to tour nationally here in the U.S. It's a comical, four-actor version of the Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name. Each person plays several parts and I am hoping for the part of the comic character that plays even more parts than the others. It's a great piece of fun!
Hey! My roomie's show in the "Irish Theater Festival" was selected as "Best Play!" I've started calling him, "Champ," which he deserves! There is even talk of taking it over to Ireland and performing it there.
Every day, I send off emails with my photo and resume attached, hoping to get parts in movies and plays that I see advertised on a site called, "Actor's Access." I've gotten about three "jobs" from it and every day, you never know what you might see in your email inbox. There's also something called playbill.com.
Between the internet and everything else, I have very little time for writing and I need to do so. I had a song idea last night while I was on the subway and should have written it down. I'll try now. Bye!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Even Better!
One of the last things I mentioned was that I was heading to Columbia University for an audition, something having to do with "Death of a Salesman." Well, when I arrived, the director, Ray, handed me a script for the lead, "Willy!" That was good and bad. It was bad because I didn't see myself as "Willy" but good because it's a fantastic part, one of the absolute best on the planet!
After looking over the two pages to present, I performed it once. Ray then apologized for all the things he wanted me to try on the next reading. I took in what I could and off I went again...and he offered me the role on the spot! WOW!
When I got back to my apartment, I checked my email and got one back from a musical I had auditioned for on Sunday and thought I wasn't through. Well, actually, they were considering me for two parts and could I come back again.
In one day, I go from zero to three projects and maybe even a fourth! Unbelievable! Now the sobering thought about all this is it isn't really any money but at least I'm BUSY! I'm particularly juiced about the project at Columbia because of the people involved but each one has excellent possibilities, also for the future.
What is surprising for me is that I got this lucky in less than four weeks! Yahoo!!
After looking over the two pages to present, I performed it once. Ray then apologized for all the things he wanted me to try on the next reading. I took in what I could and off I went again...and he offered me the role on the spot! WOW!
When I got back to my apartment, I checked my email and got one back from a musical I had auditioned for on Sunday and thought I wasn't through. Well, actually, they were considering me for two parts and could I come back again.
In one day, I go from zero to three projects and maybe even a fourth! Unbelievable! Now the sobering thought about all this is it isn't really any money but at least I'm BUSY! I'm particularly juiced about the project at Columbia because of the people involved but each one has excellent possibilities, also for the future.
What is surprising for me is that I got this lucky in less than four weeks! Yahoo!!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
TWO, Count 'em, TWO Projects!!!
Before I get to the projects, let me first say that if you got here by NOT going through my site, then I need to let you know that it exists. It was created by my "brother by another mother," Martin, whose link you can find on the site. Tell him if you think he did a GREAT job, OK? The site is www.billyholly.info.
Today has been quite a day, two calls offering two projects! One is the sports show I mentioned last entry and the other is a charity showcase for orphans.
The sports "interview" will be filmed this Friday. I will be playing a troubled former-baseball player, Lenny Dykstra, who is being interviewed and later, gets into an argument with someone who stole some of his money in a shady deal. It will then be put on the internet and all of you will be able to see it.
The charity event will be a combination of songs and monologues concerning orphans, presented on November 1 in New York. It will have about two weeks of rehearsals and then off we will go! I am guessing that ticket sales will benefit the orphans and we actors should invite our friends, agents and countrymen. I won't know much more about this for a while. This was the audition that I tried out "Great Balls of Fire" at and they seemed to like it. I also did a new monologue for only the second time. I guess the song DID get their attention. One of the evaluators knew about Mountview, where I had done a musical theater intensive course, thank goodness!
I have another audition in about an hour for a scene from "Death of a Salesman" at Columbia University. It's a director's project that will be evaluated by Ann Bogart, a very well-known director and choreographer. I don't see myself as a Willie Loman, or however you spell that but I don't even know what part it's for at this point...maybe the neighbor?
More to come!
Today has been quite a day, two calls offering two projects! One is the sports show I mentioned last entry and the other is a charity showcase for orphans.
The sports "interview" will be filmed this Friday. I will be playing a troubled former-baseball player, Lenny Dykstra, who is being interviewed and later, gets into an argument with someone who stole some of his money in a shady deal. It will then be put on the internet and all of you will be able to see it.
The charity event will be a combination of songs and monologues concerning orphans, presented on November 1 in New York. It will have about two weeks of rehearsals and then off we will go! I am guessing that ticket sales will benefit the orphans and we actors should invite our friends, agents and countrymen. I won't know much more about this for a while. This was the audition that I tried out "Great Balls of Fire" at and they seemed to like it. I also did a new monologue for only the second time. I guess the song DID get their attention. One of the evaluators knew about Mountview, where I had done a musical theater intensive course, thank goodness!
I have another audition in about an hour for a scene from "Death of a Salesman" at Columbia University. It's a director's project that will be evaluated by Ann Bogart, a very well-known director and choreographer. I don't see myself as a Willie Loman, or however you spell that but I don't even know what part it's for at this point...maybe the neighbor?
More to come!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
I Hit the Ground Running!
Since I arrived here on Sept. 1, I've been doing A LOT of auditions, especially after I found a place to live. That is always a huge hurdle and feels soooo good once jumped!
I live in Harlem, just north of Central Park. 117th Street is a quiet, tree-lined, one-way street but close enough to the bank on the corner, a large grocery across Lennox Boulevard and the 2/3 subway a few feet away. It's an excellent location!
I share the apartment with another actor, Walter, who currently is in a show which is part of the Irish Theater Festival. He's an EXCELLENT actor, btw!
The city is full of surprises, even though there are many shows on TV based here. For example, Central Park has rocky cliffs in it, which I've never seen on TV. The northern part of the park and down its west side, is full of hills and trees.
Another surprise is the subway. There are many parts that look just like London but many others that have long, large tunnels, many shops and last night, a group of three old black dudes about my age, singing a capella spirituals and rocking the roof! Before you could blink, they asked me to join in...what fun!
However, I had to soon get to class, lead by Dale Brown of "Tara Rubin Casting." We sing songs there and Dale gives us his impressions. He's very humble about it but has been in the business a long time and really knows what he's talking about. At the end, several agents will come to watch and maybe some of us will get signed.
At the first class, I sang "New York, New York" and "Cellophane Man," a song from the musical, "Chicago." I don't think I made much of an impression, especially with a somewhat clogged throat so this week, I wanted to "bust loose" and do a song that I feel that can rock, "Great Balls of Fire." I had sung the song earlier in the day in an audition and it seemed to get a BIG reaction and I was hoping to get a similar one...but it didn't happen, not here, anyway. However, I really think that there is a time and place for this song, especially if I want to release the showman inside of me.
Dale then had me sing another. I chose, "Guv'ment." a song from "Big River," also a song that lets me let loose more than the pretty songs typically sung by lots of people.
I particularly like the funny songs the other people in class sing! It can really let their personalities show. Already, there are tooooo many wonderful singers here...but not actors! ;) It's up to the actors to take back center stage!
For lunch today, I'll be meeting up with a guy who was a student of mine in my classes in Rotterdam, ten years ago. He's an amazing guitarist working here.
After that, I'm off to a TV audition, some sort of version of "Myth Busters" but having to do with sports. All for now...
I live in Harlem, just north of Central Park. 117th Street is a quiet, tree-lined, one-way street but close enough to the bank on the corner, a large grocery across Lennox Boulevard and the 2/3 subway a few feet away. It's an excellent location!
I share the apartment with another actor, Walter, who currently is in a show which is part of the Irish Theater Festival. He's an EXCELLENT actor, btw!
The city is full of surprises, even though there are many shows on TV based here. For example, Central Park has rocky cliffs in it, which I've never seen on TV. The northern part of the park and down its west side, is full of hills and trees.
Another surprise is the subway. There are many parts that look just like London but many others that have long, large tunnels, many shops and last night, a group of three old black dudes about my age, singing a capella spirituals and rocking the roof! Before you could blink, they asked me to join in...what fun!
However, I had to soon get to class, lead by Dale Brown of "Tara Rubin Casting." We sing songs there and Dale gives us his impressions. He's very humble about it but has been in the business a long time and really knows what he's talking about. At the end, several agents will come to watch and maybe some of us will get signed.
At the first class, I sang "New York, New York" and "Cellophane Man," a song from the musical, "Chicago." I don't think I made much of an impression, especially with a somewhat clogged throat so this week, I wanted to "bust loose" and do a song that I feel that can rock, "Great Balls of Fire." I had sung the song earlier in the day in an audition and it seemed to get a BIG reaction and I was hoping to get a similar one...but it didn't happen, not here, anyway. However, I really think that there is a time and place for this song, especially if I want to release the showman inside of me.
Dale then had me sing another. I chose, "Guv'ment." a song from "Big River," also a song that lets me let loose more than the pretty songs typically sung by lots of people.
I particularly like the funny songs the other people in class sing! It can really let their personalities show. Already, there are tooooo many wonderful singers here...but not actors! ;) It's up to the actors to take back center stage!
For lunch today, I'll be meeting up with a guy who was a student of mine in my classes in Rotterdam, ten years ago. He's an amazing guitarist working here.
After that, I'm off to a TV audition, some sort of version of "Myth Busters" but having to do with sports. All for now...
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