Apparently my roommate has a lot of guns in her house. Not like hand guns, but shot guns. [I'm not sure I comprehend how the distinction makes this any better]. This is New York ... that's probably not so good to blog about.
Sooooo I just got back from a fantastic night at Don't Tell Mama's cabaret bar. Lots of love to my gorgeous bicurious date for this past evening, who's got the most beautiful hair and the biggest heart of anyone I know.
Sang [music that wasn't church music] live, in front of people I didn't know, for the first time in my life. "Bill" from Showboat; and I thought about the smoldering Cuban the whole time. Gotta love the fact that I'm inadvertently working my way through the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. What is the appropriate mantra insert here? Methinks "walk tall, carry a big stick."
Every now and then we need those moments of complete and utter artistic bliss to remind us why we bother suffering through the madness in the first place. Thank you to Joe, John, Liz and Beth for my stage and the wine and olives that got me through it.
The summation of today's PR work, modeling session, and adventure into the sketchy cave of showtunes and love, is, as a wise man once said whenever you realize you're thinking a bit too much: don't worry bout it.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
On the Days When You Doubt Yourself
You're not crazy, I promise. You're dealing with the ennui of our generation... coupled with the instinctual, survivalistic impulse to keep yourself constantly stimulated and perpetually in motion. Add that to the attempt to balance your determination with the pragmatic realization that money makes the world go around and :: woosh :: suddenly life can look like a bad Three Stooges parody.
There will be times when stress makes sweet, sweet love to your sympathetic nervous system, giving birth to lots of doubt babies. These are questions that are not easy to grapple with, as I'm sure you know. Every month or so, my favorite doubt baby briefly scampers across my mind space: why did I not take that exceedingly well paid contract offer to be a restaurant manager, again? That's part of la vie boheme... everyone doubts their choices, it's natural and necessary to reflect on the past so that you can gain indispensable insight for your future.
What it comes down to for all of us is to determine the most fulfilling thing you see yourself doing in the long term, and what kind of foundation you need to do whatever it is you want to accomplish. I chose to take my rogue path down the dancer + jane of all trades lane, because I already have some injuries and time is not on my side. However, I'm fortunate to have parents who instilled in me the importance of being responsible and prepared for a rainy day, and I've managed to accumulate enough savings to support myself through this adventure.
The harsh reality of this industry is that unless Mom and Dad are financing you, money will always be on your mind. As much as it can't buy you love, having money makes life a heck of a lot easier. I had a conversation with a dancer friend who realized over tea today that almost all of her "to do" list revolves around money - figuring out how to get it, how to budget it, and how to save enough to do what she needs to do. The concern about money can plague performers until we book that dream job and even after we sign our contracts, but wish me luck, the same to you - won't regret, can't regret what we did for love.
It sounds scary, but as long as you make a financial plan and stick to it, it's actually a LOT of fun to figure out how to pay your rent. Perspective is everything! When you work a lot of different jobs, you meet fantastic people... a smoldering Cuban here, half of the cast of Naked Boys Singing there, and if you're lucky, an Academy Award winning actress like Frances McDormand will compliment you on your hair and enormous eye balls!
As you're working toward your own success goal by goal, don't lose sight of what you love along the way. Make sure that what makes you most happy is what you spend a good amount of your time doing... and remember that some of the most influential people in the world didn't find their footing until quite late in the game. Pythagoreus was decades older than most of us dancers are now when he figured out his theorem, Edison didn't invent a lightbulb that could actually turn on until he was almost 42 ... I mean, Einstein did not even speak until he was four years old, and look what he accomplished!
The key to surviving my survival job[s] has been to find something fulfilling that I can do to offset the occasional, inevitable brain drain. If you've got other passions and interests, keep yourself informed on important developments that relate to them. Read the news, practice your craft, go to a museum, or learn a song every few weeks on the ukulele, like yours truly.
*BTW if you ever want to pick up the ukulele, it's pretty darn easy, and the youtube tutorial videos are fantastic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35xvWUXfQTw&NR=1, http://www.beatlesite.info/ *
A good friend once told me that balancing out your life is like cooking on multiple burners of a stove. If you find that your survival job is using up wayyy too much gas from your stove, then you might want to consider redistributing your priorities. I know I ultimately want to teach and work in education reform, so my education back burner is always running on low. I read a lot of information, store away pertinent stories that I don't have time for in a document to be read when I do have time, I follow current trends in research, etc. Adapt my strategy to find the balance that is most ideal for you.
In this country, in this era, we have the fortune to be able to do almost anything we want. The idea of a rigid career path is outmoded. As such, you have an entire life as an almost infinite canvas to paint your experiences on.
I say go grab some different sized brushes, some glitter, and a rainbow of colored paints and get to work!
There will be times when stress makes sweet, sweet love to your sympathetic nervous system, giving birth to lots of doubt babies. These are questions that are not easy to grapple with, as I'm sure you know. Every month or so, my favorite doubt baby briefly scampers across my mind space: why did I not take that exceedingly well paid contract offer to be a restaurant manager, again? That's part of la vie boheme... everyone doubts their choices, it's natural and necessary to reflect on the past so that you can gain indispensable insight for your future.
What it comes down to for all of us is to determine the most fulfilling thing you see yourself doing in the long term, and what kind of foundation you need to do whatever it is you want to accomplish. I chose to take my rogue path down the dancer + jane of all trades lane, because I already have some injuries and time is not on my side. However, I'm fortunate to have parents who instilled in me the importance of being responsible and prepared for a rainy day, and I've managed to accumulate enough savings to support myself through this adventure.
The harsh reality of this industry is that unless Mom and Dad are financing you, money will always be on your mind. As much as it can't buy you love, having money makes life a heck of a lot easier. I had a conversation with a dancer friend who realized over tea today that almost all of her "to do" list revolves around money - figuring out how to get it, how to budget it, and how to save enough to do what she needs to do. The concern about money can plague performers until we book that dream job and even after we sign our contracts, but wish me luck, the same to you - won't regret, can't regret what we did for love.
It sounds scary, but as long as you make a financial plan and stick to it, it's actually a LOT of fun to figure out how to pay your rent. Perspective is everything! When you work a lot of different jobs, you meet fantastic people... a smoldering Cuban here, half of the cast of Naked Boys Singing there, and if you're lucky, an Academy Award winning actress like Frances McDormand will compliment you on your hair and enormous eye balls!
As you're working toward your own success goal by goal, don't lose sight of what you love along the way. Make sure that what makes you most happy is what you spend a good amount of your time doing... and remember that some of the most influential people in the world didn't find their footing until quite late in the game. Pythagoreus was decades older than most of us dancers are now when he figured out his theorem, Edison didn't invent a lightbulb that could actually turn on until he was almost 42 ... I mean, Einstein did not even speak until he was four years old, and look what he accomplished!
The key to surviving my survival job[s] has been to find something fulfilling that I can do to offset the occasional, inevitable brain drain. If you've got other passions and interests, keep yourself informed on important developments that relate to them. Read the news, practice your craft, go to a museum, or learn a song every few weeks on the ukulele, like yours truly.
*BTW if you ever want to pick up the ukulele, it's pretty darn easy, and the youtube tutorial videos are fantastic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35xvWUXfQTw&NR=1, http://www.beatlesite.info/ *
A good friend once told me that balancing out your life is like cooking on multiple burners of a stove. If you find that your survival job is using up wayyy too much gas from your stove, then you might want to consider redistributing your priorities. I know I ultimately want to teach and work in education reform, so my education back burner is always running on low. I read a lot of information, store away pertinent stories that I don't have time for in a document to be read when I do have time, I follow current trends in research, etc. Adapt my strategy to find the balance that is most ideal for you.
In this country, in this era, we have the fortune to be able to do almost anything we want. The idea of a rigid career path is outmoded. As such, you have an entire life as an almost infinite canvas to paint your experiences on.
I say go grab some different sized brushes, some glitter, and a rainbow of colored paints and get to work!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Of COURSE...
I choose today of all days to walk down 18th Street inhaling a $1 slice of pizza on the way to City Bakery.
Because OF COURSE today is the day that they are shooting some new movie on 18th and 5th and who should walk out of his trailer and straight into me other than the delicious Michael Fassbender...
Typical.
Because OF COURSE today is the day that they are shooting some new movie on 18th and 5th and who should walk out of his trailer and straight into me other than the delicious Michael Fassbender...
Typical.
Dance: Ten, Looks: Three
You have to love an industry that provides so much variety on a day to day basis. I'm never bored! Just recently, I found myself running between auditions for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a Disney Cruise Line for character look alikes, and Cutman, a new Broadway musical (about boxing) to debut later this year. Differences and roguery aside, the day provided some healthy laughter and a much needed wake-up-and-smell-the-roses voice mail from the universe!
Disney Cruise Line was a madhouse as usual, and as they asked for us to maintain the "magic" (aka not tell any details about their audition), I'll go ahead and perpetuate the mystery (with an ever so subtle - but still loving! - eye roll).
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was a non-union call, and it ran like a DREAM. We were in and out of that typing with an alien sort of efficiency - a pleasant change in comparison to some other calls I've been to lately. All the choreographer had us do was stand in a straight line so he could look at us, then he asked who could tap, then he had us do an eight count turning combination (the turned out triple pirouette was nasty at 10am in the morning). Bob Cline looked at me and looked at my name and says, "honey, there are like 10 of you, you have to change your name, and fast." Point taken, Bob, now hire me! In by 2pm, called back by 2:15pm, and off from Ripley Grier at 34th to Chelsea Studios at 26th just in time to swoop in to Cutman!
I cut it pretty close, dashing in just as they were taking the first non equity group (I had signed up as number 7 during a work-break at 9am that morning). Cutman was a delicious audition with the sort of sexytime choreography that any commercial dancer from LA - who has a teensy harlot living in her heart - can't help but savour. The combination was very contemporary house-style hip hop, with a lot of groove and bounce that was clearly a bit of a shock for the girls who were more accustomed to traditional musical theatre.
The collective yet unspoken hey-now in the room reminded me of a similar but not so fun shock months prior: the Dreamworks Madagascar open call had to have been the most upsetting display of white girl hip hop I had seen in years...
Since that travesty of a lemur dance (My little Celiac Seal, what would I do with out you), I had almost forgotten how wonderful it feels to let technique fly out the window and whip your hair/throw your hips in all directions. Heartfelt thanks to Cutman and all the girls in the room for reminding me of joy of letting go! Too bad I ran up against the omnipresent scourge that is type.... I got to the end of the dance call and the choreographers pleasantly remarked that I was fierce and they were feeling it, but that I needed to gain a little weight. Then I looked around to see who they were keeping to sing, and realized that I was missing weight in two very specific places ... in a location where one can't exactly target weight gain without a little silicone assistance. Oh well!
In a final shout out to keep things in perspective, hooray for progress - political maneuvering accusations aside - it's about time, Mr. President! http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/us/24marriage.html?pagewanted=2&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2
Disney Cruise Line was a madhouse as usual, and as they asked for us to maintain the "magic" (aka not tell any details about their audition), I'll go ahead and perpetuate the mystery (with an ever so subtle - but still loving! - eye roll).
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was a non-union call, and it ran like a DREAM. We were in and out of that typing with an alien sort of efficiency - a pleasant change in comparison to some other calls I've been to lately. All the choreographer had us do was stand in a straight line so he could look at us, then he asked who could tap, then he had us do an eight count turning combination (the turned out triple pirouette was nasty at 10am in the morning). Bob Cline looked at me and looked at my name and says, "honey, there are like 10 of you, you have to change your name, and fast." Point taken, Bob, now hire me! In by 2pm, called back by 2:15pm, and off from Ripley Grier at 34th to Chelsea Studios at 26th just in time to swoop in to Cutman!
I cut it pretty close, dashing in just as they were taking the first non equity group (I had signed up as number 7 during a work-break at 9am that morning). Cutman was a delicious audition with the sort of sexytime choreography that any commercial dancer from LA - who has a teensy harlot living in her heart - can't help but savour. The combination was very contemporary house-style hip hop, with a lot of groove and bounce that was clearly a bit of a shock for the girls who were more accustomed to traditional musical theatre.
The collective yet unspoken hey-now in the room reminded me of a similar but not so fun shock months prior: the Dreamworks Madagascar open call had to have been the most upsetting display of white girl hip hop I had seen in years...
Since that travesty of a lemur dance (My little Celiac Seal, what would I do with out you), I had almost forgotten how wonderful it feels to let technique fly out the window and whip your hair/throw your hips in all directions. Heartfelt thanks to Cutman and all the girls in the room for reminding me of joy of letting go! Too bad I ran up against the omnipresent scourge that is type.... I got to the end of the dance call and the choreographers pleasantly remarked that I was fierce and they were feeling it, but that I needed to gain a little weight. Then I looked around to see who they were keeping to sing, and realized that I was missing weight in two very specific places ... in a location where one can't exactly target weight gain without a little silicone assistance. Oh well!
In a final shout out to keep things in perspective, hooray for progress - political maneuvering accusations aside - it's about time, Mr. President! http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/us/24marriage.html?pagewanted=2&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
With A Little Help From My Friends
When I first started auditioning in New York, the dance community seemed massive and impenetrable. Nevertheless, I forged ahead with the valuable advice of a dear friend (who has recently crossed over into the greener pastures of Equityland, work it, HD!!). I got in the habit of being the first person at Equity (Union) Casting Calls - sometimes as early as 6:00am. Once I even woke up at 5:00am for In The Heights (it used to be a particularly popular audition for non union dancers).
As you might imagine, there were many mornings when I sat and had breakfast or did work or warmed up in a virtually empty room - babysitting the unofficial list to make sure the monitor would transfer my name over when the other girls showed up. It can be tricky to be forward and friendly while navigating new social waters, but this business is ALL about connections, and I've learned it really helps you get by with a little help from your friends.
Since August, I've met an incredible group of young women who have now become a veritable force of auditioning strategy. We've mastered our multi-target swoop into every audition on a given day, signing each other up as early as possible. Now that we've known each other for a while, I can text a few of the girls I've chatted with and ask them to sign me up to Call X, Y, or Z if they're going. Similarly, they might call me on a night when they're stuck late at work and have me sign them up early the next day so they can catch a few extra hours of sleep.
In summary: The dancer friend support system is stronger and more formidable than any defensive line I've ever seen.
Yes, there's some competition in the room. But everyone who auditions in New York soon realizes that there are too many mitigating factors to be petty - what with the monsters that are Type, Nepotism, and Mercurial Choreographer Moods. ** yes I am referring to YOU, Mr. J-- M------ **
I firmly believe that paying it forward, i.e. doing something to help a fellow dancer, creates good karma and sends nothing but positive vibes into your nuclear environment. Sooo when in doubt, help a girl out!!
Love Always,
A Broadway Baby
As you might imagine, there were many mornings when I sat and had breakfast or did work or warmed up in a virtually empty room - babysitting the unofficial list to make sure the monitor would transfer my name over when the other girls showed up. It can be tricky to be forward and friendly while navigating new social waters, but this business is ALL about connections, and I've learned it really helps you get by with a little help from your friends.
Since August, I've met an incredible group of young women who have now become a veritable force of auditioning strategy. We've mastered our multi-target swoop into every audition on a given day, signing each other up as early as possible. Now that we've known each other for a while, I can text a few of the girls I've chatted with and ask them to sign me up to Call X, Y, or Z if they're going. Similarly, they might call me on a night when they're stuck late at work and have me sign them up early the next day so they can catch a few extra hours of sleep.
In summary: The dancer friend support system is stronger and more formidable than any defensive line I've ever seen.
Yes, there's some competition in the room. But everyone who auditions in New York soon realizes that there are too many mitigating factors to be petty - what with the monsters that are Type, Nepotism, and Mercurial Choreographer Moods. ** yes I am referring to YOU, Mr. J-- M------ **
I firmly believe that paying it forward, i.e. doing something to help a fellow dancer, creates good karma and sends nothing but positive vibes into your nuclear environment. Sooo when in doubt, help a girl out!!
Love Always,
A Broadway Baby
Monday, February 21, 2011
Pins & Needles
Injuries can plague those who make a profession of repetitive movement. Dealing with physical pain and stress on the body is especially difficult in this day and age. With the advent of health care debate and expensive hospital visits, it is a struggle to get comprehensive health insurance that can cover things like acupuncture and physical therapy.
Fortunately for dancers, there are people like my acupuncture goddess and clinics like the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries at NYU. The latter has free clinic hours every Monday and Thursday, but call for an appointment, as Harkness gets booked quickly - with all the Wicked and NYC Ballet dancers that might be there when you go in for your appointment! *Harkness Center Contact: (212) 598-6022*
Dancers have the most formidable threshold for pain of any people that I know. However, it is important to be vocal about pain to your employer and to your friends, especially when it's to the point that it is changing how you live your life. It might feel like complaining (which I certainly hate to do), but you never know when you will have a friend who is the connections and compassion to help you solve your problem.
As scary as the idea of needles might sound to some people, my handsome, multitalented, deliciously tall manfriend - yes Adam, this shout out is for you - is friends with this fantastic woman who has an incredible gift for using acupuncture to heal muscle based pain. She used to be a dancer, who then worked on Wall Street for a decade or so, and now does acupuncture at incredibly discounted rates just because she genuinely cares about helping people in pain. (Her gorgeous this-is-my-dream-design-aesthetic Park Avenue apartment is certainly a testament to the fact that she doesn't need the teeny amount of money she charges per session).
Ever since I met her three weeks ago, she has managed to unravel six years of tension from a hip injury, and considerably alleviate the pain in my back. I was a bit hesitant to try something as seemingly radical as volunteering myself to be a human pin cushion, but acupuncture is actually quite calming! Not scary, not painful. It's more like an intensive deep tissue massage for an hour or so. With her practice, my outcome is not only tension relief, but hope.
Remember that your health and the functionality of your body are the foundation on which you build a dance career. If one of those pillars is not stable, the whole operation could crumble at any moment! Money is always an issue for dancers trying to make it in New York, but there are some things - especially your physical and emotional health, as well as your dance technique - that will ALWAYS be worth the investment. You can always get another job, but you can't always dance. The sooner you start taking care of yourself, the better!
Yours in balance and health,
A Broadway Baby
**Stayed tuned tomorrow for more auditioning madness with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Cutman callbacks!**
Fortunately for dancers, there are people like my acupuncture goddess and clinics like the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries at NYU. The latter has free clinic hours every Monday and Thursday, but call for an appointment, as Harkness gets booked quickly - with all the Wicked and NYC Ballet dancers that might be there when you go in for your appointment! *Harkness Center Contact: (212) 598-6022*
Dancers have the most formidable threshold for pain of any people that I know. However, it is important to be vocal about pain to your employer and to your friends, especially when it's to the point that it is changing how you live your life. It might feel like complaining (which I certainly hate to do), but you never know when you will have a friend who is the connections and compassion to help you solve your problem.
As scary as the idea of needles might sound to some people, my handsome, multitalented, deliciously tall manfriend - yes Adam, this shout out is for you - is friends with this fantastic woman who has an incredible gift for using acupuncture to heal muscle based pain. She used to be a dancer, who then worked on Wall Street for a decade or so, and now does acupuncture at incredibly discounted rates just because she genuinely cares about helping people in pain. (Her gorgeous this-is-my-dream-design-aesthetic Park Avenue apartment is certainly a testament to the fact that she doesn't need the teeny amount of money she charges per session).
Ever since I met her three weeks ago, she has managed to unravel six years of tension from a hip injury, and considerably alleviate the pain in my back. I was a bit hesitant to try something as seemingly radical as volunteering myself to be a human pin cushion, but acupuncture is actually quite calming! Not scary, not painful. It's more like an intensive deep tissue massage for an hour or so. With her practice, my outcome is not only tension relief, but hope.
Remember that your health and the functionality of your body are the foundation on which you build a dance career. If one of those pillars is not stable, the whole operation could crumble at any moment! Money is always an issue for dancers trying to make it in New York, but there are some things - especially your physical and emotional health, as well as your dance technique - that will ALWAYS be worth the investment. You can always get another job, but you can't always dance. The sooner you start taking care of yourself, the better!
Yours in balance and health,
A Broadway Baby
**Stayed tuned tomorrow for more auditioning madness with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Cutman callbacks!**
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Necessity of Networking + Fall 2011 Fashion
Last night was the ideal example of the necessity of being constantly on your game and at your best in this industry. You never know who you might meet and what they might be able to do for you if they find you interesting enough.
....It all begins with Anna Sui, under the auspices of the epic Mercedez Benz/IMG Fashion Tent....
Once my own Anna and I were seated (after I had been propositioned to pose for photographs at the entrance to the show!!) there was plenty of time to people watch. Fergie and Vanessa Hudgens (spelling?) were across the way chatting amicably, flanked by Sofia Coppola and a very mysterious looking older woman in Chanel who was almost exactly reminiscent of Barbara Bush.
While I appreciated the nod to the Ballet Russes of Diaghilev's day, ultimately Anna Sui's cat and mouse shaped headwear and layered looks in '70s garish prints and layered furs detracted from any overall cohesion in Sui's Fall Ready to Wear line. Despite my personal lack of inspiration from her collection, it was certainly a pleasant surprise to see models given the opportunity to be comfortably casual in flat footwear, sexy secretary glasses, and easy smiles.
....It all begins with Anna Sui, under the auspices of the epic Mercedez Benz/IMG Fashion Tent....
Once my own Anna and I were seated (after I had been propositioned to pose for photographs at the entrance to the show!!) there was plenty of time to people watch. Fergie and Vanessa Hudgens (spelling?) were across the way chatting amicably, flanked by Sofia Coppola and a very mysterious looking older woman in Chanel who was almost exactly reminiscent of Barbara Bush.
While I appreciated the nod to the Ballet Russes of Diaghilev's day, ultimately Anna Sui's cat and mouse shaped headwear and layered looks in '70s garish prints and layered furs detracted from any overall cohesion in Sui's Fall Ready to Wear line. Despite my personal lack of inspiration from her collection, it was certainly a pleasant surprise to see models given the opportunity to be comfortably casual in flat footwear, sexy secretary glasses, and easy smiles.
Guurrl, you better [net]WERK!
After the show ended, Anna and I picked up gift bags and headed to the Mandarin Oriental for the Magazine's after party, complete with free flowing champagne, snacks, and Chanel nail color. The night was full of surprising meetings; a friend's connection from IMG drew up old alliances between myself and staff at IMG Artists. (There was a time way back in sophomore year, when I interned there and considered Arts Administration and PR/Marketing).
While we discussed the stylist's trunk show, Anna's colleague in sales realized that she knows someone working on Spiderman and several women who have chosen funding Broadway shows as their hobbies. Exchange of information here, genuine happiness to forge a connection there... Done and done!
While we discussed the stylist's trunk show, Anna's colleague in sales realized that she knows someone working on Spiderman and several women who have chosen funding Broadway shows as their hobbies. Exchange of information here, genuine happiness to forge a connection there... Done and done!
Fantastic [ally lucky]. The evening came to a close in the Oriental lounge for dinner (apparently even a principled flexitarian will eat kobe beef sliders when she's hungry enough and a sugar momma's buying). Then the six inch heels were off, the normal girl flats went on, and off to the crosstown bus I marched.
Just another day in the life of a Broadway Baby!
Just another day in the life of a Broadway Baby!
Tomorrow: On Discipline and Structure and how both can save your dance life
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Cruise Lines, Flat Rock, and the two Annas
Sometimes there are those days when you ask yourself, WHY on EARTH am I doing this again?
Auditioning for Royal Caribbean was one of those experiences. It was a solid reminder that there are times when type rules all. You can't be exactly what they want, no matter how skilled you are. You might find yourself surrounded by people who seem to have no sense of space or control over their bodies, yet they get kept and you don't. In order to find this work fulfilling (at least in the meantime until you get a job) it's critical to do the absolute best that you can so you can walk out of the room feeling good, regardless of the outcome.
Telling yourself you are going to take class, actually taking class, finding away to afford class, and constantly working your body and your voice to be at your utmost potential are the best ways to combat the heinous feeling of being cut early in a call.
The Flat Rock audition was a bit ridiculous.... the non union girls waited four hours, and then they jammed us into twenty minutes of show me a triple time step here and do me a double turn there. Never mind that the floor felt like an ice skating rink... Oh and then there was the go down the line and tell me your special skills section. I can't believe I actually said "Can put my left leg behind my head and stand up on the other and handling large snakes"... what comes over us at these things!?
Memo to self and anyone else who may encounter these rogue auditioning approaches to non union girls at Equity Chorus Calls (ECCs): What they really want to hear is things like walking on stilts, pointe work, fire breathing, and tumbling.
Managed to wedge in time to interview a potential new student for my Alma Mater between work, auditions, and Anna Sui.
More about Anna Sui with my own beloved Anna, and pictures to follow, tomorrow.
Auditioning for Royal Caribbean was one of those experiences. It was a solid reminder that there are times when type rules all. You can't be exactly what they want, no matter how skilled you are. You might find yourself surrounded by people who seem to have no sense of space or control over their bodies, yet they get kept and you don't. In order to find this work fulfilling (at least in the meantime until you get a job) it's critical to do the absolute best that you can so you can walk out of the room feeling good, regardless of the outcome.
Telling yourself you are going to take class, actually taking class, finding away to afford class, and constantly working your body and your voice to be at your utmost potential are the best ways to combat the heinous feeling of being cut early in a call.
The Flat Rock audition was a bit ridiculous.... the non union girls waited four hours, and then they jammed us into twenty minutes of show me a triple time step here and do me a double turn there. Never mind that the floor felt like an ice skating rink... Oh and then there was the go down the line and tell me your special skills section. I can't believe I actually said "Can put my left leg behind my head and stand up on the other and handling large snakes"... what comes over us at these things!?
Memo to self and anyone else who may encounter these rogue auditioning approaches to non union girls at Equity Chorus Calls (ECCs): What they really want to hear is things like walking on stilts, pointe work, fire breathing, and tumbling.
Managed to wedge in time to interview a potential new student for my Alma Mater between work, auditions, and Anna Sui.
More about Anna Sui with my own beloved Anna, and pictures to follow, tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
You Know You're Hopelessly In Love with New York When...
You can't help but smile as you pass by fashionistas and Wall Street bankers and watch their eyebrows disappear into their intricately constructed hairlines as a young man does vocal warm ups - loudly - while walking down 6th Avenue toward Chelsea Studios.
There truly is no other place like this on Earth. Nor is there any better realm in which to reinvent yourself, again and again and again. In the interest of constant progress, I have started this blog to keep track of my crazy experiences as I bust my not inconsiderable bum to get into a Broadway Show.
The Year 2010 was filled with momentous occasions in the life of this Broadway Baby...
I graduated from a fantastic college that taught me the most lovely, inspirational things about books, music, history, science, and people .... but somehow managed to do almost nothing to prepare my classmates and me for "real life."
I went rogue and decided - after one Acting the Song class - that no career in restaurant management or teaching could compare to the consuming thrill of dancing and performing... at least not yet.
I met some of the best people I know at an intimate NYU summer program called CAP21, and rediscovered how much I love to dance.
I served champagne to Richard Gere, Alec Baldwin - along with most of the cast of Gossip Girl and Sabrina the Teenage Witch - all night long at an Art Auction for the Coalition for the Homeless.
A dancer broke three of my toes right before my final callback to Disney Cruise Lines ... after I had all but accepted the role of swing/singer/dancer ... on a contract in the Mediterranean ::: sigh :::
I served lunch to Wynton Marsalis, drinks to Vanessa Williams, and turned away Tony Bennett at a tiny Upper West Side haven of a restaurant that has changed me for the better, forever.
...
Now that it's 2011, I've resolved to get myself into a show, no ifs and or buts about it. After taking two months off to rest from a significant back and hip injury, I am officially back with a vengeance.
Hopefully my insights and experiences will be of use to any person who finds themselves scrambling for work study positions, worrying about rent money, scampering between Ripley Grier and Pearl Studios on a frigid New York Winter morning, wondering where their character tap shoes have run off to, leafing through Backstage every Thursday (... or wondering what in heaven "Backstage" is), and just generally trying to make it as they work toward one of the loftiest goals out there.
Here's to all of you. This is the most important struggle you will wage your entire lives. Don't give up until you get what you want, and best of all, until you realize that you actually want what you get.
Sending out a lot of love and good karmic vibes,
A Broadway Baby
There truly is no other place like this on Earth. Nor is there any better realm in which to reinvent yourself, again and again and again. In the interest of constant progress, I have started this blog to keep track of my crazy experiences as I bust my not inconsiderable bum to get into a Broadway Show.
The Year 2010 was filled with momentous occasions in the life of this Broadway Baby...
I graduated from a fantastic college that taught me the most lovely, inspirational things about books, music, history, science, and people .... but somehow managed to do almost nothing to prepare my classmates and me for "real life."
I went rogue and decided - after one Acting the Song class - that no career in restaurant management or teaching could compare to the consuming thrill of dancing and performing... at least not yet.
I met some of the best people I know at an intimate NYU summer program called CAP21, and rediscovered how much I love to dance.
I served champagne to Richard Gere, Alec Baldwin - along with most of the cast of Gossip Girl and Sabrina the Teenage Witch - all night long at an Art Auction for the Coalition for the Homeless.
A dancer broke three of my toes right before my final callback to Disney Cruise Lines ... after I had all but accepted the role of swing/singer/dancer ... on a contract in the Mediterranean ::: sigh :::
I served lunch to Wynton Marsalis, drinks to Vanessa Williams, and turned away Tony Bennett at a tiny Upper West Side haven of a restaurant that has changed me for the better, forever.
...
Now that it's 2011, I've resolved to get myself into a show, no ifs and or buts about it. After taking two months off to rest from a significant back and hip injury, I am officially back with a vengeance.
Hopefully my insights and experiences will be of use to any person who finds themselves scrambling for work study positions, worrying about rent money, scampering between Ripley Grier and Pearl Studios on a frigid New York Winter morning, wondering where their character tap shoes have run off to, leafing through Backstage every Thursday (... or wondering what in heaven "Backstage" is), and just generally trying to make it as they work toward one of the loftiest goals out there.
Here's to all of you. This is the most important struggle you will wage your entire lives. Don't give up until you get what you want, and best of all, until you realize that you actually want what you get.
Sending out a lot of love and good karmic vibes,
A Broadway Baby
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