March Madness

Nathan's Post:
Whitney is doing really well in Sullivan, IL. She is enjoying the people and the town. Everything is very close to where she lives. She will update ya'll on her experience sometime soon.

I on the other hand have been doing pretty good here in New York. I started rehearsals yesterday for a childrens show entitled, Calling All Toys. Yes it's as cheesy as it sounds. It's through the same company Whitney is doing Angelina Ballerina with - Vital Theatre. However, I didn't get the job through Whitney... it's a rather strange story. Last year when I was working at Make Meaning a woman came in and started talking about her directing career and I gave her my email because obviously she could hire me one day. So about a month ago she randomly emailed me and offered me a project that just so happened to be through Vital Theatre. If any of you know me well you know that I really dislike doing childrens theatre. I feel awful for saying this - but I just can't stand portraying cheesy characters and prancing around for little children. I know, I know, I'm an uncle! I like the idea of childrens theatre for children but I am fine if I never have to perform in one. So with that said ... why am I doing this project? Well, the gig is only a week long. I have two performances in Connecticut this Saturday and then I'm finished. I'm playing a loveable bear and I look and feel ridiculous.

I have been searching and searching for a more full time job, especially since auditions will start to slow down come summer. I applied at Forever 21 (clothing store) in times square and got hired. My orientation starts tomorrow evening. Working there won't be ideal, but it's a job. I have a phone interview at a place called Open Center where people can take classes much like Kate Al Shamma's. I have a friend who works there and thinks she can get me a job. Today actually, The Palace Theatre in New Hampshire called me and asked if I would be interested in doing their production of 42nd Street as the role of Billy. Rehearsals start March 12. Next week. I have to send them a video of me tapping - I'm not the best tapper but maybe I'll be good enough for what they're looking for.

In order to have a performing career one has to be very flexible in planning one's life. After all of this job searching - I may not take any job because I might be leaving for New Hampshire in a week. Scheduling is definitely the most stressful part of our lives. Whitney and I may get a call from Broward Stage Door in Florida to do Music Man together in April - June. Whitney just got a call back for the role of Amber with Merry Go Round Playhouse (an equity house) she can't go because she's in IL. There are all of these what ifs and maybes... basically we just wait around until we get an offer and then we have to change our current schedules around to accommodate them. And we do because we love to perform and it makes more sense to be making money in entertainment as opposed to retail or babysitting. This is why the stereo type of actors being poor exists. Wouldn't it be great to not have to worry about money in between performing gigs? Can't the government pay us while we are unemployed in between contracts? Yes - unemployment exists but what about jobs that last only a few weeks or a few months? Our friend Maria just got hired as a hostess at a restaurant and she already feels bad about telling them she's going to be leaving at the end of April for 4 months to perform. But she needs a job before then... so, does she lie to them and say yes I'm living in New York and ready to work for many years with you?? The ethical answer is no but sometimes you've got to be unethical when you live in a big city. And how did she get that job? Her friend. Sadly, it's all in who you know. Story of our lives. I have a callback for Songs for Shakespeare tonight... what is that? I don't know but if I get paid to sing then looks like a winner to me!