The Past Week

So, over the past week, I started auditioning in NYC again! It's been on hell of an intense week doing 40 hrs at work and auditioning plus travel to and fro. Basically, I get home to Actoria and pass the f*$% out.

Monday I went to the South Pacific dance call- so much fun! It was not hard at all! It was in fact a basic movers call, I would say, and I had such a good time. It was a required call, so if anyone books it long term, who's to say, but here's hoping.

On Monday I also went and auditioned for Follies at the Kennedy Center, which is starring Bernadette Peters. How beyond amazing would that be for anyone to be a part of? It went really well, and awaiting my call ;)

My final Monday audition was for H2$ on Broadway, and there were soo many people. It was quite a bit of a cluster-f*%k initially. And unfortunately the audition got cut down to 8 bars. Fortunately, my 8 bars went wonderfully, and the people in the room had a wonderful energy and vibe. Good times. At this point, though, I know they're looking for a cast, but I think it really just depends on what type you are and such... cause in 8 bars they're not really looking for all that much skill. It's only enough to hear that you can sing, and if you look right then perhaps you'll go farther.

Tuesday I auditioned for a production of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." It went so well and I got an instant callback for the next day with high appreciation and compliments... Wednesday had a really fun callback with an amazing scene partner and was asked to stay and sing some more. They told me to check my messages... and as much as I'd like to be optimistic (and I am) you never know with this business. It's such a risk to anticipate so much. They may have wanted to hire me and then came in a girl who was much more what they were looking for... so if I don't hear by mid this week I'm moving on completely from the possibility of doing it, I guess.

But, that's alright. I feel like I've had great auditions this week.
I also auditioned for American Idiot on Bway this past Thursday- it went really well. It was lovely to see familiar faces in the room. I felt really great about how I did, but in retrospect I should have sang a much rockier and punk song... my choice was too musical theater.

I'm glad this week was so busy, though, because I really got to just jump back on the audition bandwagon and get myself back into "the grind" of it all.

Coming back to NYC I feel really confident. I know what roles I'm right for, what I'm not, what I should go in for, and all of that. And I know that I can compete for these roles. However, sitting in the waiting area hearing other people perform threw me back a bit. I'm now in a different league. I'm competing with some people who are currently on Broadway, some who have been in the business longer, some who have really strong connections and great networks, and some people that are really stupendously talented. It's a real fight to get a role, and it's much more visible to me now that I'm back. I do not feel like I'm a shoe-in for anything here. I may be "right" for a role, and I may be skilled to do it, but it's not always enough. And, I'm hoping that in time (sooner rather than later, please), I will be successfully booking consistent work and making a happy living doing what I LOVE to do.

Doing my 40 hr/a week hotel job is not living. It's so bizzarre to me that this is the systematic way we lead our lives. I want to be working for something of a greater good. Customer service- not so much my thing. I feel comfortable doing it. It's easy enough. It's mindless... thus quite boring. I need to feel like I'm really doing something efficient and helpful. I am not receiving any helpful motivation where I'm at right now, and I don't think I will within this industry.

I'm planning to do something wild in March/April if things aren't working as I'd like. I'll relay this information in the future, as I don't want to plan it for certain. It's only a back-up. A fun one, but one I'd rather do if I'm not leading the life I want right now.

peace and love and optimism,
Tal

The Brilliant Sites I've Found:

Whilst at work, let's just say I have some leisure time.

I'm lucky enough to work in an office that lets me peruse the web and chat with people when not under a high work load. Thus, I have learned about some fantastic sites.

The first is Dear Blank, Please Blank:
http://www.dearblankpleaseblank.com/index.php?&page=11
It's pretty self-explanatory once you open it up. Check it out! Highly enjoyable.

Second, 27b/6 is:
http://www.27bslash6.com/p2p2.html
This guy, David, basically posts email conversations that he's had with people... and well, he's an asshole. But they're pretty darn addictive to read. Highly enjoyable and mindless.


Enjoy! :)

I'm BAAACK

Here I am, back in NYC!

I'm residing in Astoria, which from here on forth shall be known as ACT-oria. I moved in a week and one day ago to a lovely two-bedroom apartment (pics to follow in a future post) with a lovely roommate, Laura, a fellow actorian.

So far, things have been going well but in a rocky fashion, I would say. Once I got here on Tuesday, the magical Laura had already moved in and the apartment was fairly set up with a couch, tv's, some kitchen supplies, blinds, and such. The one thing it was lacking, which in the monstrous heat everyone wanted, was air conditioning. Since the weekend, and the supposed Hurricane Earl, the temperature has dropped substantially, however, and the need for ac has decreased. We've been using fans when necessary and just keeping the windows open for a breeze.
I didn't have a bed until Monday night. That was a tough one. Boy, do we/I take beds for granted! I slept on the couch for the first night, which was unfortunately, uncomfortable (but for all those of you who may come to visit, don't worry, we'll be getting an air mattress soon enough). After one night on that, we got a borrowed air mattress from Laura's friend, who also gave us a bunch of free furniture, including my now bed.
This weekend I started to put the bed together. It was quite a task- pieces were missing, I was lacking the proper tools, and I had never built such a huge IKEA piece on my own before. Well, I got my "laundry day clothes" and my sneakers on, put on some Joan Jett, and built that baby from the ground up. Sunday I had a treacherous evening at Ikea, where everything was just falling to pieces: they were out of white fitted sheets, they sent me all over the place to get a missing piece, waiting in absurd lines, and then the best part- it was so late when I was done that the ferry was no longer running and I had to lug all my new stuff on a bus, to the subway, only to transfer a second time. A trip that should've taken an hour and half took about 4.
Monday night I picked up the mattress, a nightstand, and a coffee table, also from the same friend of Laura's, with a really cool guy I hired to move it for me. Then, I completed the construction of the bed, and put my room together... and it's HEAVENLY. I am so relaxed when I get into it, and it makes a WORLD of a difference. It's just clean and white and pure. And I'll get some decorative items in the coming weeks.

But, first, I need to make money. Which brings me to the new job I have! Very fortunately, I was lucky to get a job after being here for two days! Unreal, I know. A huge thank you to Mr. Jacob King. I'm working at The Gershwin Hotel in the Flatiron District as a front desk/guest service agent. In fact, I'm at work as I write this. I'm working in the reservations office right now, which is beyond lovely. The people are great, I've got a basic handling of the hotel system, and it's flexible with my audition schedule (which looks like is getting hectic next week.)

So, in general, things are looking up! I can't believe in one week of getting to NYC, I have a job, a fairly settled into apartment, already seen a bunch of friends, and am back into the swing of the city! It has been a bit more difficult this time around. After living in Southern California all summer, with its perfectly weathered luxury, coming to NYC I initially felt cramped and frustrated. I still do feel grossed out by certain things that didn't use to bug me as much. But, I'm here for a reason. And, I must go forth and enjoy the things that I love about NYC- my friends, the art, the theater, the vivaciousness of the buildings around me, the constant change, and the fact that I'm one step closer to achieving my goals.

Update

I forgot to mention...
I fractured my foot while in Missouri during the show and I am now back home in California. I had to leave because it was impossible to dance on. In fact, I am STILL healing 'cause doctors didn't see a fracture until a few weeks later(!!!!) when I got back to California. Pretty crazy!

So, I'm much better but can't go running and all that fun stuff just yet. It's silly 'cause it's been 2 months already! You'd think I'd be fine... but because it was mis-diagnosed, it should have been cared for differently. Anyways, I've started physical therapy, am auditioning in LA any chance I get, looking for a job, and such.

In retrospect, it was bitter sweet to leave "Max and Ruby"- there were good times... a la synchronized swimming routines, some great dinners out, the City Museum in St. Louis, funny people to be around. but there were difficulties as well... repetition of the show, feeling like you're at the bottom of the food chain within the company, being physically exhausted, being in a car non-stop, not getting to be alone.


I'm thinking of continuing this blog some more, just changing what's happening with me now... so from now on, think of this blog as a little bunny who fell down another rabbit hole... it's called Los Angeles... maybe? hahaa... That doesn't even makes sense. But, here goes!

Y'know what's crazy?

People live in shacks in Lawton, OK ... and then there's Beverly Hills. What? How does this work? Just a thought.

peace.

Update from Wichita Falls, Texas

So, my foot is slowly healing. I went to a follow-up doctor in Lawton, OK yesterday who said it would be 6 to 8 weeks. It sounds like a bit too long for me and my regular physician, who I caalled. But, YIKES! If that's the case, there would be no way I can stay on this tour, which is pretty sucky seeing that I want to make money. However, I guess it's sort of bittersweet? I'd get to leave early, be on disability/unemployment, be at home for recovery and not spending money, able to probably get a waitressing job or something and making money (once I'm recovered), etc. I don't know how I feel about it yet. Meanwhile, I'm wearing a big boot that they gave- really stylin'. But now I don't really have to use the crutches that I got. However, I think I may just continue a bit longer as to really ensure that I don't harm the foot anymore.

After leaving the St. Louis area we arrived in Duncan, OK on Tuesday and I gotta say... not so okay. It's pretty much the middle of nowhere. It felt like Blaine, Missouri (the town that "Waiting for Guffman" takes place in! We actually stayed in a hotel 45 minutes outside of Lawton, OK (the city we were performing in), which is basically the same thing only separated by 50 miles of cow country. Unfortunately for us, we also had a day off in Duncan. Upon entering this town you are welcomed with a billboard that reads something like: "They've really done it this time. We're gonna get 'em! Vote Liberals out in 2010!" AHHHHH! CRAZY! So, that was a niiice little welcome. As we drove in we passed by a Sonic (which is the one thing you can count on in Oklahoma aparently), another Sonic-style place called Braum's, a Taco Bell, Subway, and then our hotel. On Main Street, a few blocks away from our hotel, there are a few antique shops (everyone here is a hoarder). Danny, Larissa, Alesia, and I had brunch on our day off inside one of these antique "markets." It was a store filled with stuff and then in the center a little cafe. It sounds charming and all... but it wasn't all it sounds to be. The food was iffy for the most part. Basically, the spinach quiche that I got was homemade and pretty good, but it looked like someone just cut up a cucumber in the morning and split it among all of our plates, as well as some other random veggies and fruit. Not too homey if you ask me. But, I guess it has its charm(?)

Well, aside from this Antique Market and Tea Room, as it is called, there are a few Western Wear shops, a Fashion Bug clothing store(?), and a movie theater. The best thing may just be the movie theater. To really exemplify how other-worldly this town is I have to explain. The movie theater is currently playing "Valentine's Day" and "Percy Jackson..." Best of all- they'll be receiving "Avatar" in early April! UMMMM... that movie came out before Christmas! And it's already been nominated for an Oscar and it's all been done and over with. How in the world have they not gotten it yet? It's prettyyy astounding.

The people here are like blast-from-the-past, as well. Last night when I went to Braum's, one of the ice cream/fast food places, and got a delicious peanut butter hot fudge ice cream sundae (see photo), the people were mind-blowing. First, the fashion was intense. For the most part everyone was in clothes from a different era, and each party was in a different one. Some people were mid-90s, some were very 50s, others were just country glam. One particular couple that stood out, was an older couple in matching purple-ish suits. She looked a bit more glittery than him, but figures... The first door into the store was automatic but the second you actually have to open. Well, this woman and her husband walked in through the automatic door, she was ahead, and then she stopped in front of the second door waiting. He was behind her. Apparently she couldn't open the door herself. She turns her head slowlyyyy to the man who suddenly realizes he's made a huge error and lacked in chivalry (apparently) and he apologizes profusely and opens the door as she's in a tizzy. My goodness, lady! Open your own damn door! It was just a staple of what goes on in this town... or at least what it appear to be like. Braum's and Sonic also seem like the go-to places. Everyone goes there in the evening. I guess it's that after school/work/day spot. It got really busy when we were there, with full families, couples, people with babies, and all of them people of primarily large form. Surprised? I think not. If all there is to eat is Sonic, Braum's, and the cow from the farm nearby, clearly there's gonna be a problem.

Well, after two days there, two shows today (which I unfortunately had to sit backstage during) we made it to Wichita Falls, Texas this afternoon. I got to my room and ended up taking an intense power nap for about 2 hours. I hate napping. When I wake up I always feel agitated and exhausted, more tired than I was when I started to nap. It happened by accident, too. The internet is not working very well, although the hotel itself, a Howard Johnson's, is supreme- great rooms and awesome facilities (just got back from the hot tub located within the central indoor pool/veranda , in fact, so I was sitting here waiting eagerly for it to work and slowly fell asleep.

We drive to College Station, TX tomorrow and then have a day off the following day. So far Texas is looking up. Wichita Falls is way further developed than Duncan, Oklahoma, and College Station literally has a large college within it and such, so it should be good and busy. Not that I plan on moving much, but it changes one's attitude immensely to be in a comfortable environment with civilization. In a week I will also be in Colorado seeing my dear darling friend, Katelyn, and I am anxiously awaiting! It will be so much fun! I really cannot wait!

Delicious sundae:


My foot in the big boot:


My delicious sundae:


For now, I am signing off. I am gonna lie here and watch The Big Lebowski on my computer, assuming the internet doesn't regress.

peace, love, smiles

From a ways back, probably in Illinois or something: