Happy Memorial Day weekend, and Happy Summer! (even though it’s totally 48 degrees and raining right now…arrrggghhh!)

It’s been an exciting few weeks, and it’s looking like it’s going to be a pretty good summer! I’ve been keeping very, very busy with classes and auditions and performances. Last Saturday, I had my level one graduation show at The Pit, and it was fabulous! I was a lot less nervous than I expected to be (even with my parents watching!), and once we got on stage, I almost forgot that we were performing in front of people! It went really, really well, and was just a lot of fun. Once it was over, I was sort of sad about it–I can’t wait to do it again! Improv is not at all something I expected to like, and most of the time, I still find it terrifying, but I’ve been shocked at how much I love it. It’s so easy to second guess yourself–this isn’t funny, or I sound like an idiot, or I have no idea what to say…but I’ve been trying to remind myself that the only thing that’s really boring is to not say anything. I’m hoping to take level 2 soon.

On Thursday night, I took a fantastic Intro to Voiceover class with voiceover casting director Andy Roth. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about voiceover–but it was quite possibly one of the best seminars I’ve ever taken, and now I’m really pretty psyched about looking for voiceover work! First of all, voiceover itself is just fun–there’s a lot less pressure (because no one can see you! so you can make all the funny faces and stupid gestures you want!), and it’s just a lot more upbeat and relaxed. I loved getting the chance to read some copy in a sound booth (I felt really cool!). I also sort of had it in my head that you have to have an interesting or unique voice to do voiceover work, but that seems to not be the case–and, in hindsight, that was obvious. Most commercials just want someone who sounds pretty average, I realized. So now I’m all, when can I record a demo?

Second, Andy was awesome, and his class (which I would highly, highly recommend to anyone) was a good reminder that things can and will happen, even if it doesn’t feel like it. He reminded us that when we get called in for auditions, it’s because they think we might be right for it, and they want us to succeed (people have told me this a thousand times, but I do feel like I consistently need to be reminded of that!). He also said that not booking a job is not failure (even though sometimes it feels like it!). He told us several stories of auditions where the actor did not get the part–only to have that audition lead to a much better part down the line.

I feel like I constantly need to remind myself of that. Lately, I’ve started to feel like things are happening, but only sort of. I’ve been getting tons of auditions, which is a lot of fun, and really exciting, but it can start to feel a little bit sad when nothing comes of them. But I’ve also gotten several really nice notes lately, from directors who said they weren’t going to be able to cast me in a particular project, but that they were impressed with my work, and hoped to be able to work with me in the future.

Something will eventually happen. It will. I just have to remember that.

Speaking of something happening, I have exciting news: I’ve been cast in my first NYC play! The play, 29x/y, will be staged in mid-July as part of the Fresh Fruit Festival. We start rehearsal next Saturday, and I could not be happier. More details to come!