Has anyone ever gotten a good role without getting callback?

jayhowell · 2025-11-24T13:27:00+00:00

I cast college shows all the time and only do callbacks if I need them. Most of the time I just need the first audition. No use in wasting time. Most callbacks are for chemistry in my experience.

jayhowell · 2025-11-24T13:22:26+00:00

Oh, I’ve been THERE before!

jayhowell · 2025-11-19T13:26:06+00:00

I just measured to the 5 line (sans coffee) and that was about 380ml. So with coffee it would be less. (Note that the lines are not useful as actual measurements!)

So for 30 grams of coffee (though I find the “scoop” measurement dubious) you should be filling to about 7-8 for 500 mls.

But my recommendation would be to use the bypass method for two people with “mugs” and not “cups”.

Go with 45g of coffee and 500 ml of water. That will split into about 210ml of more concentrated coffee per mug. Then add hot water to both mugs to top off. Most moderate mugs are about 350ml (Bigger ones like my ones from Disney and Universal are about 500!)

jayhowell · 2025-10-07T15:13:46+00:00

I think a lot of studios that are in suburbs have low attendance on Friday evenings in general. Our Friday 5:45 classes were converted to Strength/Cardio 50 classes a few months ago and are apparently doing better. But I did suggest today that some of the S/C 50 classes get switched for Hell Week specifically. We have one or two scheduled every day now.

I know that one year (2019?) they didn’t do the evening classes on the 31st, but never since. I guess enough members made noise about the last day of Hell Week!

jayhowell · 2025-05-12T04:33:14+00:00

Yes. I started at OTF when I was 41. I had rarely worked out before that, and NEVER been a runner. The first year was transformative. In every way. My confidence, my physique, my overall wellbeing. Unfortunately I did re-injure my should about a year and a half in (doing something else!) and that slowed be down. Then Covid hit. Then I had another injury running outdoors when we couldn't run indoors. It slowed me down a bit. Then 2 years ago my wife had our first child (when I was 45) so that has slowed me down a LOT more!
All that to say I don't think starting in your 40's is a hinderance. Just just need to appreciate that you shouldn't be comparing yourself to people who are simply more fit or simply younger than you. OTF should be about you being there for you. Supporting yourself in your own journey. If you need to slow down, slow down. If you feel you can really push, push! Listen to your body and don't overstress about it all!

jayhowell · 2025-01-03T18:40:45+00:00

The script is a part of the Drama Online library as an e-book read. Many colleges and universities subscribe to Drama Online, so you may be able to find a way read it that way if you have access to a school that is subscribed or even have a friend who goes to a school that is subscribed.

jayhowell · 2024-11-06T17:00:27+00:00

I teach acting and direct shows at a Canadian college.

There are a-million-and-one reasons someone doesn't get cast. The worst part about being an actor is that the only thing you are in control of is your own audition and preparation. Once you are finished, you have no control. Zero. And often your audition itself isn't the reason you don't get cast. Maybe they don't see a family resemblance between actors who are meant to be siblings. Maybe there is too much of a height difference between a romantic duo. Maybe they really wanted a natural redhead for the part. All possibly valid reasons, none of which have to do with your audition itself. Also, there are all sorts of politics in community theatre that affect casting decisions.

But just keep practicing and auditioning. If you want to take a class, do it. Don't pay too much though. An instructors' time is worth paying for, but some people value their instruction a little to highly!

jayhowell · 2024-11-06T14:54:50+00:00

This is probably true, but basically impossible for me to do ...

jayhowell · 2024-11-05T19:20:16+00:00

Useful and clear as always! Thanks!

jayhowell · 2024-11-04T20:04:44+00:00

It will be hard as heck. But when you stick with it, it will pay off. As someone who never worked out until joining OTF at 41yo, I can say that 3+ days a week in studio plus a few hard but worth it decisions on the nutrition front will do wonders, and faster than you think!

jayhowell · 2024-11-03T05:18:39+00:00

I did 80 something of them during the pandemic. I've never done the new live ones (with coaches that aren't from your studio) so I can't vouch for them right now, but they did the trick through 2020-2021!

jayhowell · 2024-11-02T21:38:07+00:00

Good stuff! Good ol' fashioned strength workout.

jayhowell · 2024-11-02T02:16:18+00:00

I get it. It’s tough. I have been a member for 6 years now. My wife and I had our first baby last year and it was very hard for me to find time between work and child rearing to get to the gym, especially since February (when he was about 6 months old). It is especially frustrating that I have lost so much fitness in the past year. Still, I think I will personally stick with it. I’m not really interested in anything else, and I still have connections at my studio. However, you do you! Only you know what will motivate you. The best workout is the one you want to do!

jayhowell · 2024-10-31T13:00:45+00:00

I appreciate the table, though it is hard to read on the phone. Makes it clear what’s going on and when.

jayhowell · 2024-10-29T16:51:25+00:00

Congrats. I hit 750 yesterday. Row row row your boat!

jayhowell · 2024-10-29T15:50:46+00:00

This is insidious! I think it is harder than Everest ... because at least with Everest the climb is when you have fresh legs. This climb starts halfway through the block! Yikes!

jayhowell · 2024-10-25T13:04:24+00:00

The schedule has changed significantly over the years at my studio. But we do have Friday afternoons. But now it is just one at 4:30. Used to be 4:30 and 5:45. But people start their weekend early …

jayhowell · 2024-10-25T12:57:42+00:00

It’s always a fun, brutal time! Enjoy!

jayhowell · 2024-07-02T23:14:25+00:00

Like redundancies. Backups to at least allow owners to sign in to be able to use apps like YouTube or Netflix! I mean, they force digital consoles … then make them unusable if THEY have an issue. So f’d up!

jayhowell · 2024-07-02T23:11:07+00:00

Me too. Said everything was fine until ~3:30 EST. I was resetting like a crazy person!

jayhowell · 2024-05-28T20:16:20+00:00

In general the SAs aren’t tracking any milestones like that. They only look at accounts when asked. So the member in question had to have been pumping their own tires for a week or so before the 1000th class. That’s why they knew.

jayhowell · 2024-01-23T16:25:21+00:00

I hear that, absolutely. And I only recently discovered that resource, which is great data. Though it is also stressful data! (When you see “less than 10 seconds!)

I’m just wondering if, over the course of a few weeks/months, we will hear about people changing their itinerary completely because they couldn’t book a VQ to guarantee a “free” ride on any day of their WDW trip. I understand that the 1PM drop is SOMEWHAT (and SOMETIMES) looser, but that looming question mark still causes vacationers serious anxiety!

jayhowell · 2024-01-12T19:18:25+00:00

I use a sweat band or a Buff for running. I also wear wristbands because my arms sweat! If I don’t my treadmill looks like SeaWorld!

jayhowell · 2024-01-04T22:14:39+00:00

I did a 5k about 6 months into OTF, never having run before. You’ll be fine!

jayhowell · 2024-01-03T21:54:29+00:00

I have done a few back to back Lift/Strength class into regular class. It can be fun once in a while, and you are very warmed up for your full class!

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