Timothy FitzgeraldHow many times have you thought, “I should have gotten that role!” after the casting has been announced and your name is not on the list? How do you handle that news? For many people, it can be crushing news. It can make you think that you are not good enough and deflate your confidence. Or conversely, it can send you into a situation where you start bad mouthing people or the organization producing the show. Well, let’s take a step back and talk this out, my friends.First, let me say that this has happened to me in the past, and not getting a role you had your heart set on can really hurt emotionally. One thing I have found that you should do is to take a step back from the disappointment and focus on the good things in life. If you focus all your energies on theatre and it becomes the end-all in your life, you are traveling on a dangerous slope.Think about the good experiences in theatre you have had. Think of the joy theatre brings you. And most importantly, remember, you are still in control. You can decide whether to let this bring you down or give you the incentive to focus more on the next audition that comes up - there will always be another audition.A definite don’t is to say disparaging remarks about the group. It is not going to change things and, if anything, could wind up hurting you even more if you get labeled as ‘sour grapes’ as the theatre world is small and word does get around. That would also make other theatres think twice about casting you in future shows. And it could defeat your chances of getting cast…it’s just not worth it.One thing I have done in the past is to speak to the director for advice on ways to improve my audition skills for next time and what, if anything, I could have done better. It could have been that you were in the running but with all things considered, the director made a choice which could have been based on visual in matching people up with each other or vocally or the style of acting that he/she was looking for in the character. Don’t immediately think you did something wrong that does nobody any good. Step back and breathe….it’s going to be OK.Here’s a life experience example. Years ago, I worked with a theatre where I kept getting cast in the ensemble. Every time I auditioned for a leading role, I got ensemble. It felt like I was getting pigeon-holed as ensemble for life. So, I finally decided that I would audition for another theatre to test the water. Two auditions later, I got cast in a supporting role by another theatre. That began a journey of over 40 years, where I have had some great opportunities given to me. But I did not get every role, and it was not the end-all if I didn’t. I was grateful for every opportunity.Another important thing that will help is to make sure you have a social life outside of the theatre. I love the theatre but found I was going from show to show to show. I finally realized after once when I wasn’t cast that I had nothing to fall back on. I was sitting at home with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Not so good, I tell you. I finally developed new friends and reached out to old friends and lo and behold, a social life. It was reinvigorating and made me realize that I had to stop and smell the roses along the way. No regrets and my life is no longer just theatre…it is a part of my life, happily!Don’t give up on yourself. Keep auditioning. Try other groups. Turn the negative into a positive. Theatre can be a passion don’t let it become an obsession. You will be a happier person and all the better for it, I guarantee.

An off-duty soldier is being hailed as a hero after he saved the lives of several children during Saturday’s mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. Army PFC Glendon Oakley Jr., a 22-year-old automated logistical specialist assigned stationed at Fort Bliss, was among the hundreds of customers shopping at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso when a gunman opened fire at a nearby Walmart. SEE NEXT: At least 20 people were killed and dozens more were wounded in the shooting. The suspected shooter has been identified as a 21-year-old Dallas man named , an apparent Trump supporter who allegedly wrote in an anti-immigrant manifesto that he was against “race mixing.” Crusius was taken into custody at the scene without incident, police said. Glendon Oakley—who just came home from a tour in Kuwait about four months ago—says he was shopping at a sporting goods store inside the mall when a young child ran into the store shouting about an active shooter at Walmart. He said he didn’t believe the kid at first, but when he exited that store and started walking towards the neighboring Foot Locker, that’s when he heard the gunfire with his own ears. “I got my license to carry so I pulled my gun out,” Oakley told . “I just started to hide.” The Foot Locker closed the gates in front of the store’s entrance as a precaution, Oakley said, but terrified shoppers forced their way inside. Eventually, everyone decided to make a run for the mall exits, and Oakley followed behind as an impromptu rear guard for the group. As Oakley and the others were running to safety, they came across a group of about a dozen or so children in one of the mall’s open play areas screaming for their parents. Oakley said he tried to get other fleeing bystanders to help, but none of them would stop. “I didn’t even think. I just grabbed as many kids as I could and ran five stores down to the exit,” he . “We got there and ran into a whole batch of police pointing their guns at us. I wasn’t focused on myself, and I wasn’t focused on my surroundings … I was just focused on those kids.” Oakley said the police stopped him because he had a weapon, but they let him go after he proved he had the proper permit to carry it. Despite his military training, Oakley said he was “scared for [his] life,” but he couldn’t help but think about the children first. “I was worried about those kids, man,” he told KTSM. “I wasn’t even worried about myself.” Oakley said he wished more people would have helped him save more children. “I heard four kids died,” he said. “I wish I could have gotten more kids out of there. I wish those guys who ran would have stayed … I just think, what if that was my child? How would I want some other man to react?” After a pause, he said: “I wish they had some sense of service.” is a post from:

Thomas Ostermeier’s new production of “Youth Without God” is the centerpiece of the drama offerings at this year’s event.

During the curtain call for “The Prom,” a show that celebrates inclusivity, a lesbian couple exchanged their marriage vows.

The Death Star has been teased numerous times in the latest Star Wars trilogy and it looks like The Rise of Skywalker is finally going to deliver.

Jail has to be like one of the worst places in the world a person can go. Nothing about it is good and I wouldn’t wish it on a soul. So it comes as no surprise when you hear stories about inmates trying to escape from jail and their successful and unsuccessful attempts at it. However, a recent report about a Brazil gang leader who dressed up as his own daughter when she came to visit him and planned on leaving his daughter behind in the jail is one of the craziest things I’ve heard thus far. According to , Clauvino da Silva (who is also known as “Shorty”) was caught by authorities trying to break out of the Gericinó prison in Rio de Janeiro dressed like a woman. “The reputed crime boss was allegedly wearing a pink t-shirt with a cartoon image of donuts, a black wig, silicon mask and tight jeans to conceal his identity. A video released by authorities appears to show him removing the mask and some of the clothes and saying his full name.” Authorities said Silva’s daughter came to visit him at the prison and Silva dressed himself to look identical to his daughter. Silva’s plan was to trick guards to think he was his daughter and to leave his daughter at the prison. His escape attempt was almost successful until authorities noticed him acting extremely nervous, which immediately gave away his disguise. The convicted drug dealer’s amazing get-up was so convincing prison staff only stopped him at the end of visiting time because he started acting too nervously, authorities told the Now authorities are investigating if Silva’s daughter was an accomplice in his escape attempt. Silva is said to be a part of the leadership of the Red Command, one of the most powerful criminal groups in Brazil that controlled drug trafficking in a large part of Rio. Since the incident, Silva was transferred to a special unit of a maximum-security prison and will face disciplinary action. Brazil Gang Leader Caught Trying to Break Out of Prison Dressed Up Like His Daughter is a post from:

The Power of Grayskull, the Definitive history of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe chronicles the beginnings and blockbuster-success of '80s toy sensation.

Jail has to be like one of the worst places in the world a person can go. Nothing about it is good and I wouldn’t wish it on a soul. So it comes as no surprise when you hear stories about inmates trying to escape from jail and their successful and unsuccessful attempts at it. However, a recent report about a Brazil gang leader who dressed up as his own daughter when she came to visit him and planned on leaving his daughter behind in the jail is one of the craziest things I’ve heard thus far. According to , Clauvino da Silva (who is also known as “Shorty”) was caught by authorities trying to break out of the Gericinó prison in Rio de Janeiro dressed like a woman. “The reputed crime boss was allegedly wearing a pink t-shirt with a cartoon image of donuts, a black wig, silicon mask and tight jeans to conceal his identity. A video released by authorities appears to show him removing the mask and some of the clothes and saying his full name.” Authorities said Silva’s daughter came to visit him at the prison and Silva dressed himself to look identical to his daughter. Silva’s plan was to trick guards to think he was his daughter and to leave his daughter at the prison. His escape attempt was almost successful until authorities noticed him acting extremely nervous, which immediately gave away his disguise. The convicted drug dealer’s amazing get-up was so convincing prison staff only stopped him at the end of visiting time because he started acting too nervously, authorities told the Now authorities are investigating if Silva’s daughter was an accomplice in his escape attempt. Silva is said to be a part of the leadership of the Red Command, one of the most powerful criminal groups in Brazil that controlled drug trafficking in a large part of Rio. Since the incident, Silva was transferred to a special unit of a maximum-security prison and will face disciplinary action. Brazil Gang Leader Caught Trying to Break Out of Prison Dressed Up Like His Daughter is a post from:

Malik Yoba has received much praise and support since admitting his love for all women, , to combat the stigma, shame, and bullying attached to straight men—specifically black men—dating transwomen in an Instagram post. But one transwoman took major issue with the former Empire star’s statement and the support he was receiving and accused him of for sex 20 years ago in New York City. “NYs Child Sex Abuse law means Malik will have to face the music. Sorry to burst a lot of folks bubbles,” Mariah Lopez Ebony wrote in a now-viral Facebook post on Sunday (Sep. 1). Ebony alleged that Yoba paid her for sex when she was just 13 years old, and again when she was 16. She said Yoba specifically sought out black transgender minors. “[Yoba’s] admission to being sexually attracted to Trans women, is bound to open a Pandora’s box for him; not because the women are Trans, But because many of the Trans women he engaged in sexual exploration and exploitation with on 14th Street, Times Square and elsewhere, were minors. Including myself.” “What Malik paid me to do, as a 13 and 16-year-old, wasn’t love,” she continued, adding that “he knew what he was doing, was wrong.” She also said Yoba would beg for unprotected sex. Ebony also questioned Yoba’s true reasoning for publicly professing he love for transwomen. Yoba made his post in defense of transgender relationships, but Ebony believes someone was threatening to reveal his past with transgender prostitutes, forcing him to “come out.” “Where was his LOOOOOOOOVVVVEEE for Trans women over the last 20 years? Where are his Trans girlfriends? Something tells me I’m not the only one who got some dirt on this individual and, something also tells me that he didn’t just up-and-decide to ‘come out’, he was pushed. “Careful not to make a fool of yourself supporting him and his message. I am sure I am not the only trans person who was a minor when Malik Yoba first ‘loved’ them.” Yoba admitted his sexual attraction to transwomen last week in response to the suicide of , a 20-year-old black man who was seen being bullied for dating a transwoman in a viral video. “ATTENTION BLACK AND ALL MEN!!! THIS IS NOT OK!!!!! This video is another heartbreaking example of the homophobia, transphobia hatred and hypocrisy,” Yoba wrote. “WE as black folks, BLACK MEN in particular have to NAME , FACE and CALL OUT and do the work to heal!!!” Yoba continued: “I love ALL women AND count MYSELF among those that find themselves trans attracted and I too have felt the self imposed shame that comes with that truth but it’s time to speak up. It is NOT about GENITALIA OR SEX but about attraction to the soul and humanity of an individual and often the beauty that is in the courage and conviction to live ones truth!” Malik Yoba has yet to address the claims made by Mariah Lopez Ebony. is a post from:

The 10 best FX shows Have you ever noticed how many good shows have come from FX? Comingsoon.net has. Check out our favorites in the gallery below! A cable network that came into the spotlight at the turn of the , FX has managed to churn out some of the most critically-acclaimed television shows of the past twenty years or so. FX (and their separate network for comedies, FXX) has actually been responsible for as many great programs as premium cable networks like or Showtime, honestly—they just can’t seem to help themselves. They simply know how to make good TV. FX has been praised by showrunners for allowing them to have almost complete and total freedom in their couple of decades as a network—they let comedies be vulgar, they let dramas be violent, they let writers put out work they can be proud of. Here are ten examples, with plenty more that deserve honorable mentions. The post appeared first on .

Disney's remake of The Lion King continues to break records at the box office as it's now even higher on the all-time chart.

American Experience filmmaker Stanley Nelson's retrospective of the music and pop culture icon, Miles Davis.

Five theater-makers on who they met, how they relaxed and what they got done during their warm-weather residencies.

I have to give 100% credit to my friend Kevin Winebold for giving me this idea. A couple years ago at a holiday party, he told me that more people should audition with reprises. Given that the man is brilliant, I agreed and have been meaning to write about this for some time. Auditioning with a reprise is a fantastic choice of material. Typically they are already short cuts, contain some great performance moments and can even show off your acting range. Also, in timed auditions the chances of being cut off are slim. I’m honestly shocked I don’t hear more of them in auditions. But if you’re considering them, here are 10 that would be good choices. “I’m the Bravest Individual” - Sweet Charity “How I Know You” - Aida “Dead Girl Walking” - Heathers “Small World” - Gypsy “Foolish to Think” - Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder “Promise Me Violet” - Violet “Falsettoland” - Falsettos ”Belle” - Beauty & the Beast “Just Beyond the Stars” - Peter Pan “Look Over There” - La Cage aux Folles

Iranian-born Canadian singer and actor Ramin Karimloo has become one of the best-known talents in the world of Musical Theatre, building a CV of impressive productions worldwide. He made his West End debut at 26, making history as the youngest Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, and then reprised that role for both the 25th Anniversary concert, and the sequel musical Love Never Dies. Broadway credits include Les Mis (Tony Award nomination), Anastasia and Chess at the Kennedy Centre.The theme of this record is reflection, and each track fits the brief perfectly. Karimloo turned 40 last year, and it is clear that this milestone prompted him to look at his journey thus far. A broad spectrum of work is covered here, with songs from The Bridges of Madison County, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Dear Evan Hansen, Chess and The Bodyguard.From Now On is the second full-length album from Karimloo, and covers a series of Musical Theatre and film favourites with his “Broadgrass” band, adding an unusual folk twist to these classics, with instruments like banjo, and fiddle. Perhaps the most different from the original is Frozen’s Let It Go, which would not feel out of place on a folk album, rather than an all-singing, all-dancing Disney cast recording.The album title track, from The Greatest Showman is a blinder of an opening, and I would not be surprised if Karimloo played circus ringleader Barnum onstage when the musical adaptation becomes a reality. He absolutely holds his own, putting his own spin on the powerhouse anthem made famous by stage and screen legend Hugh Jackman.Artists that cover I Will Always Love You often take inspiration from Whitney Houston’s iconic recording, so it’s very refreshing to hear one that remembers Dolly Patron’s original.I particularly enjoyed that this album never feels overproduced, especially the vocal. It has an almost live quality to it, which works well on tracks like Rent’s What You Own. Musical Theatre fans crave something more real than the overproduced, manufactured sound of commercial artists, and they will not be disappointed with this album. That said, a quick iTunes search taught me that Karimloo has never recorded Bring Him Home or Music of the Night, his two most career-defining anthems, and on this album, there is definitely room for a new version of the former, especially with this band.Ramin Karimloo’s tenor sound is unique and instantly recognisable both here, and on the many cast recordings he has lent his talents to. Any fan of his work will enjoy this album, and it wouldn’t surprise me if there another is already in the works.Review by Ian MarshallRating: ★★★★

It is not unusual to see films at the festival turn up later on the Oscar ballot.

Bob Iger teases a potential third live-action Star Wars series Despite the end nearing for the primary saga of the long-running sci-fi film franchise Star Wars, Disney CEO Bob Iger not only announced today that the next three Star Wars films are the in-development projects from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, but that there may also be a third live-action TV series extension of the franchise in the works. Speaking at the MoffettNathanson Media & Communications Summit, Iger discussed the future of the franchise and how the studio is planning on filling the gaps between the final primary installment The Rise of Skywalker and the first installment of the next trilogy, which is slated for a December 2022 release. “..In the interim, we are producing two Star Wars live-action series for Disney+, one of them is called The Mandalorian, which is being supervised by Jon Favreau, and the other one is a bit of a prequel to Rogue One. And my guess is there will probably be at least one more live-action series that we produce for Disney+ (meaning a Star Wars series), before we release the next film.” The franchise thus far has only seen three TV series extensions of the lore, all of which however have been animated, and the studio is currently working on two live-action small screen spin-offs. The first is The Mandalorian focusing on the lone titular gunfighter, which is set to premiere on the upcoming streaming service Disney+ on November 12. The second series currently in the works for Disney+ is an untitled project focusing on Rogue One character Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), described as an espionage thriller, from The Americans writer Stephen Schiff, which is set to begin production sometime later this year. Iger’s comments don’t necessarily confirm the development of a third series, but given the franchise’s popularity and potential for multiple story expansions, the mammoth studio’s inclinations to potentially produce a third iteration definitely creates hope for more adventures in a galaxy far, far away. The post appeared first on .

was started by the , who are in their 70th year, in 2001. Combating issues such as stress, relationships, loneliness, altruism, sleep, alcohol and friendship with this years theme being body image. Here at we put some feelers out to some of our friends who responded with such bravery and pride. Working in this industry we call 'show business' is tough at the best of times, is our chance to educate people and help us understand one another. Our mission as people who are in and adore this industry is to support and help everyone in it. To promote we have been joined by a few of our friends who have written some wonderful guest posts for us. The more we speak about this, the better. We'd like to introduce you to Gregory Hazel, a London based performer who has recently performed as Vivienne De Vil in the of . He has very kindly shared his story with us. ________________________________________________This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and have asked me to share my story, as someone in the industry who has both suffered from mental health problems, but also benefited massively from the support that is available. While I am by no means an expert when it comes to mental health (the good, the bad and the ugly), my battles have left me with a wealth of experiences, and I make a conscious effort to be open and share my story, in the hope that it will show others that they are not alone, and that help is available to them.As a child, I was always sensitive, and I’m no different now. World events play on my mind, the diatribes of Hopkins, Morgan and Trump upset me, and I could win awards for my ability to over analyse every single conversation I’ve ever had with anyone who has walked the Earth. Anxiety was something that entered my life during secondary school, and although I can’t remember any particular triggers, it’s possible that general ‘stress’ was to blame. Despite being a generally healthy young man, I’d be struck down by a mysterious plague once a year without fail. This would usually result in a visit from the paramedics and 24hrs in hospital, leaving doctors baffled when test results came back showing absolutely nothing wrong with me. “It’s seems like you’ve been under a lot of stress recently” was a phrase I grew to loathe.Let me clarify – I cope very well with stress at work. I actually perform better when the stakes are high but the problem has always been personal stress; fractured relationships, confrontation, arguments. It has taken me years, but I am now at a point where I can confront my problems head on.By the time I got to drama school, there was no denying that I was living with full-blown anxiety. Panic attacks were my new normal, and it never occurred to me that living without them was possible. I was also diagnosed with depression, but wasn’t offered any treatment other than medication, which I refused. Flash forward 10 years and things are very different, and there’s a plethora of way to combat mental health problems.Two years ago, I had a breakdown. Game over (or so I thought). However I try to describe it now, it sounds contrived, a cliché. After so many years of ignoring my unhappiness, my body and mind surrendered, and I was completely overwhelmed. I hadn’t cried properly for years, but now the floodgates opened, and every suppressed emotion, abusive relationship (I could write a book about partners I allowed to treat me like dirt because I had no feeling of self-worth), and regret burst forth, and I had no choice but to let them.I’d considered therapy a few times over the years, but had never gone through with it because I knew it meant actually admitting there was a problem. Finally, I was ready. Sink or swim. I immediately contacted a private therapist and arranged a consultation a few days later. It was clear to us both that there was a lot of work to do, but luckily I found it very easy to talk to my therapist, and although she gave me a list of options and alternative organisations I could seek help from, I chose to continue working with her. As well as the immediate and obvious reasons for my anxiety and unhappiness, she asked about my sleep, concentration, energy levels (“I’m just a naturally tired person”), and my yearly hospital visits. It was profound moment when she said to me “you’re not tired, Greg, you’re depressed, and you have been for a very long time”. I opened my mouth, and without realizing it said, “I know”.So what next? First things first – I arranged to see my GP to discuss a course of antidepressants. I mentioned earlier that I’d refused meds when I was younger, but this time I was desperate, and willing to try anything that would help my recovery.My GP was wonderful throughout my treatment, and restored my faith in the NHS. Before I could start my antidepressants, it was vital that I understood the gravitas of the situation – you take them for months even after you are feeling better, and coming off them has to be done very slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms. My GP also went through the possible side effects (and there are lots), and both she and my therapist talked at length about which ones should be tolerated (loss of appetite, for example), and which should not (night terrors). It was really important to keep the dialogue going, so I was seeing my GP fortnightly, and also having telephone appointments, too. Plus, I was booked in with my therapist twice or three times a week, to get to the root of the problem. Antidepressants deal with the chemical imbalance in the brain, which then makes it easier to work through the issues. Where does my anxiety stem from? What’s started my lack of self-esteem? These questions took weeks to answer, and just using medication wasn’t enough; I needed the talking therapy, too. For me, the two went hand in hand.It takes a while to acclimatise to the medication, and sometimes a stronger or weaker dose is required. My dose was upped after a couple of months because the GP could see I wasn’t feeling the benefit, and for a while things were much better. Later, however, I started experiencing side effects that were dangerous, like agoraphobia and night terrors. Again, my therapist and GP came to my rescue, but that did mean switching to different medication altogether, therefore starting the process all over again.I always felt worse first thing in the morning, so my therapist gave me a few exercises that helped beyond measure. The first one was to get out of the house as soon as possible in the morning. Wake up, pull on the nearest clothes I could find, and go out. Sometimes I walked around the block for 10 minutes, other days I was out for two hours. This meant that I was getting out of the house before the anxiety had time to kick in., and generally made the rest of the day much easier. Some days were harder than others, but I found it incredibly beneficial.It was clear that I also needed a hobby, because I was going to be off work for a while. The novelty of watching Netflix wore off very quickly, but it also wasn’t stimulating enough and I was struggling to concentrate, which often led to a downwards spiral. Instead, I spent hours playing video games, baking and building Lego. Each model or cake took a couple of hours, and meant I had to follow set instructions, something I’ve always found therapeutic, so this was also very helpful for me.Now that I was off work and had plenty of time on my hands, I signed up to BorrowMyDoggy.com, a website which pairs dog owners with dog lovers who can’t commit to having one full-time. Premium membership, which enables you to contact other users, only costs £12 for a whole year. Within 24 hours I’d met a lovely neighbour and her gorgeous Miniature Dachshund, and we agreed that I’d dog sit one day a week. This was also great therapy. It’s something that is in its infancy in this country, but emotional support animals have been a big part of treatment for mental health problems in the United States for years. The unconditional love from Steve the sausage dog, and the purpose he gave me (walks, play and general attention) helped me immeasurably.I was very lucky that throughout my recovery, my employers were incredibly supportive. I was off work for three months in total, with a sick note from my GP for a few weeks at a time. I’d email my boss once a week with an update on my progress, and they responded time and time again with messages of support and reassurance. At one stage, I even received an email from my boss, explaining that she’d told her superiors about my situation, and that they were willing to offer financial assistance towards my therapy. Needless to say, I was completely overwhelmed. I had no idea this help was available, and it just shows how much things have changed in recent times, and that people are taking mental health more seriously. I was also offered a phased return; reduced hours to ease myself back in. It’s very easy to run before you can walk, and I did that at least once, returning briefly before being signed off again. Having the relationship I do with my employers, and keeping the dialogue open made things so much easier.Like a lot of my colleagues in the industry, I used performance as a coping mechanism. It never really helped me deal with any of my problems, but it was a pretty good distraction. It’s no surprise that I was unable to sing a note during my depression, nor that auditioning or performing was far from my top priority, but as I came out the other side of it, my voice changed, and my performances became more genuine. Suddenly, I was singing with a voice I’d been dreaming of for years, but had been trapped behind anxieties and stress. I now have a far better understanding of the physical and emotion connections to the voice, and when my voice falters, I know that there’s something playing on my mind, which forces me to take better care of myself.It would be foolish of me to think that I will never struggle with my mental health again; it’s something that takes work every day. The difference now is that I’m armed with methods to combat those issues, and take better care of myself on a daily basis. I’ve recently started running, using the NHS ‘Couch to 5K’ app, which builds you up from running for 60 seconds intervals, to a 5K or 30 minutes, three times a week. I’ve always hated exercise, but I’m really feeling the benefit, and definitely have more energy. I’m also a big comfort eater, so I have to keep an eye on that. A truckload of chocolate and biscuits doesn’t do me any favours, so if I’ve had a few treats, I know that a really good meal with plenty of vegetables and protein will get me back on the right track. I’m also about to start a course of group therapy via the NHS, to help keep my anxiety at bay long-term. I had no idea, but there are so many different therapies available, and you can self-refer. Performers – don’t panic if you aren’t registered with a GP in London, it made no difference to me!As I said before, I’m no expert, but I am proof that things get better. I never believed that my situation would change, that I’d be able have healthy relationships, and live without paralysing fear. Now, I’m grateful for the experiences I’ve had, the years of depression and the breakdown, because it has shaped who I am today. Attitudes are changing, and everyone I turned to for help (my GP, 111, out-of-hours GP, my therapist, IAPT staff, friends, family, colleagues) were incredibly supportive. Nobody told me to ‘man up’ or ‘get a grip’. I hope that in sharing my story, it will reassure others that you’re not alone, help is available, and things do get better.

A new poll suggests a hefty percentage of Netflix subscribers would be willing cancel once Disney pulls their marquee titles from the service.

A poverty stricken couple flees their criminal acts. The second feature from veteran actor David Dastmalchian and director Collin Schiffli.

Fear the Walking Dead season 5 featurette takes you to the set has released a new behind-the-scenes featurette for Fear the Walking Dead season 5, taking you on a tour of the set of the all-new season of the series. Check out the featuertte in the player below and catch the premiere on Sunday, June 2! The group’s mission is clear: locate survivors and help make what’s left of the world a slightly better place. With dogged determination, Morgan Jones (James) leads the group with a philosophy rooted in benevolence, community, and hope. Each character believes that helping others will allow them to make up for the wrongs of their pasts. But trust won’t be easily earned. Their mission of helping others will be put to the ultimate test when our group finds themselves in unchartered territory, one which will force them to face not just their pasts but also their fears. It is only through facing those fears that the group will discover an entirely new way to live, one that will leave them forever changed. The series stars Lennie James, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Colman Domingo, Danay García, Maggie Grace, Garret Dillahunt, Austin Amelio, Ruben Blades, and Jenna Elfman, Alexa Nisenson, and Austin Amelio as Dwight. is executive produced by , showrunners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg, as well as , David Alpert, Gale Ann Hurd and Greg Nicotero, and produced by AMC Studios. The post appeared first on .

Children's Theatre of Annapolis Tia NorrisWhether it’s for a professional show or your school play, auditions are a difficult and panic-inducing process. Throughout my 14 years of experience within the world of theatre I have had countless auditions for everything from professional touring musicals to Am-Dram (the British term for community theatre) plays and pantomimes, encompassing acting, singing, dancing and even juggling once! No matter what the audition is for, I always find I have that shaky, butterflies feeling leading up to it, though I must admit I have much more control over my nerves than I did as a child. Within this article I am going to lay out the top tips I have picked up for keeping your cool and acing that audition! Although most of my experiences are more applicable to children/ teens/ young adults, I’m certain these tips may come in handy for adults too. 1 – Prepare This doesn’t just mean preparing your piece(s) for the audition, but preparing yourself, physically and mentally. No matter how polished and well performed your song, monologue or routine may be, if you aren’t mentally and physically prepared, your audition will not go well. There are a few main things you need to prepare: your body, voice, mind and your plan for the audition day. First of all, preparing your body. Generally, as actors we should all aim to stay in good shape, in order to keep up with any physical demands of a role, however, if you are going to be attending an audition featuring dance, it may be time to get a few classes in! If you intend to partake in dance or musical theatre auditions, it is a good idea to have some basic jazz ability and competency with choreography already, however the most important thing leading up to an audition is rest. You don’t want to overwork yourself and burnout before or even during an audition – yikes. Rest is equally important for the voice, especially if you are performing a scene, monologue or song. In the weeks leading up to an audition, ensure you are drinking plenty of fluids and protecting your voice. I recommend avoiding dairy and particularly sugary foods which coat the throat, and trying to get some herbal teas, I particularly enjoy lemon, honey and ginger tea, which is great for the throat as well as combatting any symptoms of a cold, and honey, which can easily be purchased is a squeezy bottle which you may want to keep in your audition/ rehearsal bag! Preparing your mind is perhaps the hardest. Auditions are a draining process and can be very difficult, especially if you give your all and still do not make it. Over time and audition experiences you will learn how to deal with this, but it is always a good idea to avoid growing too attached to the show/play/whatever you are auditioning for. It is also important to prepare your mind for the actual audition, practicing remaining calm as best as possible, and ensuring you can still perform to your best under pressure. The last thing to prepare is for the day itself. Ensure you have transport to and from the audition, you have timings worked out and you have everything you need. You should have any sheets/ scripts you may need, sheet music or a backing track (depending what has been asked for; if unspecified, have both prepared), appropriate clothing and footwear (including dance attire if required), lots of water and a snack – it could be a long day! 2 – Focus This applies to your preparation as well as the audition itself. Be focused on your piece(s) whilst preparing, so that they become like second nature by the audition. Focus on the audition day is incredibly important, you mustn’t let other people distract you no matter what. The time you are3 waiting to go in for your audition should be spent warming up, recapping lines and going through blocking and/or choreography. My best tip is to have headphones with you and listen to music to help you focus and get into the zone, without distraction from other people. Personally, I like to listen to music and even have a pre-auditions playlist, however some of my friends prefer ambient or classical music, or even perfect silence before an audition. I would encourage you to find what works best for you and use it to help you focus, so that you can maintain that focus and perform to your best in the audition. 3 – Have Confidence in Your Ability I will be the first to admit that I’m guilty of looking around an audition room to size up the competition and compare myself to them. This is something that stresses me right before an audition, and something you should definitely avoid doing. Every performer has different strengths and abilities, and you need to have confidence in your ability – you wouldn’t be there if you weren’t good enough! So many people, especially teens, fall victim to self-doubt, which ultimately affects their performance and prevents them from showing all of their talent. Remind yourself why you’re there and just how good you really are, and then bring all of that talent to the panel. If you believe in yourself and your ability, they will too, and your talent will shine through! 4 – Be Yourself Although you should be bringing a character to each element of your audition, when talking to the panel just be you! They want to see you and your passion for theatre, not a façade of what you think they want. They are people just like you and they don’t want you to fail or be uncomfortable, so let them get to know you. Some of my most successful auditions have been those where I let my guard down and bought 100% me to the panel when not performing. This is especially important for things like youth theatre, community theatre or school theatre, as these are companies where you are likely to spend a lot of time together and really get to know one another, if you’re honest and open from the start you will find it much easier and have so much more fun! 5 – This Is Not the End Rejection is a horrible feeling, and no matter how many times we experience it, it doesn’t get any easier. No one wants to be rejected, but it is inevitable that not every opportunity can be given to us. This does not reflect upon your talent or ability, and many times an unsuccessful audition is to do with many other factors including the casting for another character or the suitability of a character. You mustn’t let a knock-back throw you off – everyone who has ever worked in theatre will have experienced it! It is not the end of the world, no matter how awful it may seem in that moment, and one day something better will come along. If you’re struggling after an unsuccessful audition, talk to someone who will understand, and try to find a new project to take your mind off it. Eventually it will get better and you’ll understand why it wasn’t meant to be. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article, I hope you find it useful. Please remember this is not an exhaustive list of audition tips, but it should hopefully help. Break a leg!