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For the last week I have stared at a computer screen with the lyrics “Who am I anyway, am I my resume” playing on repeat in my head. This iconic musical theatre song has always been a favorite of mine because it spoke so much truth and now it is ringing truer than ever. As I clean up my resume and work on my cover letter I am anxious that this one-page document is supposed to capture the depth of my career experience and tell any future employer everything I have done and am capable of doing.
I can’t help but wonder why can’t we just skip straight to the interview? I wish applying for jobs were more like auditions, you get your audition date and time and you go in and show them what you have. They might not think you are the right fit but at least you got the opportunity to show them all you can do.
As artists, we never know where or when our next paying job might come along or if it will be a long-term position or just a temporary free-lance gig.
And it is because of the uncertainty of this entire process that I have taken measures to put a bit of the control back in my hands. A few years ago, I started my own company, MJE Acting Studio, where I offer my services as a private acting and college audition coach via in-person and online lessons. I have also teamed up with some friends and colleges to start CAP: College Audition Project which is all online as well. So, no matter what my zip code may be I know that I have some percentage of income coming in each month. I envy my friends that can float free on the wind and let each experience just wash over them with ease. I wish I could put my control freak tendencies to the side and just “see” what happens. However, this move is forcing me out of my comfort zones and making me deal with my control issues first hand.
Who knows what the future holds for me or what exact titles or position I may or may not hold in my new city.
What I do know is that in 2 weeks this long-awaited move will be over, and I will be standing in front of this new chapter of my life, ready to turn the first page. Hopefully, by then I will have a few interviews on the calendar. And if not, I will take a big deep breath and know that something is always waiting around the corner or maybe, who knows, I will create a new venture for myself!
In the end I am trusting the process while my family takes this huge leap of faith; it’s kind of scary at times but invigorating as well. Predictability can sometimes dampen our artistic voice, so here I go taking a bold step into the unknown.
Starting Over In A New City: Part 1
Michelle J Evans is the owner of MJE Acting Studio where she offers her services as a private acting and audition coach to students around the nation both online and in person. She is also part owner of CAP: College Audition Project, which is an online college audition consulting website made up of some of the industry’s top college audition coaches and professionals. Check them out at www.collegeauditionproject.com! Michelle graduated in 2004 with her Bachelors in acting and has been working professionally ever since. From 2004-2016, Michelle served on the staff of CYT (Christian Youth Theatre) Atlanta, as their class coordinator, camp director, acting/musical theatre instructor and director for their mainstage musicals. She also directed their annual residential teen camp, Improv team and award-winning competition troupe where, under her direction, the troupes have won numerous awards at both JTF and The National Performing Arts Festival. In 2014, Michelle began working for The Performers Warehouse as a private acting instructor, resident director and member of their prestigious college audition program. While at PW she has helped to develop their production company, Performer’s Warehouse Productions. Under her direction, PWP’s production of In The Heights took home 8 Broadway World Atlanta awards in 2017, including Best Musical and Best Director. In 2018 Michelle took PW’s JTF troupe to the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta where they won Excellence in Choreography. Michelle shares her time as an adjudicator and workshop instructor, sharing her knowledge and theatrical background with high school programs and other theatre companies. Since 2012 Michelle has been a Judge and Committee member for the prestigious Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards aka. the Shuler Awards, she has also served as an adjudicator for Georgia’s One Act Competition and Literary Competition. Michelle has been a workshop artist for the Georgia Thespian Convention as well as various schools and theatre companies. Always in pursuit of sharing her knowledge with others, in 2017, Michelle began her writing adventures. You can currently find her articles and columns on www.performerstuff.com and www.theatreartlife.com. During her professional career Michelle had has the fortune to direct and/or perform in over 70+ productions with some of her favorites being The Fantasticks, Noises Off, Hairspray, School for Wives, Arsenic and Old Lace, Three Postcards, Tarzan, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Buried Child, Pippin and In The Heights (Broadway World Awards Atlanta 2017 Best Director of a Musical). Her students can be found in local community and professional theatres, national tours, TV/Film and top ranking collegiate musical theatre programs around the country. She is a member of CiTA (Christians in Theatre Arts), NYA (National Youth Arts) and EdTA (Educational Theatre Association.) You can find out more about Michelle and her current projects at www.mjeactingstudio.com!
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