Booze and wimmin...wimmin and booze...

It's the day of the show, y'all!!!!

Anytime I get an excuse to #1 Use "y'all" and #2 Quote "Waiting for Guffman" is fine by me.

Tonight is officially opening night for my first kind of bigish-time Chicago show! I am thrilled beyond words to open this bad boy to the public. We've already had 3 previews, and minus one matinee (because I mean honestly, who enjoys matinees? Actors hate them, audiences hate them...it's always lose/lose) the show has been fantastic. I think I can speak for myself and some of the cast when I say that I had no idea how the audience would react to this show. It's a world premiere of a brand new script based off a NYT best seller/movie/TV show. I mean, I know it's good, and the cast/crew/director knows that it's good, but there is always that worry that the audience won't latch onto it. That they'll sit there in awe of how awful they think it is.

Thankfully, that hasn't been the case (at least thus far). We've had a great reaction from the public and realized that this show, while dramatic, has a lot of funny moments in it. Like, funny moments that we didn't even know were funny. And now, going into opening night, I feel confident that this show will get the reaction it deserves.

I haven't updated much on the process of rehearsals for this show, but I will say now that I feel like I've been ruined forever by how much I've enjoyed working on this show. Going in, I really didn't know what to expect, but in the back of my mind I thought "There's 15 actors in this thing. There is bound to be some tension/divas/fisticuffs or whatever that is going to happen at some point." But, I have had such a grand ol' time doing this show. Everyone has been a joy to work with, onstage and off, and they have pushed me to become a better actor. I can't tell you how inspiring it is to work with actors who consistently talk about character relationships and back story and story arcs. I guess I worked in educational theatre for so long where people treated classes and shows like chores (and I am guilty of this a time or two, as well) that this process has reminded me why I wanted to be an actor in the first place. And I could go on and on about how much I love my director, not only because his sailor mouth is worse than mine (which I adore), but because he's pushed me to discover who my characters were and how I could portray them in the best way possible. He exemplifies what I enjoy about working with directors.

I sound like such a cheeseball, but all of this is true. I'm not blowing smoke up anyone's asses (except if it works, then I will grovel til the cows come home!). My first 2 forays into Chicago theatre were fine, but this experience is why I moved here. And even if the critics rip us a new asshole, I'll still make weird Kathy faces and slutty Betty dance moves with pride. I'm proud of this show and what the cast has accomplished. For anyone a part of the process reading, I thank you.

A good scurvy to all, and to all some good socks.

It's a 6-monthaversary, Charlie Brown!

Wowzers, how time has flown by. I've made it to an official 6 months of living, breathing, and shitting in Chicago. It's the most successful relationship I've ever mounted, Chicago and me. It seems like only yesterday that it was a bajillion degrees outside, and I was sweating balls whilst typing out my first update in a Starbucks because my apartment had no internet. Ah, those were the days!

I guess it's really now that I consider myself a part of this city. I don't know why. I've done a lot of shit since moving here: got a job, lost a job, 1 and 1/2 shows, countless auditions, many a sleepless nights. Maybe it's not until you're here for a substantial amount of time that it feels real. Or maybe it's not until you get a free cab ride home with a taxi full of Asians...I feel like I can call this place my home now.

And so much has happened in these past 6 months. SO. MUCH. Good and bad. Life stuff and theatre stuff. Growing up quickly and yet still acting like a kid at some moments. I don't want to say that I have completely changed and have become this cosmo-uppety-bullshit whatever woman now...because I'm not. I will always be the classy broad that eats 2 day old Arby's and will order the cheapest beer possible so I can drink on a budget; I've just learned so much from the new people I've met here, the people I call my family, and even myself...sometimes. 

I have to elaborate on one of these learning moments because it is my top moment of the past 6 months. Of course, getting cast, doing shows, seeing shows, holidays, etc. have been amazing and definitely moment worthy, but one night in particular just...I don't know...enveloped me, is the best term I can think of. 

I really didn't elaborate on the first time I was fired, except that my boss was a dirty twat nugget. When I was walking home, I texted one of my friends about it, and he told me to meet him at the theatre he was house managing at. So, I hopped one of the trains to his work. I get on, and it's just me and this guy hunched over at the end. The train starts, and the man just starts projectile vomiting everywhere. 

I immediately jumped up, and ran to the opposite side of the car, and did everything in my power not to punch him in the face and vomit right back at him. But, of course, it couldn't be that easy. Because of the angle of train travel, the vomit just started sliding down the floor towards me like lava. Disgusting, chunky, corn-filled lava. At that moment, I felt like I was in an episode of Louie just because of the sheer tragi-comedy nature of it all. I just got fired for some bullshit reason, I'm on the verge of tears, and I have a river of vomit rushing toward me. I couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous it all was. Even typing it out now, it's one of those moments that could never be in a movie or play because people wouldn't think it could happen. But it did.

So, I finally get to the theatre, and I am waiting in the lobby for the show to let out. The audience leaves and my friend just tells me to pick a seat and wait for him. I go to the balcony and find a seat in the front row and just sit. It's just me and the empty theatre. It was a beautiful theatre, too; pretty big by Chicago standards. And in the quiet of the moment, I was just enveloped by it all. It's what I think church must be like for some people. It was my sanctuary. My friend then walked in and sat next to me, and I told of my firing and the journey in through puke filled swamp of CTA, all through my tears and expletive filled laughter. 

Then we had one of those roll your eye worthy actor talks. But, you know what, you need one of those talks every now and then. It's so pompous and self-congratulatory and "actory", but you need it every now and again. Talking about what your doing, why you love theatre, what you do to put up with it, and why you moved a bajillion miles to a place you've never been to do it. And in that moment, I definitely needed a reminder of why I'm doing this. And I got it. And I love my friend for it. And that moment was just beautiful.

Wow, so, I had a completely different plan for this post, but it ended up being this. I'll do my "list of things I've learned from 6 months here" sometimes later, I guess. Until then, I'll relish in this small victory and buy myself an ice cream cone.

Christina's list of supafly actor resolutions for 2013...because normal resolutions are for pussies...just kidding...

WHAT?!?! 2 postings in one month??? It must be a 2013-new-year-new-beginnings miracle!

Well, we are only 4 days into the new year, and things are going swimmingly. My new show has rejuvenated me in ways I didn't know were possible. This might be my favorite actor experience to date, overtaking the #1 position held by "Children of a Lesser God". Of course, it could all go to shit in an instant, but right now I am in such a good place, that I have been inspired!

Whilst at work, it struck me that I really hadn't made a new year resolution for 2013. I've been fickle in the past about making them because I know that I never keep them (along with 90% of the world). I always have loved the idea of NYresolutions, though. The thought that as a new year begins, you're given this clean slate. A world of possibilities is at your fingertips, and you have so many opportunities. You have an entire year! 2013 hasn't even begun! It's such a wonderful thought, yet most of us don't take the opportunity to grab this big break and run with it. I know I don't.

But I am about to change all that.

Again, whilst at work, I was pondering how I could make resolutions that would be good enough to keep. Something that would inspire me so much that I would want to keep them. That's the key for me. I usually don't have an resolutions that I absolutely have to keep; it's just stuff I would like to do to be a better human being. And of course, I do have little personal resolutions that I'm working on to make me a better person, but what I really want to do is make resolutions that will help me become a better actor. The best actor I can possibly be.

And then my brain was all like "WWWHHHAAATTT?!?! That's it, you crazy bitch!"

I don't know why my brain took on a Cher voice, but it did.

Acting, theatre, and everything that goes with it is my absolute first love. Of course I love my family, friends, etc., but every decision I make in my life correlates with my acting career. How can I act more? How do I get better? Where can I go/Who can I go to to make me a better actor? It's what I want to do for the rest of my life; and while I've taken the huge step of moving to Chicago to achieve that, I want to do even more to help in this process of becoming the best actor I can possibly be.

So, my 2013 resolutions are all going to be actor oriented. Goals that I am going to set for myself to better myself as an actor. Some of them will be small/easy goals that I know I can totally do if I just focus on it. Some will be huge. Like, "big, black man!" huge. I might not even get an inch close to achieving it. But, one thing I like about myself is that while I may not be the best at things I try at, you best be sure that I will work harder than anyone you will ever meet. I want to set these goals because even if I don't get close to accomplishing them, at least I can have them fresh in my mind for 2014, 2018, or even 2033. Who knows?

I'll post my list here (because none of them are super secret personal stuff). And, if any of you readers out there, and I'm talking to all 3 of you, want to join in my journey, please do so! There are some resolutions I have that would be great to have a buddy or 15 to help motivate to completion. Most I will have to work on myself, but others are more than welcome. Just message me, or bat-signal me, or whatever. You get the drift.

So, here goes nothing!

Christina's 2013 List of Actor Resolutions!
**Note: I was also inspired by a blogger named Matt Newton, who is an actor/teacher in LA. He listed his actor resolutions for 2013, and I'll probably be stealing some since they are so good. Check out his blog. It's friggin' shweet.**

The easily obtainable...

• Get new headshots!
  *While I like my headshot, I really need more variety and better pixel quality for sending to auditions. And the one I have right now is nice, but it just screams "commercial", which I have found out from talking with other actors and casting directors.
• Get healthy!
  *"Healthy" qualifies for a lot of different things. I really need to eat better, because my diet right now is just all over the place. I want to work on my body as well, since it is a canvas to an actor. I need to start working out, toning up, eating better, and just taking care of myself in general.
• Maintain my actor online presence!
  *I'm proud of myself for creating my actor website when I first moved here, but I've been bad about keeping up with it. I really need to make sure that it is constantly updated. And, at some point, I want to buy the rights to my website name so it doesn't have 52 extra characters before "christina jones actor.com". I also want to maintain this blog not only for an update about my theatre life, but to be a tool for those considering moving to Chicago. At least if I screw up, someone can learn from it!
• See at least 1 show per month (that's not improv/sketch)!
  *I really need to see more theatre from all of the different groups in Chicago. I'm good about seeing shows, but the majority of them have been improv. That's not a bad thing at all! It's so easy to do since they play all the time. But, I'm here for straight theatre, so I need to see what else is out there.
• Words! Words! Words! AKA Read a bunch of shit!
  *If I don't have time to take classes, the least I can do is read from actors/teachers whom those classes would be based off of. I have books that I haven't even touched. I need to read some Uta, some Meisner, and even some more Stan. I'm of the acting mindset that you pick and choose what tactics you like from the different ideologies, so this will be a good way to do that. I also want to read at least one actor related article per week. I feel like backstage.com will be a great help for this.
   

The kinda harder, yet still doable...

• Find at least 20 new monologues!
  *This one is a doozie. I know everyone says "I'm the worst at finding monologues! I can never find anything! Waaaaa waaaa waaaa!", but seriously guys, I. Am. The. Worst. I'm just waaaaayyyy too picky when it comes to finding ones that I like, especially comedic ones. But, I've been using the same monologues for the past couple of months here, so I really need new ones of all shapes and sizes. I've noticed it makes auditioning so much easier when you have your repertoire that you've worked on for so long and can just pull out if you find out about a last minute audition. This one may take the full year, but I'm going to do it, damnit!
• Take classes!
  *This one is tricky. The problem I ran into when I first moved to Chicago is that, while classes are totally awesome, they tend to be at the most inconvenient times. I had to drop a class I was in due to too many audition conflicts, and eventual casting conflict. I know I need to take class, and I really want to, I just need to find some that work with my schedule. 
• Do more film/get a reel!
  *I have had very little film experience, and that is one aspect of acting that I absolutely have to get better at. I would love to be able to do commercial work to pay the bills and theatre at night. But, to do that, I need to work more on student films, take acting for film classes, and just get all around better. I just have to.
• Audition (or at least try to) for all the huge theatre companies in Chicago!
  *This one really doesn't depend on me as much. All the main theatres here have auditions for non-equity, but you have to submit for them to even think about letting you audition. of course eleventy billion people submit, so the likelihood of even getting an audition spot is slim to none, but I'm going to try at least. Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakes, Goodman, Wit, Lookingglass, Red Tape, Dead Writers, etc. I'm going for them all.
• Get better at my weaknesses: singing and dancing!
  *Dude, everyone here can sing, dance, and act. And, the more time I keep putting off getting better at it, the more opportunities I will miss because of it. I'm not horrible at singing or dancing, just passable. If I want to be the best actor I can be, I have to be at least good at singing and dancing. So, I need to save up for voice lessons and dance classes.

 The "bahaha, no way in hell" goals...

• Get an agent!
  *I would really love to get the chance to audition for commercials, TV, movies, etc. But, in order to that, I need an agent. And I need a good one. I can start submitting to the agencies here in town, and even invite them out to my shows! And, hopefully, someone will find me and like me enough to use me.
• Work at an equity theatre/gain equity points!
  *....I know....I know...it will never happen this year...but I'm a-gunna try!
• Get at least one line in some major TV show or movie shot in Chicago!
  *Again, not happening, but oh well.

Ok, that's all I can think of thus far. If you 3 readers have any more ideas, please send them my way! I think this is a good starting point of what I want to do and where I want to end up. I'm printing this list out, posting it on my bedroom wall, and trying with all my might to accomplish every single one of those goals. If I do, I'm buying myself something nice...like a gold ring or somethin'...

Here's to 2013! The year of the actors!

EDIT:
I've thought of more to add to my list. So this edit is mostly for me. So, suck it!

• Watch every Oscar nominated movie before the ceremony!
  *I know there are so many politics that go behind who gets nominated and who wins at the Oscars, but for some reason these actors/directors/movies get nominated for the highest award possible. I want to watch them, observe, and soak it all in.
• Get better at remembering important names!
  *I have a photographic memory, so I will probably remember your face until the day I die. But for the life of me, I cannot remember names, even 5 seconds after they are told to me. I need to get better at connecting the faces to the names, especially now that I'm meeting so many people involved in the Chicago theatre community. It'll come to bite me in the ass if I don't.

Goodbye 2012! Hello 2013! Hello love!

That's a wrap, bitches!

I just closed my first official show in Chicago! It's a wonderful feeling knowing that I have one official Chicago show under my belt; that I've performed on a Chicago stage, in front of Chicago peeps all saying "You's guys". I dunno, there's something special about that to me. The experience with the show was...in..ter...esting? Yeah, we'll go with that. Of course things happen when putting up a show. I know that from putting up my own. The people I met were fantastic, though. I really do hope I get to work with some of them again. I'm proud of myself, though. I did the best that I could do with a comedic role in a semi-serious show. I got my laughs, and had several people in the show tell me my scene was their friends/family members' favorite scene. I did my best, which is all that you can ask for.

I have to say, though, my favorite aspect of the show, besides finally getting to perform again of course, was the fact that I had my Chicago family there for opening night, and my Lubbock family there for closing night. The most important people in my life were there, and I got to share my first show with them. Honestly, without my support system (AKA all of them), I don't know how I could get through the grind of the biz. 

Biz...jesus, I sound pretentious...please, readers out there, punch me in the twat if I ever get that way.

But, moral of the story: I love my friends. And, a tip for those out there, always have your support system, whether it be one person or 12. Thankfully, I'm blessed with many awesome people. 

And now, it's the new year! It's officially 2013! And tomorrow I start rehearsals for my next show, "Peyton Place". This is the show that I was first cast in back in October. Everyone, including myself, kind of forgot about this show. I wanted to start rehearsals so badly when I first was cast, but I've had to patiently wait a couple of months. Now, the time is here, and I am about to piddle my pants, I'm so excited! 

This show is going to be a completely different experience vs. my last show. The theatre actually has their own space and has been doing shows since the 80's. The cast is mostly older adults, and a small group of "high schoolers", which is what I am. I get to play two high schoolers, which are complete opposites. One is a nerdy, secret nympho, and the other is basically the Rizzo of the show. Again, type cast as the floozie, which I'm not complaining about at all. The thing I'm really excited about is that it's an original script, based off a novel. The theatre focuses on adapting novels for the stage, and they have been Jeff nominated (the Chicago version of the Tony awards). This show is going to be challenging, but I cannot wait for the experience to start.

Goodbye 2012, hello 2013, hello love!

That one time I was making my Chicago theatre debut in 5 hours...

3 weeks ago, I was jobless, showless, and crotchless. Well, maybe not crotchless (rumor is I'm hung like a horse), but life was in an interesting place. Now those 3 weeks have passed and life is friggin' shweet. I have a new job and possibly a second job on the way. I'll update about that on a later date. Needless to say, my feet are tired but my bank account is happy.

But, the reason for this post is to commemorate a huge moment in my life. Something I've been working towards for what seems like my whole life. Trained for 4 years in college. Worked my ass off for a year and saved up. And now, in 5 hours, it's all about to be worth it.

My debut in my first Chicago theatre show play thingy.

Now, I know I did a staged reading as Cher that may count, but we had scripts on stage. It wasn't truly a show. This is a play that we've worked on for a month, lines down, costumes, set, lights, audience, characterization, etc. etc. etc. And it's at a badass theatre. I have no idea how the show will turn out, but that fact that I'm in my first show, and get to share this night with my Chicago family, makes it all the more sweeter.

I don't know exactly what the point of this post is, but as a type it (while watching TV at my second home AKA LLBK), I realize that I hope this can be a little, albeit minuscule, glimmer of hope for others. It can happen. You can work hard and bust your ass and even dream (cheesy, I know), and it can pay off. I get the opportunity to act in my first Chicago show.

This is definitely one of the best days. Taking an "Office Jim and Pam invisible camera" snapshot tonight. In 5 hours, I take the stage as a floozie/caroler/nurse.

Bring it on, bitches!

That one time I was kinda on a TV show

Some people know this little tidbit about me, but I figured I would share one of my personal beliefs within this update. I am a firm believer (at least with my life) that I have 3 parts:

1. Job
2. Theatre
3. Relationships

Of course, there are more aspects to my life than that, but those are my big 3. Thus far, I have never been successful in all 3 at the same time. With 2? Sure, that happens quite a bit. Never 3. And it's so weird, but it's become a goal of mine to obtain all 3 like Pokemon. I want a job I love, successful theatre gigs, and a healthy (or at least partially) relationship. It's the happiness trifecta!

The reason I bring this up is because I have been at a big goose egg of success for a while now. It was a trying time, especially since it this period occurred during my birthday. Which, by the way, very sobering experience turning another year older with no job (theatre or occupation wise), currently single, and drunk off your ass singing "Don't Rain on My Parade" with a bunch of lovely queens. I keep saying my life is like the most depressing sitcom...anyway, I digress...

Thankfully, things started picking up for me. Not job wise-I've applied to 20 different places with no success. And definitely not relationship wise-I can barely make rice, much less find a mate. Thespis luckily smiled down upon me and blessed my theatre-y life, which, at the end of the day, it's what I moved here to do in the first place. So, while having money and tail might be nice, theatre is truly what provides my fuel to make it through the day. I'm ok with that.

I was offered an extra role on a TV show! One of my favorite TV shows, actually, which made it even more awesome. I was also offered a role in a Christmas show at Stage 773. I get to be the play floozie, which is hilarious to me because this and the other show I'm in that starts in January both have me as the floozie. It reminds me of high school when I always played the prostitute in every show. I guess my legs help.

So, yeah, exciting week! I wanted to update with my new successes and also provide a little journal of what my experience was like as an extra. It was a really interesting and informative experience. I probably have no shot of being seen when the show airs, but it was an experience. And I'm changing the names of stuff just cause. Not because I'm going to badmouth it or anything, but just in case someone goes google crazy. Who knows?

Here we go:

My Extra Day on that one TV show that rhymes with Shameshess

I just happened to see the posting for an extra call on the casting agent's Facebook page. They were shooting all this week and needed extras for 5 different shooting days. I thought, hey, I'm not doing anything, I might as well try! So I sent in all my information, and they got back to me with all the call information and what outfits to bring and the time I had to be there. Which was 6:15.

6 fucking 15 in the morning.

That's really not that bad, but when you have to take the train downtown, it's very time consuming. I had to do the Chicago math equation in my head: "Ok, so I have to be there at 6:15 AM, which means I have to leave the apartment by 5:15 AM, which means if I want to shower and look nice I have to wake up at 4:15AM, which means I need to set my alarm for 3:45AM with 3 times for snoozing."

As some of you know, I am definitely not a morning person, but this time I woke up pretty easily for this since I was so excited. I got ready and headed to the train with my bag of clothes/shoes/stuff to do/etc. And this was the train at 5AM when I got on.

I don't think I've ever been up at 5AM in Chicago sober...

It was crazy empty. And it stayed like that until I got downtown. I think 2 or 3 people got onto my car, but that was it. This was my sleepy face for the hour-long trip it took.

Shit, my hair is really long...

I show up to the sight and even though it's 6:15 AM, the place is bustling. They closed off 4 blocks of street in the downtown area next to some random buildings. I walk through the area and there are trailers and food tables and cameras and boom mikes and everything that you could imagine being at a shoot. I find the extra holding area, and I get the chance to meet some of the other extras. I'm the youngest one there, which was a little bit intimidating. There were about 10 of us total, mostly older actors. I felt like I was in a Reading Rainbow episode with how diversified the group was, which is to be expected, I suppose.

Then they rushed us to the set immediately, where we filmed the first scene of the day. They put us in random spots on the sidewalk and told us to walk this way or walk that way. I got the chance to walk all the way down the sidewalk, which was pretty cool. The scene was an SUV driving down the street to pick up a guy. I didn't realize who the guy was until he walked by me. Then I saw it was the one of the lead characters, Steve/Jimmy played by Shmustin Shmatwin. I'm such a huge fan of the show, so I about peed my pants when I realize it was him. We did the scene like 12 times, and it was surreal having random people walk by and asking me what we are filming. Not them, we. I was a part of it. Albeit small, insignificant part, but a part nonetheless.

This was a bit of the behind the scenes set. It doesn't even represent the amount of cameras and filming equipment that was there. I tried to take pictures on set, but I didn't want to be "that extra", so I tried to be sneaky about it.

Filming interior scenes in the SUV

Director's chair!

Then we went back to the holding room and had some free breakfast. We were chatting, shooting the shit, and then Shmustin Shmatwin walks in and starts talking to us. All I can say is that I went into a daze. I remember him calling William H. Macy "Macy" and that he smelled like a pine forest. It was magical.

We shot 2 more scenes after that. More walking. My character motivation all day could be summed up as "Do do do, I'm walking to work. I'm walking and I...wait...what THE FUCK IS GOING ON?". Basically. The second scene they had the SUV swerve out of an alley and almost run into a car on the street. The third scene was cool because I got picked to be one of a few extras for background. The SUV parked on the sidewalk and Shmustin Shmatwin jumps out, climbs on top, and scales a fire escape on the side of the building. He was such a badass, too, because he did it by himself (even though the stuntman was standing off to the side just in case) and without a wire. Here's a picture of it happening.

Shmustin Shmatwin is boss

Then we were basically done for the day. We were scheduled to stay until 6pm, but they finished early. Thankfully, they let us have lunch, which was almost just as awesome as the shoot itself. This is my first experience with Craft services, so I felt like a middle-aged man at a strip club. The spread was tight! I probably ate my weight in food because I realized I don't know the next time I will eat this nice again. Here's my lunch plate of glory.

I didn't add a picture of my second plate because...well...I'm a lady

All in all, it was a fun experience. I loved being on a big-time filming set to see how everything worked. I've done work in front of a camera before, but this was completely different and professional and not for youtube. It was fascinating watching the actors and the director and all the film crew. I think I told my mom once I was done that it was one of the most humbling and inspirational entertainment experiences I have ever had. I was just a lowly extra on this set and probably the bottom of the cast and crew chain (even below the interns and craft service people). But, being in that environment and seeing the magic happen made me realize that I want to do this again. I want to get a role and do film/TV work. Thankfully, I'm in a wonderful city that has many more chances to do that. Except not with porn. Never with porn.

Fin.

"What do you do with a BA in Engli...NOTHING!"

I'll preface this update by saying that it will probably be plagued with the ignorance of my age/experience in the real world. I will probably say things that are over dramatic or just generalizations. Again, I'm not saying they are true for everyone, just from my personal experiences.

Also, there will be a lot of bitter cursing in this, so you've been warned.

So, here we go...It has been a month since I last updated, and within that month I have successful obtained and lost a job.

Not jobs, plural.

Job.

J.O.B.

Singular.

I, Christina, got motherfucking fired from my motherfucking job.

How do ya like them apples?

Let's travel back in time a bit, shall we? A month ago life was pretty fantastic. I just finished up my first gig doing a staged T.V. show reading in which I got to play Cher and a few minor characters in other sketches. It was neat because the group had their established ensemble and had a few extra actors come to fill in the other parts. I was one of the few new people to get my own sketch, which was pretty sweet. And I got to be Cher, black wig and all. So, all in all, it was a pretty successful first gig.

And, then one magically, awesome, random happenstance later, I nailed a pretty sweet job. They were willing to work with my schedule, I was working full time without crazy hours, it seemed great. A month goes by, and I'm still doing great. Auditioning, working, living the dream. Then, out of nowhere, my boss fires me for being "too professional" and "not friendly enough with the customers".

That's it.

I could go on for days how crazy and surreal it all ways and how I wish my ex-boss would just choke on a big bag of dicks, but that's not the point I wanted to make. Since I've moved to Chicago, I've realized that having a BA in Theatre is like waving around a picture frame with a pic of your Great Aunt Sue. Nobody gives a shit.

Now, I realize that a lot of factors go into the hiring process, especially in a big city. But, all of us theatre people have that one power point that goes through all the reasons why we could get hired for ANY type of job. Marketing? We have great communication skills! Sales? We can improvise in any situation! Customer Service? We deal with all kinds of people all the time!

Welp, in academia, it's a nice pillow that you can fall back on as you go to sleep before your big performance exam of Sartre's "No Exit" with shadow puppets and punk music. In big kid land? It's a potato sack of dead hamsters that get beaten against your head after every interview you go to.

Again, just my personal experience.

The job hunt is difficult. And I even have a long work history going all the way back to be freshmen years of college. With a variety of jobs that I've fricking frack fucking applied for here!!! It makes you want to pull your hair out.

But, at the end of the day, all I can do is jump into the search again and remind myself why I'm here. I came here to be an actor. Not a professional barista, not a professional waiter, and definitely not a professional candy maker. I've been doing the job I came here to do, and it sucks ass that I can't get paid for auditions or callbacks, because I would be banking. I guess that's the challenging part about the decision that I made (here's my Mr. Rogers moment). Maybe I'll find a better job that won't kill my soul? Maybe I'll get some sort of theatre job? Maybe I'll end up being homeless? Who knows?

I'm remember this day, this exact moment. If I ever get rich and famous and win a Tony, I'll make sure to mention my ex-boss and tell her she can go fuck herself. Amen.