First one in the bag, then out of the bag

It has begun. I have arrived on the acting scene. And this blog, in addition to many other mindless posts, will chronicle my attempts at creating a life in the acting world. I join the ranks of nikki, laura, rachel, and all you other wonderful acting hopefuls.
Here is show one....
Tape produced by the semi-cool but achingly small Oracle Productions. I auditioned last Sunday with a fresh smelling new monologue. It went well, they asked me questions about my look, about my monologue. I left that theatre with that rare feeling of nailing an audition, or at least pinning in down for a moment.
So the next night I received a call from the stage manager saying they would like to see me at the callbacks on Friday. Pretty sweet deal, first shot out of the gate, a call back. This wasn't normal. But I liked the feeling. I read the script and it turned out to be a longish one act of two guys and a girl with pretty heady but do-able dialogue. I enjoyed the read and patiently waited for the sides to be e-mailed to me.
That patience turned into anxiousness which turned into frustration while the days between the audition and the callback became fewer and fewer. Then, Thursday night, I received the e-mail IDing the sides and information about the next day's events.
Well today rolled around and I had a shit-tastic day at the Cake complete with very little money, inattentive managers, and I didn't get out of there until after 5.....to put the time complaint in perspective, it takes me near an hour to get home during peak rush hour times and the callbacks were at 7.
I made it there in time to find a fleet of people that were called back. Most of whom seemed to know each other. I felt like the invited guest at a family dinner, but I know no one. This incestuous theatre family created a somewhat tense feeling in the room but as I was about to settle in to my own prep world, my name was called first. Lovely.
Oh and on a side note, here is some advice that everyone knows but I decided to forget. Don't bring your life's problems onto the stage. I happened to carry my work pissiness like a blanket over my head. I wasn't focused, I was unoriginal with my voice and my movements weren't organic, they were floppy and unmotivated. Awesome.
So I go out to the lobby and incidentally, the place is so small, you can hear everything that is going on on stage. I listened to 5-6 versions of the scene I had just done. All the while plotting my next reading, thinking of movements, character, line readings. I was ready to go back in.
Then...
My name was called and I was thanked for my time.
Keep getting thanked for your time. I was less than happy. I grabbed my coat and bag and left, but not before the stage manager told me that I could be considered for a role as an extra in the video portion of the show. I think I responded with a slight laugh. I steered clear of being a spoiled sport but I didn't know anyone, therefore didn't feel the need to chat as I was being rejected.
Word to the wise for future directors. If you do hold callbacks, it would be worth the extra time for you to see the actors read more than once. If anything, its just a nice thing to do.
So despite my good luck with my first call back after my first Chicago audition, I also received my first harsh rejection. Whoopee! I can feel myself getting a thicker skin already.

Stay tuned for more.

Nate

A Rant: Stamps

So apparently it is possible these days, in the days of constant television, e-mail, internet, cell phones, free flowing conversation and information, to slip through the cracks and be completely out of the loop.
Recently I found out the United States Postal Service had increased the price of stamps, again. One stamp is now 39 cents. This increase is but two pennies more than the old stamps. However, my nice sheet of 37 cent stamps is bunk because they are too small of a denomination to mail a letter, a bill, or anything. Oh well, you say, its not a big deal, just start buying the new stamps or buy two cent stamps and use up the old ones. Great fricking idea USPS but you changed this stamp price 9 days ago. Since then I have sent a bill and a check through the lovely mail with a stamp totaling 37 cent. Super.
When did the country start to suck with delivering the country's residents important information? How about letting us know around Christmas, how about a quick e-mail or a banner on Yahoo!. But no, I had to overhear a conversation of my roommate and go to usps.gov to see a miniscule ad that say 39 cent stamps now in effect.
Here is my 2 cents on the matter, take my two extra cents and shove it USPS.

bye

nate

Nice Trip

I think one time or another we all have experiences. Ones that are embarrassing and at the same time, if they had happened to someone else and we witnessed them, are frickin' hilarious. This is one of those experiences that I would like to share.
I had a day off. One of few so I was relishing in it by doing very little. After dropping off some laundry at the laundromat or, as I like to call it, the mat, I got a little thirsty. So I left the mat and headed to the Jewel for some refreshment.
As I turned the corner, at the end of the aisle I find a large stack of Pepsi products featuring one nectar of life, Mountain Dew. These 12 packs of dew were on sale for $1.99. I went, shazaam (with my fist in the air) but all in my head. With such low prices I had to get 3. Well, I didn't have to but I did.
With some struggling I began to carry them home in stacked formation. They felt like a small child, if that small child was boxy and, well, green. I arrived at my apartment. I climbed the flight of stairs and upon reaching the top step my shoe caught the top of the step. And then BAM my feet flew up and I hit the ground along with my packages of dew.
I lay there for a few seconds too long.
In the midst of the crash two of my three 12 packs ripped in half, exactly in half. Pretty cool.
I hope that my humorous crash resulted in many a exaggerated story/blog entry for the many douchebags watching my from across the street.

Bye bye

nate