It's Morphing Time.

Hey,

These last few weeks have been insane with getting Lion in the Streets up, so I apologize for the lack of inner thoughts from me lately.

Not to worry, you will get your fill right now!

We had our preview tonight and it went well, considering how nervous I was. I am really looking forward to the run this week, I feel like my classmates and I have really risen to the challenge of this piece and are doing phenomenal work. I'm really proud of the show. I find the longer I spend with something, a play, a character, the more love I feel towards it. This play is a really hard one to love because of all the atrocity, but I have grown really fond of it. Ravi has been excellent to work with, his young energy has been really refreshing in the room. He has really made this show work visually, his confidence in his ideas really allowed us to play, which I, personally, don't feel we have had the opportunity to do in a show yet.  I really wouldn't have wanted this process to be anything than what it was. It has been an amazing opportunity to work with Ravi, and I hope it isn't the last time.

Starting out this year, I was really aiming to open myself up to processes and just be calm. I am discovering success in both of theses avenues. It has been such a relief to stop worrying about things I cannot control, of course there are going to be things that bother me, or irritate me. But, overall it's just been so relaxing to leave school at school and come home and live my life for me. Before, I found myself needing to do all this meaningless research and putting my energy into stressing about class drama instead of actually working and focusing on what was needed at that time. This year, I come home and I work for a bit and then I relax and enjoy. It seems simple but it has given me so much freedom. I will always have control issues, I am an Aries, but that doesn't mean that I can't let go of the things that I really have no say in. And accepting that has been a huge step for me.

I feel really happy and healthy this year, I promised that I would take care of myself Mind, Body, Spirit and I have been! It has been so great to simple focus on those things, when you take care of yourself: eating well, exercising regularly, etc. you feel the benefits quickly, seriously. It has feed my work and made me relax in a lot of departments. As cheesy as it sounds, I am becoming the person I have wanted to be for the last 2 years. And I cannot think of a better time to come into my own. This year is already blazing by and I can honestly say I am only worried about one thing, and that is what happens after.

Over the last few weeks, I have been asked, "So...what are the plans after you graduate? "This is a pretty normal question, but the problem is I seriously don't have an answer. I have no sweet clue what is happening after I graduate. There are obviously things that I am interested in and projects I would love to be a part of, but once this year ends I have to uproot myself from Montreal and pick where I take my stuff. It is daunting. I'm aware that I can only take it one day at a time and just keep sending out my antenna for possible opportunities, but it is the one thing that is regularly on my mind and what truly worries me most. In the end, all I can do is good work,  and eventually someone will take notice. What's encouraging is that I am good at something that I feel passionate about, and all of the other students that graduate this year are in the same boat "What happens after?"

So, at least I am not alone.

Speaking of not being alone, if you have live/know anyone who lives in Montreal, please spread the word about the show. You can get all the details from the link above. The more people we have at our performances the better an experience this year will be. I am so excited to see how the run goes and what things will change and grow. This year is shaping up wonderfully. I am blessed.

In recent news, I was nominated for Best Actor in a Short Film at the ACTRA awards a few weeks ago, I felt so honoured to be up against some veterans in the industry and that people thought highly enough of my performance in Bone Deep to nominate me. It would have been nice to win, but losing so someone who inspires you isn't really a loss. In my eyes, it was an honour, and I still have many more opportunities to show my skills ahead of me.

Bone Deep is premiering on CBC November 16th, and will be uploaded to iTunes to rent or purchase later that day!

All the Wrong Reason's played in Montreal last week and I was so upset that I had to miss it, but tech week for the show was extremely demanding (time-wise). It is so wonderful that it's getting attention, it is truly deserving of it. Also, if you missed the opportunity to see Blackbird, my previous film, you can now buy it on iTunes by clicking here: http://blackbirdthefilm.com/screenings/

If you live in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia you can see Blackbird on the big screen as part of the Parrsboro Film Festival this weekend!

That is all for now,

Night Abyss.

He Can Be Taught!

Hey Abyss,

I am currently looking over all the posts that I have written this summer and am surprised at how quickly it has all gone by. It seems like just yesterday I was leaving for Ottawa and now here I am leaving for Montreal in 8 days!

The older I get the quicker time passes.

As I am reading and recalling these last 4 months I am really proud of what conclusions I have come too, and the goals I have set for myself going into my 3rd and FINAL year at the National Theatre School of Canada. No longer will I be able to say, that's where I am going, or that I have one more year left.

Now, life as a "Big Actor" begins.

Everything we do this year is in preparation for us moving into the real world, away from our protective walls where we always have opportunities and roles to play with. Where people are constantly supporting us regardless of our behaviour and flaws. Where we have the freedom to fail and retry until we understand and make progress. It all comes down to these last few months, we will never have these beautiful and gracious times again.

Things change and become necessity rather than compliance. Discipline has to start coming from within, not from watching everyone else. The abilities that we have perfected (or neglected) become our meal ticket. Huge studio spaces now transform into small bachelor apartments, and collaborators go back to their community instead of coming to ours.

This all might sound depressing and morbid, but for me it is a realization and a motivator to take advantage of every opportunity I have left this year. To learn as much as I can from every person who walks through those doors, to be open to change and possibility. To expand the way I think and work. To hold that certificate in May and know that I did everything I possibly could to get the education I deserved. Now, I know that this school is not the end all and be all. I know that I will continue to learn from every team and person I work with until the day I die.

But I have goals, as usual.

To summarize: Upon completion I want to have a strong idea of what I am capable of and where I still have room to grow, I want to listen and hear everything. I want to stay positive, even in the desperate times. I want to encourage and promote my classmates instead of bringing them down. I want to create strong and compelling work with every role I get, not just the ones I like. I want to make good impression and stay connected with the people who inspire me. I want to continue working on my self discipline and making sure I will always take care of myself in Mind, Body and Soul.

I know for those of you reading this you are like, "Wow, this kid is really setting himself up for disappointment...that's a lot of goals to fulfil in 8 months..."

I am aware. I like having a check list to work from. I have had so many great (and no so great) experiences this summer that I feel like I have, deeply, changed for the better. I have come to some huge realizations about myself and cannot wait to put them into action in a setting that I have known for two years. This is my time to prove that I am more than capable of this career and I that I will fight to keep it.

BOOM!

Also, great news All the Wrong Reason's will be making its world premiere at TIFF this year! If you are in the area check me out as the Laughing Clerk. And, this weekend I was able to see a rough cut of BONE DEEP (the short film I was in towards the start of the summer) and I am really impressed with how it turned out and cannot wait for it to premiere here in Halifax at the Atlantic Film Festival! 

That's all for tonight; I'm on a Digimon kick. Thanks Netflix.

Night Abyss.

Perspective.

Hey Abyss,

Finally being able to spend some ample time in Toronto was probably the best thing I could have done for myself all summer. Simply walking around and familiarizing myself with the city, as vast as it is, was gratifying.  For some reason, I had fabricated this daunting image of Toronto, I pictured myself drowning in a sea of people and getting locked into a public restroom over night... I concluded that these thoughts were completely irrational as I felt so alive in a city with that much opportunity. There is something beautiful to me about being a stranger in a new place, big or small, I feel like anything and everything can happen. Needless to say, I had a solid week there and had some wonderful experiences with both old and new friends.

I had an absolute blast with the kids in Aladdin Jr. they all did such an amazing job and brought a beautiful energy to the show. They only got to perform it once and I really wish they could have done it again, there is nothing like performing after a successful show. I was extremely proud of the work that we as a team accomplished over those two weeks, they really stepped up and restored my faith that anything is possible with dedication and hard work. Thank you guys :)

While in Toronto I was able to see the Taming of the Shrew at Shakespeare in High Park. I loved it. The set was phenomenal and the cast was really strong and seemed to be having a blast despite the 45 degree heat wave that plagued Toronto for the week. CanadianStage collaborated with the Production grads from York university for the show, which I thought was a brilliant idea and really surged a young and contemporary energy into the piece.

I wish I could have seen MacBeth because a friend of mine was in the lead and it was apparently a very dark rendition of the show (I love dark, and macabre things).  Before I left on Saturday I managed to get rush tickets to the Part One premiere of Angels in America at Soulpepper, which simply blew my mind. The cast was so strong and really made me go, "Oh! those are what good theatre actors are like..." as juvenile and naive as that sounds. Being at a school where we are all training you see several stages of development in performance so it was refreshing to see actors who have been doing this at an extremely professional level for years. It just brought things into perspective for me, as most of the trip did.

I was able to stay with my friend Sébastien Heins and his very gracious family who esentially treated me like their son for the week. I felt so taken care of and informed in all of their hands, I really could not have asked for a better place to stay. I continue to be amazed by the work ethic of Sébastien, he just never seems to stop creatively. I admire this so much because he makes the art that he cares about, and people see this in him and offer him more opportunities to show his skills and talents. It is the creative life in its purest form, constantly producing. I feel that I am still finding out what makes me creatively tick, what makes me excited about acting, what I am looking to accomplish or work towards. And as always those ideas are constantly shifting.

I also got to hang out with my mentor Brendan McMurtry-Howlett who is the Artistic Director of Shakespeare in the Ruff and as always he had some really poignant and blunt answers to all my questions and concerns. I was worried about what was going to happen after I graduate, whether I should head right to Toronto or whether I should stay in Halifax for a year then go to Toronto or all of the other copious amounts of possibilities. His answer was simply to, "Stop planning things out and let them happen." Now, this seems basic but I really needed to hear it from someone other than my mother. That's not to say he is against planning, considering he is an AD, but when it comes to this career there isn't really a way to create a definite path.

This quote comes to mind: "Do what you can, with what you have, right now".

I think there is a large difference between control and organization. I am currently looking for that balance.

Brendan also brought up a point which I hadn't previously thought about: I usually talk, "all about my process" and I have been doing this "process" for many years it has become my fall back plan when working on a show because I feel most comfortable doing it compared to new processes that are introduced to us. This is a bad habit I intend to break this year. Brendan's point was that you shouldn't put your process on a project, but that the project should inform your process. This was huge for me because I have dealt with so much frustration this year regarding directors simply not letting me do "my thing" and it was because they didn't work that way and they didn't care. They were asking something specific from me and I was bucking the system, which resulted in me not rising to the challenge. If I had of simply let myself be open to the process they were showing us I would have learned exponentially more. So, I move forward with this thought in my mind into the new year.

On Monday of this week I went by myself to the Mrs. Carter Tour in Montreal featuring Beyoncé herself. I was blown away by the show and how hard she works at being completely flawless, and I mean that in the best way. Every step was on point, every problem or blip was met with complete confidence and a smile setting us, the audience, at ease. She was so professional and gracious to everyone who helped her put on the show from the technicians to the back up singers. Watching her reminded me of how much work needs to be put into everything before it can be at a place of comfort and flow. There was no hesitation or worry on her face at any point throughout the show, even when her weave got sucked into a fan.

I'm not joking.

Her confidence seems like an obvious thing, "of course she would be confident, she is Sasha Fierce!" But for me seeing her doing a live show, not some edited version, proved to me how little I actually work in preparation for a show. Joe Ziegler's floating head started to incircle mine repeating what he said to me, "You have a lot of talent, but you don't understand the work that it takes to become an actor..."and it finally made sense. Since being at the school I have always, more or less, flown by the seat of my pants when it comes to the lines and homework that is needed on the text. I have managed to get by on looking over the text a few times and running it in rehearsal, but as the roles and responsibilities grow so does my need of dedication.

Now I know most of you are probably thinking, "Wayne, stop beating yourself up! Everyone has to learn!" And I want you to know that's all this post is (as long as it is). I am learning about myself as an artist and a human and I want to progress, and progress happens when you can identify what needs to change. This year, for me, is about listening and changing for the better.

This last month has been extremely cleansing and has shed a lot of light on some of my biggest problems creatively and personally and I am extremely grateful to each an every person who continues to support me as I change for the better.

And speaking of support you can do me a solid by checking out Bone Deep, a film I am in in the Atlantic Film Festival. Directed by the very British Jeremy Webb and written by the delightful Jessica Marsh.

BONE DEEP

Night Abyss.

Jet Setting.

Hey Abyss,

Just got back from the auditions for Aladdin Jr. being put on through Stabback Music Studio; the company I am working for over the next three weeks. It was great to be in the room with a slew of new kids and the different energies they bring. I have been feeling quite exhausted and lethargic over the last few days because of all the travelling I have been doing. I flew from Halifax to Montreal yesterday and had to race to my apartment and switch bags before catching the bus to Ottawa. I didn't get in until 11:30pm, which doesn't seem late but since I have been commuting for the last fews days it has started to take its toll on me physically.

Despite me complaining about my sore butt, I am stoked for the next few weeks. I have two of them to direct a full musical production, which is a challenge I have gladly accepted. The last time I directed this particular show was at Truro Junior High School and we had about 4 months... Needless to say, this will be exponentially different. It is a great team of people though so I have no doubts we can pull it off and make sure the kids get the most out their time with us.

These next two months are going to be extremely busy for me, but with all the downtime I have accumulated since May I figure it will be a good balance for my last summer. It is so much healthier for me to be constantly doing things. The most exciting part about this summer is that I am spending a lot of time in places that I have either never been or haven't been in a while, and I am all about new experiences. After I finish up here in Ottawa I am spending sometime in Toronto getting to know the city and hanging out with new and old friends. Then before I return home to Nova Scotia I am seeing Beyoncé live in concert on the Mrs. Carter World Tour in Montreal.

Pretty Solid.

The Ottawa Fringe is this week and I am going to try my best to see as many things as possible. There is a lot of compelling work in the line up and I haven't been to a Fringe Festival in a while, so where better to start then where I am located! My friend, who is ironically from Ottawa, is currently in Calgary performing in the show Girls, Girls, Girls! with Major Matt Mason Collective (despite all the flooding) and when she returns we have plans to put together a double bill of our Solo Shows here. I am looking forward to performing it again for a completely different community.

The more I can do it the better.

On that note: most of my class, this summer, have also performed their Solo Show more than once. It is such a great feeling to have a piece of theatre that you can just whip out and is only 15 minutes long. Truly a wonderful project, and my class put together some amazing work.

I had coffee with Jonathan Torrens on Friday morning and he had some really great advice for me as a performer from the Maritimes. He is a stand up guy and I am grateful he could take the time to hang out with me for a bit. I love being able to talk to other artists and hear their stories and successes, it makes my dreams obtainable.

As time goes on I find myself continually coming to conclusions about myself and my goals as a developing artist and I feel blessed to be surrounded by people who continue to guide me in the right direction. As many struggles and hardships I run into, there is always a lesson to be learned. I am really excited about my third and final year and what lies in store for myself and my classmates. It's been quite the journey so far.

Night Abyss.

Snap Back to Reality.

Hey Abyss,

Many discoveries were made last week. I think the one that had the most impact on me was being put on the spot for not knowing my lines. That seems like a basic thing, an actor knowing their lines, but for some reason I have always struggled with memorizing text. Not a good quality to have in an actor, but it is not the worst thing. I can honestly tell you I have never gone on stage not knowing my lines, I have always managed to get everything down before we open, it just seems to takes me a lot longer than everyone else. Being at NTS has certainly enabled me to get better at locking the words in my brain by offering me a bounty full of approaches to do just that. 

I felt I had been doing well with my text for Midsummer Nights Dream and therefore over the last week, in anticipation for the weekend (which I will get into in a moment) did not do what is necessary for myself for the last part of my text. And, as it should, it came back to bite me. 

A few weeks ago I was offered a lead part in a short film that was being shot in Halifax, by a well known Actor/Director, named Jeremy Webb. His company’s previous film Wake garnered some notable attention in the festival circuit and was being back by CBC, not a bad combo. When the role was offered to me I clarified that the only way I could fly home and do it was to get the permission from my superiors at the school. So, I proceeded that Monday to acquire all the approval I needed, which was graciously given and I agreed to do the short that weekend. The plan was to fly home Thursday night and fly back Monday morning. So I would only miss two days of classes. 

Everything seemed to flow perfectly until Thursday came and I kept flubbing through my lines in the final part of the play. And it was at this time when I was put on the spot, by my director. I had been working extremely hard on my text, but due to the excitement of the weekend I failed to give it the added time I know it needed. This ultimately disappointed him, and made me feel like a complete schmuck, especially considering his generosity. He was harsh and to the point, and it was that snap back to reality that made me realize the lesson; Which was to focus on one thing at a time, and give it 150% of my energy. This problem is something that has been an issue for a while with myself. And I think it took this situation to finally let it sink in. 

Do your best with what you have right now. Then when that is over, focus on the next thing. This is my mantra for the next while until I can calm down and just enjoy what is in front of me rather than worrying about what is coming next. It is difficult, but this is what I want for a career more than anything else, and so I have to let it flow. 

The stress from not knowing my lines and disappointing my director, lead to me heading to the airport 12 hours earlier than my flight was scheduled to leave and left me stranded there for 4 hours until a friend of mine came and picked me up. Again, if I had just read the itinerary of the flight and chilled, instead of thinking how I may have been blacklisted from the class, that would not have happened and I would have been 60 dollars richer. Once, I finally got back to Halifax, everything became clearer and I spent every bit of downtime I had on set memorizing those lines for Monday. I came back yesterday, having done what should have been done and it feels good to be free of that pressure. 

Filming over the weekend was great and reminded me of how much I love film as a medium. The team was wonderful and there was such an artistry behind the whole thing, which made me feel proud to be part of it. The atmosphere on set, even though we were rushed for time, was positive and happy. There was a specific moment I recall on the second day where I was talking to Jessica Marsh over lunch and the crew and other cast members were all playing music and singing together, and it was this moment that encapsulated the whole shoot for me. A bunch of talented people coming together to make art. It was beautiful. And I am extremely grateful to have been part of such a piece. 

The film is called Bone Deep, and if you hit the link you can read more about it. 

We are into tech week right now for MSND, and so I have some things that need to get done tonight before I hit the hay. 

Night Abyss

March Break!

Hey Abyss,

It's finally March Break, I am so excited to finally have a break!

This last week has been a whirlwind; we did 5 shows of The Seagull and I also had my Solo Show Tutorial. That doesn't sound like a lot but it is, I can promise you.

Looking back on the experience, despite my initial hesitations about it, it was truly amazing and I am so grateful to have worked with Tanja on this wonderful show. It challenged me in so many ways and her supportive and blunt ways only made it more successful. Thank you :)

The weeks leading up to now have been rather introspective for me and I have solidified a lot of my personal and artistic goals. I have also started to understand that everything takes time and although I am becoming aware of the things that will help me grow, I have to give them the time to flourish in myself. Instead of demanding growth and beating myself up for it not happening right away.

Tanja called me on owning my wins today in our "end of project interview" and it has never rang more crucial. I am very reliant on the opinions of other people when it comes to my work and life. This trait is extremely deadly in myself and I am glad that she put it out there for me. I am learning how to feel confident in my choices regardless of how people react, or how they feel. It is about me and my choices and how I choose to express myself.

This seems elementary, but I have always struggled with feeling good about my ideas. Especially here at NTS due to the massive amounts of talent that abound. In order for me to become stronger in myself as a young man and artist this issue needs to be resolved.

I have had a few people come into my life lately that have shown me what my life could be like without my insecurities, and it is far better. So, my mission to myself is to continually do what I love and work towards that positive and brave person that I know I a capable of being.

Life is so funny sometimes.

I am truly blessed.

When I take the time to actually listen to what's around me, as well as myself, I learn so much. This week is going to be about me. I have started a cleanse of my mind and body and really want to enjoy and learn this March Break.

I am going to see Montreal this week, finally, and focus on my Solo Show.

That is a promise. (I am full of promises today...)

And on that note I am going to take a shower and begin with going to see Twelfth Night at the Monument - Nationale!

Here is a goofy photo of my character from The Seagull.

Night Abyss

The Seagull

Hey Abyss,

This week we start seeding work on Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, which my class will be performing in the new year as one of our three studio performances. Our version is being directed by Tanja Jacobs and I am really pumped to meet and work with her for the next little bit. We are working with her for the next two weeks and then will be moving onto work with Yael Farber and Strindberg's Miss Julie. Leaving only one week after that before Christmas Break happens.

Things are moving so fast, its nuts.

During this time we have to be working on our Solo Show which will be presented in March of the new year (our second studio show). This is more or less a "moon project" it is always orbiting whatever we presently have going on. I am still trying to find things to write about for this project, but as time goes on I feel that something will inspire me and I will go like a locomotive. The essence of the project is we have full creative liberty over what we want to present, but we have to write and perform alone onstage for 15 minutes. Kind of scary, but also exciting.


To touch on the last two weeks, after Maiko and Antoine, we worked with Nina Lee Aquino and David Yee on a new play he is writing for my class. We basically workshopped for the rest of the week and now have a full text and were asked to continue exploring that until we receive a revised draft closer to December 14th, which is when we are doing a staged reading of it. I really like the play and hope that we will be able to bring it into full production in our third year.

Nina and David are great.

And last week we had the most amazing Shakespeare Voice class with none other than Andrew Wade, who has worked with the likes of Judy Dench and Gwyneth Paltrow. He was so great, I learned so much from him in 6 days and kind of wish that we had him more often. Definitely a memorable moment from NTS.


Not much else has been happening of late, I am getting over a cold brought on by the inconsistent weather changes here in Montreal. So thats nice.

Blackbird is still making its rounds, which warms my heart.

It did well in Warsaw, and is playing in Rome these next few days. It will make its theatrical release in Paris during the month of February. A North American release has not been decided yet.

My break from reading the two versions of The Seagull, has been used to write this entry so I am going to go back to reading.

Thanks to all the readers who continue to read my ramblings, it means a lot.

Night Abyss

Here are some neat links:

Yael: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/edinburgh-festival-reviews/9480925/Edinburgh-Festival-2012-Mies-Julie-The-smash-hit-of-the-Fringe.html

Nina: http://kapisanancentre.com/2011/07/20/reasons-why-you-should-know-who-nina-lee-aquino-is/

Andrew: http://www.actorsworkout.org/2009/11/andrew-wade/

Up and Down We Go

Hey Abyss,

This week has been an interesting one.

I received some good news on Friday about finally getting rid of my old apartment in Montreal, which has been a dark cloud over my unprotected head for about 3 months. Now, all I have is the one place and I am stoked, because three apartments is far too much for a actor/student to have!

I went back to Halifax on the weekend and had a great dinner with my girlfriend and our friends, which was a much needed relaxation time. It was great to just come back and not worry about anything. The downside is that since I was in such a carefree and positive mood I spent far too much money and am kind of in a pinch this week.

H&M was/continues to kill my bank account.

I felt I owed it to myself to buy at least a shirt due to my lack of spending this summer.

So I caved.

Then to my disappointment I found out today that I am not receiving the paycheque amount I anticipated from All The Wrong Reasons, and there is not as many kids at my camp as there was supposed to be. So, I am in a 'financial' pickle at the current moment, but nothing that isn't still considered a first world problem.

Today I also found out that my character isn't being brought back on Mr. D with lines, I am really only being brought back as a glorified extra. This was disappointing to me as I thought that I was going to have some more interactions, like last season.

Apparently not.

I still get paid the same, but it is honestly the coverage that makes me happy. Now, the show is very much improvised on the day and so there may be opportunity to create some dialogue, and I am all about opportunities,  but I am not holding out for anything. At this point I am just grateful to be making some extra money.

This is kind of a depressing and pathetic post, alas, this is all I have right now.

Remember to follow me on twitter @wayne_burns and check out my IMDB I added pictures!!

Night Abyss

It's Christmas Time in the City

In Montreal, that is!


SO, so, so. It has been over 5 months since my last post.

This is awful considering my constant babble about how "I'll keep the posts coming!"

As if I am the mailman.

These last few months have been a whirlwind. I have literally had little to no time by myself, it has been me and 10 of my fellow actors duking it out for 12 hours a day 6 days a week. The school was not exacgerrating when they stated that "They tear you apart emotionally and physically, then build you back up".

I have never cried so much in my life. And for those who don't know me, I don't cry. To counter this rather depressing statement I would like to follow with saying that I have also never laughed as hard as I have at this school. I am throughly enjoying my time and they are working me to the bone.

For the first couple months I thought I had made the wrong choice about coming because my body just wasn't able to take the physical demands, I would come home at night bleeding and bruised. Feeling as though I was training for World War 3. Then over time my bruises faded and my bleeding orifices calloused and I came back stronger and more determine to prove my worth.

This school is wonderful in making you feel inadequate as an artist, in attempts of getting you to a moulding point where they can show you the potential you have to morph into. Its beautiful. It may seems as though everyone is out to get you at some points but really they are just trying to find your strength. I feel so honoured to be training under these talented individuals.

On that note, the people who have trained us this term have been phenomenal. The amount of well known artists that come through our school is just amazing. Again, opportunity of a life time. I had the pleasure of meeting Sandra Oh this term as well and she gifted me with some wonderful advice and helped me to pull up my boot straps and give it my all. The thing about this school is that everyone who has passed through knows that it is so supportive about fostering young artists, so they are so grateful, and thus in return making you feel so special to be walking the same halls as they once did. Its inspirational and dream like to know all the people who have sweated and cried and bleed in this place and have gone on to do great things for theatre and film in Canada.

I have not been able to auction for anything as of late due to my hectic schedule and lack of knowledge of the Montreal film scene, so no audition updates..

Yesterday I found out that Shakespeare by the Sea is holding auditions for their summer contracts and I was thinking about auditioning. I really haven't learned too much about Shakespeare yet and am unsure if I would be able to out together two well done monologues by the time the deadline is due. I am still debating this because I really want to book as much film and TV work as I can this summer when I go back to Nova Scotia. Apparently it is going to be a lucrative summer....

What do you think?

Recently I won the Theatre Nova Scotia Award for an excellence in Theatre in Nova Scotia. I was thrilled and completely unaware that I had been nominated. Unfortunately I was unable to be there to accept the award so my parents had to go and accept it for me. I just felt so honoured by the gesture and award that I wish I could have been there to express my gratitude. The Nova Scotia Talent Trust is a wonderful organization and if you are an artist in need of money don't hesitate to look them up!

I leave montreal for a Christmas break tomorrow and I am pumped to finally just be back to my town. I have a lot of catching up to do and am looking forward to every minute.

For my faithful fans, thank you for your support.

Night Abyss,

http://thechronicleherald.ca/artslife/43196-talent-trust-honours-young-nova-scotians

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4517763/

The Help

Alright Abyss,

So again, another month gone by and my posting habits have failed to come into effect. Rather then makes excuses for my lack of commitment I will just fill you in on what has been happening.

As stated before in my last post I was filming a commercial that day, it was a bomb time and I had a lot of fun (how's that for short and sweet). I am hoping, considering that finally got paid for it today, that it will be airing soon. I have been auditioning a lot for things and have yet to pick something up. I leave to go back to my home town on Sunday to see my best friend perform in The Secret Garden, written by Paul Ledoux. Then I am teaching for two weeks before I leave for the BIG MO, on the 26th.

It is going to be an intense couple of weeks and I am pretty tight for money.

I have now discovered how to make kraft dinner with an iron.

I have an audition today for a new TV show that is similar to The Office only it is about teachers in a public school. It would be some awesome last minute work before I leave and get me some good coverage to boot. Here's hoping.

These next few weeks, as stated, will be mildly intense. In lieu of these trying times I vacationed to the woods last week and realizes that being one with nature for too long can drive you loopy. I was literally dying of solitude. Needless to say when I came back I felt much better about myself and had a decent tan.

Food for Thought: Spending 5 days in the woods without a whole lot of human contact can alter how you normally deal with life. This endeavor can also lead others to believe you are a serial killer.

Anyway that's about it for now. I went to see Crazy, Stupid, Love and it was brilliant. If you get the chance go see it, as well as go see the Help, which I am posting below.

EMMA STONE all the way :)

Night Abyss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GYmhc8Xk8g

Harry Potter

Hey Abyss,

It's almost been a month since my last entry and as always a lot has happened in between posts.

I am quitting my Joe job on the 15th and will be going to teach kids ages 7-11 at a theatre in a rural area outside the city. I am stoked because the theatre is giving me accommodations while I am there and also paying for my ride up. This enables me to save some money due to the fact I am super poor and am slowly finding out how much money this trip to montreal is costing.

I seriously do not comprehend large amounts of money, like I am an avid follower of films and see how much money celebrities make and how much box office totals equal, but when it pertains to my life it just scares me to be putting so much money into one thing.

I found out last week that I am receiving a scholarship to the school which lightens the pressure some and I am truly grateful for that!

Today I am filming a commercial and am stoked for that, I just thought I would get in a post before I headed out.  It's the launch of a new product so hopefully it will get some decent air time. Look for me on a television near you!

Some one who is really inspiring me lately is Ryan Gosling. I watched the trailer for Stupid, Crazy, Love and felt I should watch all his previous movies. He is a really interesting dude, his prep for roles is inspiring and unique. He is def a method actor. I am attaching the link to Stupid, Crazy, Love below.

I am sorry to disappoint the people who read this hoping to hear about the new Harry Potter movie, I have tricked you.

Night Abyss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK68Y3oMEk8

And That's a Wrap!

Hey,

Alright so long time no post, as per usual..

I have been super busy with auditions for school and shows and what not so I am back to fill you  in like a jelly filled pastry.

As you were aware I was in Montreal for a bit auditioning for the National Theatre School of Canada. I was extremely nervous and felt like I had completely failed at life and had no chance of being accepted. I was on my way to the airport the following day feeling satisfied that I had seen most of the beautiful city that is Montreal, when I received the greatest phone call of my life thus far. I am now one of the 12 in Canada to be accepted to the National theatre School! I am stoked beyond reason and cannot wait to move in September.

I am currently looking for accommodations and will be pursuing that a little more closer to the actual date. I am finally moving out of my apartment and will be moving back in with my buddy from last summer. Stoked x2.

After I got back from Montreal I went right into filming Bye Bye Blackbird, which is the new title, and have been on set everyday until yesterday. It was such and awesome experience and I am so grateful to have had it. The talent that I was working with is phenomenal. I will post some links below regarding the film.

In short that is basically what has been going on over the last 2 weeks. Super busy and super great.

I have two auditions this week, one for a short film and one for the TV series Haven. Hopefully those will result in work.

I am going to actually try and commit to more regular posting...seriously.

http://www.immunityforhealth.com/news/Bye-Bye-Blackbird-(film).html here are the links.

night abyss!

HEAD in HOME

Hey,

So today I leave Montreal.

Today is a sad day. I am hoping that with this emotion lain on this day that I will not crash before I get home (knock on wood).

I had my audition yesterday and I think it went well. Personally, my new material was the best it could have been. So I was happy with that.

The auditors had me work with my Shakespeare text, which made perfect sense to me because I am so uneducated in the whole realm of Shakespeare. Not to make his work sound like a weird video game involving goblins and elves. Although that would probably help me understand him more.

The text is just so beautiful that I find it difficult to bring that same beauty into my words.

Anyway, I was the very last to audition for them which can be perceived as a good thing I suppose or a bad thing if I was awful. I am really unsure at this point.

There is this feeling in the back of my mind that I am not getting in. I just feel like the chances are so low and I feel like I didn't do exactly what they were looking for yesterday and that I could have done better. Its just so hard to tell, where they do the same process to so many other people in the exact same boat as me. Its out of my hands now though.

They said they would be letting people know in two weeks as to what their decisions were. I almost don't want to know... I am just glad I have things distracting me for the next few weeks.

I start shooting Blackbird on Tuesday and I am stoked beyond reason. I am currently weighing my options as to wether I should shave my head down to velcro or keep it the way it is right now, which is kind of like a baby seal..

Wow, my life is about as exciting as you can get. This is said sarcastically.

I was sent the character breakdown for a show that is being done this summer and I am going to submit for it. The characters are a little bit older than me but I feel like, "what the hell?" Its more audition experience.

Anyway, thats basically it. I am going to try and see some shows this week. Possible reviews are in tow.


Night Abyss

Wooden Feet

Hey,

The last few weeks have been insanely busy for me.

Hense the lack of creative writing.

To recap: I received a callback to The National Theatre School, which is the last portion of the auditions that they do before choosing the 12 students for their program. I have come to terms with myself that I will probably not be one of those 12. And if I am, I am going to cry like a pre teen girl at the sight of Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling yelling at each other in the rain.

Now to salvage my masculinity.

I am currently taking a break from my pieces to write this update. I have worked really hard on them and have had some awesome coaching sessions with some extremely talented and just all around great people. I am going to channel as much of their talent as I can. I am forever thankful to them for helping me the way they have.

Since the National Theatre School is in Montreal, I had to fly up for the audition. So I am here now and my audition is on Wednesday (Today is Monday).  I am staying with one of my friends up here so as not to cost me money in hotels. But his apartment is pretty much a hotel. It seriously looks like something out of an Ikea magazine. Living for free. Oh yeah.

Although I am compelled to pose on the different furniture of the apartment, as if I am in the magazine as well, I can't due to that there is a French dude here who is attempting to fix a modem that is not working.

SO here I am barely knowing any French, and left alone because my friend had to go to rehearsal, with the French technician who doesn't speak any English. So, we have found a successful way of communicating by grunting and motioning with our hands, similar to that of Neanderthals. It makes me think about how language came to be...

At times I almost felt like the Miracle worker where I am putting words into his mouth, luckily we haven't had to share any moments under a water pump.

I am stoked to be here and my nervousness is setting in. I am going to go back to work now.

Also, I start filming Blackbird next week and the tour has come to an end. Now I just have to find some work after the movie....

Night Abyss.