After about an hour and a half of submissions, my cover letters go from this:
Hi, my name is Michele McNally and I would love to be considered for this project. I have studied improv with the Upright Citizens Brigade and have extensive experience working on student films. I'd really appreciate the chance to audition. Thanks again! Michele
to this:
I do a great nerdy-but-secretly-pretty girl. Just wait till you see me in a pair of thick glasses with my hair in a ponytail, like the first half hour of "She's All That." I totally get it.
True story. Consider this my apology to the casting director that is going to open that cover letter in the next 24 hours. Good luck with the rest of auditions.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
I greatly dislike not being able to go to auditions because I can't get my lunch shifts covered.
It would be one thing if I was in a rehearsal or shooting a film at the same time as said audition, but knowing that instead of doing a monologue, I'd be trying to up-sell a Ketel One and tonic makes me want to hurl.
BUT even if I don't get the shift covered for my audition on Sunday, I did get Tuesday off, so I can definitely go to that one. Woot.
Doesn't change the fact that if one more person orders a shrimp parmigiana at 11:30 in the morning, I will lose my breakfast, I'm not even joking.
It would be one thing if I was in a rehearsal or shooting a film at the same time as said audition, but knowing that instead of doing a monologue, I'd be trying to up-sell a Ketel One and tonic makes me want to hurl.
BUT even if I don't get the shift covered for my audition on Sunday, I did get Tuesday off, so I can definitely go to that one. Woot.
Doesn't change the fact that if one more person orders a shrimp parmigiana at 11:30 in the morning, I will lose my breakfast, I'm not even joking.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Drawing the Line
Well, the Kentucky Goblin Siege is finished, which means I'm back to the world of auditioning.
That being said, I had the most wonderful time with my No Tea crew, both familiar and unfamiliar, and cannot wait to work with each of them again. And that goes for the puppets, too.
So I'm trying to audition for as much as possible, and I'm submitting for loads of short films. I would really like to get a decent reel together this year to start sending out.
I was supposed to have an audition today for a short film, but I won't be attending. I've bowed out of a few auditions in my life. Usually it's because I worked or went out the night before, and staying in bed for a few more hours is a much more appealing way to spend the morning. But I always fee like crap afterwards.
This time the reason I'm not going is because I got the sides for the audition, and they are definitely rated R. When I submitted to the audition, there was a warning for sexual situations, and my character was described as being "in revealing clothing" for most of the film, but she was also billed as comic relief, so I thought it would be less of a bombshell role than the lead female.
It's not too outrageous, I've seen comparable scenes on cable television, but I can't wrap my head around the thought of actually being the one to say the words without feeling a little twinge of discomfort. So I've decided not to do it.
Part of me still feels like the lazy A-hole who just wants to sleep in, but I think I'm making the right decision.
And on the upside, now Jen and I can go to the earlier showing of Harry Potter. No spoilers, please.
That being said, I had the most wonderful time with my No Tea crew, both familiar and unfamiliar, and cannot wait to work with each of them again. And that goes for the puppets, too.
So I'm trying to audition for as much as possible, and I'm submitting for loads of short films. I would really like to get a decent reel together this year to start sending out.
I was supposed to have an audition today for a short film, but I won't be attending. I've bowed out of a few auditions in my life. Usually it's because I worked or went out the night before, and staying in bed for a few more hours is a much more appealing way to spend the morning. But I always fee like crap afterwards.
This time the reason I'm not going is because I got the sides for the audition, and they are definitely rated R. When I submitted to the audition, there was a warning for sexual situations, and my character was described as being "in revealing clothing" for most of the film, but she was also billed as comic relief, so I thought it would be less of a bombshell role than the lead female.
It's not too outrageous, I've seen comparable scenes on cable television, but I can't wrap my head around the thought of actually being the one to say the words without feeling a little twinge of discomfort. So I've decided not to do it.
Part of me still feels like the lazy A-hole who just wants to sleep in, but I think I'm making the right decision.
And on the upside, now Jen and I can go to the earlier showing of Harry Potter. No spoilers, please.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Latest Review of The Kentucky Goblin Siege!
There's a picture of me on TimeOut New York's website! This is a red-letter day for McNally!
This is the fifth review we've gotten, which is really exciting. I've never been in a show that's gotten this much exposure. Huzzah.
Reviews and images are now posted on the main page, as well as a link to Smart Tix. Only two shows left!!!
This is the fifth review we've gotten, which is really exciting. I've never been in a show that's gotten this much exposure. Huzzah.
Reviews and images are now posted on the main page, as well as a link to Smart Tix. Only two shows left!!!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Three Shows Left!
That's right, only three more chances to come and see The Kentucky Goblin Siege at the Kraine Theatre!
What better way is there to spend a Wednesday night?
We've been getting some great reviews! So you should definitely buy tickets before it's too late!
What better way is there to spend a Wednesday night?
We've been getting some great reviews! So you should definitely buy tickets before it's too late!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Opening Night!
Curse this show for only being Wednesday nights, I almost can't wrap my head around the thought of not seeing my lovely No Tea peeps for a whole week.
The show opened last night, to a modest audience, but no worries. They seemed to enjoy it, and there were copious victory drinks and Mac 'n' Cheese bowls at Stillwater after! Thank goodness I don't work on Thursday mornings.
I'm so proud of this show, and of all the people in it with me, and I can't wait for all my friends to come and see it. So if you're reading this, you had better be coming to see it!
The best thing by far about this show is how much fun we all have doing it. We've been rehearsing for more than a month and I still have trouble not cracking up at some of the hilarious things my castmates do on stage.
Come see it. Seriously.
The show opened last night, to a modest audience, but no worries. They seemed to enjoy it, and there were copious victory drinks and Mac 'n' Cheese bowls at Stillwater after! Thank goodness I don't work on Thursday mornings.
I'm so proud of this show, and of all the people in it with me, and I can't wait for all my friends to come and see it. So if you're reading this, you had better be coming to see it!
The best thing by far about this show is how much fun we all have doing it. We've been rehearsing for more than a month and I still have trouble not cracking up at some of the hilarious things my castmates do on stage.
Come see it. Seriously.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
One more day!
My show opens tomorrow!
I'm really excited. Our dress rehearsal went really well last night, which is awesome, but also kind of worrying due to that, "the worse the dress rehearsal, the better the show" thing. But we'll just assume that's one of those convenient theories that are only true when they're in your favor. So I've decided "the better the dress rehearsal, the better the show," is also true.
I can't wait to hear people laughing at all the jokes. Which I really hope happens, but am completely confident of.
Must start going on auditions for other stuff now. Should have been doing that for the past few weeks, but I just love sleeping so much. And besides, I've been working.
Yesterday, Olivia Newton John, Sherri Shepard from The View and Angelina from Jersey Shore all came into my restaurant. And yes, those names were listed in order of social relevance. I'll let you decide whether they were ascending or descending.
Come see The Kentucky Goblin Siege! Every Wednesday Night at 8pm from tomorrow until November 24th! Go to the main page for deets!
I'm really excited. Our dress rehearsal went really well last night, which is awesome, but also kind of worrying due to that, "the worse the dress rehearsal, the better the show" thing. But we'll just assume that's one of those convenient theories that are only true when they're in your favor. So I've decided "the better the dress rehearsal, the better the show," is also true.
I can't wait to hear people laughing at all the jokes. Which I really hope happens, but am completely confident of.
Must start going on auditions for other stuff now. Should have been doing that for the past few weeks, but I just love sleeping so much. And besides, I've been working.
Yesterday, Olivia Newton John, Sherri Shepard from The View and Angelina from Jersey Shore all came into my restaurant. And yes, those names were listed in order of social relevance. I'll let you decide whether they were ascending or descending.
Come see The Kentucky Goblin Siege! Every Wednesday Night at 8pm from tomorrow until November 24th! Go to the main page for deets!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
You are reading a Master Blog...
There's a pun in there somewhere, and Lord help me I'll find it someday.
Masters Degree Online (which apparently has the authority and inclination to do so) has awarded me with an award for Outstanding Performance Arts Blog.
I would like to thank the Academy, and all my fellow nominees.
And in addition to the shiny little badge you see below (um...thanks?) among the other (500) winners are some pretty cool blogs about acting and film-making and the like. I'm now following a few of them, so you should check them out.
Now you may say, "Michele, who the hell are these people? Isn't it possible that this site is merely Googling performance arts blogs in hopes that the poor shmucks that have 'won' will post links in their blogs, therefore advertising this site to all their followers for free?"
Well, concerned citizen, you're probably right. I however, am not really concerned, because the link embeded in the badge was coded wrong, and doesn't work.
Suck it.
Masters Degree Online (which apparently has the authority and inclination to do so) has awarded me with an award for Outstanding Performance Arts Blog.
I would like to thank the Academy, and all my fellow nominees.
And in addition to the shiny little badge you see below (um...thanks?) among the other (500) winners are some pretty cool blogs about acting and film-making and the like. I'm now following a few of them, so you should check them out.
Now you may say, "Michele, who the hell are these people? Isn't it possible that this site is merely Googling performance arts blogs in hopes that the poor shmucks that have 'won' will post links in their blogs, therefore advertising this site to all their followers for free?"
Well, concerned citizen, you're probably right. I however, am not really concerned, because the link embeded in the badge was coded wrong, and doesn't work.
Suck it.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
My drunk self is booking gigs for my sober self
This morning while I was looking through my purse for my Metrocard, I found the business card for the General Manager of the Ha! Comedy Club on 46th Street.
I have no idea how this card got in my purse.
But I am calling this guy.
The only explanation I can think of is that I'm much better at networking when I'm blackout drunk. It's got a nice Jekyll/Hyde thing going on for itself.
I have no idea how this card got in my purse.
But I am calling this guy.
The only explanation I can think of is that I'm much better at networking when I'm blackout drunk. It's got a nice Jekyll/Hyde thing going on for itself.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Most fun ever
Had my first day of filming for "Provocation" yesterday, and I have never had so much fun on a film set before in my life. We were filming at a bar in Goshen, which opened while we were there, so at one point we had actual bar patrons in the shot.
I'm playing a college student, and the kids playing my friends are mostly students from Orange County Community, and they're real fun to work with. We got to shoot one of those scenes where we had to improvise conversation, so we basically just joked around for 75% of the time.
The woman who owned the bar was amazing, she even bought us lunch. And then we filmed a scene where we had to be listening to a band, so after we filmed their song they played a couple of U2 covers. And then we spent about an hour after we were done playing pool.
Rounded out the day covered in fake blood because SPOILER ALERT:
I die.
Playing a dead body is a lot more fun than I thought. And they made me look really freaky. Photos will come soon.
Filming again next Sunday, but before that I'm going to be at the fundraiser for No Tea on Friday night, check out the details on the main page!
I'm playing a college student, and the kids playing my friends are mostly students from Orange County Community, and they're real fun to work with. We got to shoot one of those scenes where we had to improvise conversation, so we basically just joked around for 75% of the time.
The woman who owned the bar was amazing, she even bought us lunch. And then we filmed a scene where we had to be listening to a band, so after we filmed their song they played a couple of U2 covers. And then we spent about an hour after we were done playing pool.
Rounded out the day covered in fake blood because SPOILER ALERT:
I die.
Playing a dead body is a lot more fun than I thought. And they made me look really freaky. Photos will come soon.
Filming again next Sunday, but before that I'm going to be at the fundraiser for No Tea on Friday night, check out the details on the main page!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Back in town...
Well it seems that my career has come out of it's bi-monthly coma. Oddly enough, both of the jobs on the horizon came about when I was in D.C., lying on a bed in a hotel room for a restaurant job rather than a tour.
One of my former professors is working on a short film and asked me if I'd be interested. I responded with a resounding Hell Yes and I start filming next week.
On top of that, the next No Tea Production is coming up in October and I've been asked to read one of the parts for the reading this Monday. Whether or not this will lead to a part in the actual show, we shall see... we shall see...
More soon (hopefully).
One of my former professors is working on a short film and asked me if I'd be interested. I responded with a resounding Hell Yes and I start filming next week.
On top of that, the next No Tea Production is coming up in October and I've been asked to read one of the parts for the reading this Monday. Whether or not this will lead to a part in the actual show, we shall see... we shall see...
More soon (hopefully).
Saturday, July 24, 2010
At the 8th Ave Dunkin Donuts... killing time before work.
You know those tales in legends like King Arthur, where a knight or a defenseless maiden wanders into the faery realm and gets lost, emerging what feels like hours later only to find that years have passed and everyone they once knew has grown old and died?
Well along the same vein, I just visited the 34th Street Macy's.
I have a gift card and I just want to buy a pair of sandals for walking around DC. And how happy I was to have this gift card to a store other than Conway or Payless, where I might be able to get a nice quality pair of shoes and not bankrupt myself.
But apparently that is too much to ask because the store itself is a labyrinth. First of all I had to go up FIVE floors just to find a sign that said Women's shoes, and then once I was on that floor, couldn't find them. I walked around for about twenty minutes until I began to fear that I was about to be devoured by the Minitour living in the maze's center when I finally decided to give it up.
If I designed a department store it would have a logic to it.
Shoes: Ground Floor.
Then pants, shirts, cosmetics and a special penthouse level for hats. Start from the bottom and work your way up.
I'll get my sandals at the Macy's in Flushing, which like most things in my neighborhood, is as if someone took the city version, shrank it down to about a fifth of the size and crammed a bunch of Asian people in it.
Yeah. I'm in a good mood today.
Well along the same vein, I just visited the 34th Street Macy's.
I have a gift card and I just want to buy a pair of sandals for walking around DC. And how happy I was to have this gift card to a store other than Conway or Payless, where I might be able to get a nice quality pair of shoes and not bankrupt myself.
But apparently that is too much to ask because the store itself is a labyrinth. First of all I had to go up FIVE floors just to find a sign that said Women's shoes, and then once I was on that floor, couldn't find them. I walked around for about twenty minutes until I began to fear that I was about to be devoured by the Minitour living in the maze's center when I finally decided to give it up.
If I designed a department store it would have a logic to it.
Shoes: Ground Floor.
Then pants, shirts, cosmetics and a special penthouse level for hats. Start from the bottom and work your way up.
I'll get my sandals at the Macy's in Flushing, which like most things in my neighborhood, is as if someone took the city version, shrank it down to about a fifth of the size and crammed a bunch of Asian people in it.
Yeah. I'm in a good mood today.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Close shave...
So I was on my YouTube page the other night and I decided to take down that video I made as part of my submission to that reality show, Center Stage. (See previous post: "When people stop being polite...")
I just figured, that was early June, and I haven't heard anything, so I took it down.
And yesterday, the day AFTER I did this, I got an email from the woman in charge of casting, asking me why the video was taken down!
Meeeeeep!
I fixed it, and put it back up, but sheesh. If she hadn't been nice enough to let me know, I could have really screwed myself.
Note to self: Throw out old issues of Backstage, and clothing you haven't work since college. Anything that might get you a job, no matter how unlikely you may think it, keep around.
I just figured, that was early June, and I haven't heard anything, so I took it down.
And yesterday, the day AFTER I did this, I got an email from the woman in charge of casting, asking me why the video was taken down!
Meeeeeep!
I fixed it, and put it back up, but sheesh. If she hadn't been nice enough to let me know, I could have really screwed myself.
Note to self: Throw out old issues of Backstage, and clothing you haven't work since college. Anything that might get you a job, no matter how unlikely you may think it, keep around.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Okay Theatre Gods, let's turn this mutha out!
Have spent the last three hours submitting my resume, typing up cover letters and such.
Happy to be going to DC so that I can get back and start auditioning again. Going out of town kind of sucks when you're unsure how long you'll be out of town for. Now happily I know when I'm getting back and can schedule all sorts of lovely auditions.
Now all I need is some good mojo.
Had WAY too much coffee today, side note.
Hope to be coming down from this soon, as it is already 9:30 at night and I don't want another night of staring at the ceiling until 5am.
Happy to be going to DC so that I can get back and start auditioning again. Going out of town kind of sucks when you're unsure how long you'll be out of town for. Now happily I know when I'm getting back and can schedule all sorts of lovely auditions.
Now all I need is some good mojo.
Had WAY too much coffee today, side note.
Hope to be coming down from this soon, as it is already 9:30 at night and I don't want another night of staring at the ceiling until 5am.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tiny Office...Beeeeeeeeeg Show
My best friend and college roommate Jen works as the Executive Assistant to this theatre company called JARADOA Theater. The name stands for Just A Room Full of Artists Doing Outreach And Theater.
Their latest show, "I'll Be Damned" just opened at the Vineyard Theatre. I got to see it on Tuesday night, and I've got to say, it wasn't what I was expecting, which is to say it completely impressed me. I don't want this to sound too much like a review, because I wasn't really looking with a critical eye. I was there to enjoy, and I did.
Up until this moment my entire impression of Jaradoa has been of their office, which like most New York City office space, is pretty tiny. It could fit inside the bathroom of the house I grew up in, in Queens, and every time I'm there it is inhabited by only Jen, her boss April, and maybe an intern. In truth, if all three of those people were in the office at the same time, I probably wouldn't fit.
But from this teeny tiny office has come a truly great production. It's a new musical about a geeky, home schooled boy named Louis who agrees to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for Satan finding him a friend. And when almost every play, musical, movie and television show out there seems to revolve around some forbidden (and more often lately, supernatural) love story, I thought it absolutely refreshing that this musical was about something so simple and easy to relate to as just wanting one true friend. Someone who likes you for who you really are.
We've all been (or felt like) that lonely kid at one point in our lives. Louis sketches comic books, some of us write short stories, or have elaborate fantasies, but it's all to the same end: Imagining ourselves as well-liked and popular. It was a sweet story, mostly funny but with some really poignant moments as well.
The performances were really strong as well. Mary Testa was fantastic, as expected. She made some comedic choices that I thought were truly brilliant, and I was always engaged when she was onstage. And then she was able to completely flip her character on her ear and have some moments of real depth and sincerity as well, particularly in the song "Mother's Day."
Jacob Hoffman played Louis, leaving me pretty baffled as to how this kid could have no friends when I fell immediately in love with him. He found a really nice balance between the stereotypical pop-culture "nerdy-kid-who-turns-out-to-be-cool," and the actual, real-life weird kind that we all went to school with. The one who wore sweatpants every day.
And of course, guaranteed to be one of the more bad-ass performances was Satan, played by Kurt Robbins. Is it wrong to be rooting for the devil? Is that a bad thing? Because that's exactly what happened. One of my favorite parts of the show was the song "Alone," in which Satan describes what Hell is like to Louis.
Also, Andrea Varga put him in some very tight pants.
This whole thing has left me with a pretty strong desire to become more involved with Jaradoa, which I would recommend to anyone else reading this. In addition to productions, they do several after-school programs, teaching literacy and also working with teenagers who have been convicted of felonies.
Seriously, if I had any money, I would give it to them.
Their latest show, "I'll Be Damned" just opened at the Vineyard Theatre. I got to see it on Tuesday night, and I've got to say, it wasn't what I was expecting, which is to say it completely impressed me. I don't want this to sound too much like a review, because I wasn't really looking with a critical eye. I was there to enjoy, and I did.
Up until this moment my entire impression of Jaradoa has been of their office, which like most New York City office space, is pretty tiny. It could fit inside the bathroom of the house I grew up in, in Queens, and every time I'm there it is inhabited by only Jen, her boss April, and maybe an intern. In truth, if all three of those people were in the office at the same time, I probably wouldn't fit.
But from this teeny tiny office has come a truly great production. It's a new musical about a geeky, home schooled boy named Louis who agrees to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for Satan finding him a friend. And when almost every play, musical, movie and television show out there seems to revolve around some forbidden (and more often lately, supernatural) love story, I thought it absolutely refreshing that this musical was about something so simple and easy to relate to as just wanting one true friend. Someone who likes you for who you really are.
We've all been (or felt like) that lonely kid at one point in our lives. Louis sketches comic books, some of us write short stories, or have elaborate fantasies, but it's all to the same end: Imagining ourselves as well-liked and popular. It was a sweet story, mostly funny but with some really poignant moments as well.
The performances were really strong as well. Mary Testa was fantastic, as expected. She made some comedic choices that I thought were truly brilliant, and I was always engaged when she was onstage. And then she was able to completely flip her character on her ear and have some moments of real depth and sincerity as well, particularly in the song "Mother's Day."
Jacob Hoffman played Louis, leaving me pretty baffled as to how this kid could have no friends when I fell immediately in love with him. He found a really nice balance between the stereotypical pop-culture "nerdy-kid-who-turns-out-to-be-cool," and the actual, real-life weird kind that we all went to school with. The one who wore sweatpants every day.
And of course, guaranteed to be one of the more bad-ass performances was Satan, played by Kurt Robbins. Is it wrong to be rooting for the devil? Is that a bad thing? Because that's exactly what happened. One of my favorite parts of the show was the song "Alone," in which Satan describes what Hell is like to Louis.
Also, Andrea Varga put him in some very tight pants.
This whole thing has left me with a pretty strong desire to become more involved with Jaradoa, which I would recommend to anyone else reading this. In addition to productions, they do several after-school programs, teaching literacy and also working with teenagers who have been convicted of felonies.
Seriously, if I had any money, I would give it to them.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
I'm Pretty Sure I Didn't Suck...
I watched the movie "Funny People" right before I made that last post and apparently when referring to stand-up comedy, the real pros use the term "going up." Hence my brilliant usage of insider terms.
So I "went up" at the Brew House on Wednesday. It was a pretty small crowd, but we're attributing that to the Fourth of July weekend that we've all just recovered from. It was mainly made up of the other comedians who were performing that night, which gave the whole thing an interesting, work-shop kind of feeling.
Okay so, self-assessment of performance Wednesday night:
My stand-up comedy at the moment reminds me of when I first started auditioning for musicals. I would walk out of the room and it was like I had just blacked out for the past two and a half minutes. I dimly remembered placing a binder full of sheet music on top of a piano, and then it was all just a blur. And once it's over I have absolutely no idea if I was good or not, all I know is I'm not having rocks thrown at me by outraged spectators.
It didn't help that it was a quiet crowd. I mean, obviously. If there's only ten people, you don't want to be the jackass who laughs the loudest, so small crowds tend to be quieter. But I was totally doing that "comedian talks too loud because they anticipate that they'll have to talk over riotous laughter that it not there" thing.
I still get very nervous. So I just power through it like a speech at my cousin's wedding and then get off stage as fast as possible.
The other comics performing at this thing had a lot more experience than I do, and they were all very relaxed, and you could see that they were really absorbing the reaction that the audience was having to their jokes. That's what I have to work on, I think. Really being there in the moment.
And being funny.
Reactions from others:
Jesse told me any time I wanted to do the show, to just let him know. So that's a sign that I did not blow. Was "Friended" on Facebook by two of the other comedians, so also a good sign. And when another of the comics was leaving, he said "good set" to me. And when I sat through a twenty-minute train wreck that (lucky me) came right before I went on at my first stand-up gig, I did not say "good set" to her when leaving the venue.
I said, "get home safe."
In other words, "I hope you're not jumped on the way to the Subway by one of the people who just paid ten dollars and bought a minimum of two drinks to have you suck a portion of their soul out through their eyeballs."
So I think we can count last Wednesday, if not as a victory, then as a positive step in the direction of success.
Go me.
In other news, spent Saturday morning shooting a small role in the latest film of director Louis Levy, with whom I did "Slice of Life" last year.
Still having trouble with my website, but I finally swallowed my pride and asked for directions at the nearest gas station (aka: Emailed the tech support team) so hopefully it'll be back on track before I'm reduced to joining AngelFire.
Old school.
So I "went up" at the Brew House on Wednesday. It was a pretty small crowd, but we're attributing that to the Fourth of July weekend that we've all just recovered from. It was mainly made up of the other comedians who were performing that night, which gave the whole thing an interesting, work-shop kind of feeling.
Okay so, self-assessment of performance Wednesday night:
My stand-up comedy at the moment reminds me of when I first started auditioning for musicals. I would walk out of the room and it was like I had just blacked out for the past two and a half minutes. I dimly remembered placing a binder full of sheet music on top of a piano, and then it was all just a blur. And once it's over I have absolutely no idea if I was good or not, all I know is I'm not having rocks thrown at me by outraged spectators.
It didn't help that it was a quiet crowd. I mean, obviously. If there's only ten people, you don't want to be the jackass who laughs the loudest, so small crowds tend to be quieter. But I was totally doing that "comedian talks too loud because they anticipate that they'll have to talk over riotous laughter that it not there" thing.
I still get very nervous. So I just power through it like a speech at my cousin's wedding and then get off stage as fast as possible.
The other comics performing at this thing had a lot more experience than I do, and they were all very relaxed, and you could see that they were really absorbing the reaction that the audience was having to their jokes. That's what I have to work on, I think. Really being there in the moment.
And being funny.
Reactions from others:
Jesse told me any time I wanted to do the show, to just let him know. So that's a sign that I did not blow. Was "Friended" on Facebook by two of the other comedians, so also a good sign. And when another of the comics was leaving, he said "good set" to me. And when I sat through a twenty-minute train wreck that (lucky me) came right before I went on at my first stand-up gig, I did not say "good set" to her when leaving the venue.
I said, "get home safe."
In other words, "I hope you're not jumped on the way to the Subway by one of the people who just paid ten dollars and bought a minimum of two drinks to have you suck a portion of their soul out through their eyeballs."
So I think we can count last Wednesday, if not as a victory, then as a positive step in the direction of success.
Go me.
In other news, spent Saturday morning shooting a small role in the latest film of director Louis Levy, with whom I did "Slice of Life" last year.
Still having trouble with my website, but I finally swallowed my pride and asked for directions at the nearest gas station (aka: Emailed the tech support team) so hopefully it'll be back on track before I'm reduced to joining AngelFire.
Old school.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Brew House Comedy
Going up at the Astoria Brew House tonight at 8pm! The show is free, so come on down.
For reservations call (718) 728-0050
Take the N or W to 30th Ave
2850 31st St
For reservations call (718) 728-0050
Take the N or W to 30th Ave
2850 31st St
Monday, June 28, 2010
Dear Network Solutions...
Why will you not upload the new index page I just edited with the link to the Slice of Life video?
Every time I open it on my computer, the links and texts are updated.
And yet, though I am clearly uploading the new file, my homepage remains the same.
Why must you suck balls?
Does this have anything to do with one of the several emails about changes to my Network Solutions account that my Dad forwarded me that I never read?
Hmm.
Probably.
Way to suck balls, Network Solutions.
Here's the link to the video, by the way.
Every time I open it on my computer, the links and texts are updated.
And yet, though I am clearly uploading the new file, my homepage remains the same.
Why must you suck balls?
Does this have anything to do with one of the several emails about changes to my Network Solutions account that my Dad forwarded me that I never read?
Hmm.
Probably.
Way to suck balls, Network Solutions.
Here's the link to the video, by the way.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sigh...
Though it is exciting that my job is giving me a paid trip to Washington D.C. in July, this has resulted in the most boring month ever. Every audition I've checked out has rehearsed or shot or performed in July, and since I still don't know the exact dates I'll be gone, I haven't auditioned.
So I've been very bored.
On the upside though, I will be squeezing in a short film with Louis Levy, the director I did "A Slice of Life" with last year.
And more good news, I'll be doing stand-up next Wednesday the 30th in Astoria. Look for more info soon!
So I've been very bored.
On the upside though, I will be squeezing in a short film with Louis Levy, the director I did "A Slice of Life" with last year.
And more good news, I'll be doing stand-up next Wednesday the 30th in Astoria. Look for more info soon!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Nostalgia...
Last night was my High School Drama teacher, Gloria Piraino's retirement party.
It was a really amazing night. They gave us the option to do a speech or perform, so a bunch of us got together to write a little skit for her. I got to see my old friends from High School, Erica and Liz, who I haven't seen in forever, and Jessica, who was basically one of my best friends. And of course Jeff, who I'm ashamed to say I hadn't hung out with in almost a year.
What made me happiest was that, though we'd all changed (Liz is MARRIED) we still got along so well. We had one meeting at Erica's parents house, and I swear it was like no time had passed.
But not in a sad, I'm-Still-Stuck-in-High-School way. Because that would be bad.
We wrote a skit with songs from Guys and Dolls, and A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum, which were the two main shows we did with her in our years at Cardozo HS.
When we got there, I'm not going to lie, it was weird. I don't remember too much from High School. I didn't really come into my own until college, so High School just didn't hold as many unforgettable experiences for me as it might have for others. In fact, there are maybe three or four teachers that I can really remember from High School as having an impact on me. Ms. Piraino is definitely the top of the heap.
So I knew when we walked into the room, there would be teachers there that I had, but would not remember. I took solace in the fact that they would certainly not remember me. And during cocktail hour I did sit at a table adjacent to two of my old English teachers, and it still took me twenty minutes to remember their names.
But seeing Gloria (still feels weird to call her that) made up for any awkwardness. There were a couple of photo collages up for people to look at in the room where we were having dinner, and there were a bunch of pictures of us. The bulletin board said "Drama Club: The Golden Years," and there were photos from Guys and Dolls, and from events we had, a nice shot of me and Jeff smooching as Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson, and a huge photo of me in my prom dress (which was a belly dancer costume) with the heading "the original Michele." For which she must be punished.
But seriously, that was really something. I mean, we always joked that we were a high point for the Cardozo Drama Club, but we were just playing around. To see our class actually referred to as "the golden years" really meant a lot.
We did our skit, and tried very hard to keep it up and happy, and I made it through my whole Individual Thanks segment without crying, but I was tearing up at the end.
No matter how much training I receive or what kind of technique I learn, Gloria Piraino was the first person who ever told me that I was talented, who gave me a place to really be who I was. I don't think I really realized how much of an impact she really had on me until I was in a room full of teachers from my High School and she was the only one I had actual memories of.
When I hugged her after our performance she told me how proud she was of me, and more than anything I am so happy that I make her proud. I think I'll be totally happy no matter what I end up doing with my career as long as ten years down the road, I'm still making her proud.
It was a really amazing night. They gave us the option to do a speech or perform, so a bunch of us got together to write a little skit for her. I got to see my old friends from High School, Erica and Liz, who I haven't seen in forever, and Jessica, who was basically one of my best friends. And of course Jeff, who I'm ashamed to say I hadn't hung out with in almost a year.
What made me happiest was that, though we'd all changed (Liz is MARRIED) we still got along so well. We had one meeting at Erica's parents house, and I swear it was like no time had passed.
But not in a sad, I'm-Still-Stuck-in-High-School way. Because that would be bad.
We wrote a skit with songs from Guys and Dolls, and A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum, which were the two main shows we did with her in our years at Cardozo HS.
When we got there, I'm not going to lie, it was weird. I don't remember too much from High School. I didn't really come into my own until college, so High School just didn't hold as many unforgettable experiences for me as it might have for others. In fact, there are maybe three or four teachers that I can really remember from High School as having an impact on me. Ms. Piraino is definitely the top of the heap.
So I knew when we walked into the room, there would be teachers there that I had, but would not remember. I took solace in the fact that they would certainly not remember me. And during cocktail hour I did sit at a table adjacent to two of my old English teachers, and it still took me twenty minutes to remember their names.
But seeing Gloria (still feels weird to call her that) made up for any awkwardness. There were a couple of photo collages up for people to look at in the room where we were having dinner, and there were a bunch of pictures of us. The bulletin board said "Drama Club: The Golden Years," and there were photos from Guys and Dolls, and from events we had, a nice shot of me and Jeff smooching as Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson, and a huge photo of me in my prom dress (which was a belly dancer costume) with the heading "the original Michele." For which she must be punished.
But seriously, that was really something. I mean, we always joked that we were a high point for the Cardozo Drama Club, but we were just playing around. To see our class actually referred to as "the golden years" really meant a lot.
We did our skit, and tried very hard to keep it up and happy, and I made it through my whole Individual Thanks segment without crying, but I was tearing up at the end.
No matter how much training I receive or what kind of technique I learn, Gloria Piraino was the first person who ever told me that I was talented, who gave me a place to really be who I was. I don't think I really realized how much of an impact she really had on me until I was in a room full of teachers from my High School and she was the only one I had actual memories of.
When I hugged her after our performance she told me how proud she was of me, and more than anything I am so happy that I make her proud. I think I'll be totally happy no matter what I end up doing with my career as long as ten years down the road, I'm still making her proud.
Monday, June 7, 2010
When people stop being polite...
So there's this video I put up on my YouTube page a few days ago. I didn't post an announcement of it because it's an audition tape for a new documentary/reality series. The submission guidelines were to upload the video to YouTube and post the link in an email to the casting director.
So naturally I've been keeping it very hush-hush because I wanted to covertly check how many views it's been getting in order to gauge whether or not it's been watched by various producers, etc. I'm sure my parents have already seen it, since they seem to have a google alert on any website that may have anything to do with me. (Kind of cool, my mom managed to find a review of Poppycock before the artistic director of No Tea Productions) So I'll subtract maybe 5 views to count for them, and for the one time I watched it after it was posted.
In the two days since I last checked, it's gone from 7 veiws to 22.
Good sign, right?
As I'm posting about it now, I'm not going to judge anything by the subsequent number of views it gets, so go check it out if you want.
But for shiz, I am SERIOUSLY hoping something comes of this. I would be awesome on a show like this. Seriously, since the days of watching America's Next Top Model with Cate Fricke at 58 Main Street, I have been dying to show my stuff on one of these reality dramas. And there would be all sorts of Tom-Foolery, that's for certain.
Why, just get a load of this sweet action:
That's me climbing a fence in a dress in the dead of night.
And there's more where that came from.
So, producers of this docu-real-life-TV-type program (you know who you are), if you're reading this... well... I don't want to come on too strong.
But cast me.
Seriously.
If I could find that clip from that one episode of Grey's Anatomy where Meredith is telling Derek Shepard "Pick me" with tears in her eyes, I would totally put it here, but I don't know how to upload videos to this blog.
Also there's some copyright issues.
Pick me.
So naturally I've been keeping it very hush-hush because I wanted to covertly check how many views it's been getting in order to gauge whether or not it's been watched by various producers, etc. I'm sure my parents have already seen it, since they seem to have a google alert on any website that may have anything to do with me. (Kind of cool, my mom managed to find a review of Poppycock before the artistic director of No Tea Productions) So I'll subtract maybe 5 views to count for them, and for the one time I watched it after it was posted.
In the two days since I last checked, it's gone from 7 veiws to 22.
Good sign, right?
As I'm posting about it now, I'm not going to judge anything by the subsequent number of views it gets, so go check it out if you want.
But for shiz, I am SERIOUSLY hoping something comes of this. I would be awesome on a show like this. Seriously, since the days of watching America's Next Top Model with Cate Fricke at 58 Main Street, I have been dying to show my stuff on one of these reality dramas. And there would be all sorts of Tom-Foolery, that's for certain.
Why, just get a load of this sweet action:
That's me climbing a fence in a dress in the dead of night.
And there's more where that came from.
So, producers of this docu-real-life-TV-type program (you know who you are), if you're reading this... well... I don't want to come on too strong.
But cast me.
Seriously.
If I could find that clip from that one episode of Grey's Anatomy where Meredith is telling Derek Shepard "Pick me" with tears in her eyes, I would totally put it here, but I don't know how to upload videos to this blog.
Also there's some copyright issues.
Pick me.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Sometimes, when you have a blog, you have to be careful of what you say, so as not to offend anyone who might be reading it.
So let's just say that the show mentioned in a previous entry, "Sex, Relationships and Sometimes Love," did not work out.
Not doing to show was my decision, so it's cool.
What DID go well however, was the second performance of Laugh Until it Hurts.
Mark my words, you will be seeing a lot more stand-up comedy from me. I think this is definitely what I want to do with my life as far as performing.
So let's just say that the show mentioned in a previous entry, "Sex, Relationships and Sometimes Love," did not work out.
Not doing to show was my decision, so it's cool.
What DID go well however, was the second performance of Laugh Until it Hurts.
Mark my words, you will be seeing a lot more stand-up comedy from me. I think this is definitely what I want to do with my life as far as performing.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Laugh Until It Hurts Two!
I go on at ten pm tonight at the Producer's Club on 44th street between 8th and 9th!
If you're in the area come check it out, or come for drinks at the Irish Rogue afterwards!
If you're in the area come check it out, or come for drinks at the Irish Rogue afterwards!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
"Sex, Relationships and Sometimes Love"
Well, that sounds like the title to a very depressing blog entry, but actually this is going to be a very happy one, because "Sex, Relationships and Sometimes Love" is the title of the play that I just got into.
The audition was like a Pizza Hut express. I did my sassy black woman monologue yesterday and was immediately given a callback, and then today I got there and chose a different piece to do, since I wanted to show them some range. When I got in the room I got exactly one line out before the casting director stopped me.
He gave me a different monologue which he described as "over the top." And of this monologue I did three lines. And then I was cast in the show.
I'm guessing it's a very large cast, since it appears to be a collection of monologues, which would explain the speedy audition procedures. Rehearsals start this Thursday at 9am (yikes) and they're only during the day, which is actually perfect for me since I work at night.
So yeah. I'm going to go get a bagel. And then probably take a nap.
The audition was like a Pizza Hut express. I did my sassy black woman monologue yesterday and was immediately given a callback, and then today I got there and chose a different piece to do, since I wanted to show them some range. When I got in the room I got exactly one line out before the casting director stopped me.
He gave me a different monologue which he described as "over the top." And of this monologue I did three lines. And then I was cast in the show.
I'm guessing it's a very large cast, since it appears to be a collection of monologues, which would explain the speedy audition procedures. Rehearsals start this Thursday at 9am (yikes) and they're only during the day, which is actually perfect for me since I work at night.
So yeah. I'm going to go get a bagel. And then probably take a nap.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Audition Log 5/10/10
By the time I got to the audition, all the good sides had been taken. The only one left was clearly written for a sassy black woman, with plenty of "Honey"s and "oh no you don't"s.
And for a second, I actually hesitated.
I was like, I'm going to look like an asshole if I go in there and do this like a sassy black woman. It would be different if these people knew me, or had ever met me before. But out of context they're going to think I'm a racist.
And then I said "Fuck that, I'll never see these people again in my life," and went in there and did my best sassy black lady.
And I got a callback tomorrow morning!
The director even said, "Perfect, that's exactly how that's supposed to be performed."
I even capped it off with a finger snap at the end.
Balls out.
And for a second, I actually hesitated.
I was like, I'm going to look like an asshole if I go in there and do this like a sassy black woman. It would be different if these people knew me, or had ever met me before. But out of context they're going to think I'm a racist.
And then I said "Fuck that, I'll never see these people again in my life," and went in there and did my best sassy black lady.
And I got a callback tomorrow morning!
The director even said, "Perfect, that's exactly how that's supposed to be performed."
I even capped it off with a finger snap at the end.
Balls out.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Hopefully the post-show depression that set in as soon as Poppycock closed will be alleviated by the rockin' cast party we're going to have tomorrow night.
I've already had my few days of sleeping until 3pm to recuperate from the constant stress of work, performing in a show and taking my Improv class with UCB, and now that all but one of those things are over, I find myself extremely bored pretty much all of the time.
I'm trying to get a second job, not just to keep me busy, but also because I had to cut down my hours at work while I was doing Poppycock, ans completely spent all the money I had saved for my potential move to L.A.
So there goes THAT plan.
But in the wake of a successful show, plus my new-found love of stand-up comedy, I'm thinking it might behoove me to stay in New York for a while.
I don't know how to spell behoove.
I think that much is obvious.
I've already had my few days of sleeping until 3pm to recuperate from the constant stress of work, performing in a show and taking my Improv class with UCB, and now that all but one of those things are over, I find myself extremely bored pretty much all of the time.
I'm trying to get a second job, not just to keep me busy, but also because I had to cut down my hours at work while I was doing Poppycock, ans completely spent all the money I had saved for my potential move to L.A.
So there goes THAT plan.
But in the wake of a successful show, plus my new-found love of stand-up comedy, I'm thinking it might behoove me to stay in New York for a while.
I don't know how to spell behoove.
I think that much is obvious.
Friday, April 16, 2010
How about the Poppy Stop?
Week Two of Poppycock has kicked off with a bang!
We've already gotten one review, extremely positive.
This show has been incredible as far as my growth as an actor. I've always been pretty horrible at keeping a straight face, and this show requires quite the deadpan. I do crack occasionally, but I always feel really bad about it afterwards.
Ultimately though, the thing I'm happiest about is forming a relationship with the company. I hope I get to work with them again.
In the meantime though, all my friends appear to be waiting for the final weekend to come and see my show. Which means it;s going to be a knock-down, drag-out fight for tickets. Silly friends.
On the agenda now: A shower, a massive cup of coffee, and on to continue the second weekend of Poppycock!
We've already gotten one review, extremely positive.
This show has been incredible as far as my growth as an actor. I've always been pretty horrible at keeping a straight face, and this show requires quite the deadpan. I do crack occasionally, but I always feel really bad about it afterwards.
Ultimately though, the thing I'm happiest about is forming a relationship with the company. I hope I get to work with them again.
In the meantime though, all my friends appear to be waiting for the final weekend to come and see my show. Which means it;s going to be a knock-down, drag-out fight for tickets. Silly friends.
On the agenda now: A shower, a massive cup of coffee, and on to continue the second weekend of Poppycock!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Opening Night!
Hooray! Poppycock opened last night to an almost full house and a great reaction!
The audience was really great and receptive, it was so strange to hear people actually laughing at the jokes. I was reminded of jokes that I'd forgotten about.
But I've got to say, having an audience react to my character completely changed my entire perception of what I'm doing onstage. I'm just not used to being the straight-man I guess. I'm a ham, I like to get the laughs. But the places I thought were going to be funny kind of fell flat, whereas the lines I delivered more simply were well-received. It just really drove home that I need to stop looking for the laughs and just let them happen.
There are some pictures up on No Tea's website, so check them out!
And tickets are still available for the rest of the run!
In other words I've finally started looking at new auditions. I'm not the kind of person who never stops looking for stuff. Now that the show is actually running and the end is in sight, I'm starting to think, "hmm...now what?"
I have an audition tomorrow for a sketch comedy show. And I have one minute to bring "my comedy A-game." Still not quite sure what that entails, but I'll figure it out.
Probably.
The audience was really great and receptive, it was so strange to hear people actually laughing at the jokes. I was reminded of jokes that I'd forgotten about.
But I've got to say, having an audience react to my character completely changed my entire perception of what I'm doing onstage. I'm just not used to being the straight-man I guess. I'm a ham, I like to get the laughs. But the places I thought were going to be funny kind of fell flat, whereas the lines I delivered more simply were well-received. It just really drove home that I need to stop looking for the laughs and just let them happen.
There are some pictures up on No Tea's website, so check them out!
And tickets are still available for the rest of the run!
In other words I've finally started looking at new auditions. I'm not the kind of person who never stops looking for stuff. Now that the show is actually running and the end is in sight, I'm starting to think, "hmm...now what?"
I have an audition tomorrow for a sketch comedy show. And I have one minute to bring "my comedy A-game." Still not quite sure what that entails, but I'll figure it out.
Probably.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Ode to the Duane Reade down the block from my apartment...
Ode To The Duane Reade That Just Opened Down the Block From My Apartment:
You are far superior to the Duane Reade four blocks away from my apartment
And the Duane Reade one slightly longer block away from my apartment.
For being three times bigger than any of the others.
For having a sea-salt body scrub.
For carrying the garlic and herb cous-cous that got me through college
And the French Onion Dip that gets me through Lost
For having actually healthy foods in your vast grocery section
In addition to Easy Mac and Mama Celeste's pizza for one
For having Skim Plus milk
And cookie dough
And a free re-usable shopping bag with any purchase
But seriously, why did it take me 20 minutes to find the isle with the cat food?
You are far superior to the Duane Reade four blocks away from my apartment
And the Duane Reade one slightly longer block away from my apartment.
For being three times bigger than any of the others.
For having a sea-salt body scrub.
For carrying the garlic and herb cous-cous that got me through college
And the French Onion Dip that gets me through Lost
For having actually healthy foods in your vast grocery section
In addition to Easy Mac and Mama Celeste's pizza for one
For having Skim Plus milk
And cookie dough
And a free re-usable shopping bag with any purchase
But seriously, why did it take me 20 minutes to find the isle with the cat food?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
What's the deal with airline food?
When someone asks you, "How was your night?" how to you convey in one simple sentence the fact that you've just had the greatest night of your life?
My stand-up debut was a great success, mostly due to all the wonderful friends who came out and supported me. About a third of the audience was there for me, and they did a great job being the most wonderful audience ever.
I'm not the only person in the show who was doing stand-up for the first time, so that calmed my nerves a bit. And I decided not really to worry about the twenty minute thing. I ended up doing only about ten, but I forgot about a chunk in the middle. If I'd remembered, it only would have been about twelve of thirteen. But the people who did go twenty minutes (or more) did seem to be talking for a VERY long time.
Now that I've done it, I'm completely in love with it. I'm definitely going to be doing it again.
And luckily, my lovely parents videotaped it upon my request, so the video will be posted soon.
My stand-up debut was a great success, mostly due to all the wonderful friends who came out and supported me. About a third of the audience was there for me, and they did a great job being the most wonderful audience ever.
I'm not the only person in the show who was doing stand-up for the first time, so that calmed my nerves a bit. And I decided not really to worry about the twenty minute thing. I ended up doing only about ten, but I forgot about a chunk in the middle. If I'd remembered, it only would have been about twelve of thirteen. But the people who did go twenty minutes (or more) did seem to be talking for a VERY long time.
Now that I've done it, I'm completely in love with it. I'm definitely going to be doing it again.
And luckily, my lovely parents videotaped it upon my request, so the video will be posted soon.
Friday, March 26, 2010
You will be designing a 13th look...
I just met with one of the guys in charge of "Laugh Till It Hurts," which is the show I'm doing stand-up comedy in on Sunday. I had to drop off their portion of my ticket money, and take care of some legal stuff, like signing a waver just in case they film any part of it. That's fine with me, I'm hoping one of my friends will record my set with my camera so I can put it up on my YouTube page.
He also took me through the order of the performers and I've found out that I'm going third, out of a group of five comedians. Which I guess I'm okay with, since I'm a little unsure of how successful I'm going to be. I'm pretty sure the other four comics in the show actually have experience with stand-up comedy, so it stands to reason they'd want to stick me in the middle, since this is my first time.
And then I looked a little closer at the paper, to where it said, "Michele McNally, 7:45-8:05"
That's twenty minutes.
Twenty minutes.
Not seven to ten.
Which is what I prepared.
That's TWICE as much.
So now, Project Runway style, just when you thought you'd have the second day of the challenge to hem your skirt and fix your closures, Tim Gunn tells you you have to design a second look using only the scraps of fabric you have left over.
I'm working tonight and a double tomorrow, so basically I have a brief amount of time tonight and Sunday morning to find ten more minutes of material.
Something funny had better happen to me tonight.
Basically, I think this just means I have to revamp my approach. Twenty minutes is a very long time. I think what I have to do, (and this is also advice from the great Cate Fricke, who I called immediately, freaking out) is incorporate more of a performance. Something that's not necessarily the traditional, "Hey, who's from Long Island?" stand-up. Like the kind of stuff I used to do for Midnight Theatre in college. The problem is, I'm a little out of practice.
Thankfully, I've stacked the audience with my friends who will hopefully be drunk. So I guess it will be more like college than I'd originally thought.
Make it work.
He also took me through the order of the performers and I've found out that I'm going third, out of a group of five comedians. Which I guess I'm okay with, since I'm a little unsure of how successful I'm going to be. I'm pretty sure the other four comics in the show actually have experience with stand-up comedy, so it stands to reason they'd want to stick me in the middle, since this is my first time.
And then I looked a little closer at the paper, to where it said, "Michele McNally, 7:45-8:05"
That's twenty minutes.
Twenty minutes.
Not seven to ten.
Which is what I prepared.
That's TWICE as much.
So now, Project Runway style, just when you thought you'd have the second day of the challenge to hem your skirt and fix your closures, Tim Gunn tells you you have to design a second look using only the scraps of fabric you have left over.
I'm working tonight and a double tomorrow, so basically I have a brief amount of time tonight and Sunday morning to find ten more minutes of material.
Something funny had better happen to me tonight.
Basically, I think this just means I have to revamp my approach. Twenty minutes is a very long time. I think what I have to do, (and this is also advice from the great Cate Fricke, who I called immediately, freaking out) is incorporate more of a performance. Something that's not necessarily the traditional, "Hey, who's from Long Island?" stand-up. Like the kind of stuff I used to do for Midnight Theatre in college. The problem is, I'm a little out of practice.
Thankfully, I've stacked the audience with my friends who will hopefully be drunk. So I guess it will be more like college than I'd originally thought.
Make it work.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Well, it's Thursday. The days before my stand-up comedy debut are looming fewer and fewer. And surprisingly the terror is starting to subside.
Probably because I actually wrote some material.
So good for me.
The upside is, I've sold almost all my tickets, and there are a lot of other people who are coming as well. So the pressure is really on. But as long as people are drunk, it's not really going to make a difference.
So if you're reading this, and you're coming to my show, be drunk. Be very drunk.
Probably because I actually wrote some material.
So good for me.
The upside is, I've sold almost all my tickets, and there are a lot of other people who are coming as well. So the pressure is really on. But as long as people are drunk, it's not really going to make a difference.
So if you're reading this, and you're coming to my show, be drunk. Be very drunk.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Ooh, a free moment of my life that is not being spent sleeping...
If my rehearsal tonight hadn't been canceled, I probably would not have the time to blog right now.
My life is awesome right now. Rehearsals, class, friends, coffee, and Newsies on DVD. What more could a girl want?
Got myself a free wig the other day, when I went to go do reshoots for "Slice of Life." Luckily my haircut was not so drastic as to actually need to use it, but I got to take it home. It's long and black and I call it Megan Fox.
Rehearsals for Poppycock are going quite well. Still at the stage where I don't know my lines yet, which is frustrating because I have a very physical role, and I hate having to have the script in my hands. But I absolutely love going to rehearsal. All the No Tea people are really cool and seem to have their shit together.
Also looming somewhat ominously in the distance is my evening of stand-up comedy. I'm waffling back and forth right now between actually crafting a traditional stand-up routine with written jokes, punchlines, that sort of thing, or maybe doing some kind of comedic performance piece. Seven to Ten minutes is a very long time.
Whatever happens, I hope all my friends come, preferably drunk, and laugh at me. Or with me. Or whatever, as long as there's not total silence or an air of judgement. Or if there is, it had better be a funny air of judgement.
I'm on vocal rest until rehearsal tomorrow, because I lost my voice over the weekend, which I'm sure made the voice-over I recorded yesterday for Poppycock a hell of a lot more interesting. So I have a big night planned. Gonna catch up on the DVR and drink some tea. Maybe watch some stand-up, take some notes, steal some jokes.
My life is awesome right now. Rehearsals, class, friends, coffee, and Newsies on DVD. What more could a girl want?
Got myself a free wig the other day, when I went to go do reshoots for "Slice of Life." Luckily my haircut was not so drastic as to actually need to use it, but I got to take it home. It's long and black and I call it Megan Fox.
Rehearsals for Poppycock are going quite well. Still at the stage where I don't know my lines yet, which is frustrating because I have a very physical role, and I hate having to have the script in my hands. But I absolutely love going to rehearsal. All the No Tea people are really cool and seem to have their shit together.
Also looming somewhat ominously in the distance is my evening of stand-up comedy. I'm waffling back and forth right now between actually crafting a traditional stand-up routine with written jokes, punchlines, that sort of thing, or maybe doing some kind of comedic performance piece. Seven to Ten minutes is a very long time.
Whatever happens, I hope all my friends come, preferably drunk, and laugh at me. Or with me. Or whatever, as long as there's not total silence or an air of judgement. Or if there is, it had better be a funny air of judgement.
I'm on vocal rest until rehearsal tomorrow, because I lost my voice over the weekend, which I'm sure made the voice-over I recorded yesterday for Poppycock a hell of a lot more interesting. So I have a big night planned. Gonna catch up on the DVR and drink some tea. Maybe watch some stand-up, take some notes, steal some jokes.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Is it Tuesday yet? I want to be in rehearsal NOW!
I've just taken stock of what my life is going to be like for the next two months. Rehearsal Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Improv class Wednesday, and every other day I'm going to need to be at work.
I have to give my manager my new availability today and get a new work schedule.
I'm not going to have any free time. The only night I'm going to have off is going to be Wednesday since class ends at six, but since I'm required to see improv shows at UCB in order to advance to the next level, I'm sure that's what I'll be doing on those nights.
Oh for the days when I will be getting paid to do theatre, and don't have to keep a survival job. Oh for the days.
Is it Tuesday yet?
I've just taken stock of what my life is going to be like for the next two months. Rehearsal Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Improv class Wednesday, and every other day I'm going to need to be at work.
I have to give my manager my new availability today and get a new work schedule.
I'm not going to have any free time. The only night I'm going to have off is going to be Wednesday since class ends at six, but since I'm required to see improv shows at UCB in order to advance to the next level, I'm sure that's what I'll be doing on those nights.
Oh for the days when I will be getting paid to do theatre, and don't have to keep a survival job. Oh for the days.
Is it Tuesday yet?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Audition Log 2/27/10
I don't know if this happens to you, but this is what typically happens to me: I'll have like two or three weeks where it seems like nothing is going right. I can't get a job, I can't get a role, there are no auditions, I lose my MetroCard, etc.
And then, one good thing will happen, and then like twenty good things will happen, and I'll have two or three weeks of awesome times. It's like my career is bi-polar.
Well we're in a good stretch, I think.
I got inspired the other day, and went on Backstage and NYCastings and submitted for a whole mess of things, and booked a whole bunch of auditions for the upcoming week, the first of which happened yesterday.
It was for a new original comedy called "Poppycock." It was advertised as a "screwball comedy" and from the scenes that I read it has a very old Hollywood, Clue, Noises-Off kind of feel to it. I got the sides on Thursday for two characters, Poppy (the play's namesake) and Bianca (the ingenue).
It's really well-written, which is the most exciting part. A lot of times when you get your hands on an original play, it's no secret why it hasn't been published yet. But this one was really funny, and I was really excited about the audition.
When I went in they seemed really nice and they were really receptive to me. After I read the two scenes that they'd given me, they also gave me a couple more scenes to read, and I did those as well.
It was, in short, a really good audition, and I left for work that day feeling like things were looking up. One good audition would lead to another good audition, and another, and maybe eventually to a job.
It was a busy Saturday night, so though I got a call on my cell phone at 6:30, I couldn't actually check my voicemail until about 9:30, when I finally took my break. It was Lindsay, the producer asking me to call her.
And remember when I said that one good thing happens, and then a whole bunch of good things happen?
I GOT THE PART!
I'm going to play Poppy! The show is in April, and rehearsals start immediately. We're having out first rehearsal on Tuesday. This is really exciting, because I've been focusing so much on film lately, I haven't actually been in a full-length play in almost two years. Not since "Cherry Smoke" and that was only a staged reading.
It's running three weekends in April and it is going to ROCK.
Stay tuned.
And then, one good thing will happen, and then like twenty good things will happen, and I'll have two or three weeks of awesome times. It's like my career is bi-polar.
Well we're in a good stretch, I think.
I got inspired the other day, and went on Backstage and NYCastings and submitted for a whole mess of things, and booked a whole bunch of auditions for the upcoming week, the first of which happened yesterday.
It was for a new original comedy called "Poppycock." It was advertised as a "screwball comedy" and from the scenes that I read it has a very old Hollywood, Clue, Noises-Off kind of feel to it. I got the sides on Thursday for two characters, Poppy (the play's namesake) and Bianca (the ingenue).
It's really well-written, which is the most exciting part. A lot of times when you get your hands on an original play, it's no secret why it hasn't been published yet. But this one was really funny, and I was really excited about the audition.
When I went in they seemed really nice and they were really receptive to me. After I read the two scenes that they'd given me, they also gave me a couple more scenes to read, and I did those as well.
It was, in short, a really good audition, and I left for work that day feeling like things were looking up. One good audition would lead to another good audition, and another, and maybe eventually to a job.
It was a busy Saturday night, so though I got a call on my cell phone at 6:30, I couldn't actually check my voicemail until about 9:30, when I finally took my break. It was Lindsay, the producer asking me to call her.
And remember when I said that one good thing happens, and then a whole bunch of good things happen?
I GOT THE PART!
I'm going to play Poppy! The show is in April, and rehearsals start immediately. We're having out first rehearsal on Tuesday. This is really exciting, because I've been focusing so much on film lately, I haven't actually been in a full-length play in almost two years. Not since "Cherry Smoke" and that was only a staged reading.
It's running three weekends in April and it is going to ROCK.
Stay tuned.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
It Hurts...
So funny story: There are 28 days in February.
That means that February is exactly four weeks long.
That means that the days in March are the same as the days in February.
That means when they told me my stand-up show would be on "Sunday the 28th," they actually meant Sunday, March 28th.
That means I'm an idiot.
My bad.
That means that February is exactly four weeks long.
That means that the days in March are the same as the days in February.
That means when they told me my stand-up show would be on "Sunday the 28th," they actually meant Sunday, March 28th.
That means I'm an idiot.
My bad.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Laugh Until it Hurts Part Three
Well...
I got the job. Or, I booked the gig, or whatever the lingo is now that I'm a Big-Time Stand Up Comedian.
This whole thing is happening in a whirlwind. I found out at the audition that I got into the show, and the show is on Sunday. THIS Sunday. Meep.
I get to do seven to ten minutes of material, whatever I want. I don't have to include the material I used for my audition. Basically, they trust me to be funny. I have to get ten people to come, but that shouldn't be too much of a trouble. I already told a few people about it and they seem very excited to see me make an ass out of myself.
Speaking of being excited, I totally am! But I'm also really, really freaked out. I'm glad it's only on Sunday and not in like, a month or something. I can't imagine having to lie in bed picturing my failure for the next four weeks. Which I have been doing, because apparently Stand Up comedy scares the goop out of me.
I worked last night and I'm working tonight, so Wednesday is my day to sit down with a pen and paper and put together an act.
I'm thinking there will be much watching of old SNL skits on hulu in order to get me in the mood to be funny.
Balls to the wall.
I got the job. Or, I booked the gig, or whatever the lingo is now that I'm a Big-Time Stand Up Comedian.
This whole thing is happening in a whirlwind. I found out at the audition that I got into the show, and the show is on Sunday. THIS Sunday. Meep.
I get to do seven to ten minutes of material, whatever I want. I don't have to include the material I used for my audition. Basically, they trust me to be funny. I have to get ten people to come, but that shouldn't be too much of a trouble. I already told a few people about it and they seem very excited to see me make an ass out of myself.
Speaking of being excited, I totally am! But I'm also really, really freaked out. I'm glad it's only on Sunday and not in like, a month or something. I can't imagine having to lie in bed picturing my failure for the next four weeks. Which I have been doing, because apparently Stand Up comedy scares the goop out of me.
I worked last night and I'm working tonight, so Wednesday is my day to sit down with a pen and paper and put together an act.
I'm thinking there will be much watching of old SNL skits on hulu in order to get me in the mood to be funny.
Balls to the wall.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Laugh Until it Hurts part two
The stand-up comedy audition is tomorrow, and I think I've come to a place where I'm comfortable with what I'm doing.
It's just like another monologue, except this time the monologue is as a stand up comedian.
No reason to panic.
But... it did yield some positive results, because I have a new video in honor of my burgeoning stand-up career.
Enjoy
It's just like another monologue, except this time the monologue is as a stand up comedian.
No reason to panic.
But... it did yield some positive results, because I have a new video in honor of my burgeoning stand-up career.
Enjoy
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Laugh Until it Hurts...
If I were to try and count the number of resumes I've sent out in the past month, whether for acting or for a new job, I'd estimate it at about seven million.
But I've gotten a few bites. On Saturday February 20th I apparently have an audition for something called "Laugh Until it Hurts." I read the email very carefully, and no matter how many times I read it, it always seems like they want my to do stand-up for my audition.
After I got the email I went back and checked the audition notice, and the call is for stand-up and improvisers. I apparently only payed attention to the "improvisers" part.
I don't do stand-up. I've never done stand-up. Stand-up frightens me.
So. Saturday, February 20th. I have 9 days to learn how to become a Stand-Up Comedian.
But I've gotten a few bites. On Saturday February 20th I apparently have an audition for something called "Laugh Until it Hurts." I read the email very carefully, and no matter how many times I read it, it always seems like they want my to do stand-up for my audition.
After I got the email I went back and checked the audition notice, and the call is for stand-up and improvisers. I apparently only payed attention to the "improvisers" part.
I don't do stand-up. I've never done stand-up. Stand-up frightens me.
So. Saturday, February 20th. I have 9 days to learn how to become a Stand-Up Comedian.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Am I to understand that it's going to snow for the next two days? Like, for real? Not like that last time they said it was going to snow?
Hey, remember that time I said I'd work a double shift tomorrow? And remember that time I made three appointments on Thursday at different times and all different areas of New York City?
And remember that time I left my snow boots in the coat room at work and they disappeared?
Meep.
Hey, remember that time I said I'd work a double shift tomorrow? And remember that time I made three appointments on Thursday at different times and all different areas of New York City?
And remember that time I left my snow boots in the coat room at work and they disappeared?
Meep.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Oh Joss Whedon, why did I ever doubt you?
Having grown up on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I think it's kind of funny that it took me so long to get into Joss Whedon's latest projects.
I heard for years that I "had" to watch Firefly, and when the series was canceled, I did watch the movie, "Serenity," but I didn't actually watch the series until this past December. Needless to say, I LOVED it, and I asked for the DVD set for Christmas, which I received.
But now, I just Netflixed season one of Dollhouse and I frigging LOVED it too.
So now I'm all pissed that it just got canceled.
The next time Joss Whedon has a show, I need to start watching before it gets canceled.
I heard for years that I "had" to watch Firefly, and when the series was canceled, I did watch the movie, "Serenity," but I didn't actually watch the series until this past December. Needless to say, I LOVED it, and I asked for the DVD set for Christmas, which I received.
But now, I just Netflixed season one of Dollhouse and I frigging LOVED it too.
So now I'm all pissed that it just got canceled.
The next time Joss Whedon has a show, I need to start watching before it gets canceled.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Audition Log 1/26/10
"The Crucible"
The Gallery Players, Brooklyn
I felt pretty good about this one going in. My fake-uncle (he was the guitarist in my dad's old band, so for all the years I've known him, he's been Uncle John) has worked with them before, so he told me he'd mention my name to the director.
Of course, given the fact that I was one among seven HUNDRED girls who showed up for this audition, I really doubt they would have even remembered my name by the time I walked into the room.
My God there were a lot of girls there.
BUT... I have very long hair, and I did a monologue from Miss Julie, which was totally the kind of strong young woman from yester-year monologue that would put them in mind of Abigail. Cross my fingers.
The way I see it, in all these Theatre Companies that have been operating for years, there are always people who know each other, who have worked together on past productions, who maybe have a little bit of a leg-up at the auditions.
And then one day a show comes along that you're perfect for, and you go to the audition feeling confident that even though the artistic directors claim that they haven't pre-cast, that this role is meant for YOU.
And then, some bitch comes swooping in from out of nowhere and grabs up the perfect role that you've spent the past three years suffering in the chorus line to earn.
The way I see it, I could be that bitch.
Callbacks are Saturday, but just because I haven't heard anything yet doesn't mean I won't.
The Gallery Players, Brooklyn
I felt pretty good about this one going in. My fake-uncle (he was the guitarist in my dad's old band, so for all the years I've known him, he's been Uncle John) has worked with them before, so he told me he'd mention my name to the director.
Of course, given the fact that I was one among seven HUNDRED girls who showed up for this audition, I really doubt they would have even remembered my name by the time I walked into the room.
My God there were a lot of girls there.
BUT... I have very long hair, and I did a monologue from Miss Julie, which was totally the kind of strong young woman from yester-year monologue that would put them in mind of Abigail. Cross my fingers.
The way I see it, in all these Theatre Companies that have been operating for years, there are always people who know each other, who have worked together on past productions, who maybe have a little bit of a leg-up at the auditions.
And then one day a show comes along that you're perfect for, and you go to the audition feeling confident that even though the artistic directors claim that they haven't pre-cast, that this role is meant for YOU.
And then, some bitch comes swooping in from out of nowhere and grabs up the perfect role that you've spent the past three years suffering in the chorus line to earn.
The way I see it, I could be that bitch.
Callbacks are Saturday, but just because I haven't heard anything yet doesn't mean I won't.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Audition Log: 1/24/10
New York Film Academy
"Stockholm Syndrome"
Dear Michele,
Based on the track record you have of great film auditions as opposed to crappy musical theatre auditions, you are supposed to do film.
Do film.
Love,
Michele
Granted 12:30 in the afternoon doesn't sound like a very early morning, but my internal clock has been switched to "nocturnal" for the past few weeks and I haven't been getting to sleep any earlier than 5am no matter what time I actually lay down in the bed.
But I made it to the train with more than enough time to make it to Union Square before my appointment, and unlike the massive brain fart that preceeded last night's audition, I actually had my headshot and resume with me.
So I transfer at Grand Central for the 5 minute ride downtown, and just before I get on the train I happened to check the email the producer sent me the day before.
Be prepared to read from sides. Check. There also may be some improvisation. Check. Have a one to two minute dramatic monologue. Che... guh.
And this is the moment when I realize that I don't have a contemporary dramatic monologue in my repetoire.
Contemporary comedic I have. Classical dramatic I have.
So in the spirit taught to me by the great instructors at the Upright Citizens Brigade, I pulled something straight out of my ass.
Some of the words may have been a little off and I'm pretty sure I combined the beginning of the monologue with the end of the monologue, but I got the spirit of it. And it's a good thing too, because we didn't do scenes and we didn't really improvise. I just did the monologue, and then the director told me a little about the film, gave me an adjustment and I did the beginning of the monologue again.
Phew.
And all in all I think it went really well. I felt good about it.
"Stockholm Syndrome"
Dear Michele,
Based on the track record you have of great film auditions as opposed to crappy musical theatre auditions, you are supposed to do film.
Do film.
Love,
Michele
Granted 12:30 in the afternoon doesn't sound like a very early morning, but my internal clock has been switched to "nocturnal" for the past few weeks and I haven't been getting to sleep any earlier than 5am no matter what time I actually lay down in the bed.
But I made it to the train with more than enough time to make it to Union Square before my appointment, and unlike the massive brain fart that preceeded last night's audition, I actually had my headshot and resume with me.
So I transfer at Grand Central for the 5 minute ride downtown, and just before I get on the train I happened to check the email the producer sent me the day before.
Be prepared to read from sides. Check. There also may be some improvisation. Check. Have a one to two minute dramatic monologue. Che... guh.
And this is the moment when I realize that I don't have a contemporary dramatic monologue in my repetoire.
Contemporary comedic I have. Classical dramatic I have.
So in the spirit taught to me by the great instructors at the Upright Citizens Brigade, I pulled something straight out of my ass.
Some of the words may have been a little off and I'm pretty sure I combined the beginning of the monologue with the end of the monologue, but I got the spirit of it. And it's a good thing too, because we didn't do scenes and we didn't really improvise. I just did the monologue, and then the director told me a little about the film, gave me an adjustment and I did the beginning of the monologue again.
Phew.
And all in all I think it went really well. I felt good about it.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Audition Log: 1/23/09
New York Film Academy
"Perfidia"
So not only did I get on the train with seconds to spare before possibly being late for this audition, I realized just as the doors were closing that I, in my infinite wisdom, did not have my portfolio with me.
So headshot, resume...nope, didn't have it.
No time to go back, I was already risking being late, and what was I supposed to do? Not go?
F that.
As it turned out, I was not late. In fact, I walked in a full ten minutes early, and they sent me right in.
And the reaction to my not having a headshot and resume on me?
Meh.
The part is this 1940s lounge singer who accidently kills her boyfriend. Awesome! So they had me sing, and she asked me to imagine my boyfriend lying dead on the ground. Ha ha, it was really fun. I got to sing and cry.
I feel a sense of catharsis.
Aristotle would be proud.
"Perfidia"
So not only did I get on the train with seconds to spare before possibly being late for this audition, I realized just as the doors were closing that I, in my infinite wisdom, did not have my portfolio with me.
So headshot, resume...nope, didn't have it.
No time to go back, I was already risking being late, and what was I supposed to do? Not go?
F that.
As it turned out, I was not late. In fact, I walked in a full ten minutes early, and they sent me right in.
And the reaction to my not having a headshot and resume on me?
Meh.
The part is this 1940s lounge singer who accidently kills her boyfriend. Awesome! So they had me sing, and she asked me to imagine my boyfriend lying dead on the ground. Ha ha, it was really fun. I got to sing and cry.
I feel a sense of catharsis.
Aristotle would be proud.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Okay...
If there were a way to attach a song to a blog entry, the one playing while you read this would be "Lose Yourself" by Eminem.
Or "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus.
Yeah, that's just how I roll.
Well, the Hair thing got me to thinking the past two days. I don't think this whole Equity Call thing is going to work for me.
I mean there's something very noble to the idea that if I show up at 6 in the morning and sit around until all the Equity people are gone, and if I actually get seen and if I'm good enough to totally knock their socks off, I could potentially get a role in a Broadway musical. And I know people who have paid their dues and gone to these calls and gotten remembered by casting directors and eventually end up getting called in for something.
But seriously, sometimes it just doesn't seem worth it to me.
I mean, I don't think the act of auditioning isn't worth it. This is not my final blog announcing my retirement from theatre. I just mean the big ones. The American Idol-esque auditions for the big money shows. Like Hair. The ones that EVERYBODY comes out for. I mean, when 500 girls show up for auditions, you have to wonder just how closely they're even looking at each person.
And when I close my eyes and I picture myself in ten years, in five years, in (God willing) two years, I am not on Broadway. I'm on T.V. or at a movie premiere or at the Golden Globes. That's the fame I'm reaching towards.
And again we come 'round to the idea of L.A.
Balls.
Well, before I pack up my whole life and move to L.A. to pursue a career in film, one thing is for certain. I need a damn fine reel. Which means I need some more film experience. And I need to email some very lazy directors and tell them to pack an envelope full of bubble wrap and send me my DVD. Dangit.
Onward. Ho.
Or "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus.
Yeah, that's just how I roll.
Well, the Hair thing got me to thinking the past two days. I don't think this whole Equity Call thing is going to work for me.
I mean there's something very noble to the idea that if I show up at 6 in the morning and sit around until all the Equity people are gone, and if I actually get seen and if I'm good enough to totally knock their socks off, I could potentially get a role in a Broadway musical. And I know people who have paid their dues and gone to these calls and gotten remembered by casting directors and eventually end up getting called in for something.
But seriously, sometimes it just doesn't seem worth it to me.
I mean, I don't think the act of auditioning isn't worth it. This is not my final blog announcing my retirement from theatre. I just mean the big ones. The American Idol-esque auditions for the big money shows. Like Hair. The ones that EVERYBODY comes out for. I mean, when 500 girls show up for auditions, you have to wonder just how closely they're even looking at each person.
And when I close my eyes and I picture myself in ten years, in five years, in (God willing) two years, I am not on Broadway. I'm on T.V. or at a movie premiere or at the Golden Globes. That's the fame I'm reaching towards.
And again we come 'round to the idea of L.A.
Balls.
Well, before I pack up my whole life and move to L.A. to pursue a career in film, one thing is for certain. I need a damn fine reel. Which means I need some more film experience. And I need to email some very lazy directors and tell them to pack an envelope full of bubble wrap and send me my DVD. Dangit.
Onward. Ho.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
This is not happening.
Up all night fail.
I can't do this.
F you Hair. I'm not getting in anyway. I'm going to sleep.
I can't do this.
F you Hair. I'm not getting in anyway. I'm going to sleep.
Let's brew some coffee...
Well, I just got home from work. It's 1:3o am.
In order to get to the open call for Hair with any hope of being seen before I have to be at work tomorrow afternoon, I have to get there by 6am. Which means leaving my house no later than 5am.
Add in the need to shower, which is genuine.
There's just no going to sleep tonight.
Here's to having to be at work until midnight tomorrow. Salud.
In order to get to the open call for Hair with any hope of being seen before I have to be at work tomorrow afternoon, I have to get there by 6am. Which means leaving my house no later than 5am.
Add in the need to shower, which is genuine.
There's just no going to sleep tonight.
Here's to having to be at work until midnight tomorrow. Salud.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
I could have sworn the last time I bought Eggo waffles was maybe a month or two ago, which granted is a long time, but they were still unopened, and frozen for God's sake. But when i finally got the hankerin' for a waffle yesterday and went to the freezer, the box said "Best if used by Aug 13 08"
There's something weird going on there.
There's something weird going on there.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
No longer too cool for school...
After over a YEAR I have finally registered for Improv 301 with the Upright Citizens Brigade.
It's not like I haven't been interested. At first i didn't really have the money. Then back in August my parents gave me a class for my birthday. They told me I could use their credit card to register for my next UCB class. And I TRIED, but every time new classes were posted they filled up immediately.
So finally I'm out with my friend Caitlin on Saturday and we're talking about taking a class again, and I happen to check the website and there's an available class!
I got home, shot off a quick "is now a good time" email to my parents and I registered!
Class starts in March, which should give me plenty of time to figure out the rest of my life in the meantime. WOOT!
It's not like I haven't been interested. At first i didn't really have the money. Then back in August my parents gave me a class for my birthday. They told me I could use their credit card to register for my next UCB class. And I TRIED, but every time new classes were posted they filled up immediately.
So finally I'm out with my friend Caitlin on Saturday and we're talking about taking a class again, and I happen to check the website and there's an available class!
I got home, shot off a quick "is now a good time" email to my parents and I registered!
Class starts in March, which should give me plenty of time to figure out the rest of my life in the meantime. WOOT!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
2010
The new year has begun, this calls for a new video! Scroll down to check out this fancy little function that lets you link to Actorwithabusinesscard's YouTube page directly from here.
It's a beautiful thing.
I love New Year's, mostly because of the conversation topics. Awkward silence? I think not, you can pull out the ever popular, "So what are your plans/what did you do for New Year's?" and of course, there's the subject of New Year's Resolutions.
And, true to form, this year I once again have several.
But first, let's take stock of last year's resolutions.
1. Yoga.
I give myself a 4 out of 10 on this one. I registered for Yoga classes, but never attended any of them, only to cancel my subscription a month later. But I did try out a couple of yoga routines on Exercise TV on Demand, only to find that I really hate yoga. It hurts.
2. Supermodel Body
In other words, get in shape. Big success. 10 out of 10. Don't believe me? Punch me in the stomach whilst I flex my abs. You will break your pinky finger.
3. Get my learner's permit.
Epic fail. And it wasn't even "learn to drive," which is much more complicated. No, I just had to go down to the DMV and take a test that I possess most of the common sense for. And I couldn't even do that.
4. Learn the piano.
Not even close.
Therefore, I declare 2009 a failure. Boo. Hiss. Hiss. Boo.
2010 is going to be a good year though, I can feel it in my bones. So, may the 2010 resolutions commence:
1. Find a new job.
Mama needs more moneys. So either I find a job that pays me more and I take it, or I find a job and my current offers me more money to stay. Either way, something's got to give.
2. Become an Internet Superstar.
300+ hits on my "How To Give People Your Business Card" video was definitely a confidence booster.
3. Take a firmer stance on the move to L.A.
A decision must be made. The clock is ticking and I can't afford to be wishy-washy about this any more. I need to start thinking logistics.
4. Be awesome.
Done and done.
5. Get sushi.
T-minus fifteen minutes until this resolution is realized. Mmmm....spicy kani roll.
It's a beautiful thing.
I love New Year's, mostly because of the conversation topics. Awkward silence? I think not, you can pull out the ever popular, "So what are your plans/what did you do for New Year's?" and of course, there's the subject of New Year's Resolutions.
And, true to form, this year I once again have several.
But first, let's take stock of last year's resolutions.
1. Yoga.
I give myself a 4 out of 10 on this one. I registered for Yoga classes, but never attended any of them, only to cancel my subscription a month later. But I did try out a couple of yoga routines on Exercise TV on Demand, only to find that I really hate yoga. It hurts.
2. Supermodel Body
In other words, get in shape. Big success. 10 out of 10. Don't believe me? Punch me in the stomach whilst I flex my abs. You will break your pinky finger.
3. Get my learner's permit.
Epic fail. And it wasn't even "learn to drive," which is much more complicated. No, I just had to go down to the DMV and take a test that I possess most of the common sense for. And I couldn't even do that.
4. Learn the piano.
Not even close.
Therefore, I declare 2009 a failure. Boo. Hiss. Hiss. Boo.
2010 is going to be a good year though, I can feel it in my bones. So, may the 2010 resolutions commence:
1. Find a new job.
Mama needs more moneys. So either I find a job that pays me more and I take it, or I find a job and my current offers me more money to stay. Either way, something's got to give.
2. Become an Internet Superstar.
300+ hits on my "How To Give People Your Business Card" video was definitely a confidence booster.
3. Take a firmer stance on the move to L.A.
A decision must be made. The clock is ticking and I can't afford to be wishy-washy about this any more. I need to start thinking logistics.
4. Be awesome.
Done and done.
5. Get sushi.
T-minus fifteen minutes until this resolution is realized. Mmmm....spicy kani roll.
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