Wowwy WOW

I. Am. So. Sorry.

American Idol is now down to the top 6. I'm so embarrassed that its been that long since I've posted anything. I'm a slightly bit more embarrassed at the fact that I'm judging my life timeline by what episode American Idol is on.

So. I work at Soho House. I had big aspirations for this place. I still do. Its just slow moving, and not at ALL like I expected. Reveille was kind of a tease, and a whole 'nother world for me. Coming to SH, I'm finally seeing the superficial, backstabing, brown-nosing, dramatic side of Hollywood, which I guess I needed to see eventually. I miss Reveille sometimes. Management knew what they were doing like they wrote the book, every single person was so sweet and kind, we all had a job to do and knew how to do it, and we didn't give a flying poop about who you were, who you you knew, what your job was, we are going to treat you the SAME as everyone else. Reveille just GOT it. Here...well...wow. Its a shit show. The management doesn't know how to manage. They don't know how to talk to their employees properly, we never get any encouragement, and they are constantly running around like a chicken with their heads cut off because none of them have a sense of security in their position. Its terrible. They are all so dramatic and up the members' butts.

Soho House is a members only club, lounge and restaurant. Its actually a pretty great concept. People come with their laptops at 9am, do all their work here, take their meetings, and stay until their dinner reservation at 7 or 8 with their family or friends. The food is amazing, the cocktails are TOP NOTCH, and the atmosphere and view is breathtaking. (I'm not allowed to take pictures but I have some on my iPhone if you'd ever like to see what it looks like, shhhh!) Its just a really chill place that can be a venue for so many things. We have private parties, pre screenings, premiere parties, but then we also have backgammon night, Mother's Day brunch, and Kid's Club. Its very ecclectic; a novel concept, I just wish the people running it were more personable, knowledgeable, and humble toward the members. We have a LOT of celebrity clientelle, and I've heard some of them complain about how "up their butt" the membership team is. Whoopsies.

My schedule is pretty good. I like to have a mixture of working nights and days, especially right now because I don't have much going on, so I'm okay being on the schedule whenever. My bank account has taken a SERIOUS dive, but I'm still doing okay on money, and I'm doing my best to be as frugal as possible (nope, that's a lie).

This month I've been trying to jump start my career. Because 1) that's what I'm here to do, and 2) I need the supplemental income. :) I have a new acting coach, Lesly Kahn, who is one of the best in the business. I took an auditioning technique class with her, and it was incredible. The vibe reminded me a lot of my days with Peter Sklar. Very relaxed, fun people, and its one on one feedback not just about your talent, but about marketing yourself. Her classes are in this really big house in Hollywood, and you come in, take off your shoes, and relax in one of the big "classrooms" which are really just big spaces with rugs, pillows and couches. There's a kitchen stocked with all these healthy snacks for us, and Lesly is super fun, so sometimes she'll get us treats like doughnuts or cookies. If we're good and she likes us. :) VERY much like my Beginnings sessions with Peter in New York. Makes me nostalgic for those times. I've signed up for a three week intensive with her and her staff at the beginning of June. She likes me a lot, and I'm excited to get training again, and get the passion back. I miss being in practice, and its made me rusty, and super self-conscious.

I finished my UCB 301 last month! I've been looking for a convenient 401 class to take. After 401...I graduate. Can you believe it? I'll be considered a legit improviser. Its getting more difficult as the classes go on, but I'm definitely getting better and its getting more fun. I've gotten a lot of my friends to sign up too, and they're having a ball. I have to get in a 401 before I lose momentum.

Last month it was announced that Glee was having an open casting on myspace.com for some new roles on the show. Now, me being the skeptic actor, and someone who's been immersed in television legal documents for the last year knows what this "casting" is all about. Its a marketing campaign. They guarantee you a "role" (aka, you are student #3, and your 15 seconds of fame is Sue Sylvester throwing you up against a wall), or more specifically they guarantee if you are "chosen" by the casting staff you will be contacted for further info. Yeah. This is all a giant marketing ploy to get myspace's popularity back up, and to draw people into the new season of Glee. I get it. It's not a huge deal if you post a serious video and have your friends rate it. But, that's why I have friends in high places. My good friend David works for FOX and talks to Glee executives a lot. He told me last night as we were filming my tape that Glee is looking for 6 new cast members: a gay boyfriend for Kurt, a really good black dude, and the rest girls. So, I guess my skepticism isn't all warranted. They are really looking for people. But whether that's through myspace, or actual backdoor agency castings...that's the real story. Another hook up is my accompanist. He gave me the info to the actual casting office of the agency who casts for Glee (we found it on imdb.com and then he did a bit more research) and I'm going to personally drop off my headshot, resume, and film to their office. So hopefully that will be helpful as well. I filmed my video last night. My wonderful friends Jesse and David helped me, and it was really fun. I haven't sang (I mean, full out, stage-level sang) in FIVE YEARS. How sad. At the accompanist on Tuesday, I sang through the song about 4 times full force, and my lungs and voice were SO tired. Last night, I did it full force 3 times, and I hurt. :( I gotta get back into it. But, the video's done, Jesse is tweaking it and editing it, and I should get it up shortly. If I like it, I'll post the link.

Today I meet with this dude Rod about possibly being managed by him. I met him through a friend at Reveille, and he is pretty legit. We'll see what he has to say. This is already the longest blot post ever, so I'll catch you up on all my management meetings in the next one. I promise to not let so much time pass in between.

And I go home to Florida for a few days next weekend!!