The week things turned around...

Though it was a down month or two, things are really seeming to take form in the city. The issues I had with my administrative assistant position are slowly going away. The boss realized how much work I do for her and gave me two paid days off - and a $50 Starbucks giftcard for my birthday. That's more than I can say for my own sister!

I'm picking up more hours at my theatre job which has its own perks. I'm now regularly getting emails from my boss at that job with fabulous ticket offers to tons of shows in the city.

In addition to work seeming to turn around, an awesome roommate has returned to the apartment - and I think it is going to shake things up! Already we are talking about having movie nights, redecorating the apartment together, and she is going to talk to bad roommate and make him start paying for internet. HA! I don't have to be the responsible one anymore - she's taking it over from me. Thank goodness!

What do all of these developments mean? They mean I can stop stressing about the stupid things (work, money, shelter) and start thinking about what really matters - performing! With my Backstage.com subscription in full swing, I am ready to start figuring out this audition scene. With new roommate on my side, I even have an audition buddy!

I always have to have a plan, so here's the plan:

Step One: Continue to get fit and lose weight. Hoping for 20 more pounds down by Christmas.

Step Two: Do four things each week that contribute to your artistic development (a dance class, a yoga class, memorize a monologue, find rehearsal space, sing at an open-mic night, go to an audition, etc.). FOUR THINGS per week.

Step Three: Get cast, get famous, be happy forever.

Seems pretty simple.

I'll be starting with Step Two (since I am enjoying a delicious Starbucks Caramel Brulee latte at Starbucks which probably as more calories than are advisable in Step One). Let's find four monologues to work on this week.

Stay tuned...
-C

The week I remembered I had a blog...

Through my I-finally-have-a-job-and-can-pay-bills delight, I neglected to document the adventures that have gotten me through the not-so lazy, hazy days of summer to the gorgeous New York City autumn.

I got a job! My first job in New York City is at a place called Hoochie Poochie Club where I am an Administrative Assistant.

I got a second job! I am a Box Office Assistant and Swing House Manager at an off-Broadway theatre. Magical.

I have lived in two apartments - one in Hell's Kitchen and one in the East Village.

I am looking at auditions and getting a subscription to Backstage.

I am getting into a groove!

Next week, if I remember this blog, I will share thoughts and pictures and a few potential creative adventures in the works. While financial stability is important, I came out here for theatre. For the opportunities. For create fulfillment! I need to remember that.

The week I splurged...

In the process of transplanting from the midwest to New York City, I had to get acclimated to a number of things. Since I lived in the city for a few weeks over the summer, the travel, the smells, the living in the city - those pieces were easy to accept. Oddly enough, the part of the city that I am having the hardest part accepting is choice! In the midwest, even on the weekend, there are only a set number of things you can do on any one evening - further than that, there are only a set number of FREE things you can do...ever! The pure number of options you have when you walk out the door in the morning are exciting and a smidge overwhelming.

So, for the first week I lived here, I decided that I got to splurge. I could do whatever I wanted. I discovered that almost every night, I wanted to go to a Broadway show! Shocking, I'm sure. In this week, I experienced a number of rites of passage. The first came when I went to see Nice Work If You Can Get It.

This show was the first time I saw a celebrity in a musical in New York (Matthew Broderick), it was the first show I saw when I officially lived in New York City, and it was the first Broadway show that I  saw on my own. Another rite of passage - I walked 10 blocks in the wrong direction trying to find my way home afterwards. Starting to feel like a real New Yorker.

The next day, I decided that I wanted to be entertained all day - I would see two shows in one day. Another first! I grew up listening and singing along to Phantom of the Opera, but I had never seen it onstage. That afternoon, I saw it for the first time. 

Yes, the synth is cheesy, but it completely knocks me out. Yes, I cried. It's what I love - music that entirely envelopes you. No, I will probably never be cast in this show. I'm not an operatic singer, but I love it, nonetheless. After Phantom, I had another plan. I wanted to go to a sweet, happy, uncomplicated show. What could that be? Cinderella! 

A fairy tale story, Rodgers and Hammerstein's music, and some fine, family fun. It was perfect.

The magical set and costume changes mixed with the sweet story and SPECTACULAR leading lady made for the perfect end to the evening. It was beautifully done. It's not the kind of musical that changes my life, but the kind that made me extraordinarily happy that I was in New York.

After three consecutive shows where I reveled in the magnificence of ensemble work and the delights of the Broadway musical, there was one more show that I had to see: I'll Eat You Last, the one-woman show about Sue Mengers starring Bette Midler.

Of all the divas I worship on the theatrical scene, Bette Midler is probably my number one.

I do love my "Ett"s: Bette, Bernadette, and Carol Burnett.

As one of the primary reasons why I moved to New York, this was the only time I waited by the Stage Door like a foolish fangirl to catch a glimpse of the Divine Ms. M.  And I did!

It was the cherry on top of the perfect theatrical week. It was a week to financially and theatrically splurge.

Now, I'm poor.

And I will live on Ramen until I get a job. That is my next adventure: getting hired in New York City. It's not the easiest task, but if I want to be able to continue such adventures as these, employment is a key factor.

See you in the city,
-C