My New York Times

Oh GOD!!

2009-06-19T11:39:00.003-04:00

It's been over a year since I last posted.... I'll try to make my life more interesting so people will have something to read.

The Accidental Patriot

2008-05-09T01:05:00.003-04:00

So I just wanted to do a quick update. The show is going well and I uploaded some pictures of me in costume and my dressing station.

6 shows left!!!

Also, I just received confirmation that I have an audition with the Shakespeare Theatre Co in Washington DC next Thursday!!!! Wish me luck!!

An Update.

2008-04-10T01:16:00.002-04:00

So, I've been cast in a Swashbuckler show called The Accidental Patriot with Stolen Chair Theatre Company. It seems like it is going to be a good show.

The website has been updated...check it out.

Barnes and Noble Chelsea is close. :( I am now back to ushering on Broadway mainly at the August Wilson Theatre for the show Jersey Boys. But in the last week I have also worked A Catered Affair, Spring Awakening, and Patti Lapone's Gypsy.

I have to say... My day today was certainly star studded. I had a conversation with 1992 Tony Award winner for Faith Prince, Had a conversation with Multi- Tony award winner Harvey Fierstien and ran into the girl that plays the granddaughter in August: Osage County. That's why I love New York.

Jared

MOVING

2008-01-26T23:36:00.001-05:00

So we found an apartment in Washington Heights. It's a gorgeous art deco apartment with a large eat in kitchen and a large living room. AND we will live in MANHATTAN!!! We sign the lease on Monday and move on saturday. I'm not sure what the address is yet but I will know after we sign the lease on monday and I will send it to the people who need it.

Jared

YAY GOOD NEWS!!!

2008-01-21T23:24:00.000-05:00

**Warning: This post is full of sarcasm**

So, As you know I recently moved in to a New Apartment with some friends in Astoria. Today we find out we get the pleasure of moving again!!!!! Yay!!! THe landlord just pretty muched doubled our rent and we can not afford it so we'll be moving again by March 1. I'm sooooo excited!! And not only that. I no longer work for Barnes and Noble after March 31. SO I will be loosing my house and my job in a month's span. YAY. Let the search begin. More info to come as it is made available.........

Jared

Christmas Eve!

2007-12-23T23:46:00.002-05:00

I Met the Devil..... and she wears PRADA

2007-12-16T00:08:00.000-05:00

So I opened at Barnes and Noble today for the first time ever. It was pretty easy. For the most part of the morning the store was pretty quiet and it picked up around noon. However, in those quiet hours at the beginning of the day... it happened. I saw the devil.

She stood before me, a lot shorter than I expected, but they usually are shorter than you expect with the reputations they have. Her long brown fur coat hit her about mid-thigh and glistened so that there was no doubt the fur was real. Her strawberry blonde bob was topped with an elegant little hat. Almost before I had a chance to register what was going on, her assistant wisked her away into her chaffered towncar and she was gone.

Anna Wintour, the fashion editor made famous by her fictional counterpart Miranda Priestly in the movie The Devil Wears Prada, shops at Barnes and Noble Chelsea.

A New Job

2007-12-06T00:08:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I started working at the Barnes and Noble Chelsea. YAY!!! When I went in yesterday I was given a tour of the whole store then started on the job training in the Children's department. I will be working in the children's and Performing Arts sections of the store. I got a name tag and a locker in the break room.

So i've been working in children's shelving books, finding books for people, and answering questions. Also, I recommend books to people. This is hard. Usually I just recommend books my momma read me or books that I have read. But people come in looking for gifts for christmas.... like this one today....

Customer- I need a book for a 12 year old girl.

Me- What is she interested in?

Customer- I don't know. She's my granddaughter and she lives in South Carolina and she needs something for christmas.

Me- Ok.... Let's start over here with the american girls sections.....

It's hard when people don't know what they want. And, I don't remember what I was reading at what age. So, I'm talking with customers and trying to gage the reading level of the recipient. It's hard.

And there are job hazards I have learned..... I got a paper cut today :( and the location of the paper cut makes it look like I tried to slit my wrist. But I didn't. I like this job. It's a lot better than my last one........

2007-11-24T01:21:00.000-05:00

I went for a job fair at starbucks in Union Square today. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF STARBUCKS!!!! They keep giving me the run around. Every time I go into a starbucks and ask about upcoming Job fairs they give me information but when i show up they give me a different date and location. I am done with it!!

I went to Barnes and Noble and turned in an application and immediately was asked for an interview. The Interview went well. They need a few days to check my references then I should be hearing from them. Hopefully it will be good news.

Jared

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2007-11-22T03:17:00.000-05:00

I GOT A JOB!!

2007-10-05T20:00:00.000-04:00

FINALLY, after weeks of searching for a survival job to support my artistic efforts, I found a job. I will be working for the RoundAbout Theatre Company as a season subscription telemarketer. I also was hired at a temp agency today. I can do temp work and matenee ushering during the day and work at Roundabout in the evenings. YAY!!!

2007-09-24T00:10:00.000-04:00

Sunday September 23, 2007 Brooklyn, NY

So, the Good news keeps pouring in. I was accepted into the part time acting program at the Atlantic theatre company. I was cast in my New York debut role as Freddy in GBS's Pygmalion. Then I got a job as a sub usher working for Jujamcyn Theatres. Then I was hired to work box office for a production of Oedipus by the mortals theatre company. And, I've had two interviews with Old Navy and am expecting a call from them tomorrow. Also, I was invited to audition for a film next weekend... more to come on that if I get cast. So... things are really starting to role here.

Jared

BIG NEWS

2007-09-17T12:08:00.000-04:00

Monday September 17, 2007 Brooklyn, NY

So, After being in New York for about two and a haf months I finally got casted in a show. I will be making my NY debut in George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion produced by the New York Theatrical Alliance. The show runs for 2 days November 30 and December 1.

Jared

2007-09-07T00:59:00.000-04:00

Friday September 7, 2007 Brooklyn, NY

Well, I've been busy booking auditions. Starting saturday I have almost a week of non stop auditions. Saturday I audition for a spiritual (though non-denominational) company, On sunday I audition to work with Anne Bogart (theatre legend) and the guy who is the artistic director for Classic Stage Company (it's not paid :( but it would be invaluable experience working with the MFA directing program at Columbia) On Monday I audition for the Bat theatre company and Adam Rapp. Tuesday I have my interview with the Atlantic theatre school and an audition for extra work in the Sex in the City Movie (I know, not exactly a way to build my career but it VERY good money) Then i have a few days that are still open at the moment. Next Monday I have an audition for the broadway production of Edward II. I may also have an audition for Proof around that same time (still waiting for confirmation on that one.) So yeah. that's what i've been up to lately.

Jared

Vacation

2007-08-28T22:54:00.000-04:00

August 28, 2007 Brooklyn, NY

SO after finishing the festival I went to Coney Island with John. We, We started the day out on Brighton Beach, playing in the surf and soaking up the sun. Then we walked down to the COney Island Boardwalk, had Nathan's hot dogs and daquris on the beach. It was a nice relaxing vaction because... New York City starts to wear on you and you need to escape once in a while. NOw I am refreshed and ready for whatever comes next.

Jared

2007-08-28T02:14:00.000-04:00

August 27,2007 Brooklyn, NY

Fringe is over. In slept most of the day and spent the rest of the day watching the Bourne Trilogy with John. Tomorrow, I am finally going to make it to Coney Island.

2007-08-20T22:19:00.000-04:00

August 20, 2007 East Village, Manhattan

This past week has been CRAZY! Still working the festival till Sunday. Then, I've been hired to work the next little festival at the Gene Frankel. I was off last monday so i slept in and then went to see Stardust with John. It was a good movie. The people at the festival get craizer and craizer and I want more money for having to deal with insane audience members. I won't get it... but i want it. Friday night John and I went out with Christine Ebersole to the West Bank Cafe for "The After Party" (a kareoke party). that was a lot of fun. It's amazing how you get treated like a VIP when you are sitting at the same table as a two time Tony award winner. I was off today and spent my time relaxing and sent out the first batch of my mass mailing. Soon my face will be plastered around NYC (i hope). Anyway, that;s all i have for now.

Working Man

2007-08-11T13:46:00.000-04:00

August 11, 2007 The Gene Frankel Theatre, East Village, Manhattan

So, from being a volunteer at the Main box office for FringeNYC , I recieved a promotion to Venue Box Office Manager at the Gene Franklin theatre at 24 Bond street (at Lafayette). This positions, though still volunteer, is a stipended position so I will be maiking some money for it. However, the big advantage is that I am recieving MASSIVE amounts of box office training and I have a contact with the box office for the Round About Theatre Company and will be applying for a job there once the festival ends for a survival job. SO, that's what's new right now. I work from 11 to 9:30 day without a break. This is a big festival!!!! About to open the box office for the next show so I'd better go.

Jared

Insanity

2007-08-02T01:37:00.000-04:00

Thurday August 2, 2007 Brooklyn NY 1:50am

Went out with John last night for pizza, ice cream and to see Ratatouille. It was a fun night of hanging out. Today I went to some discount designer stores to scope out the clothing scene. I'll be looking to buy some new clothes soon. I also got the info that i needed to apply to be a substitute usher for Jujamcyn Entertainment (who own several Broadway Theatres including the Walter Kerr, The O'Neil, and the Saint James) and the info to apply for a job doing promotional work with Promotionals1. YAY!! I might be working soon! I also applied to be a volunteer for the NYCFringe festival so I can meet people and get free tickets to see the new up and coming work in NY.

In other news, I think I have completely lost my mind. I've decided what i want to write as my next play. It is very ambitious but here goes.... I'm going to write a play that would fit in to the Shakespearean Canon. Just to see if I can do it. I know. I'm crazy, right.

Jared.

Update

2007-07-31T04:45:00.000-04:00

Tuesday July 31, 2007 Brooklyn, NY

I went to the closing night party for Grey Gardens sunday night and it was absolutely wonderful!!! It was held at the Bryant Park Grill right behind the NY Public Library on Fifth Ave. They served hors d'vores, steak, Pene pasta, ravioli, and chicken marsala. They had a full bar and an extensive dessert table. And all of this was absolutely free to the revelers! There were also 3 psychics, and 2 photo booths. I was able to have drinks and laughs with Christine Ebersol, Mary Louise Wilson, John McMartin, Matt Cavenaugh, Asa Somers, Scott Frankel (the lyricist), Jerry (the real Jerry on whom the character in the play is written), and Kelly Gonda. Kelly is the founder of East of Doheny the major producer of Grey Gardens. So, it was a very entertaining evening. I also visited with friends i have made with the merchandising and backstage staff.

I've spent pretty much all day working on my new website and IT HAS BEEN LAUNCHED!!! You can now check me out on www.jaredrpike.com!! I'm still having some technical difficulties with the navigation bar and need to put some more info in places but it is up on the web now.

And I will leave you with this thought:

John Raymond Barker, Christine Ebersole, and I at the Closing Night Party for Grey Gardens.

Jared

This week in review.....

2007-07-28T22:00:00.000-04:00

Saturday July 29, 2007 Brooklyn, NY

This has been a very exciting week for me. I have narrowed the headshot selection down to the top two and the photographer is currently doing her touchup work on them and should get the completed high quality files to me soon so i can get my headshots, postcards, and business cards printed.

Wednesday, I went to see Grey Gardens. It was amazing. I liked the second act better than the first becasue i like the music style better. But Christine Ebersol was phenomenal!!! I got her autograph following the show.

Friday, I had lunch with David Bell, a playwright who grew up in Houston and actually went to Sam Houston for a year before transfering to UofH. We had a delightful lunch and discussed the joys and trials of moving to NYC, and, different aspects of the business. When I got home after lunch I had an email from him telling me that his best friend is a talent agent and that I should mention that i was his friend and I could get an "in" with an agent. Friday night, I went to see a show called "Guilty" at the Acorn theatre. It was absolutely dreadful. But after the show i met up with some friends at the Walter Kerr (home of Grey Gardens till tomorrow afternoon). I've made friends with some of the Marketing people there. So i was hanging out with them and pretending to be part of the marketing team and selling Grey Gardens stuff. While standing out side the theatre I met Martin Sheen and almost met Cheetah Rivera. After the stage door had cleared I went over and joined a group conversation with Christine. She is SOOOOOO AMAZING!! Also in that group conversation was William Sledd (who is rapidly becoming a fashion spokesperson for BRAVO). When Christine had to leave, the group convo moved down to Broadway to Tasti-Delight for some ice cream. After Ice cream, William, John, and I went out to a diner for a while and talked. It was a great evening.

In other news, be on the look out for the launch of my new website: www.jaredrpike.com. I now own the domain and am building the website. I will post a notice here when I offically launch. THis blog will still be your source for all my actvities here in NY but the new website will be my professional PR and Marketing website.

I just recieved an invitation to the closing night party for Grey Gardens tomorrow night. YAY!!!

Jared

Game Day

2007-07-22T18:35:00.000-04:00

Sunday July 22, 2007 Brooklyn, NY

the Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in a landslide 21-4!!!! It was a wonderful day in the Bronx!!!

Jared

2007-07-20T17:03:00.000-04:00

Friday July 20, 2007 Brooklyn, NY

Change of plans. Before I bought a ticket to Grey Gardens, my friend John called and offered me a free ticket to see Xanadu tonight and a ticket to Grey Gardens next week. I said sure. We are also going to see a midnight show of Hairspray tonight. This will be fun. Also got my gym membership today to Ludlow Fitness and went to work out for the first time since i've been here. It was fun. The gym is independently owned so it's not as big as NYSC but it gets the job done and the staff is friendly and helpful.

Jared

2007-07-18T23:39:00.000-04:00

Wednesday July 18, 2007, Brooklyn, NY

So, you may have heard that there was an explosion in NYC today. I am happy to report that I was nowhere near Grand Central Station at the time that the steam pipe exploded. I was safely attending a play in Tribecca.

As for the Job search... I have narrowed down to the top six headshots and by the end of tomorrow hope to narrow down to the top two so I can get them printed. I have my envelopes and mailing labels all ready to go for the mass mailing to Casting directors for stage, film, and television in New York City. I am working on building my connections. I went out to dinner with the friend of a friend who works as the Backstage Doorman for the Walter Kerr Theatre that currently houses the show Grey Gardens. I am going to go see the show on friday, then will recieve a backstage tour and the chance to meet with Christine Ebersol who won the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical. THis guy is also good friends with Cherry Jones who won the Tony for Best Actress in a Play for Doubt. I will get the chance to meet her the next time she is in the City. So I'm working on hobknobing with the elite of Broadway. THat's sure to come in handy. He's also mentioned possibly being able to get me a job working as an usher on broadway. It's nice to finally start to find some friends up here.

Tonight Veronica, Johnny and I went to see a portion of Susan Lori Parks' 365 Plays/365 Days. It was held at the Synagogue for the Arts in Tribeca and one of our former classmates from SAM, Cadian Dumas, was playing in it. We also met Michelle Vanegas (another SAM grad) there. It was a fun evening.

Anyway, I'm here. I'm still settling and networking. I feel like things are moving really slow, but talking with people who have been in my shoes before-- I'm actually a little ahead of the game. So, that's encouraging. It's clear I know what I am doing. I just want to do it a little faster. But, yeah, Life is good.

Jared

Week 2

2007-07-12T19:51:00.000-04:00

Thursday July 11, 2007 Brooklyn, NY

So, Week 2 in the big city is winding to a close. This week has been about building my Actor's Toolbox and settling in to the apartment. I papered myself with a day at the spa on Tuesday to get my skin preped and pretty for today's Headshot shoot. I've ordered pre-cut 8x10 resume paper. I turned in my official resume to the Atlantic theatre to work as their asst. Wardrobe supervisor and will be meeting with Adriana (the supervisor) sometime in the near future. I went to IKEA and bought some more furniture for my room. So I now have a desk, chair, bookcase, and cabinet space. And of course I have been exploring the wonders of Bed, Bath and Beyond, and THE CONTAINER STORE! Those are wonderful places!!!!! We got internet but still don't have a wireless router so I am still stealing for a few more days.

I just joined a group that gets me $4 tickets to several shows and events. I just got tickets to the Yankees game on the 22nd for $4!!!!! I'm excited.

Anyway, I'm tired and need to cook some dinner then sort through 400someodd headshots to find the perfect one. Some of you may be getting Emails asking your opinions. Hope all is well with "youse guys".

Jared

Week 1 Recap

2007-07-07T00:40:00.000-04:00

I want to write about my first week and recap... but the stolen internet is being stubborn. We got our own internet and cable today but we don't have a wireless router yet. so i will write more when i have a better connection.

Pictures

2007-07-05T19:17:00.000-04:00

Friday July 5, 2007 Brooklyn, New York

I stole some pics of the apartment from Johnny and added a pic of my bedroom. I have been really bad about taking pictures thus far. I will try to improve.

This is the outside of our building. That is my window in the lower left hand corner.

This is the Middle School across the street.

This is the main hallway of the building. My door is on the Left.

The Kitchen.

The Backyard.

My bedroom.

Corrections

2007-07-03T23:33:00.000-04:00

Tuesday July 3, 2007 Brooklyn, NY

so, when i went to check on the exact time and place for the Balloon Glow and found out it was at Coney Island Park, OHIO!!! So we didn't go. Instead we went out to a nice dinner at Blue Moon in Chelsea. We then met Steph at the Atlantic and while waiting in the alley way we met Victor Garber. That was cool. We walked with Steph to the Subway. She's going to meet up with us tomorow for the fireworks.

Jared

Getting Settled

2007-07-03T11:38:00.000-04:00

Tuesday July 3, 2007 Brooklyn, NY

Since I moved into my new apartment, I have been rushin around trying to get things settled and ready to start a life here. I bought a bed that I am waiting to have delivered...(and I am ready for it!!!!) I have purchased a new cell phone which should arrive on thursday. We set up internet/cable/digital phone service which will be installed on Friday (till then i am stealing someone else's wireless). Last night i set up my head shot consultation with a photographer. We will be meeting thrusday afternoon. So I have been busy. Today I am going into Manhattan to go shopping for some nice clothes to wear for my headshot. Later tonight Veronica, Johnny, and I are talking about going out to Coney Island for the Balloon Glow and fireworks that follow. Then tomorrow we are going down to Battery Park to see the Independence Day fireworks over the statue of Liberty.

There has been a lot of confusion over what my address here is. I think part of that was miscommunications on the phone. But I will clear it up now that I know for sure.

Jared R. Pike
173 Hopkins St
Apt 1L
Brooklyn, NY 11206

and my new cell phone number (as of THURSDAY) will be (718)354-9256

Well, It's time to go shopping.

Jared

DAY 1

2007-07-01T11:59:00.000-04:00

Sunday July 1, 2007 East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

I'm HERE!!!! I landed at JFK about 11 am EST.and took the subway to my apartment, getting there about 12:30. I spent most of the afternoon unpacking my boxes and settling. My roommates and I made a trip to Target in Flatbush to get some things we needed... and that was interesting. The Target was two stories with an escalator and a special escalator for the buggies. Veronica's dad drove his truck and traffic was dreadful. I'm glad i don't have to drive here. Last night I went inot manhattan to try to find a Whole Foods down on Houston St. I was unsuccessful... but i went to the Atlantic and met Stephanie and her Mom. I went back to Astoria with them to get my stuff that i stored at her house last time I was up here. THen I headed back to my apartment in Brooklyn, made up my pallet on the floor, and went to sleep. Slept late today and about to go into manhattan again and go shopping for some things i need. But things are great here and will get even better as i accrue more furniture.

Jared

2007-06-30T00:04:00.000-04:00

Friday, June 29, 2007 Friendswood, TX

I am sitting here 8 hours shy of getting on a plane and flying to my new home. I am incredibly excited and ready for the adventure to start...

Jared

2007-06-28T01:21:00.000-04:00

Thursday, June 28, 2007 Henderson, TX 12:22am

The boxes are packed and ready to be loaded into the trailer in a few hours. Starting to get VERY excited but also getting very tired. I hate trying to pack. I need sleep.

Jared

The BIG Day

2007-06-26T23:12:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, June 26, 2007 Henderson, TX

So the time is fast approaching. On Thrusday morning all my earthly possessions will hop on a truck and begin a two day journey across this great land of ours. I, however, will wait till Saturday morning and hop on a plane and meet my possessions at my new apartment. It seems like a much more comfortable way to travel.

I will be flying on JetBlue from Houston's Hobby Airport at 7am and arriving at JFK in New York sometime between 11 and 12.

And now I must go finish packing.

Jared

2007-06-21T21:38:00.000-04:00

June 21, 2007 Huntsville, Texas

As of a few hours ago I found out that we now have confirmed an apartment for the three of us to live in. Thank Goodness!!!! We will be living in an apartment in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. From what i hear we are on the first floor and about a block from a subway station. We even have a back yard!! So yeah, things are looking up now. We are planning to move towards then end of next week.

Jared

AND SO IT BEGINS...

2007-06-20T23:51:00.000-04:00

June 20, 2007 Henderson, Texas

To those of you interested in reading the tales of my new adventure,

I now begin. Embarking out onto strange and unknown waters. I am incredibly excited and a little apprehensive about this new journey; but I am optimistic that all will turn out well.

I intend to use this tiny corner of the web as my own newspaper to keep those interested informed about the occurences in my life in New York City. I will try to write at least once a week, try mind you. I make no promises. I will also try to post pictures once in a while if I can figure out how to do it.

And so, as to my current condition in the journey:
I still have yet to find an apartment. My roommate Veronica is going to NYC this weekend to look for an apartment and her friend Abbey who lives in NYC is look at two possible apartments tomorrow evening. If none of those work out, I will be calling Matt Daugherty and Stephanie's friend John who are both looking for a roommate and end up moving in with one of them. Reguardless I will be moving up to NYC within the next two weeks. And that's were I stand now.

Jared

"Afoot, and light-hearted I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.

Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune,
Henceforth I wimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing.
Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,
Strong and content I travel the open road."
~ Walt Whitman