It was just one of those days..

This past week has turned out to be one of those where you're running from moment to moment, exhausted, but some how fueled by all this crazy energy.  Yes, I'm a working actor and damn it feels good.  But I sure feel like those amazing Punch Drunk folk.  Sleep no more!Go check it out.  for real.  go now, come back when you're done.

Anyway.  Being that I've been running from place to place, some accidents were bound to happen.  A wrench or two have flown into the works.  Who throws these wrenches is something I'm currently researching. Seriously, what a horrible job.  Gremlins probably.  Which of course all happened on one day.  Yay.  I could deal with hiccups spaced throughout a busy week, but not all in one day.  So here we go.

I'm touring with American Globe's Macbeth.  It's great.  Truly.  I'm enjoying every moment of it, even waking up so freakishly early in the morning to get to where I need to go.  Which happens.  Most shows are at 9.  which means being out the door by 7 to make it to call time which is 8.  Inspect the space, make adjustments due to the different lay outs and of course run the fights.  Not to mention we're lugging all of out costumes and weaponry and few props that we have along with us.  We each are equipped with a big travel dufflebag..thankfully with wheels..to navigate the city's turnstyles.

So all that can slow you down a bit and make it harder to get to places in a normal amount of time.  I usually leave 15 minutes earlier than I need to because I know.  MTA (raising fist to the sky) So Wednesday we're to be at a school at 10:30 for an 11:30 call.  Where is this school?  Deep Brooklyn.  Second to last stop before Coney Island. I'm up..early. I leave early and this was the day that it was like walking through cold soup.  I sware the rain just stopped in mid air and hovered. So the trains are of course delayed. Figured.  Anytime it rains they run slow.

So i'm travelling along, listening to some Beatles on repeat.  And I transfer to the D.  Which is apparently not going where I need to go.  Normally changes are scheduled.  This one? not so much.  So I go as close as I can....I'm late btw.  At this point about 15 minutes late.  I race above ground, grab a livery cab and driver who barely speaks English and along the way he tries to drop me off at every school we pass. We finally get there....sort of.  In NY, a lot of schools are actually Elm, Middle, and High all in one big compound.  So I get out and end up having to walk around the block to the highschool. Late Late Late.  I'm freakin out and calling my contact person.  Turns out..we're all a little late.  3 of us are already there, and as I'm entering the building, two more of our cast are right behind me.  The MTA did a number on all of us coming from all over.  1 of our number was insanely late due to even more screwy train craziness.  It sounds like such a horrible lame excuse but the trains really are the most unreliable.  Sometimes no matter how early you leave...you're late.

So our missing cast member shows up finally at 11:50.  20 minutes AFTER we're supposed to start.  We compensated as best we could.  Talked to the kids before the show.  Whatever.  We did the show, tried to speed up where we could so we weren't insanely late.  But there is only so fast you can speak Shakespeare before it's just poetic noise.  So we finish.  Pack up, leave.  Make the long trek back home to drop off this bag, shower and prepare for rehearsal in the evening.

This would be the second rehearsal of a section of a larger play by the same creative crew that brought Getting Even With Shakespeare to the Fringe this past summer.  When given the opportunity to work with them again, I jumped at the chance.

whew this is getting long...

So i get home, shower assemble what i need for rehearsal and head back out unto the breech.  Headed to Shetler this time, SO much easier to get to so It shouldn't be too bad.  And it wasn't.  But I want to point out I saw the oddest thing.  A generic "Made in the USA" jacket.  Really?  How do I know it was? The flag patch had 9 stripes and 10 stars.  seriously?  I tried to take a pic, but I looked like a whack-a-do staring at this guy's arm.

this has also taken me an hour to type up so far.  I'm easily distracted.

So I get to 57th without a hitch and duck into the Starbucks on 54th for some caffeine and much needed line work.  Some how I agreed to be off book by Thursday.  So Wednesday needed to be 50%-ish.  There I sit, burnt coffee in hand and i'm writing out my lines.  (one of my many memorization techniques)  The couple next to me are going on and on about $$ and a new job offer and I kid you not, the girl says.."I studied water boarding in College." What? Excuse me?  Maybe she meant wake boarding?  no no no. She says it again.  Which of course is my cue to leave, while laughing.  Because I have no filter when it comes to ridiculousness.

So I head to rehearsal for..Missionary Sundays.  Let your imagination do with that what you will.  We had a very productive rehearsal.  Not completely off book, but getting there.  It helps to be on your feet going through the blocking.  So memorization is coming.  And it's a short piece with 2 actors. So we can fly through it several times.  Of course by this time, I'm exhausted.  I race home..and by race I mean..wait for a train and ride it as it crawls to my stop.

I get home and then answer a slew of emails that during the day I just can't give enough attention to on my phone.  Several auditions coming up, yay.  And then Thursday got up and did it all again.

I'm pretty sure the dread of being late to the show added to my franticness.  Then I suppose add to that the coffee...jitters man, jitters!

1918 The radio show is live!

It's been some time since I've last posted.  It happens.  I went away for some much needed sun and relaxing.  Be jealous all of NY, very jealous.  The day of departure it snowed...again.  Landed in sun.  It was a nice respite from work and swords and cold.  But now I'm back and have jumped right back into the thick of it.  Which for some reason is thicker than before.

So I'm back in rehearsals which are going really well.  We've started full runs and we still have a week and a half of rehearsals before opening.  Someone is in a good place.  Although last night's rehearsal was a bit of a..where am I? kinda rehearsal.  I'm pretty sure I said all my lines, perhaps not in the right order.  But they were there.  intention?  See that open window? Right out.  Even the Macbeth/Macduff fight, which I've felt really confident in, last night was a bit off.  But again we are in a good place. We are in a good place.  Tonight is another combat rehearsal and then I have some major line work to do.

In other news, and perhaps more timely, episode 1 of 1918 is out there live for you all to hear!!!

And here is the Link!

I'm quite proud of ep 1.  next week, episode 2.  So hurry up and listen and get ready.  If you all like...free download on ITUNES.  Just saying.

We've also already got our first review of the piece which you can read right here.

I quite like this quote "her brainy Allied scientist sidekick, Henry Isotope rendered with hilarious aplomb by classical thespian Patrick Pizzolorouso" 


Thank you Captain Radio.  Thank you. Depending on how we're received and feed back and all that great stuff, we will get to continue making more seasons.  So please, share.  Tell the world.  Enjoy!  And thank you for the support!

In a completely different direction I had a very productive yet frustrating workshop with Mark Gindick...Amazing Clown and friend.  I'm trying to set a piece to the Hungarian Rhapsody.  I've got the kernel of the idea but it needs a ton of fleshing out.  I always find it intimidating working with him because I'll say something and then he'll do it.  Flawlessly.  But much headway was made.  It's not the type of clowning you're thinking of.  I had a guest sitting in the rehearsal space with me who is not a fan of clowns, but soon realized this was red nose, not white face circusy "IT" clowns.  They calmed down and kinda enjoyed it.  A lot.
So I think I have good ideas, it's a matter of turning the ideas into a full fledged story.  And cutting down my music.  It's WAY too long.  But thank you garage band.

So it's been a long week and soon to be another.  But today is a full free day of...well..learning lines.  But at least it's not a tempest like last night here in NYC.  Right?

And lastly...this is turning into to a list of things.  But I met with the ever busy Sarah to finally get the ball rolling on her website.  She is one of the most consistently working actresses I know.  And just working in general.  But she has no online presence, save for her blog.  That will change.  Oh yes.  We both managed to meet up for an hour between clowns and swords and rehearsals and talked about some basics behind what she is looking for.  So hopefully that will be up and running within the next month or so.

And now off to run lines.  Lines Lines Lines

Macbeth rehearsals, 1918 the radio show, and just a nice little update.

So much has been going on, It's hard to know where to start. This year started with a bang, then a pop, but now we're up and running again.
Real quick..survival job laid me off.  But don't worry.  I'm elated.  My time is my own again.  And I have a few things in the works/on the horizon that could garner me some funds.  It's not all terrible.  And I'll pimp myself out as back ground for an easy day's worth of work.  I hate it...but I'll do it.

So in the land of Patrick the actor, this is the first full week of rehearsals with American Globe.  I cannot tell you how much fun I am having.  I've railed on this before and I will again I'm sure, but its sad that being treated as a professional is such a rare thing in this artistic world.  I hate having to point out those few times when I'm appreciated and not treated like second class.  American Globe is amazing to its actors.  The small staff that runs it can not be anymore amazing.  I hope hope hope that I do not screw this up in some way.  I want a nice long loving relationship with this company.  I walk into rehearsal and instantly feel..."ah, my people."  So yes, rehearsals have been going really well.  And the combat rehearsals....hello thighs on fire.  But it's a good pain.  Stage combat, and maybe more specifically, weilding a sword really does come back to you after a few minutes.  I can hear my mentor's voice in my head yelling obscenities when I make juvenile mistakes.

also..I like that my internal combat voice is that of my mentor.

But it's a good sign that I know when I'm wrong.  I didn't forget this stuff, and it wasn't tainted by some crazy outdoor fighting styles.

So we dove right in learning the final fight between Macbeth and Macduff.  There is a bit i'm rusty on, but it's coming up.  Some things just feel natural, you know?  I just have to get these moves into my body.  That, and learn how to handle the hilt of the freakin claymore.  It's more sword than you need.  But then again, Macduff defeats Macbeth...I should have a badass sword, no?  I should name it.....anyway.  The first fight rehearsal I left soaking wet.  Drenched with sweat.  And I loved it!  I hate the gym.  I've tried.  but I just can't go.  Put me in a studio and work on fight choreography and I'm your man.  I'll take fighting over gyming any day.  So far the fight is a rough skeleton that will be filled in with so much good stuff I can't freakin wait.  There are some great moves to show that these two guys are seasoned combatants.  They're just hacking away at eachother.  Good time.s

And scene work has also been going really well.  It's mainly been some basic blocking rehearsals, but we've been able to delve into character fodder as we're looking at traffic patterns and going over the text in these.  I know the real work hasn't come yet, and I'm both scared and excited.  Macbeth is so well known and people think it's so easy.  Um..Macduff's children and wife are brutally murdered.  He also is the first to see the king in all his dead gorey goodness.  There is this horribly sad rage behind his eyes.  I'll find it.  Along with getting my mouth around the line "Oh Horror Horror horror."  Yeah, good luck with that.

In other news, the trailer for the radio show I'm in dropped this week.  You can download it for free here...ITUNES!!!!  or you can go watch the video version of the trailer at the website for 1918.   Just click on the "episodes" link.  This is the amazing project that elevated me to AFTRA status.  So thank you!

The episodes themselves will come out on March first...we're getting so close to the deadline and I cannot wait to hear the finished product. I believe our director and producers are working on some final edits this weekend.  Support radio theater people!
At least check out the website.  There is some great content on there and hopefully will be more soon.  Like the episodes themselves.  Exciting times, I told you.  In case I never mentioned what it's about fully, here is the blurb about the show:

It’s 1918 and aliens have crash landed on the planet.  At the climax of World War I, Axis and Allied scientist are racing to find uses for alien technology.  Triplanes and Sopwith camels are rigged with laser systems.  Believed dead after being shot down, Manfred Von Richtofen, the infamous Red Baron is restored to health as a cybornetic robot and enlisted to aid Germany in it’s quest to fight the return of the aliens.  But the key to their quest lies in the hands – or rather the voice – of a talented, capable and tenacious vocalist, Evelyn Ceriwyn, and the bumbling, but charming scientist, Dr.Henry Isotope. 


Guess who I am....The bumbling but charming scientist, Dr. Henry Isotope. I like it.  It's a good name.


Also this week I've been working on my first website commissioned by dancer/choreographer Seth Miner.  I really do love working for my fellow artists.  Dancers, actors, anyone in our field.  I've never worked on a dance site though so I'm doing my best to try to instill a sense of movement.  Because after all dancers move.  Right?  So you'll be seeing a link to the finished product shortly.  I hope to have it finished by the end of the month as long as we can get all the information in on time.  The only problem with artists is that we're all so busy.  So deadlines sometimes come and go and are replaced with projects.  It's all good.  The interwebs aren't going anywhere.


Ah, yes.  And I also picked up some more headshots.  I went with my alternate look this time.  Something new for a while.  Thank you reproductions.  They really are the best when it comes to printing.  I tried to go to my corner copy place....don't ever do that for headshots.  ever.  I'm not sure what they printed out, but it sure didn't look like me.  So yay reproductions and thank you for all you do.  The photos look awesome and i'm looking to trying them out for the first time physically tomorrow at an audition for an Independent.  We'll see how that goes.


And now I must be off to memorize some more lines.  Our script is cut.  A lot.  But that doesn't make memorization any easier. 


longest blog post ever..methinks.  you're welcome.

Being nice goes a long way people...

The holidays always throw things into some sort of disarray.  Hence updating now.  I know a lot has gone on, but as I sit here now trying to type it all out I keep thinking, "man! I'm doing nothing."

But here is a quick update first....

Well first off, the scripts for Macbeth are ready to pick up. I'm excited, can you tell I'm excited?  For many reasons, but one of the biggest is that I feel this is a sign that my career is moving towards bigger and better things.  Especially in the area of professionalism.  The past 3 projects I've worked on, Fringe, The Radio show, and well..Macbeth to be..have all been on a level of professionalism that starting out in NY was in short supply.  It's nice to be in actual studios and not meeting at a loud bar for a production meeting.  I love bars, don't get me wrong.  But time and place, you know?  So the wonderful people at American Globe contacted me last night saying the scripts are in.  I cannot wait to read their cuts and begin memorizing and working.  It's also an ideal situation for prep work.  We don't start rehearsals in earnest until February.  So who'll be off-book?  This guy.  It's a good way to enter the holiday season, with something on the horizon.

Which leads me to say: The holidays can be rough for actors, dancers, artists!!!!

For those of you I've met that are just starting out and looking for advice, and even for people who've been toiling away for years, remember that this time of year is SLOW.  So don't panic.  As the song says, "It's the holiday season, well whoop-de-doo."  Just take it easy.  Use this time to research agents, CD's, take a class. See shows!  (The Elf is on Broadway right now and I just can't help myself.)  Especially all you stage actors...student films are scrambling to finish before the end of the semester.  Or they're casting for Jan. projects.  There is work, even in slow times, but you have to look.

And now the real meat of this post.......  

I've also been meaning to post about being nice.  I love NY.  It's fast paced.  You can feel the buzz of the city.  People think we're mean.  Let me just say that New Yorkers are some of the nicest people in the world.  And I mean it.  It's not they we're mean, we're just always in a hurry.  Or thinking about the next few days worth of things to accomplish.  That being said, you don't always see the niceness. It's there, just hidden under coats and scarves....

So the same day I had my fight callback for American Globe, I was to audition for a student film at SVA.  The gentleman calling me in was actually a contact from twitter.  Hello social networking you crazy fad you.  It was nice to meet an actually tweep?  Is that the right term?  Anyway, to say I blew it is an understatement.  I felt horrible for doing so poorly in front of someone who was kind enough to invite me in.  I don't know if it was the adrenaline of the callback still flowing through my post sword holding muscles or the fact that I nailed it and was in a cloud of..well...Nailed it! Euphoria.  But, I blew it.  Could not concentrate.  You've all been there.  Lines just fell out of my mouth.  And a sci-fi horror film was not something I could sink my teeth into after feeling so giddy.

Well, I received a Thank You email!  You get them once in a while.  Most people don't bother to say thanks but no thanks.  But this guy took the time to say we're sorry we didn't cast you but thanks for coming in.  That little extra makes all the difference.  So thank you!  And on top of that, he graciously offered me an under 5.  So it was not all lost.  But still.  Even after walking in and basically letting the words fall out of my mouth onto the floor in a steaming pile of talentlessness, they thanked me and asked me to still be a part of the film, just as a different character.  I'll take it.

So see, people are nice.  And I really wish more people would contact us saying thank you, but no thank you.  It helps too because sometimes you just never know.  You'll be waiting for weeks thinking...I still have a shot...months even.  The thank you but no thank you helps you let go and move on.

Ah, niceness.  Be nice people!!

And now I think I should probable shut down as apparently there is a massive rain/wind storm outside.  Time to break out the yellow legal pad and write.

Globe, American style!

Shakespeare has been good to me.  I'm sure, like a lot of other actors out there, there is a debt of gratitude to the bard for all he left us.  My career is quickly being shaped as a Shakespearean actor.  I don't mind.  It worked for Captain Picard.  Might as well ride his coat tails, so-to-speak.  I also seek out auditions for Shakespeare.  Also not a bad thing.  Go with that you know, right?  It's worked so far.

Granted I've messed up my fair share of auditions.  I recently auditioned for the Adirondack's Shakes Fest. Yup, blew that one.  Score for me.  I have no idea why either.  I just got up, started talking and realized, woa, that horrible stench is me.  Yup, stinking up the room alright.  Follow THAT all you other auditioners. Well, I know one place that will not be hiring me this summer.  Oh well.  It happens.  An off day.

I've just been feeling a little restless though.  I have a few tiny projects here and there, but nothing of any real merit on the horizon.  I guess its the nomad or gypsy or mummer that's inside all of us performers.  Its hard to stop and sit still for too long.  And after too long you start to go to this scarey place in your head.  Keep Out damnit!

So anyway, I've been tiptoeing near that door.  Fringe left me with such a high and recording the voice for a radio show just added to it that now i feel...AHHHHHH Nothing is going on and I'm bombing auditions!  Enter, American Globe.    I auditioned for them in the spring and then played the waiting game all summer/fall. I knew this of course.  They told me they'd maybe be in touch for callbacks in the fall.  So I wait, patiently.

and wait..
and wait...and Ring!  Called in for a call back.  They're casting their school tour of Macbeth and I was called in to read for the Porter, a witch and Rosse.  I'm all prepared like a good little Shakespearean actor, I get there early, greeted with such warmth..(they're really good people)  So I read and I'm asked to read some more, Macbeth even!  It's a good day.  Call back goes better than can be expected and I'm kinda riding a little high.  I'm invited to the fight call the following weekend.  I feel like as long as they can see that i can swing a sword and pick up choreography, I'm in.  (yeah, I was pretty self confident.  Sometimes you need that) The only issues, we were told we'd be off for a week in April, a week I've already made travel plans for.    And apparently there is 1 performance that week.

Well I get to the fight call, no one said not to come, so I'm thinking they moved that day or something miraculous has happened.  In fact they emailed me more sides to read earlier that day prior to the group call.  Fight call happens.  Great stuff.  I'm very excited, good work out and they all looked pleased at not only my work, but the work of all the combatants.  They keep us all a little after just to give us some info about the tour and guess what?  That one conflict has been rescheduled.  Now of course i'm thinking...they want me.  But I'm sure its been moved so the whole cast, whomever it may be, gets a week off.  but still....Happy dance.

So I go on my merry way for the day. About 2 hours later my phone rings and it's the Globe, I'm in!  I was on the subway laughing to myself.  A happy weekend indeed.  So now I know I have a job coming up in the new year.  And with a company that I've been wanting to work with for far too long. So hooray and thank you Will for yet another role.  Oh, who have I been cast as? One of the murderers, Duncan, and Macduff.  Great fights abound!  I am definitely looking forward to this.

American Globe!

Just a quick update because it's amazing news.  American Globe called and I'm in!  Full report to come.  But YES!

Getting Even with Shakespeare: DATES!!!

The dates are here people. Yeah, thats woohoo-worthy. Fringe has assigned us out times and to be honest, they're damn shiny. Sure we have a friday at noon, but it's fringe. They'll come. All the rest of the dates? Perfect for show goers to come over, watch, then head to the bar to discuss the show over pint after pint after pint (buy the cast some)

So here they are:

Saturday 8/14 @ 2:15 pm

Friday 8/20 @ noon

Tuesday 8/24 @ 6:45 pm

Wednesday 8/25 @ 7:30 pm

Friday 8/27 @ 7:00 pm

We're performing at the Player's Theatre @ 110 MacDougal Street.

Map:

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And click here for more information. Tickets do not go on sale until July 23, but you can still bookmark this like good little theatergoers and check back often for updates? yeah?