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!!

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!

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...