Always Auditioning

If you are a nonunion performer, get your but to the audition today. I want to stay in New York, however, working for Ogunquit is good for anyone. I highly recommend the place. I have heard only good things. There is one downfall, the pay scale. According to a forum on nonequitydeputy.com, they used to pay 350 per week and now it has gone down to 200 per week. If you cannot afford such a low pay rate, I completely understand. We need to at least make a minimum that covers our butts to … I don’t know …. get food and maybe a cell phone to let our parents know we are still alive (heh, heh).

… wait a sec, as I read on, I am learning some awful and great things about the theatre. I am just going to copy and paste what I am reading. I have heard only great things, but it is always good to hear every point of view.

Here are eight different/similar/opposing opinions:

Opinion One
I understand that Ogunquit’s non-eq minimum is $200/wk. It use to be $350/wk, but it has gone down since management recently changed. This salary is negotiable however. The housing is at a small hotel which is walking distance from the theatre. I think sometimes non-eqs are tripled to a room though. It is located in the beautiful area of Perkins Cove that has a nice night life and a nice beach. Also they bring in celebrities to play the leads so that is pretty cool.

Opinion Two
This place is great…the pay is low for non-eq (200-300ish)…but overall, it’s extremely professional - great staff - decent housing. One major drawback is that MOST of the cast didn’t receive their contracts until a week or so before the start date…it’s also hard to get in touch with them regarding contract negotiation or any other questions you may have. Other than that, the area is gorgeous and the shows are high quality.

Opinion Three
there was a management shift and things are running MUCH more smoothly it seems…although contracts still come slowly to the nons. great place for resume building and networking.

Opinion Four
i am not impressed by this playhouse. they hire in non-equity to do all shows for $150 a week. they are teaching kids camp, rehearsing the next show, and doing the in season show at night. that is ridiculous!!! they are over worked and under paid, and this years bed-bug situation didn’t help.

Opinion Five
I have never heard of anyone making 150 a week! I was making 250 and I thought that was the lowest of lows…and only doing one show (no children’s theatre or second show).

had a wonderful time. shows were extremely well-mounted. half of the chorus was nonequity…rest of chorus and all of leads were AEA. overall, excellent experience…would definitely go back.

Opinion Six
I have attended summer camps that are run more professionally than this place. The artistic director is the same idiot responsible for the almost-bankruptcy of the Foothills Theatre Company in Worcester and the production manager is a former stage manager who is trying (and failing) to function as a producer. They have no regard or respect for their employees…especially the underpaid non union performers.

Opinion Seven
nonunion performers there are DEFINITELY being taken advantage of.

Opinion Eight
Yes, you make $250 a week and before I took my contract there I swore I’d never work for that little money again. But I am very glad I did. The production value was great and I worked with many professionals who have great credits and have been in the business much longer than I have. I learned a lot and for the most part felt very fair about my treatment. No theatre is perfect, it’s a very hard business to run. I feel grateful for my experience there and would be happy to work there again.

Hope this helps anyone who is auditioning or considering working for this place. In my opinion, overall, Ogunquit is great on the resume and some close friends of mine really did love the experience. I would go.

Man, I just want to be on Broadway and it doesn’t help to never get seen for the things I really want - AKA Broadway. Man, I really want to be in the big lights and I still have yet to get the chance to actually audition for a broadway show. I did get seen for “Wicked,” but that was an open call in the early morning with no pianist… yeah, they really were not looking for an Elphaba at that time. I guess I was “technically” seen for Broadway, but I don’t really count it.
Anyhoo, so here I was, at an audition for Shrek on Broadway, I was right there … and I couldn’t get seen. Such a shame! I don’t really know if they were casting, but man, they don’t even know I exist. That is a tough one for me to swallow.
Why can’t they just have open calls? They can still have rules and all, but dude, it would be so nice to just get seen for all the big shows I dream of starring in.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! (Yes, that is totally meant to be a baby crying)

AMAZING class at Elizabeth Browning studio last night! Wow wow and WOW! Okay, naturally, I got to experience some great, eye-opening exercises and I am going to share them with you. The first exercise was about discovering sub-personalities.

It was an amazing journey for me. I learned so much from the differences in each personality. It sometimes took me awhile to really find the personality. I would be sitting there, facing the wall, and trying to figure out exactly where in that small part of me is my Warrior. I am not one to come out and be ferocious. Angry is one thing, but a warrior? Initially, I was seeing a Warrior as a distant person that had no connection to me. But as I really focused and meditated on it for a couple of seconds, I found it hidden inside of me. It was this odd pocket that I didn’t even know existed.

As we explored other personalities, I learned to be patient with my discovery. Sometimes, it would take a little longer to fully connect with a new personality within myself, but in the end, I would always find it.

At first, I supposed I was just getting past my self-critic in the process. I am talking about that judgmental side of me. Then I learned – it was not that. Because of my judgmental side, I have suppressed all the possible personalities I could have and stuck to what I deem as acceptable in my world. The personalities were there, but I had done such a great job at disconnecting myself, I had to dig quite deeper at some points.

It was an amazing and eye-opening experience. The words I chose were lyrics to one of my audition songs.. It was interesting to learn how much my interpretation of these words could vary. Wow. It was a great way to explore the song.

Scene Study

We did our first reading ever in class. I read from a scene from the play, “Proof” with a talented and inspiring classmate. The part that hit me the most was when we added action to the scene. Man, the natural discoveries we made as I persisted in getting in her way were super cool. Our choices and emotions just happened. The action made it all possible. As we played the action, everything else fell into place..

This is a huge discovery for me. I am still new to exploring action rather than emotion in a scene. I look forward to developing

The First Steps with Breathing Exercises


This was done at the end of class. … about 15-20 minutes had passed and I had to sit up and drop out of the exercise. I don’t know what happened. Suddenly, I was fidgity and uncomfortable all over. It was like I just couldn’t get comfortable anymore and I suddenly felt like I wanted to punch someone to get rid of the discomfort in my body. It sucked.

What did this teach me? I need to work on this. I need to do this exercise every day. I can tell it will really help me out as a performer.

Conclusion from Tuesday’s Class

There is always more to learn and more to discover as an actor and as a human being. I am in the right class.

I cannot believe I got this gig. I am still pinching myself. First of all - the show “High School Musical.” Second, the role - Martha Cox. For those who do not know, the role is usually played by an overweight girl. Obviously, they have decided to cast this role rather differently. Hooray for me!
I am super-excited because not only do I get to do a super fun role, I also get to work at a great theatre - Fireside Dinner Theatre. I am sad to say - this theatre is not New York. Wait a sec - do not get on me about this. I totally auditioned for this gig before I decided to stay in New York. I am not going to turn down such a wonderful opportunity. I am all over this like a bag a chips! Wahoo!
I seriously thank G-d for this great gig. I know I am going to have so much fun on this contract.

Wow. Making a point to stay in New York is not easy. I feel like a lazy ass because I didn’t go to an audition today. I am used to going out for anything and everything. Now, in order to commit to staying in New York, I am not anxious to tempt myself with amazing gigs that will take me out of New York. I am meant to be here. I feel it in my gut. I am taking amazing acting classes and I am about to start some private coaching. The same thing goes for my voice lessons. We have now moved onto working on my classical voice. With the classical singing, I have to commit to daily work and really study my songs and music. It all takes time and patience. I don’t really know how to work on everything in great detail because I really do have that much to work on. It’s insane - all the work I have to do to improve as an artist. I am taking dance classes, but that is more for me. I am taking the classes for fun. I have not done that in a really long time, so it is nice to go into class with the “just for fun” mindset. I am feeling like my creativity is really getting a chance to be explored and move to another level. I don’t feel like I am not performing because I am working on my craft all the time.
… but man, not going to an audition. That is a big adjustment for me.

Great place to work. They had their open auditions this weekend. I hope you made it, but if you could not, do not fear. They are also holding Equity Principal Auditions Monday through Thursday and an Equity Chorus Call on Friday. If you are nonunion, this is not a guarantee that you will be seen, but if you could not make it this past weekend, you have 4 more days to try to get seen. This is a great place to work because it is reputable and they are known to be very nice to performers. All the people I’ve known who have gone there (one person - heh, heh), loved the experience. I know, I know, I am totally taking the word from one person. But I really do trust this person’s opinion because he is very loving by nature and simultaneously, would not put up with mistreatment. So, yeah, if you are in NY auditioning, get your butt to Chelsea Studios.

Once again, I found these awesome clips of people who are successful auditioning. I love watching this stuff.
For me, it is so easy to forget that these actors had to start from nothing to get somewhere. I am so grateful that youtube has these amazing clips to watch. It makes such a difference for me internally. Getting to do this for a living takes a lot of work. If I want to keep loving every project I do, I have to continue putting in a lot of work. I am not guaranteed anything, but I can guarantee constant artistic growth and fulfillment. That’s what it is all about for me. I love the stage and I live for performing. I also want to perform in great roles. I still have artistic obstacles to overcome and I love the journey I get to experience as I overcome the obstacles.
Look at these clips, man. Amazing. We all have to start somewhere. Right?

I have decided to stay in New York. This is a big decision for me because I have been performing and traveling for these shows to different states for a little more than three years. It has been a blessing. Now, I am back in New York. I am training my voice, my acting skills, and my dance ability. I am in love with all this growth and am loving the journey of taking my talent to the next level. I do not want to walk away from this progress. I am learning how important it is for me to continue this growth.
So, where am I doing my training?
Acting - Elizabeth Browning Studio
Singing - Linda Carroll
Dancing - Broadway Dance Center
I will still audition, however, I will not be putting my energy into gigs that take me out of New York. This is hard to do let alone write it. I am not used to “picking” what I put myself out for, but I want to take myself to a better, artistic level. I am already loving this journey of growth and expression, so why stop?

This is a hard one to choose. I have had this happen to me many times - when I want to go to a bunch of auditions and I am feeling a little under the weather at the same time. This leaves me in a pickle where I really cannot make up my mind. I have been to these great auditions and felt kind of crappy. I have made it through the auditions and recently had a great one despite how crappy I felt. But the next day, I felt a bit worse because I had pushed my body when it really didn’t want to be out. I had to stay home. I could have gone out and ignored my body again, but I didn’t want to get any worse. As far as health goes, I know I made a good decision because I felt a whole lot better the next day. But simultaneously, I did, however, miss some great auditions. I missed out on potential jobs and that really sucks. I am in this career to put myself out there and work as a performer. I want and crave the stage all the time. That’s where I belong and that’s what I truly love to do. Have you ever had to make a tough decision like this? What did you do? Did you end up getting a job? I am so fearful that the one day I chose not to go to audition, I miss out on a gig I would have gotten.

Wow! Great acting class yesterday! I learned so much.

My inspiring teacher, Rhonda Musak, taught some great tricks on how to use action as a way to naturally come into character at the top of a scene. I did not know it was possible to get internally connected so quickly! That is great news for me. Depending on the role I am playing at the time, it can be difficult for me to get to places emotionally. Action is that secret trick I never really knew about. Hooray for discovery! I must admit, the work I did in these moments were a little awkward at first. But because I wanted to learn so desperately, I quickly got over any insecurities and got to explore something new and vital to my growth as an actor.

This work was amazing and I know I am not doing it justice by writing about it right now. The best way to experience it? Just take a class with Rhonda Musak. Seriously, her teaching methods are life changing for actors.
It’s funny to me because this is only my second class and I have already learned and grown so much as an actor. I am forever grateful!

Conclusion from Tuesday’s Class
Always be open to new lessons even if they make you feel uncomfortable at first. It is just the egos resistance to something it really needs. The benefits of pushing through is too rewarding to pass up.

Just because you have worked at a wonderful theatre once or even more than once, you can never assume that you will be cast automatically. It is an unfortunate truth, however, it is the truth. You have to really watch what your expectations. It does not mean that the casting director sucks or they are bad people in any way. They have a job to do - cast a show. You may not fit the bill or they may simply want to bring in new people or they may not be able to afford you. There are so many different factors that go into casting. Height, weight, look, etc. You can’t take it personally. Yeah, naturally, we would all love to stand out and have some loyalty, but that just can’t always be the case. Obviously, I am experiencing something like this right now with one of my favorite theatres ever. I have only good things to say about this theatre. There they let you express yourself fully as an artist, take risks, and be part of productions that have heart and souls. It is an amazing theatre. Yes, I am totally sad about not getting to go back and that is okay. It is okay to be sad. Did I assume I would get cast? No. But it didn’t stop me from feeling sad.

… and I can’t make it. I have to work. In this economy, a job means money and money is what I unfortunately need to survive at this time. It sucks. I am super happy to have this great job and my boss is flexible and understanding enough to let me go to the callback. I can’t, however, afford the pay-cut for leaving early, so I am totally unable to attend this callback. It is for the tour of Hairspray. I would love to go on that freakin tour! I would love to read for the roles I have been asked to read for, … I would love to be there. But, at this time, I cannot. Last week, I wrote about my hatred for weekend auditions. This is exactly why. I cannot go. And I want to go. There is no solution because it is what it is.

Ah, man. Watching these videos do not help. It is such a super fun musical. … I guess I have to live in the “someday” world and accept my situation.

I have been reworking my audition book and it takes so much time. It’s ridiculous and a bit annoying. I have gotten rid of some songs that didn’t do anything for me and I added new songs that really compliment my abilities. I’m at a good start. But just throwing in the new songs is only the beginning. As an actor, I still had yet to do all of this research. I started with writing out the basics for each song: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. This took some time because (in many cases), I had to do the research to learn all the answers. I did all this work last week. This week, I am learning the lyrics and applying action words to each line in each part of a single song.

Honestly, I have never done this with any of my music, so I have a lot of work ahead of me. One of these new songs, “Out of My Dreams” (I know this one is way over done, but it fits well in my voice and my voice teacher really likes it on me), has to be in full performance mode on Monday. With that song alone, I have plenty of work to get done because I need a final product by Monday. I learned the lyrics on Monday, but I’m not gonna lie, I’m a bit nervous about showing it at the audition on Monday. I like being extra prepared. I do have two more days to rehearse. I will do exactly that. I am sure that my confidence level will go up the longer I work on it. I may have a lot of homework ahead of me, but it is worth it. It only gets me to improve as an artist. … and the thought of that gets me excited. I love the journey of artistic growth!

I do not like weekend auditions. I make a point to keep the weekends open to actually make an income. Yes, that’s right, we all have to freakin work side jobs/survivor jobs/whatever you want to call them. It’s ridiculous to have auditions over the weekend. I have a callback on Sunday and I totally cannot make it. It’s depressing! I want to be there and not couped up in an office, however, I need and am dedicated to my money. Having the funds for … I don’t know … living is kind of important. I think having a roof over my head and food to eat are kind of important to stay alive. That is leaving out the necessary voice, dance, and acting classes every person should take. It’s insanity! I went on backstage today to learn about some great auditions I will miss because they are choosing to hold them over the weekend. It is so messed up! There is nothing I can do about it. I already leave my days free from anytime in the morning to 5pm. After that, I am either taking a dance class, working, taking an acting class, or taking a voice lesson. I am booked. These weekend auditions have got to go. It’s all about the weekdays, dude.
It makes me so mad …

Forgive me, but I totally got pissed off at an audition today. I don’t like admitting it and totally wish I was perfect, but I had it for the day. It was the audition for a production of “Les Miserables” at Hilton Head at Chelsea Studio. The fact that I was also there for an Equity Chorus Dance Call for Sacramento Music Circus is not the point because we learned right at 10am that they were not going to see nonunion performers. So, my focus was mainly on Les Miserables. I woke up at 6am to leave my house at 7am to be at the audition to sign up by 8am. When I got there at 8am, I was number 337 or something ridiculous. I let it roll off my back, but was already questioning whether or not I actually wanted to be there. I didn’t want to be there. I was repulsed by the time I woke up and how I still managed to get myself so far back on the audition list. Ridiculous! But I still stayed to see how they would run the audition and if I had any chance to be seen no matter what. Well, they had a plan. They brought in 40 people at a time to sing a section of “Master of the House.” In the group of people singing, they made a cut. The people who would get to stay, would get to sing 8 bars of music. I was there until 10:30am and knew that I did not want to deal with any of the bull. I was done. I was over it. I didn’t want to be typed from group singing. Instead, in reaction to my frustration, I left the audition, rushed to a nearby Europan to binge on a piece of Oreo Cookie Cheesecake and this yummy italian dessert. In case you were wondering, the italian pastry was so much better. Regardless, I am glad that I had both of them. I would have scarfed down more, but nothing else really appealed to my emotional eating.
Yes, that’s right, instead of going through the audition process, I ditched out and binged on fattening food. I’m not proud of it, but that’s what happened and I thought I should share it in case anyone has done the same.