One Step at a Time

Hey y'all. Internet, invisible readers, ghosts [I think they read blogs.]. Welcome back or welcome for the first time. Here we go.

So things are going pretty well in my life. I got to play Mario Kart this weekend, enjoyed some thai food, and watched a few good movies with a few good people. Basically euphoria compared to these past few weeks. I can say that things have gotten better without hesitation. It also happens to be tech week for Charlie Brown, so the fact that there's anything positive to say in my life right now is remarkable! The show looks wonderful and if you don't come to see it, you're plain-and-simple not my best friend anymore.

In other news, I've been thinking a lot about my future and came to the conclusion that, in a perfect world, provided I meet someone beautiful inside and out with like-mindedness on the issue [aka dream man] I would like to start raising a family in the next five years. I can give or take a few, but that's kind of where I am right now. I've always thought the force that drives my life forward was success, but I'm starting to think that it might be simpler than that. Love. There, I said it and I'm not apologizing for it. I'm looking for love and I know that if I look in the right places and be open and honest, that it will come. Like I said in a recent facebook post: "I'm looking for someone as adorkable as I am." It stands.

So with that in mind, I'm looking for the next step in my life. To have a kind of bond with someone that doesn't fade or dissappear. To build trust and love. To get excited every time we touch, every time we communicate, and to miss them when they aren't near me. Are my standards high? Sure. But someone out there is waiting for all of the love I have to give. Maybe even closer than I think...

So with that, I guess I can say that I'm on my way to becoming a happier person, at least for the time being. It's really, really awesome. Truly.

In other news, Charlie Brown opens tonight and I'm literally too nervous for words. Excited and scared. And possibly scarred. At any rate, America's favorite beagle will be portrayed by your's truly at the Evelyn Smith Music Theatre in the school of music for the next  two weekends. It'll be fun. I hope.

Life without love is like eating a cupcake without frosting or darkness without a sunset. It just isn't the same. And all you internet haters that are jealous or angry or lost your chance or upset or [other bitter, mean things] can just kiss my butt. :D

Excited beyond belief,
24/7[evan]

Resume. Tresemme. Ooh La La.

Welcome back. Missed you. Let's get to work.

I recently started reading Tina Fey's book and I absolutely fell in love. Tina is not joking around with this book and it's absolutely everything a gay twenty something could want out of the dictation of an ex-SNL cast-member's, current television star's, and golden globe winner's book. I'm thinking the grammar wasn't spot on in that last sentence. Irregardless [not a word], the book is wonderful and there are laugh out loud moments on literally every page. I liked it so much that I bought the audiobook to go along with it. Seriously, y'all [i don't typically use y'all], it made the book 100 times more enjoyable and much, much more personal. I'd absolutely recommend it.

That's pretty much all that's been going on in my life since my last post. Trying to read for at least thirty minutes a day, looking to go on a date with... well, anyone [if you know anyone...]. Other than that I've just been at rehearsals for Charlie Brown and going to school. It's going pretty well considering my recent past, but things can always get better. Or worse, I suppose.

On to the topic of today's blogpost, resumes! About 30% of you [so roughly one of the three people who are actually reading] will find this helpful, but it's a must. If my blog is going to be about a twenty-something's journey through musical theatre and math, it's going to have to start with the facts. And by facts, I mean information. And by information, I mean a resume. So let's get to work!

The first and generally most important thing is your name. Your name should under all circumstances be the largest, boldest thing on your entire resume. With the flurry of information you're about to be throwing at the director's face, it makes sense. They need to know who you are and that you mean business. Some people who have fancy shmancey printers or can afford to pay staples/officmax/fedex/printingcompanyofyourchoice have started putting a small picture of themselves next to their name, or under their name. While I think this is a good idea, it seems pointless and arbitrary, as you've, generally, attached a copy of your head shot to the back of your resume. More on this later. 

Following your name, you should have your quick facts section. Generally, this includes all the information they would need to know about you to figure out what you look like. Hair and Eye Color, Height, Weight, Voice Type, ect. [PS I'm going to be pretty vague about everything. I'll attach a copy of my resume to the end and you'll be able to see for yourself... not that my resume is perfect by any stretch of the imagination.] The purpose of this section is to remind the directors of your physical stats. That way, if you've made your way into the "like" pile, they'll be able to easily remember who you were.

After quick facts should come the meat and potatoes of your resume, your past work. Generally, you want to follow this guideline, adding and subtracting from the previous section as you go.

Broadway

Off-Broadway

Regional

Collegiate

Community*

Youth*

(May be considered the same level in some theatre's eyes)

Keep in mind that this is just a "rough guide" you should follow, but listing your experience in this order will show your director that you understand the importance of theatre and know what level you're currently at. Sure, you may have gotten a scholarship from doing youth theatre. Sure, you have an award for a summer stock show you did. Sure, you originated a role at a community theatre. Unfortunately, none of this matters. Why? Because money talks and the closer you are to being affiliated with a professional company, the better off you are. With each step that you advance, people will begin to take you more and more seriously. As soon as you can remove one of the previous layers, you should. It makes you appear more advanced. On the other hand, be careful that you don't do it too soon, as you may not have enough experience for the role they're looking to fill.

Another important item to consider in your past experience is that of "understudy" opportunities. An understudy or cover in the next bracket is always considered "better" than that of the previous section, especially if it's a professional understudy/cover opportunity. 

Once you've tortured yourself over which roles to keep and which ones to remove, you should begin to list your training. This is the real-world equivilant to "name-dropping." I had the opportunity to work with original Avenue Q puppet designer and cast member "Rick Lyon" and you can absolutely guarantee that his name is on my resume. Try to list the most important people you've worked with and know that the theatre world is very small. You never know who might know who.

Finally comes your miscellaneous section. This can include a special talents area, an awards section, a master class/additional training section. a section of theatre production items [direction, choreography, ect.]. The possibilities are endless. I enjoy the "special talents" section because it let's me put some unique facts about myself. See my resume for some funny examples.

Other than that, just be sure to staple a copy of your headshot to the back of your resume and enjoy the roles that are sure to come your way! I'm sorry for the lack-lusterness of this blog post. I'll try to keep 'em short and sweet from this point on. [note: i don't use "'em" in real life...]

Stay beautiful,

24/7[evan]

p.s. My resume is attached! Feel free to take a look. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears!

A Way Back to Then

Hey blog. Sorry I've neglected you. We're okay? Good.

Well, life has taken a slight detour in terms of ultimate happiness, but that's the idea, right? Turns out I'm single now, but not really looking to date. Which is actually okay. I have to admit that, at first, I felt a little empty. When you put a lot of work into something, you're always sure to have some negative feelings when things go awry. Anyways, I'm not really here to post online about my problems. It's only life, after all. I'm on the "road to recovery," but it'll be awhile before I'm able to trust someone with my heart.

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown is in full rehearsal mode, which has made for an excellent distraction. Dale Dreyfoos, our director, is hysterical and really understands the unique style Charles Schultz has created. One signature thing found in all of Dale's productions is his use of props. In the "Rabbit Chasing" sequence alone I go from Dog, to Horse, to Cowboy, to Bandit, to Opera Singer, to Bo Peep's Sheep, to [yes, I'm still going] Butterfly Chaser, to Hunter, to Football Player, to Carmen Miranda, to actual Rabbit in less than three minutes. Impressed? I know I am. Other than that, the cast is absolutely amazing and if you're in Arizona, you do not want to miss this show.

I finalized my rep for this semester, which has been really difficult actually. First I'll be singing "The Butterfly" and "People Carry On" from the brilliant musical "The Story of My Life." The show lasted for five performances on Broadway due to recession-related issues, but the show is genius. Truly. Next on the list is a beautiful American folk song titled "Homeward Bound." Originally, the solo version is in Eflat, which works perfectly for mezzos and baritones. The song has a huge range and the lows were getting pretty low in Eflat, so I had one of my great friends Nathan transpose it up to Aflat. Much, much better. It sounds really really great now and I don't really have to stretch myself for the lows... wish I could say the same about the highs now... Next on the rep list is "Wand'ring Minstel" from The Mikado. It's funny and Gilbert-and-Sullivan-y... Judy [my voice coach] is basically making me sing it. The final song on my rep list is a Scott Alan song called "It's Good to See You Again." It's a song about a broken up couple meeting again for the first time in five years. It's really touching and it brings a smile to my face. Makes me think that there's hope in love.

At any rate, that's a picture of my life at the moment. In the next blog, I'm going to focus on more theatre-related items! I think I'll do resume's first! That's a great start for anyone interested in getting into theatre professionally. Thanks for reading, and, as always, keep it real.

[24/7]evan