REMUNERATION... WITH A VIEW

This is where I'll be spending my summer.



That is, this is where I'm getting paid to spend my summer!!!!!!!

Yes - the mandatory post-graduation waitressing job has been put off for at least four months, since my first audition for work post school was successful.

I've been employed by the Hudson Valley Shakespeare festival (www.hvshakespeare.org) to be part of their professional company for the summer rep season, which includes 'Cymbeline, Twelfth Night and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)'

'Twas a three part audition, the final stage of which was filmed by PBS for a documentary they are doing on the festival from auditions through to opening night. (I only agreed on the condition that I could sign the release AFTER the audition - in case of a worst case scenario crash and burn).

Beginning April 29, we rehearse in the city until June, then we'll be shuttled to accomodations in the Valley, where we'll live for the three months of the festival. Presumably while being followed around by PBS cameras.

Beyond that, I have no idea what to expect. Right now, I don't even know what parts I'll be playing. But I do know I'll be getting paid to act. And I do know I won't have to be in Manhattan during the stinkiest parts of the summer.

However if I do happen to miss Manhattan's unique hot-weather aroma, the Hudson Valley is only one hour upstate of the city and therefore an easy train ride back to the gorgeous Grand Central Station.

Between now and then there's two more productions, agent showcase, graduation and a much anticipated visit from mum and dad to get through. But it certainly feels like lucky first step into (or at least a scenic way to delay the reality of) life outside of grad school.

"I am Google-able, therefore I am."

I'll admit it, within the modern dating landscape, I am highly dubious of anyone with no Internet profile. If a Google search for a prospective suitor turns up nothing, he immediately becomes a suspect individual. In fact, I may begin to seriously question his very existence. And I don't think I'm the only one. Anecdotal evidence garnered around a bar table at least, seems to suggest that "googling" prospective dates is not only no longer something to be ashamed of, it is recommended and standard dating procedure.

Perhaps paradoxically (perhaps not), I'm extremely nervous about exposing myself on the Internet. Unavoidable though it would seem to be. Initially, I even went to great pains to make this blog completely anonymous, which didn't stop the chair of the Playwriting department at school (who just happens to be Sarah Jessica Parker's brother) from coming across it. Highly embarrassing given the thinly-veiled origins of the site.

However, as graduation looms and my attempts to enter 'the industry' become imminent, the current man in my life (who judging by his passion for all things cyber-connected may be a founding investor in Google) is keen to help build my professional profile via the establishment of a 'web presence'. I guess the theory is, if you can't beat them, at least control the information.

Thus the counter on my newly imposed 'Google Desktop' tells me that I have 61 days to complete 'Project Over-Exposure', which includes my own website, facebook, flickr, myspace, youtube, wikipedia and any number of related groups through which I may 'aggressively market myself via the web'.

Now, call me old fashioned, but I can't help but cling to the notion that retaining a bit of mystique adds to an actor's allure, and ultimately to her effectiveness. I buy Helen Mirren, and I buy Emma Thompson, and I buy Jodie Foster as pretty much anything they choose to play. I don't buy Lindsay Lohan as anything but Lindsay Lohan... and to be frank, I'm not lining up to buy much of that.

Now, I realise that a bit of savvy self-promotion is a far cry from setting yourself up to be snapped panty-less upon arrival to an LA nightclub, or from getting arrested while driving home hammered afterwards, so I will comply and be very grateful of the assistance. But if I have my way, we will construct the dark sunglasses and floppy cap e-version of myself, rather than the Paris-Hilton-sex-tape version. That, I CAN control.

PUBLIC RELATIONS - CHAPTER ONE

In the first week of February, I sent the following headshot, accompanied by what I hope was a pithy, non-crazy cover letter to approximately seventy agents and casting directors.




It's supposed to be my 'I'm a serious actor' shot.

As of today I have been contacted by a total of zero agents and/or casting directors.

Just before school began in August, I went to lunch with the Chair of the school's directing program. Sitting across the table at the Bus Stop Cafe in the West Village, she told me the story of a well-known graduate of the program; how two months before she was cast in the role for which she would ulitmately be 'Tony-nominated' she'd been crumpled in a heap on the Chair's living room floor weeping and feeling completely lost.

I have pre-booked my appointment on said floor for approximately two weeks after graduation. Just in case.

CURTAINS

On February 16th 'TALK TO ME LIKE THE RAIN AND LET ME LISTEN' - my last major thesis project - came to an end, producing the weird sensation of somehow - though not quite - being done with school. Worst, being six days shy of completing the drinking challenge, I couldn't even mark the occasion with a stiff drink. (My apologies to Mr. Williams.)

While I still have classes, something pretty catastrophic would have to happen for me not to graduate. So that's it. Done... Sort of.

If it were a film, you might say my degree is in the can. Now all that's left are the rounds of interviews and walks down the red carpet to sell the shit out of it.