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So, I had to make the difficult decision to pass on the role of C. C. White., Effie’s brother.

I had auditioned for NH’s Palace Theatre season (Chicago, Miss Saigon, & Dreamgirls) at an open call a couple months ago.

Who knew a couple months later they’d call to offer me such a great part!!! I would be in New Hampshire right now if it weren’t for Chuckleball. I had already gotten the call from Chuckleball about 2 weeks prior and accepted that show instead.

Although Dreamgirls would’ve been a dream, it would only run for a couple weekends, and in New Hampshire. Chuckleball, however, is a 10-week minimum contract, at a well known Off-Broadway space in NYC! It wasn’t that difficult of a decision

Dreamgirls now joins Ragtime, as AMAZING shows offered but couldn’t accept! Hopefully, someday I’ll be able to do these shows, and maybe even on a much larger scale.

Here’s dreamin’!

So, Theatreworks/USA had personally called me before to set up an audition for the role of Sheldon in their Junie B. Jones tour, which I obviously didn’t get, because it was a while ago. “Ah, well” is what I said. I chalked it up to just another of the many “nos” we here in this industry.

Since that audition, I was offered a role in Chuckleball, which is a musical sports parody revue, sort of like Forbidden Broadway. We had our first show today in previews week. We officially open on November 2nd at the Snapple Theater Center on 50th & Broadway. It’s very exciting. Anyway, so everything happens for a reason, right?

Well, today after our matinee, I check my voicemail to hear Theatreworks again!! Deja Vu? Anyway, this time they want me to come in for the part of David in their spring tour of a show called Freedom Train. I did a bit of googling and learned its a show about Harriet Tubman, the underground railroad, and the people she helped–a bit heavy for a tour?–but grateful for the opportunity nonetheless.

Let’s hope that “everything happens for a reason” thing keeps panning out for me. If I were to get this tour, not only would it give me my equity card, but it’s in the Spring, which means it wouldn’t conflict with Chuckleball at all, and I could finish my contract!

Anyway, first thing’s first. I need to find 16 bars of a gospel song.

Love,

me

I was on my way to Chuckleball rehearsal the other day when I noticed I got a voicemail from a call I missed while on the train.

I check it and it’s a lady from Telsey Casting asking me to come in the following day at 5:20pm for an audition for Matt in The Fantasticks! For those of you that don’t realize. Telsey is one of the LARGEST casting companies in NYC!! Almost any show you can think of on Broadway and Off-Broadway and even some films, have been cast by them!!!

I’ve only been to their studio once for an open call, of which hundreds of people showed up-so many, in fact, that they typed, and then told the remaining we only had 8 BARS to sing!!

Well, I must’ve done something right in my 8 bars, because months later, here I am getting a call to come in for my own audition at Telsey for a main role in the “longest running show” off-broadway! It would mean the almighty, infamous equity card, real salary!, etc. It would change my life.

She emailed me 3 songs from the show and 2 sides; quite a bit to absorb in one evening!

I had the musical director from Chuckleball play a bit of the music for me after our rehearsal the next day, and then I was off to Telsey!

Well, folks. I’m not sure how it went. I was in the room for a while! haha. That’s all I can say. The lady was so sweet and nice that it left me not knowing how to read the audition. I feel I did the best that I could considering. She even gave me some direction and I feel I took it well? We’ll see! Oh, and did I mention… A black Matt??? Would I be the first black Matt in the history of the longest running show in NY history? This show started in the 60’s folks!!

Anyway, I’m just glad I got the call and that it went well! Like, I said, Telsey is HUGE. So, even if I’m not Matt… Let’s hope it’s not the last call I get from them

Love,

ME