September 5, 2010

I've been keeping busy over the past month. My time in Sacramento flew by. The day that we closed DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, the cast of the last show of the Music Circus season, 42ND STREET, got into town. I had a few friends in that cast, so I got a day to hang out with them. I had lunch with Colby, Elliott, and a few of their new friends from their cast. Then it was time for the last show and to say goodbye to everybody. It was sad to go our separate ways, but at least I know this business is small enough that I'll see everybody again. In fact, a few of us have already gotten together. Last week, Ethan, Shannon, Jeff, Michael, and I met up for dinner. Ethan and Shannon were here rehearsing for the MAMMA MIA tour so I'm glad I got to see them before they headed out on the road.

As soon as I got back to NY from Cali, I headed out the next day to Schenectady, NY to visit the SAIGON cast. Billy and the gang were spending their last week of the tour there, so Amanda and I hopped on a train and arrived in time for their Opening Night. The show had grown a lot since I saw it in Pittsburgh, so it was fun to see it again. We ate our way through the town, stopping by all the little diners and restaurants downtown. It was great! I got my webdesign work done in the evenings and then met everybody after the shows to go to karaoke or bars. Then when the week was up, I got to ride the bus back with everyone (long ride, but a fun group to keep me entertained!)

I've had a couple auditions since I've been back. There is this thing that the actors' union sponsors called Agent Access, where we can come and audition to get an agent. Well, they had their very first dancer-version of Agent Access. So I decided to go. I had heard that everyone always lines up early for these, so I got there at 6:45 to sign up for my audition time later that evening. The doors opened at 8am so I just brought my computer and got work done while I waited. And time flew by. I got in the first group of auditioners, so I was happy! That evening, we learned two combinations, and then auditioned for a couple agencies. They seemed really nice and I even got a call the next day. They wanted me to come back to the next Agent Access Audition next week to hear me sing. So the next week, once again I woke up early to make sure I got seen. I arrived there at 6:30, but this time it was raining! So I stood out in the rain for 90 minutes until the building was open. The guy in front of me in line didn't have an umbrella, so I held it over him as well (couldn't stand to see the guy get drenched!). They eventually let us inside and I got into the 2nd audition group late evening at 6:20pm. I sang "Giants in the Sky" (one of the new songs that I've added to my book), and then they asked me if I could sing another song, something more song-and-dance man, so I sang "All I Need is the Girl." I was happy with how everything went, and I later found out that I was the only person all night that they asked to hear a second song. Cool, huh? So yeah, I'm really excited about the idea of working with an agent!

Last weekend, I headed down to Philly to have some family time. My dad and Sherry drove up to spend the day with Shannon, Eric, and me in celebration of Dad's birthday. We had some lunch and then walked to the river. We hopped on the ferry and were going to tour the battleship there. But time was tight so we decided to head to the aquarium instead. Well, they were closing in a half-hour, so that was a no-go too. So we just got back on the ferry and headed back to Philly. We decided to just got to the restaurant early and hang out there while we waited for Eric's family. We had a great meal and it was a lot fun to get to know his family better. It was a wonderful end to nice day! I'm glad I got to help Dad celebrate his birthday. I also want to say Happy Birthday to Cameron, who turned 25 this year! :o)

I've spent the rest of my time back here getting website work done and meeting up with friends. I hung out with Josh a couple nights and met with with Colby and Damian a few times. Colby and I got to see a free screening of a new film..."The Last Lions." it's like "March of the Penguins" but with lions. We were one of the very first audiences to see the movie, so I know there will be some changes done to the film and they might even change the name. They had us fill out a questionaire afterwards, so hopefully some of our feedback will help determine how the final film ends up. But when you see it in theaters, please go see it. I really loved it!

Auditions are starting to pick up. There are a few over the next couple weeks, so I'll be sure to keep you updated! I have a little more than a month before I head out to Chicago, so I plan to make the most of it! :o)