Final Atlanta Trip Update 3
Ah back from the dream that was Atlanta. Such a wonderful change of pace from the drab winter scenery around here. What a welcome back to reality, leaving the 60 degree temperatures and coming home to a potentially nasty winter storm.
Anyway, woke up fairly early yesterday. Got some breakfast at Denny's which was located right in the parking lot of the motel. Convenience at its best. Mulled around a little while. Finally got on the airport shuttle to take the MARTA from the airport to the audition site at Ogelthorpe University on the north side of the city. MARTA is basically Atlanta's version of the "El Train" of Chicago. Got to the audition site just in the nick of time, thanks to having to interpret the bus system. What a beautiful campus, all enclosed. All the buildings looked like castles. How coincidental for a Shakespeare audition!
Checked in just fine. They actually did the interview/verbal resume thing with me before the monologues, so those who have had Paulie's workshop or Roger's Acting 4 class, it's a real thing! Then I went ahead and did the 2 monologues, and sung 16 bars of "Close Every Door" from Joseph. I realized I forgot to introduce the title of the song at the beginning, but they just wanted 16 bars of something. Then they asked for another piece which I did, but either out of nervousness, or not expecting it (even though I should have), I flubbed it on the first time, but caught my breath and nailed it on the second go around. Other than the couple mistakes, I think I came across as warm and genuine, and hopefully that helped. Unfortunately I don't find out until the second or third week in March as they attend SETCs as well. So fingers crossed in the meantime.
Unfortunately I didn't get to meet with Karen's contact at the Alliance. However, she told me to let her know my future plans, so maybe something in the works down the road? This business is definitely all about networking.
After my audition, I decided to catch the Atlanta Hawks/Houston Rockets NBA game. For b-ball fans, Tracy McGrady put up an amazing 37 pts. While down there, I got to see the Olympic Centennial Park, Georgia Dome (host of Super Bowls and the Atlanta Falcons NFL team). I also went into CNN Headquarters building for dinner. They had a neat exhibit there of 1 of 2 hummers they used for broadcasting from Baghdad back in 2003. Kinda surreal :-S...but yeah, I was at CNN :)
After finally getting back to the hotel, 'twas time to settle down for a long four hours nap before having to get to the airport. Flight from Atlanta to Chicago was smooth sailing as was the one from Chicago to Grand Rapids.
So here I am, back in Allentucky, a week before spring break, with plenty of catching up to do from what I missed on Thursday and Friday. All in all I think my Atlanta trip was worth it, regardless of what comes of the audition. I was able to make a few contacts in the area, and I feel the city is really starting to boom culturally. Will I make my way down there? Hard telling, but the ATL has certainly moved up my list of places to consider a future residence at. It's just a really awesome city with great hospitality. I guess if anything, it just really reaffirmed, that with what I'm pursuing for the time being, there are just no opportunities in Michigan, and it's gonna be time to move on. So until next time ATL.
If you read this far, you get an oatmeal raisin cookie...so here 'ya go...
*OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIE*
mmmm mmmm, wasn't that good? :)
Anyway, woke up fairly early yesterday. Got some breakfast at Denny's which was located right in the parking lot of the motel. Convenience at its best. Mulled around a little while. Finally got on the airport shuttle to take the MARTA from the airport to the audition site at Ogelthorpe University on the north side of the city. MARTA is basically Atlanta's version of the "El Train" of Chicago. Got to the audition site just in the nick of time, thanks to having to interpret the bus system. What a beautiful campus, all enclosed. All the buildings looked like castles. How coincidental for a Shakespeare audition!
Checked in just fine. They actually did the interview/verbal resume thing with me before the monologues, so those who have had Paulie's workshop or Roger's Acting 4 class, it's a real thing! Then I went ahead and did the 2 monologues, and sung 16 bars of "Close Every Door" from Joseph. I realized I forgot to introduce the title of the song at the beginning, but they just wanted 16 bars of something. Then they asked for another piece which I did, but either out of nervousness, or not expecting it (even though I should have), I flubbed it on the first time, but caught my breath and nailed it on the second go around. Other than the couple mistakes, I think I came across as warm and genuine, and hopefully that helped. Unfortunately I don't find out until the second or third week in March as they attend SETCs as well. So fingers crossed in the meantime.
Unfortunately I didn't get to meet with Karen's contact at the Alliance. However, she told me to let her know my future plans, so maybe something in the works down the road? This business is definitely all about networking.
After my audition, I decided to catch the Atlanta Hawks/Houston Rockets NBA game. For b-ball fans, Tracy McGrady put up an amazing 37 pts. While down there, I got to see the Olympic Centennial Park, Georgia Dome (host of Super Bowls and the Atlanta Falcons NFL team). I also went into CNN Headquarters building for dinner. They had a neat exhibit there of 1 of 2 hummers they used for broadcasting from Baghdad back in 2003. Kinda surreal :-S...but yeah, I was at CNN :)
After finally getting back to the hotel, 'twas time to settle down for a long four hours nap before having to get to the airport. Flight from Atlanta to Chicago was smooth sailing as was the one from Chicago to Grand Rapids.
So here I am, back in Allentucky, a week before spring break, with plenty of catching up to do from what I missed on Thursday and Friday. All in all I think my Atlanta trip was worth it, regardless of what comes of the audition. I was able to make a few contacts in the area, and I feel the city is really starting to boom culturally. Will I make my way down there? Hard telling, but the ATL has certainly moved up my list of places to consider a future residence at. It's just a really awesome city with great hospitality. I guess if anything, it just really reaffirmed, that with what I'm pursuing for the time being, there are just no opportunities in Michigan, and it's gonna be time to move on. So until next time ATL.
If you read this far, you get an oatmeal raisin cookie...so here 'ya go...
*OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIE*
mmmm mmmm, wasn't that good? :)