Thursday, August 11, 2011

Summer 2011: Part 1

It has been a whirlwind summer here in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Another year at the illustrious and stationary CIRCUS WORLD MUSEUM! The cast this year is really great and very talented. I've had a WONDERFUL time alongside these fantastic new and old faces.

I've joined comedic forces with Greg Parks to provide --not one, but TWO clowns on the site this year. It's been a great opportunity, learning experience, and tons of fun to boot. I haven't worked with a clown partner since being on Ringling, so it has been refreshing and, as said before, a neat learning experience. --With this clown partner came a more relaxed schedule out here and DAYS OFF!!! --Most of which were spent working in other places (The Jungle Theater in "Next Fall, and Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp.) Money's money and you've gotta get it while and when you can; in the entertainment buisness. Work is rarely steady and money is hard to save. However, this is a truth I had learned prior to commiting myself to life and a career in the performing arts... Who know's if I will EVER again feel the pleasure of having insurance and other work bennefits...

After the season is over, I have a few gigs lined up here and there --one of which was finalized this morning. I will be returning to The Minnesota Renaissance Festival for my 5th year out there! Some insane part of my being LOVES the rough and tumble life of a street performer... It's such good experience and improv training --not to mention I will be working alongside some other incredibly talented people out there too!

The relationship world is surprisingly content --and this summer has only had some minor bumps. Lauren is a fantastic girl who is self aware, patient, and understanding. She also keeps me motivated and is a great listener. She's the apple of my eye and everything I need in a relationship. The summer is almost over and I can look forward to seeing her again on a semi-regular basis.

I will be writing more in the near future --in better detail, but for now I must be going down for the second circus show (My last for the day)....

Until later...
Thanks for reading!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

The journey continues...

So...

I completed classes at Anoka Ramsey to graduated there with an Associates in Fine Arts -Theater degree. HOORAY to that! It was a great 3 years or less. ONCE finished with that I went on an auditioning spree for commercials and theater. I was granted and BLESSED a role in a professional theater play, "Next Fall" by Geoffrey Nauffts.

HERE'S THE LINK for those that are interested/want to come...

http://www.jungletheater.com/season2011/nextfall.html


A note on the trailer --I know I look awkward and out of place, it was an off day... and that's just where I was living at that point in the rehearsal process. I'm doing better now. In the ring, I feel like I can hold my own, on a stage I feel like it can be hit or miss. That's the beauty of being an insecure artist...

I am dating a chick that I am head over heels for; the lovely Miss Lauren Haven. (Pictures to come) We have a lot of fun, we're understanding of each other, and I haven't felt this secure in a relationship in a long time. HOORAY FOR THAT!

Another bit of news: I will be RETURNING to CIRCUS WORLD MUSEUM for another WONDERFUL summer full of the sights, sounds, laughter, and drama of CIRCUS!
Joining me will be Greg Parks --former blue show clown and ALL-AROUND COOL DUDE! Will we be Steve and Ryan? No. We'll be Neal And Greg and we'll make it work for the summer.

Another project in coming up this summer will be going back to Mooseburger Clown Camp to teach for a second year! What a joy, thrill, and honor it is to be on an incredible staff of folks I idolized growing up! --I will also be helping out with FunnyBones Productions teaching at a circus camp in Baraboo too! (I'm totally making up for a summer off of clowning! No complaints! ...-yet!)

Life is good right now and I'm trying to take it all in stride (as anyone could.) I totally feel like I AM working --which isn't a bad thing. I am rehearsing hard and meticulously for the show in Minneapolis (getting my legs for the professional stage) and I will be UBER busy this summer with lots of projects... The problem is... what's going to happen in the fall???? Time will tell --and I surge on. Auditions, moving out of the house, a steady job... lots of plans lay ahead, but I must stay focused on the journey. I've got a lot of roses to smell until then.

I'm back on Blogger! The summer is coming and spring is here! I am back and better than ever. CHEERS to what's to come! Thank you, readers, for your patients.

ONWARD!

-Neal