Tonight, my first television show aired. My role was tiny, but it was there... on the Discovery Channel.
Here's a link to watch if you're interested...my little scene is within the first ten minutes. Don't blink, or you'll miss it!
http://www.tvrage.com/shows/id-30535/episodes/1065146690
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Living by faith, not by sight.
I've been thinking a lot about the future lately. I feel as if I'm getting closer to booking really great gigs, which only makes the rejections more disappointing. This week I auditioned for eleven jobs in six days... One would have relocated me to Hilton Head, SC for a month this spring, one would have paid thousands of dollars and completely changed my life from a financial standpoint, and most would have just meant getting paid for what I love. I would have been happy to book any of them, but I did not.
Some of my auditions were open calls. For example, on Friday, I was signed up at 7:00 am for an audition, and was #268. At 5:15 pm, I got to sing my 16-bar cut of "A Little Bit in Love" (approximately 30 seconds). Over half of the people that signed up (Everyone after #300) didn't even get to audition. Regardless, I waited ten hours for less than a minute of time in front of the directors...600 actors waited for their minute too! This business is ridiculous. This of course was a bit crazier than a lot of my auditions...Now that I've been here for awhile, I get appointments somewhat frequently. Appointments mean at least one person involved in the production (casting director, music director, producer or someone else) is very interested in having me in the production, and wants me to audition. Of course the appointments boost the ego a bit, but more importantly they mean I get there fifteen minutes before the audition, do my thing, and leave... no long lines at 6:00 am in the cold weather, and no sitting around all day in a holding room that reeks of stinky feet and hairspray. They're a huge time saver.
Friday afternoon, as I sat in Starbucks (I had to get away from the musical theatre girls waiting at the audition studio) next to a 60-year-old looney tune who was still trying for her "big break" and thought I wanted to hear about it, I began to wonder what my goals were. Is my goal Broadway? Sure, I'd get $1600+ a week, and love my life, but I'd also do eight shows a week, rarely get a holiday, and do very little aside from eating, sleeping and performing. I started to feel huge amounts of anxiety as I thought about the ideal situation that would result from all of my hard work... Is it really worth never moving back to the South? Is it worth dealing with the constant rejection for the rest of my life? Is it worth piecing together hourly jobs of tutoring, babysitting, and waitressing to come up with rent each month?
My answer...for now, yes, and that's all that matters. While I definitely had a hard week, I have realized that my passion for the arts is still there. I'm here in my dream city, doing what I want to do, and I'm grateful for that... in the meantime, I'm going to try to not worry about the future as much, and enjoy the present. I'm going to take each audition as it comes. I'm going to enjoy the awesome things about New York, and not the lack of Southern-ness in my life.
In her book, Jesus Calling, Sarah Young writes (from the perspective of God):
Follow me one step at a time. That is all I require of you. In fact, that is the only way to move through this space/time world. You see huge mountains looming, and you start wondering how you're going to scale those heights. Meanwhile, because you're not looking where you're going, you stumble on the easy path where I am leading you now. As I help you get back on your feet, you tell Me how worried you are about the cliffs up ahead. But you don't know what will happen today, much less tomorrow. Our path may take an abrupt turn, leading you away from those mountains. There may be an easier way up the mountains than is visible from this distance. If I do lead you up the cliffs, I will equip you thoroughly for that strenuous climb. I will even give My angels charge over you, to preserve you in all your ways. Keep your mind on the present journey, enjoying My Presence. Walk by faith, not by sight, trusting Me to open up the way before you.
I am thankful that God has blessed me a passion for acting, and with the perseverance necessary to continue to pursue my dream. I am thankful that God has given me friends and mentors to help me climb the "cliffs" up ahead. Within the last six months especially, I feel like I have gotten to know more and more mentors in the city who believe in me. Some are casting directors, some are vocal coaches, and some are simply older and wiser actors who have been in my shoes years ago. They all bring different joys to my life, but the commonalities are that they are fiercely talented at what they do, they bring me up instead of tear me down, they speak honestly, and they behave with integrity. They are great examples for me, and provide constant encouragement.
One of my wonderful mentors ends her studio class by having us state a positive affirmation.
Tonight, I affirm that I am grateful for the here and now, and that I have been too blessed for the past 24 years to be stressed about the next 10.
Some of my auditions were open calls. For example, on Friday, I was signed up at 7:00 am for an audition, and was #268. At 5:15 pm, I got to sing my 16-bar cut of "A Little Bit in Love" (approximately 30 seconds). Over half of the people that signed up (Everyone after #300) didn't even get to audition. Regardless, I waited ten hours for less than a minute of time in front of the directors...600 actors waited for their minute too! This business is ridiculous. This of course was a bit crazier than a lot of my auditions...Now that I've been here for awhile, I get appointments somewhat frequently. Appointments mean at least one person involved in the production (casting director, music director, producer or someone else) is very interested in having me in the production, and wants me to audition. Of course the appointments boost the ego a bit, but more importantly they mean I get there fifteen minutes before the audition, do my thing, and leave... no long lines at 6:00 am in the cold weather, and no sitting around all day in a holding room that reeks of stinky feet and hairspray. They're a huge time saver.
Friday afternoon, as I sat in Starbucks (I had to get away from the musical theatre girls waiting at the audition studio) next to a 60-year-old looney tune who was still trying for her "big break" and thought I wanted to hear about it, I began to wonder what my goals were. Is my goal Broadway? Sure, I'd get $1600+ a week, and love my life, but I'd also do eight shows a week, rarely get a holiday, and do very little aside from eating, sleeping and performing. I started to feel huge amounts of anxiety as I thought about the ideal situation that would result from all of my hard work... Is it really worth never moving back to the South? Is it worth dealing with the constant rejection for the rest of my life? Is it worth piecing together hourly jobs of tutoring, babysitting, and waitressing to come up with rent each month?
My answer...for now, yes, and that's all that matters. While I definitely had a hard week, I have realized that my passion for the arts is still there. I'm here in my dream city, doing what I want to do, and I'm grateful for that... in the meantime, I'm going to try to not worry about the future as much, and enjoy the present. I'm going to take each audition as it comes. I'm going to enjoy the awesome things about New York, and not the lack of Southern-ness in my life.
In her book, Jesus Calling, Sarah Young writes (from the perspective of God):
Follow me one step at a time. That is all I require of you. In fact, that is the only way to move through this space/time world. You see huge mountains looming, and you start wondering how you're going to scale those heights. Meanwhile, because you're not looking where you're going, you stumble on the easy path where I am leading you now. As I help you get back on your feet, you tell Me how worried you are about the cliffs up ahead. But you don't know what will happen today, much less tomorrow. Our path may take an abrupt turn, leading you away from those mountains. There may be an easier way up the mountains than is visible from this distance. If I do lead you up the cliffs, I will equip you thoroughly for that strenuous climb. I will even give My angels charge over you, to preserve you in all your ways. Keep your mind on the present journey, enjoying My Presence. Walk by faith, not by sight, trusting Me to open up the way before you.
I am thankful that God has blessed me a passion for acting, and with the perseverance necessary to continue to pursue my dream. I am thankful that God has given me friends and mentors to help me climb the "cliffs" up ahead. Within the last six months especially, I feel like I have gotten to know more and more mentors in the city who believe in me. Some are casting directors, some are vocal coaches, and some are simply older and wiser actors who have been in my shoes years ago. They all bring different joys to my life, but the commonalities are that they are fiercely talented at what they do, they bring me up instead of tear me down, they speak honestly, and they behave with integrity. They are great examples for me, and provide constant encouragement.
One of my wonderful mentors ends her studio class by having us state a positive affirmation.
Tonight, I affirm that I am grateful for the here and now, and that I have been too blessed for the past 24 years to be stressed about the next 10.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Apartment Makeover!
This past weekend, Mom and Dad came up, and brought some decorations for my apartment. After my former roommate moved out, the walls, floors, kitchen etc. were left pretty white and bare. It didn't really feel like a home. So for Christmas, I got some decorations... rugs, tables, lamps etc. It's pretty hard to bring things to New York on an airplane, so Mom and Dad drove up!
Here's a picture of my newly renovated Living Room!
In addition to the decorating (which took up most of the weekend), we did get to see two shows, "Porgy and Bess" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, and Darren Criss were all fantastic. We tried to get lottery tickets for "The Book of Mormon" but as per always, didn't get them. We enjoyed restaurant week lunch at Porterhouse, and a yummy Italian dinner at Lupa. It was so nice to have them here, and to show them my life here...Brother Jimmy's, the neighborhood, Ripley-Grier Studios. Other highlights included a three-hour trip to Target and a beautiful snowfall!
Here's a picture of my newly renovated Living Room!
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In addition to the decorating (which took up most of the weekend), we did get to see two shows, "Porgy and Bess" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, and Darren Criss were all fantastic. We tried to get lottery tickets for "The Book of Mormon" but as per always, didn't get them. We enjoyed restaurant week lunch at Porterhouse, and a yummy Italian dinner at Lupa. It was so nice to have them here, and to show them my life here...Brother Jimmy's, the neighborhood, Ripley-Grier Studios. Other highlights included a three-hour trip to Target and a beautiful snowfall!Tuesday, January 10, 2012
2012!
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| Ross and me at Angus Barn! |
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| Fearsome Foursome from Sanderson HS |
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| Dad and me at Angus Barn for my belated birthday celebration. |
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| Michelle & Me in front of the Rockefeller Tree! |
HAPPY 2012! I had by far the best New Years I've ever had! My friends and I went to Brasserie, where my good friend Bridget is a bar-tender. We enjoyed balloons, great music, unlimited Moscato D'Asti (my favorite wine), and some dancing on the bar. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by such positive people, and true friends. We enjoyed each other's company immensely, and had a blast ringing in the new year!
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| Sayrah and me! |
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| ADPi Love! |
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| Shimmying with darling Geoff. |
My favorite quotes of the week:
2-year-old: "I try to be as silly as Miss Emily!"
4-year-old: "I protect the nice girls from the bad guys at school. That's my job."
4-year-old: "I used to want to be a Daddy when I grow up, but now I think I'll be a cheerleader instead."
The friendships that seem to have drifted apart in 2011 are being supplemented by the new friends I've made, and the deepened relationships that have developed with long-time friends. I have so many positive voice and acting coaches in my life, that I'm really excited to continue to work with in the coming year. Overall, I'm just feeling really positive about 2012. Here are a some of my resolutions... what are yours? :)
1. Be prompt/on-time when it matters.
2. Surround myself with positive people.
3. Be more grateful for daily blessings.
4. Keep my apartment neater. (Haven't started that one yet)
5. 2-3 dance classes per week.
6. Practice voice 4 times per week.
7. Only take taxis when it's a safety issue...not a lazy issue.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Home for the Holidays!
Tour ended nearly a week ago, and after being in New York for the week, I'm back in Raleigh for Christmas!
The tour ended well. One of our cast members had a medical emergency, so we had to call in an understudy for the last two shows. It was a little stressful, but it went well, and the understudy was an absolute delight to have around. Life post-tour has been a whirlwind. I had a great family dinner/early birthday celebration with my cousins on Friday night, and then left for NYC at 6 am on Saturday!
Sunday was a wonderful birthday! I woke up and went to the Lessons and Carols Service at St. Thomas with Will. The boychoir is absolutely amazing, and the service was beautiful. Afterward, some friends and I went to brunch at the Boathouse! The Boathouse was decorated for Christmas, and it was a gorgeous day! After a nice afternoon nap, I went to Redeemer for night church with my girlfriends, and out for a delicious dinner at Dos Caminos! It was a great birthday in the city!
The rest of the week in New York was spent catching up on some theatre stuff, tying up loose ends before the holidays, and seeing people I hadn't seen in far too long. I had a great voice lesson and class with two of my favorite teachers/mentors, celebrated my friend Ali's birthday, had lunch with Will, and went to the Brother Jimmy's holiday party! I love Christmas time in NYC!
It's great to be home in NC, though I do wish it would cool off a bit to feel like Christmas...it's a balmy 73 degrees here on the first day of winter!
The tour ended well. One of our cast members had a medical emergency, so we had to call in an understudy for the last two shows. It was a little stressful, but it went well, and the understudy was an absolute delight to have around. Life post-tour has been a whirlwind. I had a great family dinner/early birthday celebration with my cousins on Friday night, and then left for NYC at 6 am on Saturday!Saturday, Sarah and I spent the day getting ready for our party, cooking, and catching up. We had the best time together! Our Christmas party on Saturday night was a success and so much fun! Friends stayed over until 5:30 am...a new record from last year!
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| Party Prep! |
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| Some friends at our party! |
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| Singing and Dancing on furniture at 5am! |
Sunday was a wonderful birthday! I woke up and went to the Lessons and Carols Service at St. Thomas with Will. The boychoir is absolutely amazing, and the service was beautiful. Afterward, some friends and I went to brunch at the Boathouse! The Boathouse was decorated for Christmas, and it was a gorgeous day! After a nice afternoon nap, I went to Redeemer for night church with my girlfriends, and out for a delicious dinner at Dos Caminos! It was a great birthday in the city!
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| Brunch at the Boathouse |
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| Dinner at Dos Caminos! |
It's great to be home in NC, though I do wish it would cool off a bit to feel like Christmas...it's a balmy 73 degrees here on the first day of winter!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Hitting the Road
We had our final dress rehearsal for “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” yesterday, and it went so well! We’re off to Georgia today! Everyone was reasonably calm and had a positive attitude when we met up at the studio to load the car and hit the road. I’ve been designated the official Social Chair of our cast, so that means I’ll be googling restaurants and choosing dinner options near our hotels and theatres! It also means I will be blogging on the production blog, so stay tuned for the link to that if you’re interested in keeping up with what our cast is up to each day on the road as we tour the Southeast! J
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