Today I had intended on going to another Chorus Call, but sadly my work schedule would not allow me to spend the extra time waiting for the possibility of being seen. I hadn't been able to sign up for a number on the list, so I had to wait at the end of the line again. Argh! I was a rather high number this time around, and based on my last chorus call experience where I was seen just under the wire, I had to make the executive decision to sit this one out.
What can I say? It happens sometimes. There has to be a balance between the day job that pays the bills and the day job that doesn't pay...yet.
Chicago was a lot of fun while it lasted, but a big part of me is glad to be back in New York. I think that the little four-day break from the daily grind has rejuvenated me and I'm ready to get back to business... show business, that is!
I took some time to do another look see of the actors equity website this afternoon and came up with a couple more auditions that I want to go to at the end of this week - all on Friday. I'm going to make this work!
I'm ready! Let's do this!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Homeward Found
Today was our last chance to take in the sights, sounds and smells of the windy city before it came time to hop a plane back to NYC.
We definitely made the most of our last day in Chicago by having one more slice of deep dish (and one slice of Chicago thin crust) at Lou Malnotti's...
Posing for photos in "The Bean" in Millenium Park...
...and scarfing down one last Chicago delicacy...
Sphere: Related Content
We definitely made the most of our last day in Chicago by having one more slice of deep dish (and one slice of Chicago thin crust) at Lou Malnotti's...
Posing for photos in "The Bean" in Millenium Park...
...and scarfing down one last Chicago delicacy...
Farewell for now Chicago...
Now that we're back in NYC - I have a number of auditions to prepare for and a Charo role to do for the Paul Lynde 1977 Halloween Special. I'm studying her moves in a youtube video as we speak. Take a look!
Monday, October 20, 2008
An Armand-azing Experience
This form was started in Chicago several years ago by Armando Diaz with whom I have studied improv for the past 3 or 4 years at the Magnet Theater in New York. I thought it would be really cool to see the show that bore his name at the theater where it all began.
It was pretty cool! I admit that I enjoyed some improvisers more than others (namely TJ Jagadowski) - man is he awesome! But overall, everyone in the show was really funny - and two hours flew by in a flash! It seems like improv shows in Chicago go for at least an hour, sometimes two! We didn't actually get out of the show until about 10:30, which threw a little bit of a wrench in our plan to get late night pizza with a couple of Chicago locals. We had opted to get an early steak dinner at Harry Carey's before the show, which was really delicious by the way.
Fortunately, the original Pizzeria Uno, birthplace of the deep dish pie, was open late and saved the day! Yes, we managed to have our steak and pizza too.
I love Chicago!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Animal Behavior
We had a full day of sightseeing around Chicago today, but sadly, sometimes there just aren't enough hours to fit everything in.
I was going to try to get student rush tickets for "Kafka on the Shore" at the famed Steppenwolf Theater as well as tickets to a Second City show, but sadly both theaters were sold out. We had pizza plans a little earlier in the evening with the people that we were staying with, which fell in the middle of show times at Annoyance and Improv Olympic - perhaps poor planning on my part.
However, the day wasn't a total bust. Along with taking in some seriously breathtaking scenery of the Chicago skyline along Lake Michigan at sunset...
and we took a tour of the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is completely free, btw. We took our time moving through each exhibit, admiring each animal and studying its habits and behavior, oftentimes lending our own voices to narrate its innermost thoughts. (How embarrassing for them!)
Some of our favorites were:
A happy Hippo who likes it a little rough...
A mighty and majestic Lion lording over his lair...
an ambitious Aardvark arranging its apartment...
and a playful Puma that possibly wanted to pounce on a small passerby...
Once we returned home from pizza at Pequod's, I suggested a late night run to the The Playground Theater, (another little improv theater in town), but we were advised against it. [Sigh]
Ah well, I tried. Here's hoping tomorrow will yield more proactive activities!
Sphere: Related Content
I was going to try to get student rush tickets for "Kafka on the Shore" at the famed Steppenwolf Theater as well as tickets to a Second City show, but sadly both theaters were sold out. We had pizza plans a little earlier in the evening with the people that we were staying with, which fell in the middle of show times at Annoyance and Improv Olympic - perhaps poor planning on my part.
However, the day wasn't a total bust. Along with taking in some seriously breathtaking scenery of the Chicago skyline along Lake Michigan at sunset...
and we took a tour of the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is completely free, btw. We took our time moving through each exhibit, admiring each animal and studying its habits and behavior, oftentimes lending our own voices to narrate its innermost thoughts. (How embarrassing for them!)
Some of our favorites were:
A happy Hippo who likes it a little rough...
A mighty and majestic Lion lording over his lair...
an ambitious Aardvark arranging its apartment...
and a playful Puma that possibly wanted to pounce on a small passerby...
Once we returned home from pizza at Pequod's, I suggested a late night run to the The Playground Theater, (another little improv theater in town), but we were advised against it. [Sigh]
Ah well, I tried. Here's hoping tomorrow will yield more proactive activities!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Wingin' It!
Today was probably one of the longest days I've had in a good loooooong while. We were up at the crack of dawn to get to the airport and hop a plane to Chicago. I was hoping that my exhaustion due to excessive sleep deprivation would allow me to catch a few winks on the plane ride, but unfortunately it just didn't happen. Argh!
Instead of catching a much needed nap, I read the rest of a David Rabe play that I had started called, "The Black Monk." It's based on an obscure novella by Anton Chekhov, and I'm not sure if I should have read it in my state of delirium because it is a very haunting story. I had originally purchased it at the Broadway Cares Flea Market last month for $1. I like Rabe and Chekhov, so it seemed a wise purchase. I was hoping to find a good monologue for myself within its pages, but now I'm not so sure. There are a few things here and there which might be pieced together to make something that would work.
Once we arrived in Chicago, we went into the city for some sightseeing and pizza, (which proved very disappointing) - the pizza, not the sightseeing. Chicago's architecture and immaculate city sidewalks never disappoint. We had the chance to walk a bit of the "Magnificent Mile" this afternoon and it definitely lives up to its name.
Since I am especially passionate about musical improv, I really wanted to take in a musical improv show while we were in town. Tonight we went to iO to see one of their musical house teams called "The Del Tones." The house was packed for this show. People know about improv in Chicago. I have to confess that it made me miss "The Made-Up Musical" somethin' awful. I really enjoyed the show, but sometimes it's difficult watching something from the audience that you so desperately want to be a part of. At certain moments when the pianist would strike up a pretty tune, I wanted to run up there and start singing with the cast! But I didn't because that would have been entirely inappropriate. And even as tired as I am, I can still tell right from wrong!
I'm definitely a bit envious of the folks who get to be on a musical house team. There have been a few rumors floating around that the Magnet may follow suit. I think it would be absolutely awesome! Until then, I will just have to be satisfied with my TMUM gig.
Sphere: Related Content
Instead of catching a much needed nap, I read the rest of a David Rabe play that I had started called, "The Black Monk." It's based on an obscure novella by Anton Chekhov, and I'm not sure if I should have read it in my state of delirium because it is a very haunting story. I had originally purchased it at the Broadway Cares Flea Market last month for $1. I like Rabe and Chekhov, so it seemed a wise purchase. I was hoping to find a good monologue for myself within its pages, but now I'm not so sure. There are a few things here and there which might be pieced together to make something that would work.
Once we arrived in Chicago, we went into the city for some sightseeing and pizza, (which proved very disappointing) - the pizza, not the sightseeing. Chicago's architecture and immaculate city sidewalks never disappoint. We had the chance to walk a bit of the "Magnificent Mile" this afternoon and it definitely lives up to its name.
Since I am especially passionate about musical improv, I really wanted to take in a musical improv show while we were in town. Tonight we went to iO to see one of their musical house teams called "The Del Tones." The house was packed for this show. People know about improv in Chicago. I have to confess that it made me miss "The Made-Up Musical" somethin' awful. I really enjoyed the show, but sometimes it's difficult watching something from the audience that you so desperately want to be a part of. At certain moments when the pianist would strike up a pretty tune, I wanted to run up there and start singing with the cast! But I didn't because that would have been entirely inappropriate. And even as tired as I am, I can still tell right from wrong!
I'm definitely a bit envious of the folks who get to be on a musical house team. There have been a few rumors floating around that the Magnet may follow suit. I think it would be absolutely awesome! Until then, I will just have to be satisfied with my TMUM gig.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Going Back to the Future
After cleaning like a madwoman all night last night, I felt like a shell of my former self today. However, the show must go on!
Tonight I had my first rehearsal for "The 1976 Paul Lynde Halloween Special" which is going up in a little more than a week at the Magnet Theater. yikes! That's a little scary! It makes me glad that I only have a few actual lines to learn.
The biggest hurdle I have to overcome is figuring out my best Charo impression. She has quite the accent on her. I also have to sing "Twist and Shout" in the show, so that should be fun. Just wait until I slip into this hot pink fringed dress and throw a big blond wig on my head. I'll be at least half way there.
Tonight's rehearsal was really a first read through for most of us involved. The show is basically a Halloween sketch show with the structure of Charles Dickens' archetypal tale, "A Christmas Carol." Personally, I think it's going to be a barrel of campy old fun and a great excuse to put on a hot little number and sing with an exaggerated Latin accent in front of an audience of my friends. Me likey!
If you want a better idea of what these shows were all about, watch below for a little preview...
Now I'm off to do some packing for our trip to Chicago (or Chi-town, as I like to call it) for "Pizza Month 2008: Chicago Edition!" You may think I'm kidding but I'm not. I love Chicago and I'm really looking forward to the four-day getaway. We're going to eat lots of deep dish, take in the sights and hopefully see some good improv and theater while we're there.
Windy city, here we come!
Sphere: Related Content
Tonight I had my first rehearsal for "The 1976 Paul Lynde Halloween Special" which is going up in a little more than a week at the Magnet Theater. yikes! That's a little scary! It makes me glad that I only have a few actual lines to learn.
The biggest hurdle I have to overcome is figuring out my best Charo impression. She has quite the accent on her. I also have to sing "Twist and Shout" in the show, so that should be fun. Just wait until I slip into this hot pink fringed dress and throw a big blond wig on my head. I'll be at least half way there.
Tonight's rehearsal was really a first read through for most of us involved. The show is basically a Halloween sketch show with the structure of Charles Dickens' archetypal tale, "A Christmas Carol." Personally, I think it's going to be a barrel of campy old fun and a great excuse to put on a hot little number and sing with an exaggerated Latin accent in front of an audience of my friends. Me likey!
If you want a better idea of what these shows were all about, watch below for a little preview...
Now I'm off to do some packing for our trip to Chicago (or Chi-town, as I like to call it) for "Pizza Month 2008: Chicago Edition!" You may think I'm kidding but I'm not. I love Chicago and I'm really looking forward to the four-day getaway. We're going to eat lots of deep dish, take in the sights and hopefully see some good improv and theater while we're there.
Windy city, here we come!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Project Makeover: Studio Apartment Edition
In doing this year-long project, I am trying to be as proactive as possible in several different ways, whether it be attending auditions, studying new material, seeing new plays, or just plain old organizing my life.
Everybody needs a little bit of organization in their lives. It helps you think more clearly, work more efficiently, and feel more...well, organized!
Tonight I began a clean sweep of my little studio apartment: we're talking laundry, dishes, dusting, scrubbing, vacuuming - you name it, I'm doing it!
City living is great, but it has its challenges - like, living in a smaller space than most people have grown accustomed. In this city on an island, it's not so much about how much space you have, but where you are that makes or breaks the appeal of your apartment. In Manhattan it's all about the three "L's": Location! Location! Location!
All things considered, I consider myself quite lucky. I moved to the city almost six years ago when a lot of people were moving out - I guess, for fear of further terrorist attacks? Anyway, I got a pretty sweet deal on my place.
Nonetheless, it has its drawbacks - like the fact that it can get real sloppy at the drop of the hat - and there's a very limited amount of storage space, so a lot of things get dropped around my apartment, and well - sometimes I'm just too darn lazy to pick them up.
So it's time to clean up my act! But, like any good actor, I must ask, "What's my motivation?"
My parents are coming into town this weekend - that's what!
They just celebrated their 33rd Anniversary and so as part of their present I decided to get them a pair of tickets to a Broadway show and let them stay in my apartment for the weekend, since I'm going to be in Chicago.
That's why I need to get this place all spit spot in a hurry!
Sometimes I wish I were a little more anal when it comes to keeping a spotless domicile, but sometimes my busy schedule prevents me from staying on top of these things. In any case, I am almost finished with my apartment makeover, and my qi (or chi) already feels like it's flowing a bit easier.
In the meantime, I sent out another email to an agency regarding a "Business of the Arts" seminar that I am hoping to attend next Wednesday. I haven't heard either way if I secured a spot in the class or not. Sometimes these things fill up really really quickly.
Anyway, I've got some more organizing to do, and a new shower liner to buy, but I think that all of this cleaning will make me feel more productive in the long run, but more importantly, impress my parents when they come to stay at my Chez!
Sphere: Related Content
Everybody needs a little bit of organization in their lives. It helps you think more clearly, work more efficiently, and feel more...well, organized!
Tonight I began a clean sweep of my little studio apartment: we're talking laundry, dishes, dusting, scrubbing, vacuuming - you name it, I'm doing it!
City living is great, but it has its challenges - like, living in a smaller space than most people have grown accustomed. In this city on an island, it's not so much about how much space you have, but where you are that makes or breaks the appeal of your apartment. In Manhattan it's all about the three "L's": Location! Location! Location!
All things considered, I consider myself quite lucky. I moved to the city almost six years ago when a lot of people were moving out - I guess, for fear of further terrorist attacks? Anyway, I got a pretty sweet deal on my place.
Nonetheless, it has its drawbacks - like the fact that it can get real sloppy at the drop of the hat - and there's a very limited amount of storage space, so a lot of things get dropped around my apartment, and well - sometimes I'm just too darn lazy to pick them up.
So it's time to clean up my act! But, like any good actor, I must ask, "What's my motivation?"
My parents are coming into town this weekend - that's what!
They just celebrated their 33rd Anniversary and so as part of their present I decided to get them a pair of tickets to a Broadway show and let them stay in my apartment for the weekend, since I'm going to be in Chicago.
That's why I need to get this place all spit spot in a hurry!
Sometimes I wish I were a little more anal when it comes to keeping a spotless domicile, but sometimes my busy schedule prevents me from staying on top of these things. In any case, I am almost finished with my apartment makeover, and my qi (or chi) already feels like it's flowing a bit easier.
In the meantime, I sent out another email to an agency regarding a "Business of the Arts" seminar that I am hoping to attend next Wednesday. I haven't heard either way if I secured a spot in the class or not. Sometimes these things fill up really really quickly.
Anyway, I've got some more organizing to do, and a new shower liner to buy, but I think that all of this cleaning will make me feel more productive in the long run, but more importantly, impress my parents when they come to stay at my Chez!
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