I saw this image online today associated with an article about stress. Boy, oh boy, is this ever the truth. 

First off, I am terribly sorry that I have not blogged here since March. Let's just say that things have been stressful? 

Anna and I are finally going to move out of the apartment we have been in for 3 years. We would stay, but the upstairs neighbors have zero respect for this little thing called sleep ("You always need to sleep" was a counter-argument they used when I asked them to turn their music down because I had work the next day) let alone for respect for us a people (they were so rude towards Anna, saying things that I will not repeat).  Additionally, our landlord has been ineffective at not only working on our complaint but also following through on much needed repairs. We still have mold growing in our bathroom...yay.

Added to that, I've been auditioning like crazy, but no one is really biting. I had a casting director in a class tell me once that I will work non-stop...in 10 years. (Cue stress) However, I am nothing if not tenacious. I keep going in for the EPAs and my reps keep submitting me for stage and screen. 

A major confidence booster I had was just this past Saturday when I did an amazing intensive with Brette Goldstein. The class was called "Beyond Type," and the goal was to get those attending to stop just seeing themselves as that "type" that everyone puts you in. She reminded us that we are in charge of our careers. If there isn't a typical place for us, make casting directors see you for you and what you want to do. Some of the notions mentioned were things I had thought before (i.e. you're in charge of your career, you have to make 'em want you, make the character yours), but hearing them reaffirmed and in Brette's amazingly blunt fashion was deeply refreshing. 

So, is everything okay? No. Are things going to be? I hope so. Am I gonna give up? Hell no. I'm still here...and I'm not going anywhere.

Hey there everyone! There is more news on the horizon, but the first I wanted to share with you is this. I have some truly AMAZING new headshots thanks to the amazing Adrienne Lovette! You can see some of our favorites on my Resume & Headshots tab above.

Recently, I have had several auditions that have felt spectacular. This week alone, I'll have gone on seven different auditions and felt good about them all! 

Be on the lookout for more news coming soon!

Hello everyone!

Just a quick note to say I am still here. Audition season is here in full force, and I am ready for it.

I am also pleased to announce that I am assistant directing a Sketch Comedy Showcase with TAP NYC! Other things are in the works as I work towards getting more work! Fingers crossed!

Welcome to late February! How late is it? Well, the latest is can possibly be! 

I have a few updates to share with all of you! 

First off, NEW MEDIA IS UP!!!

Please visit the media page above to snag a glance at my new on camera reel and musical theatre reel! I am very pleased with both! 

Also, I wanted to give a HUGE thank you to everyone over at Reproductions and Actors Connection not only for the footage, but for hosting Broadway Connection last weekend.

Over two-and-a-half days, I got to not only get to know some wonderful members of the NYC creative community, but I gained invaluable feedback from everyone in the room. We met with three different casting directors, the current assistant musical director for Frozen, and showcase before 6 agents all in one weekend! (Phew!) 

It was a good reminder to me that I am doing a lot of the correct things, but there is always room to improve. Number one on the "to-improve" list is my headshots! 

Needless to say, after nearly everyone saying that my headshots and my personality do NOT match, I'm going to be getting new headshots very, very soon. 

And on another note, Empty Can Productions is still kicking butt and taking names! Our latest episodes of Down the Hatch and Guess What You're Up are on all listening platforms. GWYA has been having quite a large following, so please continue to join us on this crazy journey and Jesse and I continue to watch awful films and write news-based comedy.

Fingers crossed I'll be having more updates in the weeks ahead. Till then!

Hey all! My new Musical Theatre Reel is up! Please feel free to look and enjoy.

As for updates in other aspects, sadly not too much to share. Auditions are still happening and fingers are still crossed all around.

27 came and went. Suddenly, I find myself a year older. ("And not a penny richer" to quote a certain old screw.) Thirty is now ever closer, and I am quite excited. Dispite still awaiting the right opportunity to come, I wouldn't trade theast year for the world. I made some changes to my life recently (i.e. I'm going to thw gym a lot, and read an amazingly helpful book, "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k"). All of this has reminded me that everything is only a matter of time.

In addition, I am loving my current place of employment for my "survival job." I am working Front of House at New World Stages. So, while I'm not on the stage at the moment, at least I am working in a theatre. My co-workers keep me excited and constantly inspire me to keep trying.

I also have to give HUGE thank yous to Jesse for keeping me sane as we podcast together, Elizabeth for supporting both of us in this venture, and especially my AMAZING wife Anna. She is truly a constant well of support and gives me the confidence to keep trying.

I also want to thank you...yeah, you! You are supporting me just by reading these words, and that is amazing. I hope to make you all proud.

​JP

Hey all!

I know it has been a bit since my last post. Honestly, there has not been too much happening as of yet. I will be posting an in-depth update soon, but for now just know that I am still here, still trying, and still waiting.

Best,
​JP

I am currently in the midst of reading my 30th consecutive work written by Stephen King. 

I didn't anticipate that I would become fully immersed in the world's that Mr. King has created, but I am ravenously consuming his works.

Growing up, I detested reading. It was to the point where there were a couple book reports I did in grade school where I reported about the musical based on the book rather than the book itself. I have remedied that with reading The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but have yet to read the actual Phantom of the Opera. Even in college, when my joy for reading began to kindle, the spark was still rather small. I picked up Revival while on the road with F&T on a whim and ended up devouring the book. And so, here we are, 29.25 novels and short story collections later.

In addition, we are seeing a new King Renaissance in film. With Castle Rock recently debuting on HULU and other noted film ventures, we are going to be seeing a lot of Maine's favorite son. 

On a self-serving note, Mr. King. If you happen to be reading this, Hello! Just wanted to say that I am a huge fan. Thank you for lighting the fiery passion for reading that I now possess. Also, should you know of any projects in need of a slightly over-weight actor, let e know. :)

What on Earth does it mean to be a working actor? This is a question I have asked and struggled with since moving to the Bid Apple. I have always thought that it meant I was on Broadway, playing to a packed house every night. This is not really the case, merely a fantasy. This is still a goal I intend to achieve, mind you, but it is not the definition of what I think a working actor is.

I recently attended a free seminar presented through Reproductions. The casting director and life coach Peter Paula Rose was our host, and boy did she help to open our eyes. (Yes, her first name is Peter. Get over it.)

She said that 100% of actors are working their asses off. Every actor who is attending auditions and attempting to further hone their craft is essentially a "working actor." However, this can then be broken down even farther. Only about 10% of that initial 100% are working in the biz, while the other 90% are (much like me, dear reader) struggling to get by.  Why? A HUGE factor is mentality.

An actor who is desperate for a job will come off desperate and needy. A Casting Director wants you to succeed, but they also want you to be ready for the job the instant you walk into the door. Being confident (not cocky) in your audition and knowing that you are right for the job is key. Nail the crap outta your audition and they will root for you.

As Peter was talking, I had a revelation. I am in that 90% right now. The auditions that I have been going on, while I feel decent about the work that I did in the room, I can tell you that my mentality was not where it needed to be. Because I have been struggling lately, I have taken it mentally upon me that I am not good enough and thus perpetuating a cycle. I walk in thinking ala Chorus Line, "God, I hope I get it...I really need this job." The show may be great, but that is THE WORST MENTAL MANTRA YOU CAN HAVE!!! (that was in all caps for me...cuz, you know, subtlety) If I am looking for approval, they will see that. This is something that I have been doing ever since I returned from tour. I walked back into NYC from the road with a pep in my step and a stone of need around my neck.

Everyone wants to attain some level of success in whatever they do. It is perfectly natural and if you're not striving to succeed at anything you're either a fool, lying, or running this country. All politics aside, I have had it with me being in my own way.

I have made it my solemn vow to be on Broadway by the time I am 30...and I am turning 28 in just a few months. So, what must I do? First off, I need to stop feeling sorry for myself. If I screw something up, as Anna says, "Be pissed for a day, then move on." When you've lived most of your life looking at the positive for others and at the negative for yourself, that can feel line an insurmountable task. However, I know that I have resources that will help me through literally anything I have happening in my life. 

Secondly, I need to be more aggressive abut what I want. I tend to be a very timid individual. I think that to over compensate for my size, I should let people roll over me. No more, Mr. Pyfferoen! From this point on, I will be working to stand my ground and say what I need. 

Finally, I need to remember that this is a matter of when and not if. Thinking the latter leads to doubts and further digging myself into a mental hole. The former will allow me to take any failure that I have in stride rather than in strife. So you didn't get that particular show...it must mean that something else is waiting for you. 

My point of this mini-manifesto is to get it all out there. Spiritualists often say, "If you put it out into the universe, it will come back to you." So I pray to whomever is listening out there. I have the strength already inside me, I just need to recognize it and then use it to my advantage.

So, buckle you seat-belts folks. It's gonna be quite the ride.

On a different note, I will be doing more posts in the months to come, so stay tuned.

Finally, I wanted to give a huge shout out to a great friend and mentor Lindsay Mendez and congratulate her on recently winning the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Congrats to you, my dear!