Hey! I've been super busy these past couple weeks and have been neglecting this, so here's a quick update. Exciting things happening right now. Sound of Music opens tomorrow night, and while there's always the point during rehearsals where you feel like things will never come together, this is really going to be a great show! So excited for that! I'm also in rehearsals for Zombie Prom right now, and that is also flying by. We are getting off book really quickly and choreography started this week and is already looking sweet!
Hopefully next week will calm down a bit, but I have a big callback on Tuesday that I'll be sure to post about when I have more info!
Until then, live, laugh and smile!
A
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Stormy Weather
A lot on my mind, so hold on.
I'm currently sitting in the bathroom in my basement because there is a tornado outside. The weather guys have been predicting this all day long, so I've been prepared, but since I'm obviously not on weather.com, I don't feel that my life is in any grave danger. This whole tornado thing happens about once a year for us here in the cities. Usually, nothing happens at all. Go figure. But other times, we really get whopped. I think its one of those other times. The last time it was really bad, we had four huge trees ripped out of the yard and some pretty rugged house damage. Hopefully this time won't be that bad. One good thing from the storm is that the humidity will FINALLY go away. Hopefully. Since graduation, I've been kind of a fanatic about exercising and since I hate going to the gym, I like to do as much as I can outside. However, because of the ridiculous humidity and heat, its been pretty brutal.
That brings me to my next point. In addition to being really active in order to stay in shape, I have been increasingly aware that my diet has a huge effect on my productivity as well. Gah. I sound like a crazy person. There is a ton of pressure on looks and appearance in the music theater market right now. Especially with the type that I'm currently auditioning for. Because I still look like a baby, I will be auditioning for "teen" from now until hell freezes over. This is fine because I really enjoy the material that fits me right now, but it is also a huge reminder that I didn't exactly have to be competitive in that way when I was in college. I have completely cut caffeine out of my diet....which might come as a shock to some because I vividly remember being chastised by castmates during Godspell rehearsals because I would down two Mountain Dews, an energy drink and a large Starbucks Frappuccino during the course of rehearsal. Sick, I know. I tried to stop with the soda about a year and a half ago and failed miserably. I tried to stop cold turkey, and couldn't even get to sleep because of the withdrawal headaches. One of the worst months of my life. This time has been considerably more successful. To date, I've been without soda for about seven weeks. Fortunately, I don't drink coffee besides the frappuccinos (which can't reeeally be considered coffee) so that hasn't been an issue. We'll see how long this lasts. Hopefully I'll be able to stick to it.
In other news, I am just finishing up my work with Sound of Music. Its been a good first post-college show for me. Not exactly my first choice for shows, but its been great to re-connect with old friends and colleagues. I go into rehearsals for Zombie Prom on Monday and I couldn't be more excited. The rest of the artistic team seem to be really fantastic people and the cast members are chomping at the bit! It will be a bit of an unconventional rehearsal period, but its all about being flexible and getting the job done, right? Its gonna be super fun too. So pumped.
Really exciting news! Already ahead of myself. Let me give some background. I first did the show "EDGES" a few years ago as a workshop project that was basically a lesson in patience and flexibility. However, I fell completely and irrevocably in love with the message that is at the heart of the production. The song "Coasting" sums it all up.
The lyrics are as follows : "Because really whats the point if we're just coasting on the surface? If you take a moment, you'll begin to find and say and feel. You'll discover something real if you are willing to reflect."
These lyrics have played a huge role in me discovering who I am (and who I want to be) as well as solidifying relationships with people that have become irreplaceable friends for life. This is why I chose this show to be a part of my senior thesis in college. I did my research on vocal pedagogy and pathology in contemporary American musical theater and halfway through the process, I decided that it would be an interesting experiment to mount a show and coach the singers with what I learned. So - long story short, I chose "EDGES". The cast of four singers were each phenomenally talented and incredibly brave to face the honesty and challenges of this material, but in the end, the show was a huge success and one of my best memories of college.
Now finally for the news! I was asked to sing the role of Man 2 in a production of EDGES in Chicago this winter. This was a really unexpected development in my life. I sent in some resumes and recordings about 6 months ago for a completely different production being put up by the same artistic team. While they didn't think I was right for that material, they thought of me when casting this show, and have offered me a contract for this show. I was initially more than ecstatic at the news, but after thinking about it for a while, doing this show would definitely have some drawbacks as well. First, it would take me out of Minneapolis for quite some time. I have worked really hard in the past year to rebuild my connections here and it would be hard to suddenly be unavailable for a large part of the next audition season. Second, I have already done this show twice, and while this would be a pretty publicized production, I have a huge part of me that wants to work on other material. I currently have no idea what to do, but will be sleeping on this for many nights before making an decisions.
Until then!
I'm currently sitting in the bathroom in my basement because there is a tornado outside. The weather guys have been predicting this all day long, so I've been prepared, but since I'm obviously not on weather.com, I don't feel that my life is in any grave danger. This whole tornado thing happens about once a year for us here in the cities. Usually, nothing happens at all. Go figure. But other times, we really get whopped. I think its one of those other times. The last time it was really bad, we had four huge trees ripped out of the yard and some pretty rugged house damage. Hopefully this time won't be that bad. One good thing from the storm is that the humidity will FINALLY go away. Hopefully. Since graduation, I've been kind of a fanatic about exercising and since I hate going to the gym, I like to do as much as I can outside. However, because of the ridiculous humidity and heat, its been pretty brutal.
That brings me to my next point. In addition to being really active in order to stay in shape, I have been increasingly aware that my diet has a huge effect on my productivity as well. Gah. I sound like a crazy person. There is a ton of pressure on looks and appearance in the music theater market right now. Especially with the type that I'm currently auditioning for. Because I still look like a baby, I will be auditioning for "teen" from now until hell freezes over. This is fine because I really enjoy the material that fits me right now, but it is also a huge reminder that I didn't exactly have to be competitive in that way when I was in college. I have completely cut caffeine out of my diet....which might come as a shock to some because I vividly remember being chastised by castmates during Godspell rehearsals because I would down two Mountain Dews, an energy drink and a large Starbucks Frappuccino during the course of rehearsal. Sick, I know. I tried to stop with the soda about a year and a half ago and failed miserably. I tried to stop cold turkey, and couldn't even get to sleep because of the withdrawal headaches. One of the worst months of my life. This time has been considerably more successful. To date, I've been without soda for about seven weeks. Fortunately, I don't drink coffee besides the frappuccinos (which can't reeeally be considered coffee) so that hasn't been an issue. We'll see how long this lasts. Hopefully I'll be able to stick to it.
In other news, I am just finishing up my work with Sound of Music. Its been a good first post-college show for me. Not exactly my first choice for shows, but its been great to re-connect with old friends and colleagues. I go into rehearsals for Zombie Prom on Monday and I couldn't be more excited. The rest of the artistic team seem to be really fantastic people and the cast members are chomping at the bit! It will be a bit of an unconventional rehearsal period, but its all about being flexible and getting the job done, right? Its gonna be super fun too. So pumped.
Really exciting news! Already ahead of myself. Let me give some background. I first did the show "EDGES" a few years ago as a workshop project that was basically a lesson in patience and flexibility. However, I fell completely and irrevocably in love with the message that is at the heart of the production. The song "Coasting" sums it all up.
The lyrics are as follows : "Because really whats the point if we're just coasting on the surface? If you take a moment, you'll begin to find and say and feel. You'll discover something real if you are willing to reflect."
These lyrics have played a huge role in me discovering who I am (and who I want to be) as well as solidifying relationships with people that have become irreplaceable friends for life. This is why I chose this show to be a part of my senior thesis in college. I did my research on vocal pedagogy and pathology in contemporary American musical theater and halfway through the process, I decided that it would be an interesting experiment to mount a show and coach the singers with what I learned. So - long story short, I chose "EDGES". The cast of four singers were each phenomenally talented and incredibly brave to face the honesty and challenges of this material, but in the end, the show was a huge success and one of my best memories of college.
Now finally for the news! I was asked to sing the role of Man 2 in a production of EDGES in Chicago this winter. This was a really unexpected development in my life. I sent in some resumes and recordings about 6 months ago for a completely different production being put up by the same artistic team. While they didn't think I was right for that material, they thought of me when casting this show, and have offered me a contract for this show. I was initially more than ecstatic at the news, but after thinking about it for a while, doing this show would definitely have some drawbacks as well. First, it would take me out of Minneapolis for quite some time. I have worked really hard in the past year to rebuild my connections here and it would be hard to suddenly be unavailable for a large part of the next audition season. Second, I have already done this show twice, and while this would be a pretty publicized production, I have a huge part of me that wants to work on other material. I currently have no idea what to do, but will be sleeping on this for many nights before making an decisions.
Until then!
Friday, July 9, 2010
So proud...
I JUST got back from the Upright Egg Theater Company's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream"....WOW! What a phenomenal show! Gah - I hardly know where to start. Well, first of all, its no secret to any of my theater friends that I have some difficulty sitting through Shakespeare....I know that some people who read this might see that as shameful for someone who calls himself an actor, but I have tried again and again to try and "experience" the genius that is his work, but alas, no avail. Until now. This show was so full of energy and passion that I hardly noticed the planes flying overhead. Yes, that is correct. This show was outdoors. I have also been known to have had a long-standing feud with outdoor theater, but this show was definitely enhanced by the moving and literally living environment. I initially went to see my friend Rachel, who played Titania, and having seen her work before, I knew I could expect a great performance, but the rest of the cast had no weak links whatsoever. In addition to the production itself, it was also amazing to see the audience turnout - which included some really great local actors and directors! Its nice to see colleagues supporting each other in our projects! Heart warming to see the support, at least! I know I'm rambling a bit, but I'm still a bit speechless about this whole thing! Maybe I will have to give Shakespeare another look....
Now for some news. I have never really encountered the problem of having to turn down theater jobs because too many offers are coming in, but I could definitely get used to it! I was offered (and accepted) a position music directing the show "Zombie Prom" for a top notch high school theater program. I was supposed to attend a callback for another show being put up by a really fantastic company this fall, but at this point in my life, when it comes down to it, production work pays better than acting, and bills must be payed. I am all too aware that this means I will have to wait another few months before starting another role, but I'll just have to tide myself over with doing cabaret work....we'll see. However, there is a really, REALLY fantastic role that I am up for in the spring - more info to come when/if I get some more solid information. Yikes. Real life is intimidating -- but I'm still loving every minute of it!
Sound of Music goes up in T- THREE WEEKS! Clock is a tickin'! Anywho, got some coaching to do tomorrow along with some major time to be spent in the gym! Can't wait! Until then, sleepy time!
A
Now for some news. I have never really encountered the problem of having to turn down theater jobs because too many offers are coming in, but I could definitely get used to it! I was offered (and accepted) a position music directing the show "Zombie Prom" for a top notch high school theater program. I was supposed to attend a callback for another show being put up by a really fantastic company this fall, but at this point in my life, when it comes down to it, production work pays better than acting, and bills must be payed. I am all too aware that this means I will have to wait another few months before starting another role, but I'll just have to tide myself over with doing cabaret work....we'll see. However, there is a really, REALLY fantastic role that I am up for in the spring - more info to come when/if I get some more solid information. Yikes. Real life is intimidating -- but I'm still loving every minute of it!
Sound of Music goes up in T- THREE WEEKS! Clock is a tickin'! Anywho, got some coaching to do tomorrow along with some major time to be spent in the gym! Can't wait! Until then, sleepy time!
A
Monday, July 5, 2010
Couldn't Help Myself...
So I was sitting in rehearsal on Friday night and was texting my friend, Ben who lives in Decorah, where we went to school. Me, being completely out of it, had not really made plans for the holiday weekend, so after he suggested, I decided on a whim to make the drive down to Iowa. What a crazy weekend.
First, I had forgotten how boring the drive was. Granted, I have driven it probably fifty times, but anything past Rochester is, well, dull. Sorry to anyone who lives there. When I finally got into town, I was super excited to find out that several of my good friends were in town as well, and one of them was vacationing about an hour away....so on another whim, I decided to kidnap her for the night and bring her with me. It was fantastic to catch up with people from school and it was also really cool to hear all the things they have been up to since graduation. At the same time, however, the town and the campus had a distinctly different feeling than I had remembered. All the "youngins" were unfamiliar to me and the key elements that defined my college experience were all altered in one way or another. I guess it just shows that change is inevitable and while it is sometimes hard, it will usually be okay in the end.
Due to my schedule getting busier and busier, (not complaining!) I am pretty sure that will be the last trip I take to campus for a while. Luckily, the Twin Cities are close enough that if I were to change my mind, it would not pose much of an issue.
One thing that is completely new to me this summer is living by myself. Well, mostly. I am currently living where my parents live most of the time, but they are gone for the majority of the summer along with my sister, so whenever I come home, the house is always empty. This has been a bit weird for me, I must say. After living with 12 other guys this past year, it is quite different to not have at least one other person to talk to. On the other hand, I do really enjoy the peace and quiet. I can stay up and be noisy for as long as I want and not disturb anyone and I can finally scratch the itch that is late night singing! One thing I am really struggling with still is cooking. I even purchased a nice big cookbook with step-by-step pictures and everything to help me, but the whole process is a little intimidating, so more often than not, I end up eating something you dont have to cook, or something you just throw in the microwave....pathetic, I know. I will work on it.
Job audition tomorrow. Its for a Vocal Director position at a high school - they are doing a fairly popular pop-rock show and I would really like to work on it. One thing that worries me, however is that I initially took this year to be able to perform, not do production work. For better or for worse, I also have a sweet tooth for coaching, so I guess I should stop complaining, as long as it pays the bills. I also have three callbacks for three equally enticing shows coming up, and if I got even one of them, I would be totally stoked! Fingers crossed! At this point, I want to be careful to not be too picky about the work that I get, especially because I understand that the job market is quite awful for actors and musicians right now. At least in Minneapolis, there is still a pretty healthy market if you know where to look.
Highlight of the day: Went to lunch with one of my best friends who is spending the summer working at a camp up in the boondocks. While it was short because he had to drive back up into the woods, it was AWESOME to see him and it just reminds me of how much I miss that kid! Gah!
Also, check out this video of Katie Thompson singing Say Goodbye by Scott Alan. She has a wicked cool voice - love it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zffiz-ngV94
Thats all for now! Check ya later!
A
First, I had forgotten how boring the drive was. Granted, I have driven it probably fifty times, but anything past Rochester is, well, dull. Sorry to anyone who lives there. When I finally got into town, I was super excited to find out that several of my good friends were in town as well, and one of them was vacationing about an hour away....so on another whim, I decided to kidnap her for the night and bring her with me. It was fantastic to catch up with people from school and it was also really cool to hear all the things they have been up to since graduation. At the same time, however, the town and the campus had a distinctly different feeling than I had remembered. All the "youngins" were unfamiliar to me and the key elements that defined my college experience were all altered in one way or another. I guess it just shows that change is inevitable and while it is sometimes hard, it will usually be okay in the end.
Due to my schedule getting busier and busier, (not complaining!) I am pretty sure that will be the last trip I take to campus for a while. Luckily, the Twin Cities are close enough that if I were to change my mind, it would not pose much of an issue.
One thing that is completely new to me this summer is living by myself. Well, mostly. I am currently living where my parents live most of the time, but they are gone for the majority of the summer along with my sister, so whenever I come home, the house is always empty. This has been a bit weird for me, I must say. After living with 12 other guys this past year, it is quite different to not have at least one other person to talk to. On the other hand, I do really enjoy the peace and quiet. I can stay up and be noisy for as long as I want and not disturb anyone and I can finally scratch the itch that is late night singing! One thing I am really struggling with still is cooking. I even purchased a nice big cookbook with step-by-step pictures and everything to help me, but the whole process is a little intimidating, so more often than not, I end up eating something you dont have to cook, or something you just throw in the microwave....pathetic, I know. I will work on it.
Job audition tomorrow. Its for a Vocal Director position at a high school - they are doing a fairly popular pop-rock show and I would really like to work on it. One thing that worries me, however is that I initially took this year to be able to perform, not do production work. For better or for worse, I also have a sweet tooth for coaching, so I guess I should stop complaining, as long as it pays the bills. I also have three callbacks for three equally enticing shows coming up, and if I got even one of them, I would be totally stoked! Fingers crossed! At this point, I want to be careful to not be too picky about the work that I get, especially because I understand that the job market is quite awful for actors and musicians right now. At least in Minneapolis, there is still a pretty healthy market if you know where to look.
Highlight of the day: Went to lunch with one of my best friends who is spending the summer working at a camp up in the boondocks. While it was short because he had to drive back up into the woods, it was AWESOME to see him and it just reminds me of how much I miss that kid! Gah!
Also, check out this video of Katie Thompson singing Say Goodbye by Scott Alan. She has a wicked cool voice - love it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zffiz-ngV94
Thats all for now! Check ya later!
A
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