End of 2016

Wow! I cannot believe 2016 is over in just a few hours. I really have had quite the wild ride. I started the year as a student whose main goal was to graduate and get a college degree. After having achieved said degree, the next main goal was to get a job. That goal was achieved (twice because the first one was not as great as my current job). Then, all I really wanted to do was move out and get a place of my own. Check! 

The thing is, it may not seem like so much happened this year...but a lot did. I grew to be a new person. Forget that "New year, new me" stuff that people use only at New Year's. I became a new me over the course of 2016. I was still Braden, the college student last January 1st. Now, I am Braden the college graduated who is employed and independent. Yes, yes, I have mentioned all of that before. However, it's still technically new to me. I realized I have been living in my new apartment for two weeks now....and I still need more furniture. Haha. 

I really want 2017 to be a great year for me (for all of us because look at who's President). I want more out of life now that I have been out of school for half a year. 

So, 2017 New Year's Resolution time:

1. Do more theatre.

2. Return to some sort of gymnastics.

3. Start some sort of theatre career.

4. Find some sort of relationship thing.

5. Keep being who I am.

6. Financial security!!!

So, there we have it, for now. Honestly, I think resolutions are works in progress. You don't really know everything you want to do within the next year. It's a whole 365 days. A lot can happen, and a lot can change. I did not know I would have new friends, but I do, and they're awesome! I didn't know I was going to be an uncle this time last year. I did not know I would have a really good starter apartment so soon. 

In the end, 2016 may have sucked because all of the good people died, but I am in a good place to keep growing for 2017. Let's make this next year a great one!

The Holiday Season of 2016 and what it means

This Christmas was quite the interesting holiday. Every year, I always look forward to it. Then, suddenly, it appears and disappears in two separate flashes. No matter if I am spending a whole month watching Christmas episodes of my favorite childhood shows, decorate everywhere, and listen to ALL of the Christmas music, certain circumstances sure know how to make each Christmas unique.

It definitely seemed like Christmas felt more magical as a child (and so many people can back me up on this). Now that I am an adult (with a college degree, a job, and an apartment), my list of wants grows smaller and my list of needs expands. I think commercialism takes a hold of everybody in some way. For kids, they all want to new toys and gadgets that they'll get bored with by the time school starts back. For adults, especially parents, they want to buy their kids those same toys and gadgets. Yes, I was a child who wanted many different toys and did not get every one of them. However, I look back on those memories (via Santa letters I read aloud of a friend of mine recently) and know that I am still alive and alright without them. There are more important things.

Sure, I have technically been too old to believe in Santa Claus for more than a decade (I STILL BELIEVE). With each Christmas, I get fewer toys and more clothes, undergarments, and socks (which I did NOT get this year and I am jealous that my brother did). I became more aware of responsibility and the inevitability of adulthood. Feelings were more complex, I was always changing and maturing. The idea seemed to be that once you "outgrew" the magic of Christmas, it was not as fun because there was no more Santa. I think differently. Christmas is even more fun when you're older because you can really sit down and connect with various family members. I call it "sitting at the adults table." You find joy in giving gifts more than getting. You realize what is really important.

This was my first holiday season as an uncle. It does not sink in that your older brother is a dad until you finally meet your nephew. Because he spent Christmas at home with his own family, my Christmas Day was spent brother-less. There was this void that loomed. It definitely did not only affect me. While it was still a great day full of festive holiday cheer and presents, it didn't fully feel like Christmas. December 26th felt happier (after work, of course) because I spent the evening with both parents, my brother, his wife and son, and our cat (who is my #1). It warmed my heart the entire time we sat and talked with my brother. It was made complete when my mom and dad got to hold their new grandson. It felt right...even if it was Boxing Day/Kwanzaa. 

THAT is what this Christmas meant to me. I'll never forget it. 

Murders and Mysteries

Well, the Christmas murder mystery was a huge success! We had some nerves and mess ups, but that's live theatre. The audiences always seemed to have enjoyed their evenings with food and fun (the food was delicious). Even if it wasn't a huge professional gig, I still had a really great time getting back out on a stage to perform in a play again. 

I have already added it to my resume because I found the opportunity to be very important. I was finally using my degree to get more experience in the field. It was still another production that took a lot of dedication and energy, but it was all worth it. I got to meet and work with some awesome people while I was tired from moving into my new apartment (which is super cozy). I was exhausted on opening night, but being out there in front of an audience made it all worth it. 

I am now just waiting for the next audition. Until then, it's time for CHRISTMAS!

Tech Week.....ish.

Well, it's technically tech week/performance week. We have a few rehearsals off-book (tonight is basically a stumble through as we all get used to our lines) and then we open and close at the end of the week. It's been one interesting process, I must say. I was always used to having classes, then work, dinner, and rehearsal. Now that I'm no longer in school, it's actually somewhat difficult to fit everything in. As soon as I am off work from a long day, I want nothing more than to just sit, drink some coffee, and watch something Netflix/play Sims. But, I do care about my craft as an actor, and I want to make sure I am prepared for rehearsals/performances.

This all happens to fall on the same week that I am packing up my current life and moving it to a lovely little closet I call my new apartment. That has been one heck of a process too. Making all sorts of payments for deposits and rent. It did feel like I was just throwing away a lot of money, but I had to keep telling myself that I was still making money back and that I was financially alright. I still have my savings for this purpose (Remember, kids, always be saving your money. You'll never know when it's time to gain independence while also giving hundreds a month for the necessities. You know those "bills" your parents pay every month? Yeah, they're YOUR'S now).

I will more than likely be exhausted all week from working five to six hours a day, being at the theater for around three hours, and trying to move furniture and boxes to the apartment. YAY! Adulthood is fun with all kinds of opportunities to be productive. Whoo hoo!

http://thespotlightplayhouse.com/ is the official website, if anybody is interested in checking out this production or future shows. 

November 30, 2016

I was in a local coffee shop when I had found out the news. I made squealing noises as I pretended to jump up and down (I was sitting, so I couldn't actually jump). It had been my third shot, my third audition since graduating from Berea. I had had auditioned for a couple of other shows, but did not get cast. That's alright, too. That is how it's supposed to be, right? We shouldn't expect to get cast in a role every single time we audition. 

As artists, we are used to hearing "No" more times than "Yes." That is why we keep going. I told myself, "There's still the next one." Perseverance is more than just a theme in whatever novels your 9th grade English teacher had you read. It really does apply to real life. In some cases, "No" is not always a bad thing (except when any type of rape or sexual assault happens, then "No!" is pretty important because people should just really respect the wishes/bodies of others). 

Now that I am off my soapbox, albeit having it with me at all times because it's handy, I'll get back on track. We may not literally be told "No." It appears as the absence of our names on the cast list or we may be contacted, but thanked for our time and interest. It can come in multiple forms, but the meaning is the same. After this initial blow to our self-esteem and overall confidence, we need to find a way to pick ourselves back up and move forward. That is where we tell ourselves that "there is always the next audition." That is what I did.

I auditioned for a third time, giving it all I had. We did a cold reading of a couple of scenes and ended with some improv as the show will have audition interaction. I didn't hold back at all. It was fun and I made people laugh, which is always a plus! After that, it was time for The Waiting Game.

A couple of days later, I was at the coffee shop (yes, the same coffee shop mentioned in the first paragraph) when I checked the theater's website for the cast list. Sure enough, it was posted, and I scanned until I found my name! I was immediately grinning because I knew how much this meant to me. This is the first time I am acting in about a year, so it is very exciting.

We have had our first read-through and a couple of blocking rehearsals, and it is sooooo refreshing to be able to use "I can't. I have rehearsal." as an excuse again! We have to be off book really soon because the whole process from first read-through to final performance is only three weeks. This show will be a much needed, but really fun challenge. I hope all goes really well!

I also have another audition for a future show that I want to attend. I may be told "No" for that one too, but that won't deter me from continuing to make an effort for other productions. If I want to act for a living, I know I have to take any opportunity I can get regardless of whether I'm living in my small hometown or the city because it is imperative to have more experience. We should also remember that any kind of theatre is important. Hey, let's get that trending! #AllTheatreMatters