Hello Blowing Rock!

Um, yea...

So just like normal, sorry for the lack of posts.

I mean, not too much has happened, but I guess some great things have happened. As you may have already known, I'm living in Blowing Rock, NC this summer and so far it's pretty rockin ((no pun intended)). I've officially become an EMC, aka Equity Membership Candidate. Well, I guess not officially yet because I still need to send in my first form and $100. I love you Equity, but SUCK IT for already taking money from me! :^) At the end of the summer I'll have about 10 of my 50 weeks, which isn't much. Hopefully I'll just get offered an Equity Contract before I have to finish my 50 weeks...

So far I'm in the kids show ((Jack-in-the-Park Takes)) which is two mini shows that are pretty much local fairy tales. I play several different characters. It's fun for the most part. I'm also understudying two characters in Suite Surrender which is a hilarious farce that takes place at a hotel in Palm Beach, FL. I also go cast as Hugo in Bye Bye Birdie which I CANNOT wait to start!

Keep an eye out for some vlogs, I've got some friends here wanting to help with them, so hopefully they'll make a comeback!

DTP

PS - Follow me! http://twitter.com/dtpickens

A Big Bright Beautiful World

Being back in the warm weather has been AMAZING. A friend and I attempted a trip to the beach last weekend, but alas the wind and clouds were not our friends. Other than that failed attempt to a sandy retreat, I've been working day and night on my show that opens this coming weekend. It's called CLOSING NOTICE and it is a musical revue filled with songs from flops like Parade, Lestat, Starmites and Carrie the Musical. It's pretty much the highlight of this quarter for me. I absolutely adore the poster, designed by my roommate Phillip. I'm a little nervous about the show, but I guess every director is the week of the show. We've only had 4 weeks to rehearse 20 songs and blocking and such. If you're in the Savannah area, please make sure to come check it out! April 10 and 11 at 8pm in the Mondanaro Theater.

On the other end of the theatre spectrum, I got to see some great stuff when I was up in NYC. The first night I was there I got to see Rock of Ages ((My first Bway comp ticket!)). I had no idea what to expect when I went in and I was skeptical about it because it's a jukebox musical filled with 80's music. But MAN, it was hilarious! The only issue I had was how thin the plot ended up being. I also saw Billy Elliot which has to be one of the most touching and best shows I have ever seen in my life. For those of you not familiar with the story, please go rent the movie. WHOA. The three boys who rotate the role are eligible for a trio Tony nomination and they're going to get it! And deserve to win.

The big surprise of my trip was Shrek the Musical. I had heard so many bad things, but I was pleasantly surprised and loved every second of it. My only issue was Sutton Foster. She wasn't there... I walked in the theater and as they gave me my Playbill I saw them stuffing them with the Understudy slips...I despise those slips... I knew right away it was her and my fears were confirmed when I opened the Playbill. SO I decided that she wasn't going to do this to me. What did I do? I went back and saw it again. She was phenom! I really hope people go see it, so much fun and great music. Shrek has 3 solos and each of them are top notch.

From the Deep South to the Cold North

Wow. What a whirlwind of a Spring Break. It went by extremely fast but looking back at it, it feels like ages ago.

SO, it all started off with my surprise trip to NC. I decided to go to Greensboro like...3 days before break so I called up a friend and got a couch to sleep on and headed up last Thursday. Had fun with good old Latimer and Andrew, who introduced me to the most amazing TV show, "Summer Heights High." Now, I know my friends have been telling me that I needed to watch it, but Lat had the DVDs. For those of you who don't know it, it's written by and stars Chris Lilley who plays three different characters, and it all takes place at Summer Heights High in Australia. Here is my favorite character:



Not too much going on there in NC, but I did get to see my Sweetums Ashley! After two nights there, I headed to VA to visit the fam. After being away from them for so long ((the whole summer, the tour and being further away from them)) I love when I'm home, as long as it's not too long of a trip. I love hanging out with my brothers and their girls. We had GREAT food, saw a movie, went out for more food and then got to hang out with my other BFF Nikki and her husband.

VA is always swell, but the NY is always better. BUT, this is all for now, I don't want a long ass post. Make sure to check back to hear about a jukebox musical filled with Journey and Styx, that dancing boy Billy Elliot and the latest green faced character to hit Broadway!

I'm Alive

Hey guys! I am indeed still living, just been busy. Real post coming soon. I'm in NYC on Spring Break so I'll probably post something after that.

Derek

Les Miseranimals

OK, so I totally don't remember this from my childhood. If you have 11 minutes this is WELL worth the watch. And all you guys at work, you know you want to watch it too, just keep an eye out for your boss :^)



EDIT: I found another!

Hello Savannah!

First off, a million apologies for not writing sooner. Who would have thought that grad school would make you busy?

Well, I've been in Savannah now for about a month ((Friday marks a month)) and things have been CRAZY but great. I got down here not knowing where I would be living and ended up in the most AMAZING place ever. They are now known as the "Secret Dorms" because apparently the school didn't tell anyone about them and now everyone wants them. Basically, the school bought 6 condos and turned them into dorms. They're pretty much nicer than anything I have ever seen. I have a walk-in closet, hardwood floors, granite counter tops and a full kitchen. It's crazy cool!

I'm also in Carousel which is not as bad as I thought it would be. I mean, yes it is R&H and I can't stand their stuff, and yes they condone wife beating, but who doesn't?

OMG, best thing about Savannah? There are NO open container laws. Translation: We can get alcohol to go! This, of course, makes some of the grad thesis projects and other lab shows more bearable. For anyone who visits, I will take you out for the most amazing margarita in the world, it may even beat out real Mexican margaritas. One will knock you on your ass!

I miss everyone back home ((Maryland and North Carolina)), but if you know me I love a good adventure and that is definitely what this is. So for now, I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the ride, with my hands up of course!

Post-Christmas Crazyness

Well, the big day is over and now it's time to move on to the other few big days I have this week.

Tomorrow ((or today since it's 3:30am)) I have Alli and Jeff's wedding, which I am uber excited about! Why am I up so late you may ask? Because I'm helping finish up their guest favors, which is a famous Alli mix cd.

Then I have New Years Eve stuff tomorrow, should be fun.

Remember how I got a job at American Eagle? Well, they never actually scheduled me and I thought I would never work there. Well they called me today and I work, get this, only ONE DAY. And it's New Years day. My interpretation? Everyone asked off because they would be hung over so I got stuck working because they had nobody. It's cool cause now I'll get a day of training before I move to Savannah and seek a job at an AE there.

Speaking of Savannah, I still have no where to live. The school hasn't called me about the waiting list I was on. I tried calling them yesterday and they were out due to a power outage ((odd)). So I left a message and they are supposed to call me back this morning.

So I've been inspired to make a new video blog, but I need some help from my loyal readers. Would like like to see a normal vlog or a longer one, similar to "A Life in the Week of Phamer McCoy" which is a mock-umentary I did this summer and can be found here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1247631172845299044&ei=KtpZSYjWHpCq-wGE84yrAQ&q=phamer+mccoy&hl=en

And what do you want to see subject matter wise?