Tuesday, February 5, 2013

PACE: Losing pride,gaining hope-college auditions

Last day! We get to Chicago at about 7:30 last night, some how a flight that should have only taken at most an hour and a half took almost 3 hours. It involved a lot of circling above O'hara . It definitely made for a longer night by the time we got our luggage, rented a car and got to the hotel it was 9:30 pm. Our hotel was beautiful and because I said something when we finally found the hotel lobby (it wasn't on the same floor we entered on and the bell hop didn't tell us where to go) the nice women at the registration desk put us on the executive floor-score. Free breakfast and snacks! Double score! We ordered room service-club sandwiches and fell asleep exhausted. We wake up,have breakfast and head towards the hotel where Pace would hold there auditions. We meet a really nice girl and her mom. It was so fun talking to them and I said a quick prayer for her finding out Pace was her number one school. Pace asked us to schedule 4 hours for the audition so we felt they were really going to try and get to know each prospective student. We knew they only wanted to see one contemporary monologue and then one scene with a partner. I say my goodbyes and leave Jessie to do her thing. At about 10 o clock she texts me "all done". She comes back to the hotel and talks about a semi disappointing ending to an other wise great week. "First I go in and do my one monologue they really seemed to like it they laughed and asked if I could stay for the scene work with a partner. I said yes but they asked nothing else, nothing about me, not if I had any questions, nothing. This seemed strange and impersonal to me and I thought well maybe with my partner they will. (Pace makes you send in an audition tape with 2 contemporary monologues,your résumé and head shot before they even grant you an in person audition) The fact that they asked for 4 hours made us think it would be more about getting to know you. Jessie does a scene with a partner, she gets no feed back then either. Then they tell the group who they wanted to see for a callback Jessie wasn't on the list. As she left they did say they were still considering her for there new program which will start this fall -film acting. Ugh well OK just disappointing, going in Jessie was not feeling this school but still to go from being called a young Meryl Streep to not getting a call back just stinks. "I started this week with a disappointment not getting the role I thought I wanted and I ended with a disappointment not getting a call back at Pace. But I think I'm learning to see more accurately what it is -it is pride that makes me feel this way. Honestly now as painful as it was when I heard I didn't get that part I'm really glad I didn't. It would have been so stressful for me to be away all week if I had. I really do love the role I got and now I can be in cell block tango. God always knows what is best for me. the pain I feel is more about hurt pride than anything else. I didn't even want to go to Pace and I trust that God knows what's best for me. This week has been amazing I have met so many talented and wonderful people, I have grown as an actress and a person. Now the real waiting begins". I can not even begin to tell you how privileged I feel to be this girls mom, we have laughed,cried and prayed and I am more than excited to see where God puts her. Here' s to living with an open hand! "And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in You." Psalm 39:7


Adelphi University:Trusting-College Auditions

So today is Jessie's 11th audition.  We need to take the train from Penn Station to Long Island. Penn station is huge, we buy our tickets and start to wait in front of these big boards till the track number comes up telling which track you'll be departing on. We are going to Jamaica Station and changing trains to Nassau Boulevard Station. It seemed so confusing and a little scary but actually it was so easy. At one point when were on the train Jessie starts moaning "oh why did I share that Purchase is my top school? now everyone knows, what if I don't get in because you know the reality of it is that yes I had a good audition but they still have 3 days of auditions in Chicago, 3 days of auditions in LA and 1 day in Atlanta! I know there's going to be a ton of blondes in LA and Atlanta,Ugh! This is so hard.  I don't even know why I'm going to Long Island right now".  I can tell Jess is feeling the pressure and is very tired not to mention fighting a cold. The only thing I can think to say is "I know this has been a hard process and putting everything out there is well difficult at the very least but we wanted do this so that other actors might gain some insight as to what it's like. This is where the rubber meets the road, if we truly believe God has a plan you will be where He wants you to be end of story."   We get off the train at our destination which ends up in the cutest little residential area of Long Island.  The school said it was a short walk from the train station and that is what we planned to do but there was a bus there and the driver was waving at us."where do you want to go" he says. I answer Adelphi Performing Arts center. "Well come on I'll take you there". It was a beautiful sunny day but very cold.  The campus is pretty and the performing arts center is impressive.  We go up to the office and we are greeted by the nicest women with a heavy NYC accent. Her name is Barbara. She sits us down and starts telling us about there program. She is no nonsense and we definitely get the feeling that this women is a straight shooter. We both really like her.  Adelphi is a BFA conservatory program, with a freshman class of 20. They will look to put an ensemble of actors together much like Purchase does. She introduces us to Nicholas Petron a professor an the chair of the theater program. We also like him immediately, he was probably in his late 60's with a wonderful gleam in his eye. He spoke passionately about the work he has done on stage and in television  and about the program at Adelphi. I wish I could remember everything he told us. We were both very impressed  by how he talked about his students and the guidance he gives them about the business aspect of acting.  He will let students audition but not sign any contract with any one with out his approval this goes for managers and agents. He really watches over his students and wants what is best for each one of them. OK so time for the audition I go out and talk to Barbara. Jessie does her pieces and at the end Mr. Petron gets up with tears in his eyes and says"really good Jessie" and kisses her on both cheeks and continues with "you remind me of a young Meryl Streep and I worked with her for a year way back in the day, and it's not just your look, it's the choices you made and the way you connected with the piece really good Jessie" At this point Jessie is in tears also, this the absolute biggest complement he could pay her.. He asks her "have you applied to the college yet?" She says yes, he says "OK I will let them know tomorrow, I really hope you decide to study here with me". Wow! God is truly good, a College that really wasn't even on our radar has now become a place Jessie could truly see herself at. No time to dwell on this, we need to get to the train to get back to the city and our ride to JFK to go to Chicago to do her last audition-Pace. We couldn't fit it in while we were in NYC. A gnawing feeling comes back for Jess " I really don't want to go, when I visited in November It just didn't seem like the right place for me" I know but let's go anyway-another adventure-another chance to perform. "Have patience God isn't finished yet" Philippians 1:6

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Fordham: Still believing-college auditions

 After having such a great audition yesterday it seems impossible to think that Jess has 4 more auditions before we fly home on Tuesday night. Today is Fordham University in the morning and Point Park in the afternoon.  Jessie is tired, running on pure adrenaline. Sleep has not been easy this last week; Jessie says that it's OK because when she's tired emotion comes even easier. Her first audition is Fordham at 10:30 we check in around 10 am.  Everyone is super nice and we go into a large waiting room. There we to talk to a current student and find out about the school.  Fordham is a BA program in "Acting" or "Performance" and the student tells us"oh yes you have to get into the University before you are accepted to the program". Ugh, Jessie knows her SAT scores are not up to there criteria; that's alright, another chance to learn and audition. Besides the fact Jessie wants a true BFA program. Jessie's name is called and she goes to do her audition. In the room there is a man and women who will be watching her perform. When I asked Jessie so how did you do? She said "really well I just went for it, it was so much fun!  It was strange though when I finished I notice the women was crying".  I laughed and said "well maybe she was crying because she had your SAT scores and she knew you wouldn't get in and she wanted you". We both laughed and said our good byes!
Her second audition of the day was at Pearl Studios, Point Park, we had tried to get in early but there was no open spots so we show up again at 2 for our 2:35 pm audition. We fill out paperwork and sit and wait. It's not long before Jessie's name is called and she goes into the audition room.  The two women in the room are very nice and Jess does her pieces.  One of the women asks her to be funnier with her Step piece. Jessie just goes into all out crazy funny mode and both women are obviously impressed.  They started talking to her about visiting PP, sitting in on an acting class and  asked if she would  like to talk to current students. One of the women gave Jess her e-mail and telephone number and said to call anytime.  They thanked her and said there goodbyes.  Jessie left feeling confident.
This is where I believe it gets real hard. The process has been long but so fun.The realty of how few get in these programs is daunting. Knowing where she thinks the perfect fit would be but leaving room for God is hard. The trusting part........thinking.thinking,thinking, wondering and wondering, instead of resting and trusting and still believing that God has a perfect plan this is our prayer now-your will be done-just help us live with an open hand. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path.” (~ KJV Ad)

Saturday, February 2, 2013

PURCHASE-College Auditions

Another day in NYC a chance to do what Jessie loves- perform. One of the head's at a school Jessie audition at said "love your audition like you love to perform". That is just what she is doing. It is 9 am we walk into Ripley Grier Studio and find the check in table for Purchase. The corridor is full of hopefuls waiting there turn to audition for the #1 program in the country(reported by Princeton Review) two years running. For Jessie this is where her heart is even though she hasn't dared to whisper it aloud. It has been her dream since sophomore year to attend this school and it was reawakened when we visited for the 2nd time this past fall. The passion, hard work, dedication and commitment that the students and staff have to one another seemed unrivaled. I could feel Jessie's nerves like I haven't seen from the moment we walked up to that table. The 2 people at the desk (one student and one staff member) were both very nice and tried to make Jessie feel comfortable. They gave her 2 sheets to fill out identically to give the staff when she went into do her audition along with her head shot, resume and personal essay. So we get all her paperwork in order and we wait for our turn. Jessie was as nervous as a cat, stuffing tissues in her armpits to try and stop the sweating that was suddenly over taking her body. She was also talking a lot, making friends, she does this when she's nervous. Oh also dancing around and being her goofy self. The wait begins, we notice that the auditions are not very long maybe 5-7 minutes a piece and the women behind the desk says "we are running late so don't worry if they don't ask you to sing". I think to myself Oh boy there just pushing kids through trying to make up time. Finally it's Jessie turn. In she goes and immediately I go to my own place of agony, my body seemed to turn on me adrenaline, sweat, tears, trembling and prayer took over. 10 minutes go by and Jessie does not come out, 15 min, 20 min I look at the college student shes smiling at me and says "wow she's in their along time that's really good" Finally after 30 minutes after she entered the room she emerges with the most awesome smile on her face. The college student hugs her says goodbye and off we go. I can not wait to hear what went on for all that time behind those closed doors. So here is Jessie in her own words:
I went into the audition with the thought of it being impersonal and fast, because everyone else was out as quick as they were in. But I didn't care I was about to beg to let the school of my dreams give me a chance. Purchase is a small conservatory BFA acting program. They chose their in coming class based on talent and your personal "look." They will only accept one green eyed, short, blonde. Surprisingly I found myself very comfortable with the man and women auditioning me. They talked to me before I even did my pieces which was new for me! The first question was "why Purchase." My answer was personal to me and very true, I have been OBSESSED with the program at Purchase since 10th grade, which at the time all I could cure my hunger with was to stalk there website (which I did tell them-they laughed.) I then went on to say that I visited Purchase and after talking with there current BFA student I knew it was a place I wanted and needed to be. She was passionate, hard working, and thirsty to learn. I am so tired of being the weirdo who wants to work, learn, breath acting. At that point the acting teacher said "Don't you hate that when the hard working people are the freaks!" We went on talking and I basically begged them to let me show how passionate I was! Then the acting teacher looked at what I would be performing for them and he says "you know you can't play Steph" and I laughed and said "Yesss I cannn!" "You're way too pretty!" (this is when knowing your character and the play comes in handy!) I replied swiftly with "well does she really think shes ugly? or did her dumb ass boyfriend of 4 years make her feel that way!" he laughed and said "okay Miss Glies would you like to prove it?" I stood and with much confidence said "Yes I would!" I went on to do my two pieces and as I was doing them I saw him turn on the camera to record it. When I finished he confirmed my thought and said "I recorded it I hope that's okay." Then they had me sit down again and asked me if they could record me talking about my theater experiences so they could show it to the rest of the faculty!!!!! I just about pee'd my pants! I talked about my summer at NYU and how I played the watch boy. They were very impressed with what I did with the part and how passionate I was. I found myself throughout this "interview" laughing and joking and so were they! It sadly came to an end after what I couldn't believe was 30 minutes. As I left they stood and shook my hand saying thank you for auditioning for us. I with as much honesty and passion I could muster after my sleepless night said "Thank you verrryyyy much and have a good day!" (with the biggest, most goofy, cheesiest smile in the history of smiles.) Then walked out. I talked with the current student and she said they almost never record and that it was really good that they saw you that long! I definitely pee'd my pants for sure this time!
So how can I write about Jessie's second audition after that-I can't! Except to say it was Marymount Manhattan and very long and very different than any other audition she's been in. 150 students broken into groups, they would do their one contemporary piece in front of each other then they could discuss it. Okay enough said.
Exodus 14:15 "The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still."

Juilliard Part 2-College Auditions

Ok sorry to keep you all waiting but when the Julliard list was posted there was only 7 names on it for call backs and Jessie's was not on it. She is not disappointed she had a great day and a great experience at Julliard  "how can I be upset I got to do what I love today." Proverbs 16:3-4 "Commit to The Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to it's proper end."

Friday, February 1, 2013

Juilliard-bootcamp? Part 1 College Auditions

Today is Juilliard auditions! We arrive at 8:10 for an 9 am start time. We are greeted by a very nice young man who sent us upstairs to check in. The auditions today will be for both undergrads and graduate students. We've heard from other kids these last few days that Juilliard's school is like the military of BFA acting schools and auditions are like boot camp. So far we see no similarity to the military, everyone we meet is up beat and smiling. Jessie gets checked in and brought upstairs. I'm told there will be a parent information meeting at 10 so I find a comfy couch in the lobby and sit down next to a really nice women I met the day before at another audition.
10:15 my cell phone vibrates it's Jessie she texts "I just finished, it was so much fun". Doesn't sound much like boot camp to me. We headed to Starbucks for some coffee and breakfast wraps. When we sat down Jess started to talk about the audition. "Like most people I expected a military based kind of audition. But, I was pleasantly surprised! They started the day with a group warm-up which was fun and light, but really got you ready to work! Then they talked about the reality of the audition; they would see 150 people today and from that they would choose 20 to continue the process. However, they were looking for people with passion, actors who are willing to change and learn. If you weren't chosen that didn't mean that you weren't talented, just that you aren't quite ready yet! It might be a no now but that doesn't mean that next year it won't be a yes! I met plenty of students who didn't get in there first time, but they didn't give up! So what I learned is, be careful what you chose to listen to. The Julliard audition is not about scaring you, its about really seeing if you can develop in their program. They are all extremely nice and energetic, they want the best for you! Keep that in mind when you audition, they want you to succeed, they are looking to FIND people not turn people away. But with that said if you are in this industry you will receive more no's than yes's sadly. So before you judge a school about what you've heard, wait and see what its really like! Your also auditioning them, so if you don't have good vibes then its probably not for you, but that doesn't mean its not right for someone else."
So again we wait, between 2-3 they post the list of the 20 callbacks. To be continued....."We will quietly hope and passionately wait!"