I Am On My Way

So the A New Generation of Song has come and gone. Things went ok, but could have been much better. I got struck with some awful cold virus that has just now run its course. It is the first time I have been sick since coming to NY and this mutated version would NOT leave my body. I managed to get to a comfortable vocal place for the performances but it was a struggle. I was not pleased with how my stuff went (well, my solos to be exact), but it could have been a lot worse.

I am not finishing up rehearsals for Henry & Mudge which heads out next week. I lucked out with a tour schedule that is really short and really loose with enough days off to be able to survey the lands. Of course, we are going to some pretty small towns where I am sure I will be great lynching material. You know, one of them fer'ners. We have Thanksgiving week off and then the rest of the schedule involves local shows which means I get to sleep in my bed.

After that, time to buckle down and get representation which I THINK I might have and then get myself submitted to as much as I can. Totally open to whatever work comes my way, but as I keep getting told that I am more easily castable in TV/Film (thanks to the surplus of "brown" roles) I have a feeling I will be going to many of those auditions. Whatever's clever, I say.

I am still dedicated to breaking this strange white barrier when it comes to theatre. While shows usually tout blind casting, what appears onstage is generally a smattering of ethnic actors that just looks like a quota fulfillment. I know that sounds awful, but that is what I see. I am no fool. I know I would not fit into a musical like The Music Man unless the production was directed completely differently, but there are a lot of musicals where my ethnicity and color would not really make a difference. Still, I walk into a room and sometimes feel immediately dismissed. It's the "what do we do with him" reaction which the voice teach warned me about. In a way, I like that because I can't be pigeon-holed, but if can't be placed in a category then I have a much harder chance of being able to say "HEY! I fit in THAT track. USE ME!"

I hear the strains of sopranos next door as auditions go on for Camelot and I think to myself....yeah...would never get into that show. But to be honest, I have pretty much let go of trying to control anything. Ima just hang onto the beast and let it drag me. I am just concerned with getting out and being seen and doing the best I can to land a job.