Saturday, May 30, 2009

Do you think about me now and then? Well, I'm coming home again.

So, I really feel like I don't have much to talk about. Let's start typing and just see what comes, shall we?

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I was just at home for a week and a half. What a whirlwind trip! I can talk about that...specifically, my first big audition adventure of 2009.

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So, I went home to Marshall County, Kentucky this last week. As I crossed the border, I could feel my life getting better. I could feel life starting to make sense again. Stuff have been sort of hard the last few months. Life, in general, has been hard, and as I drove past the state line, singing country songs at the top of my lungs ("Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big and Rich if you must know...), I felt myself start to heal up. Now, granted, as my mom loves to point out, I didn't even like country music when I lived at home, but that's not really the point. The point is, it reminds me of home. There are few songs that remind me of home as succinctly as "Hog Wild" by Hank Williams Jr and "Paradise" by John Prine.

My first stop was Belew's, a dairy barn on the lake that lives on the outskirts of the county that I called home for so very long. As I pulled in, I grabbed Doug Graham's copy of Proof to give it a quick re-read, since I was going to be auditioning for it shortly. As I sat there, reading these words that I really wanted to play, I let the sounds of my home wash over me. The cadence of the speech, the shrill giggles of kids at play, and, underneath it all, the silence that I miss when I'm living on the outskirts of Atlanta.

There are times when it seems like it would all be worth it to pack it in. To settle down and live my life well in the place that my father lived, and his father, and his father. This place where my roots are so, so deep and my family is all within twenty minutes of each other. Where my friends come together as if no time has passed and life moves at the most leisurely pace. Where I feel right. Where I feel like, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, I feel like I belong.

I do like Atlanta. I do. Maybe even love it. But, make no mistake, home is where my heart is.

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So, MONDAY THE 18th, I left my home to go to a general audition at Tennessee Rep. Now, I went into this audition with no illusions. They were doing Steel Magnolias (Precast, but all women anyway.), A Christmas Story (No parts for me.), Big River (Can't...rather, would prefer to not sing) AND Proof...which has one part for which I would be good for. So...pretty specific stuff... Anyway, went in, felt alright about the general audition. After that, drove onward to The 404! Spend the night in the 404!

TUESDAY THE 19TH! Got up and went out to Theatrical Outfit and had what I judge was my worst audition of the three I had. I don't know...

That night, I drove the two hours to Columbus, GA so that I could audition for Springer Opera House's season. Tiring!

WEDNESDAY THE 20TH! I head home, right? WRONG! I'm an hour out of Nashville, heading back to Kentucky when I get a call from Tennessee Rep! They want me to come in and read for Hal! Awesome! Tonight! ...Not quite as awesome. I'm so tired, but I buck up and do it...and I have to say, I feel like I killed it. I may not get it, but I felt great about what I brought into the room. PLUS, I got to read with Tia Shearer! Who I hadn't seen since...I saw her at the Tennessee Shakes audition. How great to actually get to read with her.

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Anyhow, that was my crazy audition time. I think that suffices for an entry. Hey, waddya know... I did have some stuff to talk about.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Monologue Monday - Achewood by Chris Onstad

This Monologue Monday is a little different. It's not from a play, but from a webcomic by the name of Achewood. I'll be honest, I'm not generally a fan of Achewood. But, when I saw the following, I knew there was something to it. I've been told that I shouldn't use the monologue, because I'm not one who typically plays uneducated. I need to keep my mouth open more...

But, anyway, if I don't use it, perhaps you will, blogfriend!


Look, dude. I pay my bills. I ain't got pregnancies all over town. Where you get off actin' like I got to get up at six AM and eat a damn garbanzo bean? In fact, you know what? Screw you and all the rest of your self-righteous, "I-get-up-early" types! "Oooh, look at meeeee. I'm so raaad. I know what the gaaarbagemen look like." All my life I been gettin' shit for the hours I keep. I ain't understand why gettin' up early is so goddamned great. --- Yeah, I get that folks leave for work at seven 'cause we ain't used to have light bulbs at night, but it's been like a hundred damn years. I don't know, Pat. Maybe I'm progressive, but maybe, also you're old-fashioned, like all knowin' what it looks like for a horse to go to the bathroom start-to-finish. I ain't sure, but I'm almost sure, and the man who invented the future barely ever even had that.


From the comic The Farm Has a Nickname For Its Rooster.

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More updates later. The tumult in my life isn't exactly letting up. When I have something good to talk about, mark my words...you will be the first to know, blogfriend.

Monday, May 11, 2009

23 > 24

I hope you will forgive my off topic dallience, but I am loving playoff basketball. I love that I get sucked into a game every time I sit down to watch five minutes. I love that Kentucky players are playing very important parts on playoff teams (What up, Rondo and Chuck!). I love that the Hawks, even though they're probably going to get swept, are putting up a heck of a fight with such adversity around them. And I love that the mathmatically impossible title of this blog post is a call to those who know the new math.

Also, speaking of Rondo, everyone who is a basketball fan should check out the following article: Strange Fits of Passion Have I Known. The whole discussion started from the comment "Watching Rondo in this series feels like one of those "origins" comic book movies where we see the villain as an innocent boy, and we understand that becoming evil was simply a survival mechanism. Even if he goes on to become the new Isiah, I will love him because I saw the child in him die." I don't disagree. As much as I am rooting for the Magic to win the series, I have to that that I am rejoicing / despairing in Rondo's evolution / devolution. He's become a star, but at (the risk of sounding cliche) what cost?

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I'm going home on Thursday / Friday! Yeah! Then I'm driving back on Tuesday for a couple of auditions. Actually, I've got three auditions in a two day space. It's that time of year again.

Also, I am disappointed in the lack of response to my cry for help about Hal. I expected more from you, blogfriend.

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No Monologue Monday today! I'm plumb out right now. But, have no fear. I'm looking into some this very night. Maybe I'll have some new stuff for you soon.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Let Your Love Grow Tall

Yesterday, I had a day off with nothing to do. The last time that happened was February 23rd. Pretty exciting, huh?

I insist that you, by hook or by crook, procure a copy of Passion Pit's new album, Manners, coming out...soon? It's really great. Then, after that, I insist that you come with me to see them at The Drunken Unicorn on June 6th. They perform along with The Harlem Shakes. It should be a show packed with awesome.

I'll be going home for a little over a week next Thursday. I'm pretty excited, but I'm not going to act like it isn't melancholy. It'll be the first time back in town since Ren, my dog, died. It'll be the first time back in town since Clair and I broke up. It'll be the first time back in town since Granny died. All in all, it's just going to be odd.

I went to the Tennessee Shakespeare audition in Memphis on Monday. It was alright, but the best part was seeing Tia Shearer, out of nowhere. I had no clue she would be there. She played my girlfriend in Bookends, the film I shot that will probably never get released. We met each other, literally, five minutes before the camera rolled, so we weren't comfortable yet, but as the scenes go on (The "party" section was filmed chronologically.) we get more and more at ease to the point where, I judge, our scenes toward the end are some of the high points of the film. It was just so much fun working with her. Here's hoping I get to do it again.

Speaking of film, I was just cast in Bane of Matthias, a feature length set to be filmed in the Atlanta area. You can go to the website and see my picture. Ch-Check it out.

I've decided I will have a post once a week detailing my fitness progress. I'm going to condense the week into one, easy to ignore post. It'll probably be called "Jacob's Fitness Diary - Week ___." It may be boring, but at least it'll keep me accountable, which I like.

So...who has announced seasons?
Alliance, Horizon, Stage Door Players, Theatre in the Square, Georgia Shakespeare, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Theatrical Outfit... That's it? Anyone I'm missing.

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Monologue Monday people, I need some help. I'm putting out a call for a couple of contemporary monologues. Here's the back story.

I'm heading up Monday, the 18th to audition at Tennessee Rep's generals. Looking at the lineup, the only thing I know I'd be good for is Hal in Proof. So, basically, I need two monologues that show I can play Hal. I know some people like it if you do a monologue FROM the show, but I just don't swing like that. So, what do you guys think? He's very much a contemporary, laid back guy with a nerdy side...in case you are one of the five people who hasn't read Proof. Nothing absurdist or crazy. Just...charming? I dunno. Think on it and let me know. Remember, I have a short turn around time, so the sooner, the better. Let's make it happen.