What now? That is the question plaguing my mind for a few weeks now. I'll be honest, I have been extremely lucky. I have been able to act and do well, because my day job or whatever I am doing usually pays extraordinarily well. I live like a king and get to act. A couple of months ago, my luck ran out. Now, I am like every other actor in the world that wants to make it. Little jobs for little pay to make ends meet. I hate it, and the thought of having to go back to work which might include nights is a reoccurring nightmare. It's not the work. I do enjoy project management. I usually run a team of IT professionals which usually includes preparing the budgets, managing the personnel issues, and creating reports and presentations and interfacing with the clients. Unfortunately, due to my extra 3 year stint in the military I am behind the technology curve, so my options here in Tampa are extremely limited. I do have opportunities in Michigan, Arizona, Ohio and DC right now, but I am not prepared to uproot my life just as of yet. So, again the question is what to do? Take a hiatus from acting again, and go make the money or simply squeak by doing little jobs for little money? I know the old adage is suffer for your art, but after living a certain standard of living how do you go back? When do the dreams take a back seat to reality or are they supposed to? Oh, the unanswered questions plaguing my reality and my insomnia.
Due to the fact that I am doing little jobs for a little money here and there, I have had a little more time than usual. My week has been filled with theatre and movies. It started with The Full Monty at Golden Apple. Simply a quality, well done show that was a blast to watch. I did have friends in the show, but I am not biased. Wonderful voices, a really great libretto and the book wasn't bad either. It makes sense the Golden Apple is the oldest Equity dinner theatre in the nation. They do quality productions and they do them well. I immediately turned on the soundtrack on my way home from Sarasota. That usually is a good indicator of a wonderful show. I imagine it would be a great experience to do a show there. Into the Woods at Eight O'Clock theatre was amazing. Again, not biased because I knew 75% of the cast. The visuals were stunning, the acting and singing superb. Literally, I was blown away. I have seen a lot worse productions on Broadway. This was that kind of quality. It still boggles my mind that this is community theatre. I would be honored and privileged to be apart of any production with that kind of quality.
I had the chance to catch up on some films this week, obviously. I just want to put out there,well....I am a huge fan of action films. They are not considered to be the most artsy films you might tend to associate with, but for me there is art in anything. I love fight choreography and stunt work and when combined with good acting and cinematography it's art to me. Last night I saw Casino Royale, the new Bond flick. I was a little leery with the Daniel Craig at first, but you know he is really good. I have been delving more and more into my film acting books lately and have learned more and more that the camera does not lie and you cannot lie to it. If you do not let the characters thoughts overcome you, then your face will show it. Stage and film are totally two different disciplines of acting and in film you cannot fake it or the camera will catch you. There are tricks on stage, basically because the audience is so far away and in doing so you have to take those thoughts to the limits and make them bigger. Film is not as forgiving. Difference is, you will hopefully get so many chances that one of them should be usable. Back to Mr. Craig, he has the subtlety in the eyes and a nature I compare with Gene Hackman, and Patrick Stewart. I had problems taking my eyes off of him wondering what was going to come next. Speaking of action movies, I did see Transporter II. I have always enjoyed watching Jason Statham on film since the original Transporter and again in the Ocean's Eleven and Twelve. He has this quiet, confidence about him. It's a mystery to me how to gain that kind of stillness with so much action. Check it out but don't do it before bed. The adrenaline in it will keep you awake. I also saw The Break-up and while I was excited to see it, I will not watch it again. Art is supposed to make us feel emotions, well this film made me so frustrated I was pacing while watching it. If that was the emotion the producers were going for, then it was good movie, I guess.
I talked myself through an epiphany earlier in the week. The blogs are down with my crusades that I went on, so if you have read them, then you will understand what I am talking about. (If not, either get on livejournal and add me as a friend, or ask me to add you to my preferred list on MySpace and you can run through the archive.) I really thought about the last year and what it brought on. Yes, I had some great shows and I feel like I have grown as an actor, but I went on two tangents or maybe it was three. I felt like I was wronged twice and twice I went on a rampage saying that it was an injustice and how dare they do that to me. As the cobwebs start to clear I wonder maybe it is me. Maybe I let my inferiority or maybe even a superiority complex masquerade as passion. There is a reality to this world, and in the world of business what you say can hurt you. I was so angry both times, that I missed something and to tell you the truth I still do not know what that 'something' is, I just know how I felt. I knew it wasn't going to provoke a positive response. I wasn't going to go back and work for Salerno, or get hired back to Gorilla. In my mind, I was helping the community at bay so this wouldn't happen to someone else. Maybe, just maybe, I was having a tantrum and letting the greater good, as I called it, shadow it. Even through the comments and email of support both times, I still wonder. I need to think things through a little more clearly in the future and not be so quick to start ranting and raving. My mind hasn't changed about either issue, but I do think maybe I should've handled them differently. How? I don't know. I just do not know.
Ok, so send me some warm thoughts for Thanksgiving as I am off to Chicago. I send you all a Happy Thanksgiving
and as always Love and Peace!!
"I'd rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate. -George Burns
The weekend shows went off without a hitch. We had a couple of good audiences and I didn't get anything but great compliments about the show and my performance. I am very happy with where the show is heading. My friends Larry and Alex came last night and they were pleasantly surprised out how good the show really is. So, obviously that made me happy.
A funny thing did come out in the Watermark News. An article was written about the theatre and I was quoted all over the article. The weird thing was I didn't remember talking to anyone. I mentioned how I felt during the opening night gala, but the words that were quoted were just too choice for something coming out of my mouth spontaneously. The more I looked at the quotes the more they were familiar to me. Then it hit me. It was my blog!! (see Twilight Underground) This author copied and pasted quotes from my blog and used them as if I spoke the words right to him. Crazy huh? An even funnier reference was that he said and I quote, "'Sincerity can be tricky,' said Bradley (who doesn't us his last name professionally)..." Isn't that a riot? Not only do I use my last name all the time, but I never use Brad-LEY for anything except legal signatures. This was in the printed version of the paper. I always like to archive the digital editions for my own memoirs, so when I pulled up the website he version was different. He used "Bradley Minus" which still is wrong, but at least it wasn't totally incorrect. My next question, was how would even think my name was ever "Bradley"? Like I said other than legal documents I never use it. Then I looked at the blog again, and my dearest Kelly left a comment and in the most heartfelt comment she kiddingly used my full name. So, not only did this reporter copy my blog, but also used a friend's comment to assume my real name. What is going on in the world these days? Are people getting this lazy? If you want to read it Click Here.
Sensitivity is something guys really do not like to admit to. I am empathetic and sensitive and sometimes it gets me into some trouble. Well, I felt a little drop in energy during some scenes with a co-star of mine, so I wanted to talk to her about it, because I thought maybe I was doing something wrong, or maybe my sexually charged personality had offended her in some way. I emailed her basically describing what I felt. I told her I really like her as a person and I thought we had become good friends during the course of the run and I really like working with her. Then I professed my concerns. Well, she basically said that I in the evolution of the show that my inflection was changing on some parts and that I was getting more touchy feely with her and it was throwing her off. She also admitted to not being as good, because of lack of experience and that she hasn't gotten to the point where she could just roll with the changes. So, I made an appointment with her to talk about it so she could be more comfortable. If I could just give her what I was thinking as the character maybe she could deal with the evolution a little better and she would be more comfortable. Well, she came in late because of work, which is fine. Unfortunately, in the tense moments of getting ready for the show, she didn't even say a word to me. I really thought I did something wrong again. So, during the show, I kept my same intent and intensity but I just didn't touch her as much, because that is what I thought was throwing her off. Little did I know, because this was yet another change, she went into a tirade during intermission. We had an extremely intense disagreement, but luckily being the passionate artists we are we worked it out. We hugged and made up and now I think we understand a little more where we are both coming from. This was a new experience for me. I have never, ever had drama during a production before and I damn well wasn't going to let it happen this time. I am just happy we were both mature enough to get it out and not let it spoil the rest of the show. I really love working with her, and I hope to do it again in the future.
I have some other news, but it is going to have to wait. I am not ready to divulge it yet and I have to get going because I am meeting my cousin Ali and her husband for lunch. It will be wonderful to see them.
I hope everyone is enjoying their week. Don't forget to come see Twilight of the Golds at Gypsy. Click here for details.
Love and peace to all.
The office of drama is to exercise, possibly to exhaust, human emotions. The purpose of comedy is to tickle those emotions into an expression of light relief; of tragedy, to wound them and bring the relief of tears. Disgust and terror are the other points of the compass. - Laurence Olivier
After the show last night, some of the members of the cast, crew and audience went out for a cocktail. It was a social setting with no real cause for insincerity. It was here that I received two great compliments and probably the greatest I have ever received.
One member of the audience repeatedly went on and on about how he really loved the show and how he was amazed at how natural everyone was. He felt was extremely moved by how he was taken on a journey with the family and was able to get into the story, through the acting, the sets and the music. He said it "flowed" so nicely. I have to admit as much as I was taken by his words and goings on, I was happy things flowed and I personally was at least good enough to not to interrupt the action.
The greatest compliment came from Keith, Gypsy's graphic designer. He said that even though he knew most of the actors personally, he really believed he was watching the characters. He said he could easily forget that there were people on stage he knew. This was better than any review or any compliment ever. It meant everyone in the cast, including yours truly, succeeded in bringing our characters to life.
I always considered myself the Pete Rose of acting. No I don't bet on how good or bad the show is going to be. Pete Rose did not have one athletic bone in his body. He had to work ten times as hard to make it in baseball. While others simply have a gift and just have to harness that gift and learn to use it, Pete really had to work so much harder. I am the same way. My friends have a gift and it helps making it easier to create the characters on stage. Dialects come easier, lines are memorized faster and ideas about the character flow into their bodies and minds faster and easier. This is not true for me, I spent countless hours memorizing, planning objectives, researching ideas for the character. A first reading doesn't bring out ideas, I need two or three. My character isn't ready by the second week of rehearsal, sometimes it isn't fully developed until the dress rehearsal or sometimes it might be the second week of the show. It bugs me sometimes, but other times it makes me proud of the work.
I hope to see some more of you at the show. Stick around afterwards and tell me what you think.
"The actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand."
-Laurence Olivier
Gypsy Productions at the Suncoast Theatre
3000 34th St. S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
727.456.0500
Oct 19 - Nov 5
Thurs. - Sat. at 8pm Sun at 1:30pm
Sincerity can be tricky. Looking into someone's eyes and telling the honest to goodness truth can be a very vulnerable experience, especially if your only trying to be honest. I remember a lot of shows, where audience members would come up to me at the end of the show and tell me that they enjoyed it and I had a good performance, only to know they were just being nice. What do you do? You look at them back, and thank them for coming. Oh well, you cannot please everyone all the time. Then there are those people that you can see really truly enjoyed it. They spend time, and really look into your eyes and maybe even ask you questions about the process or what you thought about an issue brought up in the show.
Last night, I got more sincere comments that I have in a long time. Obviously not just on my performance, but on the show as a whole. I was astounded and speechless. We actually touched the audience last night with this show. They laughed, they cried and most importantly they thought.
Gypsy has a tradition for their openings. A small gathering after the show, with the director and the cast and food and champaign. When the show is good, people will stay grab some food for a few minutes and head out. When the show is great, no one wants to leave. Last night, I think, the whole audience stuck around for a good amount of time. Each one made a point to come up to me and my fellow cast mates and giving a sincere compliment to our performance. Its happened to me before, but not for a while.
So, I guess the consensus is, that Twilight of the Golds is a show worth seeing. I hope to see a good many of you there. I think you may just enjoy it.
I don't know what is better than the work that is given to the actor-to teach the human heart the knowledge of itself.
-Lawrence Olivier
Twilight opens tonight. I usually would have posted a bulletin about the show by now, but I have a complex about it, so as much as I want as many people to come and see it as possible, I have an inferiority complex about it. To my good friends I would ask you to hold off at least one week before coming. We need to make the show, our own and this weekend should help us out. I would appreciate it. The journey to production has proven to be filled with obstacles and more than usual, but because it has been taken with good people, it has not been the worst I have been on. We will see what happens tonight.
My Dad came out of surgery on Tuesday with flying colors. Unfortunately, the ramifications were worse than the original diagnosis. When the surgeon had him open on the table he found a few more lymph nodes that had been plagued by the Merkle cell carcinogen. Instead of a small incision next to his groin area, he now has a much larger one that extends to just above his knee. The plastic surgeon magically operated to give coverage for faster healing specifically so Dad could start chemo and radiation in a couple of weeks. But he is still bed ridden as of today. My Dad and I have something in common, we are both type A personalities, so you can imagine what he is going through, stuck in bed for three days, without even the prospect of getting up to even use the facilities. Hopefully, tomorrow they will get him up and he will be home by Sunday. He starts radiation and chemo in three weeks, which means he first few cycles will be completed by the time I get there for Thanksgiving.
Sense Memory. Crazy theories we use in acting. It's the idea that something tangible can be used to stir an emotion we need on stage. I personally do not use it on stage, but in everyday life, well, it happens to all of us. The peak at a picture, the touch of a fabric, the contact on a certain area of skin, all of which can spark a memory that might or might not be called for at that moment. It can happen at the worst possible time, and we are forced to strangle the sensation and push it away until we have time to deal with it. I have been overloaded this past week. I had some computer problems yesterday, and in the midst of running diagnostics and repairing damage I ran across files, stories and pictures of certain times in my life I was not yet ready to react to. I found myself on the floor wondering where my life has gone and what is to come. I have never taken the direct path to anything. I have never wanted the typical life. When my friends were working at McDonalds and other typical after school jobs, I was working in real estate or getting my EMT license. When my friends were delivering pizza and waiting tables in college, I was a photographer taking pictures of school events, weddings and corporate parties. My classmates went on to the private sector and did the 9-5 I was appraising homes working my own hours. Finally, while the typical 26 year old was starting a family and going into taking the new steps in their careers, I enlisted in the Army. Now, my friends are at the peaks of their careers and gaining more and more experience, I am acting and working from home. I only mention this because I wonder what would've happened if I stuck it out and just kept going on one path. What would it be like to be "normal"?
Speaking of normal, every week I take one day off of my eating regimen and have anything I want. One, because it helps keep me sane, and two, it tricks my body into not peaking. Well, today, I was craving Burger King, so I got a Double Whopper with Cheese, fries and a Dr. Pepper. It tasted so good going down, but afterwards I felt like uber crap. So much that I had to take a nap. Now, I know why I feel so good eating clean. Give me salmon, salad and brown rice any day over BK I'll take it.
Well, two hours and 45 minutes until the lights shine on that stage and Twilight of the Golds opens. Let the magic happen, let the audience be moved and please, please keep me from forgetting my lines!!!
Love and peace to all.
"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles... but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."
- Buddha
Thanks to all of you who came to Psycho Beach Party. It was an incredible journey and a hell of a lot of fun. It turned out to be the third highest audience turn-out of the season, of course preceded by Women Behind Bars in second and Boys in the Band, of which included yours truly, in first. We still have Twilight of the Golds so maybe we can take over the second seed and I will have been in the top two shows....just kidding. The cast party turned out to be a bunch of food and all of sitting around laughing and quoting movies. I have to say I learned a lot about physical comedy and creating a character that fit in with the caricatures but still remain honest. Jamie taught me a lot about comedic timing just by watching her. All the way to the end of the show I would laugh consistently at the same jokes from her in the wings, just because they were that funny.
Rehearsals for Twilight of the Golds started and at the read-thru I was very excited. The talent pool is amazing. David Hershman from the Oslo, Daniel Harris, Sara Wilemon from Psycho, Caroline from Women and yours truly. I think it is going to be a really great show. Brick is directing and while I was extremely downtrodden yesterday, because of the unorthodox way she directs, I wake up with new vigor this morning having worked out a strategy to adapt. That's what I do, it's my motis operandis. I first become negative, then I adapt and everything is fine. She works everything at one time, which is a little different for me. Sara was on stage last night, and it was the very first time doing the very first scene, so she was just reading the lines so she get her blocking, well Brick asked why she wasn't acting, Like me, she thought we would get the blocking and then run the scene for character work. Nope, it all happens at the same time, so we got motivation, blocking, characterization, accenting, and word use all at the same time. It is a little hard to take in, but we will all adapt. Some of the movements, or non-movements goes against my instincts, but I will adapt I always do. She already talked to me about rolling my eyes, but I just told her it was my defense mechanism for going against my instincts and I requested just a little time to get used to her way of directing. I think she understood. We will see. By the end of the rehearsal process it will be a great show I am positive.
Good news, it looks like I will have my first two clients for personal training. I am excited. I meet with one on Monday to go over goals and get medical histories and stuff, and I start training with the other on Tuesday, because I already met with him. I do not have my certification as of yet, but I am ready to take one of the tests, but it is not proctored in this area until December 2. I ordered another certification and I can go anytime and take that, so I am going to review their materials for a couple of weeks and go take the test. So, by January Ill have two, and there is a weekend seminar in Orlando in April I am going with Darryl for another one. I guess you can take the seminar and test all in the same weekend, so I should be pretty credible with three plus a master fitness certification from the military and experience. I am also acquiring equipment to take to people homes or meet in the park or something. If you cannot tell, I am pretty gassed about this personal training stuff. I think it will be a nice sideline and a way to keep myself motivated.
Speaking of motivation, last week a lowered my guard a little. I ran only once and was at the gym only once. I had an excuse I wasn't physically up to par this week. My allergies sometimes cause me to get ulcers in my mouth and I had a nasty one right on my tongue...yech. It was very painful, so eating was a problem, talking was a problem and hell, breathing in and out of my mouth was a problem. I got back on track today though and took a long run with Steve. We went out really fast so I had to slow down a bit on the way back, but we still managed to hit our average time and heart rate. It will be better on Monday. Tomorrow, Ill be in the gym doing legs and intervals in the morning before rehearsal, so I will be hobbling into the theatre.
Unfortunately, trading hasn't been as lucrative due to my other endeavors but I should be able to spend more time with it next week. I definitely have noticed the bank account since I haven't been taking as much of a pay check. Sheesh, I sure like having money versus going without. It almost reminded of being back in Arizona living paycheck to paycheck again. That scares me. I know most people do it all the time, but I just have a problem with being in my middle thirties and living that way again. I'll have to step it up next week and spend more time with it.
So, I am contemplating auditioning for A Wonderful Life. Scott is directing so I think it will be a great show, but am I caving by even contemplating it? Or is it possible I am being a bigger person by showing I can still work at a professional level even though I was bounced out on my ass after working so fricken hard? I don’t know. I just want to perform and my audition for Rome is coming up and I could use the singing, well, saying that I even get cast. Oh, well something to think about for the next week. Maybe I’ll have an answer by time I blog next.
Ok well that does it for this episode...LOL. Have a wonderful weekend and a good week. Love and hugs to all.
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"It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed." |
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- Napoleon Hill |
Good news came on Sunday when Trevor cast me in Twilight of the Golds as Rob, the husband. I am so fricken excited I cannot even stand it. It's an amazing play with an emotional depth that I really need right now. Check out the blurb on my profile or in the News section of my site. Basically it's about dealing with knowing the outcome of a child before it is born and the fact it is going to be gay. It's going to be wonderful. Interesting thing is that I talked to the director and it does not look like she is excited about me playing the role. When I talked to her, because I was excited she kind of blew me off. It offended me at one point, but Trevor makes all the decisions so I am just going to do my job as well as I always do and she will have to live with it. I am good at what I do, and drama is my forte, so needless to say I am not worried about it.
Psycho Beach Party is coming to a close this week. The run has been amazing. I still laugh my head off while waiting in the wings. If you haven't seen it I would suggest you do. Not just because I am in it, because actually my character is basically there to further the story line, but you will be immensely entertained with Michael, Bill, Lisa, Jason, Marcus and Jaime. The ensemble totally has a great chemistry and everyone just loves it. Even Mark Leib liked it and he hates everything. See my previous blog for the review.
My commitment for my personal training certification continues. I am coming to the end of the symposium and starting the exercise physiology portion. The more I learn the more I want to learn. It is so amazing what the human body can accomplish. The science of increasing the efficiency of our bones, muscles and cardiovascular system is so intriguing. I have been experimenting on myself and have really improved over the last month. I started running a few miles Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and working with resistance on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I am basically doing the same thing now, except I am up to 6 miles M,W and F continuously and breaking a 10 minutes mile. Then after working out on T, TH and Saturday I get on the treadmill and do interval training for a half hour. Basically, doing 2 minutes of a light run then sprinting for a minute. It has started ripping me up really nicely. I was shocked at how my mood, focus and overall good nature has increased. I feel more positive. It really can be addicting, but who cares. The really big problem I am noticing is that I am constantly eating. I eat clean, but it doesn't help keeping full. I eat a lot of protein and simple carbs, but in an hour or so I am famished again. My metabolism has increased to a point it is eating 6-7 times a day and I am only eating 5. Crazy huh? Such or horrible problem to have.....LOL.
Because of this I have come up with an idea. Once I test for my certification, I want to start training performers. With my background and knowledge of how to train people from the military and my own experimenting and from performing myself, I have come up with a way to train performers safely without hurting their instruments. Most of the voice books around simple state that singers should not lift weights because when they lift heavy it sometimes causes them to strain, but with proper form and the right exercises I know how to keep that from happening, not only that but actually increase the capacity of the diaphragm in the meantime. Singers not only get the benefit of working out, but actually are able to hold notes longer and stronger. I understand the physics and muscular system of dancers, so I can increase the endurance, strengthen the core system and still keep or attain the body shape needed to efficiently dance longer and with less effort. Actors sometime need to lose or gain weight for roles. I now can do that for actors safely without causing harm to the instrument. I understand the nutrition base, so actors can add weight for the role and then when the production is over, can go back to their normal frame and weight easier because they added the size the right way. It is so fricken exciting I can't even stand it. Of course I can also do this on a Tampa Bay performer’s budget. So, watch the acting pages for The Performers Personal Trainer that will be me. I will still be able to take on regular clients as well, but this will be my specialty. The nice thing is, that because I will be specializing, the other performers will be understanding of my schedule being a performer myself. Drop me a comment and tell me what you think?
The other callbacks went very well. I received some really nice comments about my portrayal of Eddie for Hurlyburly. Not to mention I got to read with Ryan, who was Biff when I did Death of a Salesman. Holy Crap, he looks like he lost 100 lbs. It was nuts, I didn't even recognize him. We went up to the table to get the sides and the director says, Brad read with Ryan and I was about to introduce myself when Ryan just said, "Hey Brad" and I looked over and after doing a double take I was flabbergasted. He looks fricken amazing. It seemed like there was a representative from every show I have done out here in Tampa. Jaime, Sara, Ryan, Chris, Amy, Dan, Jorge etc. It was like a whose who of the Tampa acting scene. The callback was a lot of fun. Even if nothing comes of it, I was really happy I went.
Christian is leaving the area or maybe he already left. His partner, Guy, lost his job so they both felt they wanted to go back to NY. I am really going to miss him. He is such a character. We went to Georgie's the other night to celebrate Kim's birthday and we were lucky he came along. I am really going to miss him. The silver lining is he lives just a short train ride from the city so I have a place to stay when I go, if I don't mind staying a ways away. Good luck Christian and I hope to see you soon.
Well, that's about it. It's time I got to the gym for chest and back day. I hope everyone is having a great week. Do not forget to remember all those who lost their lives five years ago. September 11, 2001 is a day I will never forget. I worked at the Pentagon right before that day and I lost a lot of people I worked with. They will forever have a place in my heart.
Peace and love to all.
"Whatever you're ready for is ready for you."
- Mark Victor Hansen
Another week and more disappointments, but of course I am disappointed but not discouraged. I received two out of the three casting probabilities, this week. Into the Woods is a no go as is Pajama Game. I wasn't even all that thrilled about the Pajama Game in the first place, but it was a chance to work with Emi again, which was worth the eight week rehearsal period for one weekend. Into the Woods baffled me. He read exactly four men for the roles of the princes of which I was one of them. Everyone gave me great compliments and thought I had it, but then of course I wasn't cast. He kept reading my friend Sam for the baker and we all thought he was a shoe in because he read well, sang well and we knew he would be great and be so fricken cute doing it. Of course he cast Fadi, but then again why not? Fadi is fricken brilliant, it was just a shock. It just goes to show you cannot judge a director by his auditions. Sammy did get one of the princes, and yeah for Angie, getting Repunzel.
The interesting thing is, that even if I got one or both of the shows, I would've turned them down to do Twilight of the Golds at Gypsy. It is a really amazing show. It has a lot of depth and emotion which is what I need right now. Something that I can sink my teeth into. The last 5 shows have been pretty surface being farces and musicals. This show, which I am still waiting on, is an emotional roller coaster.
I had another callback at Jobsite this week as well. I only read twice and for the same role, but I have my doubts. The director seems to like his ensemble, so I am not confident about that one. My first read was pretty funny, but the second was a little off. It would be really great to work with them on a project, so we wait until the Hurly Burly callback on Monday. This one at least I have a copy of the script so I can be a little more prepared at least.
Other than that, there are no more auditions, and most of the theatres have had their season auditions, so things are already cast. I am going to ape-shit without a project though. I have been in rehearsals and shows non-stop since Death of a Salesman in August of 2004, and I think I have only had two weeks without a project total. That was enough; I went crazy after two weeks. So, I hope I get Twilight, or I guess Ill just have to produce my own project. Last year, an investor offered me financing to open my own theatre company, but I turned it down because I just wanted to perform, but maybe I'll have to ask him if he is still interested. I have a business plan made up and plenty of support from the people I have worked with before. I guess it is something to think about. He offered me five figures, maybe if I ask for just enough to subsidize the set and the marketing I can do it on a show by show basis. I can then offer the actors a part of the tickets, so at least they get something. Hmmm, even as I write this it gets more and more tempting.
I went through about five hours of the symposium on Personal Training last week. After the biology of muscular neurons, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, it is really interesting. It already has affected my workouts. Oh, and what was really cool, I actually had the nerve to work out in a tank top yesterday. I didn't think I looked to bad either. I usually am a little self conscious about it. A t-shirt covers a lot more and you cannot tell if I am ripped or not and hides the little bit of belly fat I still have, but yesterday, yeah, I looked pretty damn good. I know, I know you are not supposed to got to the gym looking good, you are supposed to go so you look good, but nevertheless I am still a little vain. Just another fault I guess.
Last week, I mentioned that driving in the rain here in Tampa, I actually was not as comfortable as usual. Well, there was a story on the news the other night about Florida Ice, which is exactly what I was describing. The roads get so wet, so fast that there is no drainage and the roads get extremely slick. So, now I feel like a complete doofus, because I was down on the drivers in the rain. Don't get me wrong, I am still down on the courtesy level of the drivers, but do what you have to do when the rain is coming down fast and furious.
I am deciding whether to buy tickets to RENT or not. I really love the show, but the last touring show was not great at all and did not leave me feeling as emotionally tied to it as usual. Plus, they have been playing the movie like crazy on STARZ. The movie is good, but it will never be the stage production. The movie, while still presenting the same emotions and issues just isn't as effective as the play. Just my opinion, but it is great to have the DVD and get my fix when I want it. While playing the soundtrack, I still imagine my experience at the Nederlander in New York when I saw it the first time, which is remarkable because I have seen it live five times since then. There are so many other great shows out there that I think I should be subjecting myself too. New York the end of October brings, Wicked, Color Purple, Cosi Fan Tutti, Spelling Bee and hopefully, A Chorus Line. I have done that show twice as well, so it will be a real treat to see the revival.
So I end with a progress on Psycho Beach Party. Friday and Saturday were full and we had a small house on Sunday, but that was to be expected. The bigger houses actually weren't but it was a nice surprise. The audiences have been extremely appreciative and marking the show as "just a lot of fun" which is what we were going for.
So, I hope everyone has a great week. Live your life to the utmost and keep in touch. Love and peace to all.
Ok so it's not really hell. It's just a strange name for tech week. The opening of Psycho Beach Party is Friday, but we are having audiences on Wednesday and Thursday for PWA (People with AIDS). I strongly support this and I hope we put on a fantastic show, actually there is no doubt it will be great, but will it be up to par in our own minds. This is actually my favorite part of producing a show, opening week. All of the questions are answered and when that audience comes in for the first time, and the first line is said, the first wave of relief is expended, then of course after the curtain call, the anticipation of all the rehearsals gets exhaled and then we can just enjoy ourselves during the run.
Last week, was crazy interesting. I had the jobsite audition on Monday and it went as well as can be expected, but then the unexpected happened, Tuesday, the artistic director calls me to give me the times for the callbacks I was expected to attend. Yeah, I could hardly believe it myself. I had been requested to attend three callbacks out of the four plays they are casting for. Well, then the first callback was Wednesday for The Serpent. No sides, no songs just a plethora of theatre games to test our imagination, our cohesiveness and our physicality. It was a blast actually. I wasn't happy about missing rehearsal, but it was fun nonetheless. We started with Freeze, then moved onto Freeze with no words, then the Martha game. The Martha games is a tableaux of individual elements all made up of actors. One actor goes on stage and declares them self, for example; "I am a tree" then the next actor has to declare him/herself something to fit the picture. It was pretty creative actually. After that he divided us up into groups and gave us situations we had to present to him. We chose a funeral and a delivery. It was actually pretty funny because we combined the two to have one of our actors play a pregnant wife who delivered a baby at the funeral. It was pretty funny actually. Then we concluded by playing Machine, which are just the actors adding on actions and sounds to create this machine on stage. Of course I was an idiot and did an action that included squats and I was up there forever. Chris, the director, mentioned a second callback of which I have not been called as of yet, but there were only six guys and he needs four so I hope to be at least called back one more time. I feel like I was one of the best ones there if not actually the best male. We will see I guess.
I also was asked to be represented by Level Models and Talent, so I signed with them. I had three castings with them last week and one with Benz so it was a busy week. Unfortunately, I was booked for one job, but I had decline it because it was in Daytona on Friday and after the whole Publix scandal with Golden Apple, I was afraid I wouldn't get back in time for the opening of Psycho. $1200 down the drain..sux man. I just refuse to even risk not being at the theatre no way no how. There are too many other people depending on me and too much of an investment. I couldn't do that to the cast and crew not to mention Trevor.
I also had an audition for the Pajama Game which is casting for the Broadway Theatre of Tampa, and an audition for Into the Woods at Eight O'clock is tonight. Plus Trevor is looking at me for Twilight of the Gold’s of which I am really excited about because it has some real emotion behind it. It's a true blue drama and if I am going to perform I need that right now. Psycho and Musicals just do not have the depth. I love them, but when you need to sink your teeth into a character, you really need something with emotional ties. I don't know if that would be the project I would pick saying I am cast in more then one, but it would be at the top of the list. Getting Sid in Pajama Game would be very hard not to accept because I really need a good singing role no matter where it is.
Only one thing has been troubling me lately. As an actor, no matter how much I want to believe otherwise, I act for me. The audience is entertained, but the career choice is basically kind of selfish. Trading, well, is totally for me since it is my money and I only do it to pay the bills and put some savings away. I am no longer doing anything for anyone else. I feel like that is a part of me that needs to be fulfilled. When I was working with Acorn and Salerno I mentioned to both artistic directors that it would be not only goodwill and shed some light on us, but that we needed a cause to go along with the theatre to support. They were both intrigued but not excited. I was hoping to be the one to help on that side, but we all know what happened, or didn't happen with both of those projects. Anyway, so I searched for a while and I realized that I really needed this, so I think I found it. I wasn't actually ready to do put it out there, but since this my blog what the hell. I am getting my certification as a Personal Trainer. I can already hear the comments, "ok so your going to train rich people to keep up there plastic surgery huh?" Since money is not really an issue for me, I really want to be the personal trainer for people who need but cannot afford personal training. What do you think? I was a master fitness trainer in the Army, and I led my whole unit on a training program that not only got their physical fitness test scores down, but allowed them to do a 10-mile race without stopping and most of them came in under 90 minutes. These are soldiers who never ran more than 2 miles in there life because they didn't have to. Also, there were desk jockeys. So, if I can motivate 30 people to get there but in gear for that, and train other soldiers out of mediocrity, maybe I can help some people who really need help to get off there ass and get to the gym or work out at home. I started a symposium on personal training, and I hope to finish it by next week and take the test in a month. I have a body who owns a personal training gym in town and I am going to ask him to allow me use of it and we will see what happens. I think with the time flexibility I can do that and act, and trade without a problem. It might even keep me motivated to work out. Actually it already has, I was in the gym 5 days last week and I ran 15 miles. Everyday I wake up and if I go to bed without doing cardio and/or have been to the gym, I feel guilty.
So, those are my rants for this explosive episode. I hope to see you all at Psycho Beach Party opening this Friday and running through September 17th. www.gypsyproductions.com Love and peace to all.
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"Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas." |
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- Marie Curie |
I need to apologize for some of the driving comments I made. Just a couple though. Last night is was raining like mad while I was traveling from rehearsal to my Jobsite audition. Since I grew up in Chicago I have never had any fear of driving in the rain, and because I have an SUV I usually am pretty confident. Last night was my first time going over the Howard Franklin in the rain, and wouldn't you know it, I felt like I had no traction. I usually have no problem feeling the road underneath me, but I felt like I was hydroplaning the whole way. No wonder people drive slower here in Tampa, it’s the roads. They do not drain well, or are made of some different chemical makeup of asphalt so they become slick during the rain. I have come to understand why people drive like they do in the rain here. New lesson learned.
So speaking of the Jobsite audition, I really felt like it went well. My comedy monologue did not turn out as well as I wanted it too, but I felt like I drove home my dramatic. We will see I guess. It would be nice to work with another theatre, but I do have to say I was not impressed with the Shimberg. I had no problem with the size but the stage looked kind of small, about the size of Gypsy's which is terribly small. David Jenkins seems to be a nice guy and they tried to make me feel at ease during the audition. I guess just sit back and wait.
I went and saw "World Trade Center" on Friday. It conjured up some real anxiety for me, even before it started. I am pretty connected to 9/11 since I lost some friends in the Pentagon, so my heart started racing the minute intro started. I am a pretty realistic person when it comes to movies. I am detached while I can still really enjoy a movie, but the atmosphere for this film really connected with me. Oliver Stone did such a great job connecting the audience with two firefighters and their families. I actually felt what is was like in NYC during that time, which then again made me even more connected to the tragedy we all felt during that time. No one made a sound during the movie, and what was really surprising, you could hear a pin drop on the carpet while we were all leaving the theatre. I have never been to a movie where the majority of the audience was affected so deeply. If you get a chance go see it, it will move you ways I cannot even describe. Nick Cage does an amazing job with utter stillness through most of the movie.
Psycho Beach Party is going very well. We are in the midst of cleaning up the scenes and will be doing full runs now. We reworked Chicklet and Star Cats little graphic love scene last night. It is going to be too hilarious. I am still having some issues with my character but the truth is starting to come to the surface as it usually does this close to opening. We open next week so we only have like 6 rehearsals left. Now the madness starts. The rush to find costumes, finish the set and set our characters. It gets more and more exciting ever second. You should definitely come see the show, it really is going to be a blast.
So, the search continues for the next project. Into the Woods over at Eight O'clock, Pajama Game at Broadway Theatre of Tampa, Twilight of the Golds at Gypsy or maybe a call back from one of the season auditions I did? Who knows but I have to put something in the pipe because I'll go crazy without it. Two weeks without a project is enough time for a rest and then I become restless. Anyone have any other ideas or no of any other shows auditioning?
I started working out a little more frequently and a couple of people responded to a bulletin I put up. So, I now have a strong running partner 3 mornings a week, so that should take care of my cardio, now someone to hit the gym with. With my rehearsal schedule it conflicts with those that have day jobs who work out in the afternoon. So, that really limits me, but maybe knowing I am running three times a week that will get in me in the gym on my own. Running tends to deplete muscle so the only way to keep it up is to eat and lift.
Well, that seems to be it for today. I hope everyone is well and of course my love and peace to all.
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