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! ;)
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
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!
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