Here's a lesson I've learned in the past year, living in NYC:
You must love your survival job. Or you won't survive.
It's really the truth. I've gone from hostess at a west village restaurant, to corn maze worker, to bar maid at an irish bar, etc etc etc. Whew. And those are just the ones I remember having for more than a hot second.
I think the key is, as an actress, is to find a job that allows you to be flexible with your hours, allows you to audition, and doesn't completely drain you of all mental and physical health. Working til 3 AM at a bar, screaming over drunk business men's heads? Not exactly ideal. Although, that is the stereotype for most actresses...being a waitress. No thanks. Been there, done that. Sure, you might make some good cash one night...but the next? Who knows.
Now I currently work as a promotional model for boutique Broadway marketing agency. Meaning, I pass out flyers in red tights, character shoes, and a leotard....oh, and I sing and dance, too. I also promote other shows, but those ones aren't nearly as theatrical. Anyways, this job is actually quite perfect for any actress looking for make some money but also have time to commit to her craft. I give my availability for the week, and that's generally when I work. It also pays incredibly well and gives you the chance to hone your skills and stamina. I mean, who knows...maybe there will be an audition where you have to sing 'All That Jazz' 30 times over. Well, my friend....you will own that audition.
I don't know...this little post just crept up on me, and I couldn't help but share my thoughts. So...happy Thursday to you. :)
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tis the season for auditions.
Well, audition season finally beginning to pick up here in NYC and I couldn't be more ready to throw myself into auditions. Or rather, submitting for auditions.
It's been awhile since I've updated, and truthfully it's primarily due to the lack of work for the summer. The summer season is always slow for actors, at least here in the city, unless you've booked a festival gig or summer stock work. I booked neither, because at the time those auditions were going on, I was still on tour. :) But now that I'm back and the weather is beginning to get a little colder, I'm throwing myself 100% into auditions and classes. I'd love to take a class this fall, if I can make enough money. I wish it weren't so expensive to study your craft in the city, but alas, that's the nature of the beast!
Recently, I had a great audition and callback for the Florida Rep's production of 'The Fantasticks'. I felt very strong about my initial audition, but I wasn't entirely sure that they'd give me a callback, because I've already performed the role twice. I thought maybe they'd want to cast someone who is a little more fresh to the role. But I did receive a callback! I felt very confident about my callback, and though they didn't keep me until the end, I know it's because they wanted someone who is fresh to the role, rather than having done it previously. I'd love to work for this company eventually - the feeling in the room was one of great positivity and they gave me great feedback and adjustments. I had a great time - fantastic (heh heh) first audition back!
Recently, I've submitted to:
-'Outfoxed' a new play
- Midtown Arts Center
-Next to Normal
-Babes in Toyland *at Lincoln Center
Most of these shows aren't holding auditions until the end of September or even early October. I hope to be hearing back from them soon with audition times!
Anyways, that's all for now. Hopefully more to report soon. :)
It's been awhile since I've updated, and truthfully it's primarily due to the lack of work for the summer. The summer season is always slow for actors, at least here in the city, unless you've booked a festival gig or summer stock work. I booked neither, because at the time those auditions were going on, I was still on tour. :) But now that I'm back and the weather is beginning to get a little colder, I'm throwing myself 100% into auditions and classes. I'd love to take a class this fall, if I can make enough money. I wish it weren't so expensive to study your craft in the city, but alas, that's the nature of the beast!
Recently, I had a great audition and callback for the Florida Rep's production of 'The Fantasticks'. I felt very strong about my initial audition, but I wasn't entirely sure that they'd give me a callback, because I've already performed the role twice. I thought maybe they'd want to cast someone who is a little more fresh to the role. But I did receive a callback! I felt very confident about my callback, and though they didn't keep me until the end, I know it's because they wanted someone who is fresh to the role, rather than having done it previously. I'd love to work for this company eventually - the feeling in the room was one of great positivity and they gave me great feedback and adjustments. I had a great time - fantastic (heh heh) first audition back!
Recently, I've submitted to:
-'Outfoxed' a new play
- Midtown Arts Center
-Next to Normal
-Babes in Toyland *at Lincoln Center
Most of these shows aren't holding auditions until the end of September or even early October. I hope to be hearing back from them soon with audition times!
Anyways, that's all for now. Hopefully more to report soon. :)
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Auditions like crazy.
Updates! Well, I have my new day job and I absolutely love it. I work with TheatreMAMA, a boutique marketing agency for Broadway shows. I love the girls I work with and the work I do. I've also found the skills I use during my day job help tremendously with auditioning.
I have 2 auditions this week. 1 for an award-winning off-Broadway musical, and the other for an indie horror film. You can't get more opposite sides of the spectrum than that! I'm looking forward to both, and to more auditions this week.
I also had a casting interview last week for a show called 'Dirty Little Lies' on Discovery ID. I have a very good chance of booking 1 of 2 roles that I'm being considered for.
In other news, I'm beginning to make a list of agencies to submit my materials to. I'm also working on my film reel, which will help tremendously in booking various film/TV gigs.
Big things happening! I'm loving being able to throw myself back into the business after being on tour for so long. I've found that I actually enjoy auditioning. :)
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Change.
The past four months have been indescribable. I have seen many things. Some things I've yearned to see... and some things that I thought I wouldn't see for a long time. I've experienced a lot the past four months and it's really made me examine my life in detail and helped me to refine my goals and my definition of self.
I've been on tour since January and loving it. In the middle of March, I got the call that my Dad was admitted to the hospital. This is not unnecessarily a rare thing, considering that my Dad is 74 and he has some underlying medical issues. In other words, he's a big time smoker. This news made my days on tour a little bit hard to cope with, but I got through each day with a prayer to God to look after my Dad.
On April 1st, I got the call to fly home immediately. My Dad made the decision to stop aggressive treatment and come home to hospice. The hospital wasn't able to tell us how much time we had left, but we knew it wasn't long. On April 22nd, Daddy was called home to be with the 'Old Man'.
I've always intended for this blog to be my primary acting blog/journal, to post about goals and events that happen in my career. But I realize that I should also use it as a personal reflection. The emotions I have are very real, and writing about how I feel, physically, emotionally, and mentally are not only good for me as a human being, but also as an actress. Theatre is a reflection of life, and perhaps one day I will pull this experience out of my little pocket of experiences and use it in a scene or an audition or a song.
I will try to be as honest as possible in the posts to follow.
I've been on tour since January and loving it. In the middle of March, I got the call that my Dad was admitted to the hospital. This is not unnecessarily a rare thing, considering that my Dad is 74 and he has some underlying medical issues. In other words, he's a big time smoker. This news made my days on tour a little bit hard to cope with, but I got through each day with a prayer to God to look after my Dad.
On April 1st, I got the call to fly home immediately. My Dad made the decision to stop aggressive treatment and come home to hospice. The hospital wasn't able to tell us how much time we had left, but we knew it wasn't long. On April 22nd, Daddy was called home to be with the 'Old Man'.
I've always intended for this blog to be my primary acting blog/journal, to post about goals and events that happen in my career. But I realize that I should also use it as a personal reflection. The emotions I have are very real, and writing about how I feel, physically, emotionally, and mentally are not only good for me as a human being, but also as an actress. Theatre is a reflection of life, and perhaps one day I will pull this experience out of my little pocket of experiences and use it in a scene or an audition or a song.
I will try to be as honest as possible in the posts to follow.
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