You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. - Mark Twain

I feel so lucky to have been invited to work on an interesting project in Brooklyn this weekend.
It's a couple of audio plays that is to accompany a pop-up art installation near the Brooklyn Bridge.

It goes up next month.
We rehearsed today, record tomorrow.

The producers are:

I do wish I could be around to see/experience it.

It's been nice to have a creative outlet to distract me from my move (almost done!).
When we finished rehearsal, I decided to walk back (yes, from Brooklyn!)...it was such a beautiful day!
How could you blame me?
Look!

I do love it here!

“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

I am almost out of my apartment.
Everything I own has either been given away, thrown out, or in storage.

Despite the ever-present fear of uncertainty, this feels like the right thing to do.
A cleansing.
Purging.
Liberation.

I do encounter small bouts of panic from time to time, then it passes.
Sometimes I feel I'm too old to do something like this...that's another reason why it feels good.
Risk big, win big...right?

And hey! I am heading out of town to work after all! Let's not forget that!

On another note - I went to a reunion last week.

Before I left for Los Angeles, I lived and worked in Washington, DC. While there, I worked at a restaurant/bar called, Clyde's.

I was hired there as a busboy while I was still an undergrad at GWU. When I left, I was running the bar. Needless to say, some of my best times were there. Great friends were there, amazing memories.

A lifetime ago. How much has happened since then...

Last monday was their 50 year anniversary.

I was asked back to guest-bartend; I gladly accepted.

Was fun to be back...kinda like I never left.

Reunions bring reflection; for me, at least. 

Puts much into perspective. 

Provides a forced, honest look at my time since then. I acknowledge that I am hard on myself; I never am fully satisfied with where I am. Always wanting more. Comparing my progress to others' (for better or worse).

Is that a good thing?

Free Fall...

After much internal debate, I'm doing something drastic (for me).

I gave up my apartment.
Removing the net.
No harness.
Free fall.

I strongly considered subletting my place however, I would have taken a substantial financial loss, while working in Florida. I couldn't justify it.

The apartment had a great number of conveniences, it was set up well.
It was easy for me to "just hang out at home," to settle.
However, I fear it all was causing me to become complacent.

Time to move on...

What next?
Who knows.

I am currently moving my stuff into storage and will figure something out upon my return from Florida.
When I do...is it New Jersey? New York?
If so, Manhattan? Brooklyn?

We'll see....

“Do I contradict myself? Very well, then, I contradict myself; I am large -- I contain multitudes.” -Walt Whitman

For a summer season, I've been quite busy with several smaller projects.
"Big things have small beginnings."

Two staged readings, a couple of rounds with AMIOS, classes and auditions.
I have a short film to shoot on monday on Long Island (thank you, Johnnie!), and then it's just Improv.
I'm currently in Level 2 (201) and am sorry to say I had to miss the last class due to a family emergency.
We are entering a new normal with regards to my father; he fell off his treadmill the other night (midnight to be exact) and he dislocated his left shoulder.

For 84 (in September), he's a tough one, that's for sure.

I have Jury Duty on the 18th. 

I wanna visit LA before I head to Florida.

I'm not sure what I'm doing after the play down there...stay in the NY area?

Am I better suited out there?

What about my responsibilities here?

Am I not being patient about NY?

Am I doing better than I think I am?

Some clarity would be nice.

Heading to Palm Beach!

I will be playing the role of Curley this fall in Palm Beach Dramaworks' production of, "Of Mice and Men."

This is a play that is "on my list." 

I am tremendously excited and looking forward to a working vacation out of the New York area.

My classes for the fall are covered; I've done all I can to secure my place at each school...so it's win-win!

So excited to live in this world!

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. -Buddha

I just wrapped up another successful semester of teaching. Ironically, my last semester at Montclair State was my best. I had challenges during my time there, but all in all, it was a positive experience. I feel I gained the respect of my students , I can only hope that they got something out of the class in return. Part of me will miss it there, but alas, tis time to move on.

My Theater Appreciation class is seeming to get more and more streamlined; covering most of the same material in a more engaging way. Students are more and more enthused. I received many compliments from students; feels good.

I will be teaching Acting at both Rider and Rutgers Universities in the fall. Nice to know that so many schools are eager to keep me around. Again, Montclair would've kept me if I chose to stay...good to move on on my own terms.

A few weeks ago I completed Improv 101 at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). What an exciting, terrifying experience. I am not good at improv, but acknowledge it is a skill I need to develop. The class was hard; I struggled. I feel I did better than I think I did. I start 201 at the end of the month.
I practically shit my pants every time I go up but, if you're not growing and learning - you're dying.
This is good for me.

I also recently joined the wonderful theatrical group, AMIOS (Art and Music in our Souls). This is a pretty great collective of artists; I am flattered to be a part of it. Among other things, they host an evening of theater every month called, Shotz. Every month, playwrights have two weeks to write a short play (based on a pre-determined theme), then the actors and directors have two weeks to rehearse and stage their assigned play. It's fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants theater but, fully produced. It's not half-assed; the work is quality stuff and I've been asked to return to participate in this month's Shotz, my 2nd; a true compliment.

I have several readings coming up:
One produced by Fundamental Theatre Project, directed by Shirley Knight
Perfect Weather by Eric Fallen
The Medicine Show by David Dannenfelser

Lotsa irons in fires.
Keeping busy as best I can, moving forward.

...till next time.

If at first you don't succeed....

...mixing it up.