Beard Envy Semifinal showtimes

Beard Envy will be performing:

Sat. 3/27 at 2:30 PM

Sun. 3/28 at 6 PM

The bigger and louder the crowd, the better the show -- so come make it raucous!  Facebook invite is here. Tickets available here.

And you know what?  There are some other amazing shows going on, too, starring good friends of mine: 

• Robert King in Halfrican-American
• Angela Cristantello in RealMusik
• Jean Ann Garrish and Joe Iozzi in The Rooftop Play
• Daina Schatz in Grace

And those are just the ones I've seen so far. My roommate Jessica Vera is in Give and Take, Patrick Oliver Jones is in Mirage, and Shelby Company has three shows in the Semis - Mincemeat of Me, A Diner A Shiner, and We Men of Science.

Really good work being done, so there are plenty of reasons to come and check it out!

Beard Envy Postcard

I finally got around to making the postcard for the show:

 It's gonna be a good time.  You should come check it out!

Sunday, March 21st and Monday, March 22nd, both nights at 8:30 PM at the Barrow Group Theatre, 312 W. 36th St.. Single session tickets are available here and you can get an all access Festival pass by calling the Network office at 212-239-3198.  If we make it to the next round, we'll have two more shows, and if we're fortunate enough to make the finals, we'll have one last show on the 31st.  At the very least there will be a lot of great theatre going on every night!

Shows and bookings! Big things...

Got three big things to talk about right now.

• BEARD ENVY - I will be co-starring in a one act play that I co-wrote with my friend, Walker Hare.  Yes, it is entitled BEARD ENVY.  That is taking place in the Network One Act Festival, March 17-31.  The audience vote will help determine who advances to the semi's and then the finals. In the first round, we've got two performances: Sunday, March 21st and Monday, March 22nd, both showtimes at 8:30 PM. Details and tickets:

The Barrow Group Theatre

312 W. 36th St., New York, NY

View Larger Map

TICKETS

• Call Me Classy has been rebranded as Call Me Classy & Friends!  Now there will be more sketches with more people!  New songs, new material, and new funny.  Come check it out!  One night this round...

MAP  -  TICKETS

• And last but not least, I just booked a commercial for Google UK Translations!  Filming is scheduled for Monday or Tuesday and I have a fitting today.  Apparently I'm going to get paint dumped on me or something?  They asked at the audition if I was allergic to any kinds of paint...hmm.  Fun fun!  And it's SAG -- so I'll be a union member before you know it!

Periodic update time!

Here's a rundown of what I've been up to (I like hyperlinks):

• On Halloween, I shot a music video for a French band that sings songs in English. It was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to seeing footage soon. Song is called "Pay" and you can hear it here on their facebook page (scroll down on the left).
  
  
• Like I've mentioned, I played bass in the backing band for Call Me Classy - tons of fun. What I haven't said before is that the lead guitarist/singer/songwriter is Tom Ashton. You may recognize him from spots like these:
  
  
  
  
  
  The drummer, RJ, is in the show, too, and he is a fuckin' riot. So funny. A couple videos I shot/edited/appear in are also interspersed throughout. Things went so well that we're having another show on Dec. 15th at the Triad Theatre. Details and tickets are here.

• Through Scott Powers Studios, I attended a "Friday Lunch Bunch" with agent Barry Kolker and got a phone call today about coming in for a meeting! So that's pretty cool. I'm doing another Lunch Bunch with Ingrid French on Friday.
  
  
• I'm signed up to take a four-week on-camera class with James Calleri of Calleri Casting through The Network. That starts Monday and I'm stoked to finally be taking it - I submitted several times in the past, but either didn't get accepted or had to bail for various reasons.
  
  
• Got new headshots printed! I'm committing to the beard look in hopes of really differentiating myself from the masses. Here are the two:
  
  
  
  
  

  Big thanks to my brother Noah for taking such good shots. He's amazing. He's also getting published - his college admission essay is getting printed in the next edition of this book. He's certainly one to watch.
  
  
• I've been using my photography work as a means of networking for acting. Through my gig as the photographer for the Hudson Union Society, I've been able to meet and connect with Joe Pantoliano, James Gandolfini, Oliver Stone, Matthew Modine, Jeremy Irons, David Lynch, Tony Gilroy, Harold Ramis, Peter Sarsgaard, and many more. You can see photos here. Events are open to anyone and some are free once you're a member. They're always very interesting. Not just entertainment people, either - authors, TV personalities, politicians, military brass, and musicians, as well. Check out videos online for free here.

Call Me Classy held over!

One more show - cheaper, earlier, and more fun than ever!

Tuesday, Dec. 15th, 2009

8:00 PM

Triad Theatre

158 W. 72nd St.

View Larger Map

Reservations: 212-252-2076

$10 CASH ONLY at the door

No drink minimum this time...but the bar will still be open!

Playing bass? Again? Videos? What is going on here?

Even though I'm not a bass player, I'm somehow playing bass again. And live this time, to boot.

My hilarious friend and collaborator, Claysey Everett (http://www.clayseyeverett.com) is putting up a one-woman show and she's got a backing band. Another good friend and collaborator, Tom Ashton (http://www.tomashton.com) is playing guitar and singing while new friend RJ Rabin is dominating the drums. Together, we will be The Ash-holes. It's gonna be awesome.

In addition to my stumbling through the songs, there will be four video shorts interspersed throughout the show which Claysey and I shot and edited co-starring Karl Hammerle (http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/KarlHammerle) and Joe Naples (http://www.theactorsprojectnyc.com/joenaples.html). Those are shaping up really, really well. And rumor has it I might even be doing some character work during the show, too. So it's going to be a busy couple of evenings!

Here are the details:

Tuesday, Oct. 20th and Monday, Oct. 29th

9:45 PM, doors open at 9:30

Triad Theatre

158 W. 72nd St.

View Larger Map

Reservations: 212-252-2076

$15 Cover + 2 drink minimum

CASH ONLY

Summer update

This has been a busy summer! I've been doing a bunch of film stuff -- took a couple classes and put three projects "in the can," as they say, even though two of them used tape and one was on memory cards. (But that's good, too. It's still work, even if the old phrases don't apply anymore.) One of those was an independent feature entitled Saturnalia, and will be my first imdb.com credit once it gets posted up there. So that's exciting! Here's a clip from the film where you see me for the first time:

This coming Monday, Aug. 31st, I'll be performing a new monologue I wrote called "Kids say the darnedest things..." in The Actor's Project NYC's Monlogue Challenge -- you can still get tickets if you want to come and vote! I've competed in three of these over the past couple years and made the finals in two of them. Hopefully this new piece will get me to the top of the podium. And if not, at least I'll have a strong piece of material that sells me and my type better than the last few that I wrote. So that's good.

As the summer winds down, I'm gonna continue pursuing film projects and training and networking and submitting. I'd like to start working with a manager or agent in the coming months and really making a push into the film and television worlds. Theatre and commercials would be great, too, of course.

One Act!

This one came together really quick. Got cast last Friday the 5th and the show goes up this Thursday the 18th -- fast! But it's shaping up to be a really good little play. I'm excited about it!

Here are the details:

• A Piece of Property, part of the Shortened Attention Span One-Act Festival
  

• The Players Theatre
  115 MacDougal St.
  Google Map

• Thu, June 18th - 8 PM
  Fri, June 19th - 8 PM
  Sat, June 20th - 8 PM
  Sun, June 21st - 3 PM

• Tickets $18
  TheaterMania.com
  OvationTix.com
  212-352-3101
  Or you can get them at the door.

2009 Monologue Challenge!

The Monologue Challenge is a competition to see who can perform the best monologue. 35 will perform, 5 will be declared finalists, but only 1 will take home around $2,000 in prizes. Industry guest judges select the finalists, and then the audience selects the winner.

Last January, I made the finals, this time you can help put me in the winner's circle!

I will be performing a new monologued entitled, "Paralyzed." Come check it out! Tickets are ony $15.00 and are almost sold out.

UPDATE: Tickets available at www.theactorsprojectnyc.com/reserve.html!

UPDATE: I made the finals, but lost out in the audience vote to a brilliant monologue, written and performed by Joe Naples. He's a good guy and his monologue was amazing!

October Showcases!

Season 12: October Showcases - presented by The Actor's Project NYC.

• Journey - A fast-paced industry showcase featuring talented actors performing monologues, songs, and short comedic scenes. This theatrical showcase is approached as a full-length play with polished performances and diverse talent. The production contains all original work that is moved quickly and effortlessly by a clever cast of over 30 actors.
  
  
  
  • Monday | October 13th | 7:30 PM
  • The Abingdon Theatre - 312 W. 36th St. (bet. 8th/9th)
  • MAP
  • Admission: $25/$30 - TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

• Carnival - a festival of actors telling tales of comedy with
  a parade of scenes and comedic sketches thrown into the mix. The showcase contains all original work inspired by current and past members of The Actor's Project NYC. It's a fun evening showcasing actors of all different levels of experience.
  
  
  
  • Tuesday | October 14th | 7:30 PM
  • The Barrow Group Theatre
  • 312 W. 36th St. (bet. 8th/9th), 4th Floor
  • MAP
  • Admission: $25/$30 - TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

• Spoofs and Things - The Actor's Project NYC's very-popular, always sold-out, all-comedy industry showcase, which will have you laughing out loud! The evening features original monologues and spoofs of film, television, and stage. It will be a fun, fast-paced night with talented actors.
  
  
  
  • Monday | October 20th | 7:30 PM
  • The Abingdon Theatre - 312 W. 36th St. (bet. 8th/9th)
  • MAP
  • Admission: $25/$30 - TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

Update - Awards, challenges, and a sitcom

Thank you to everyone who came to The Actor's Project Showcases in June. Because of the outstanding support, I won the Box Office Award -- over $1,000 in prizes! I've already been taking advantage of my new lifetime membership and entry-fee waivers.

In October, I will be taking part in the next round of showcases; the dates are yet to be finalized, but I will let you know when they are.

My friends Jen Kwok and Eric Fortin -- collectively, The Tijuana Yacht Club -- have been writing a sitcom entitled Undiscovered New York: Uncovered, and I will have a recurring role. We've met several times and we are set to start shooting in the next few weeks. Should be awesome!

Finally, the next Monologue Challenge will be taking place next Thurs, August 21st. Just like one in January, industry judges will pick the finalists and the audience will pick the winner. I was a finalist last time, but there was nothing to be done about competing against the old woman talking about her suitor's "pee-pee."

Maybe this time there won't be a Michael Phelps-like juggernaut, everyone else fighting for second.

Here are the details:

• Thursday, August 21st, 7:00 PM
• 353 Studios, 353 W. 48th St., 2nd Floor
• MAP
• Admission: $15 (2 for 1 if you buy today, 8/15)
• Tickets available HERE or by calling 212-560-0991.

Discount Tickets!

I've got 6 tickets for the June 24th and 25th Showcases that will be selling for 20% off. That means you can see me make my musical debut for only $20. That's right. Musical. Who would want to miss that? I will also be playing the host in both showcases and several other characters, as well.

EMAIL ME ASAP as they will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

As an added bonus, the more people that come, the better chance I have of repeating as the Box Office Award winner from The Actor's Project NYC. This time around, the prize is LIFETIME membership! That will save me well over $1,000. So please carve out a couple hours and come to one of the showcases! I'd really appreciate it.

Heck, come to both. :o)

June Showcase Details!

There will be three nights of performances. The first night, Monday, June 23rd, is a combination ticket of the Bobby Holder play Scandal in Manhattan along with the showcase Actor Stories: A Night to be Scene. It is already sold out! It's possible there will be seats available for the showcase portion since it is expected that some people will leave after the play is over, but those are not guaranteed and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact me if you're interested.

The other two showcases are called Imaginary and Comedic Tales II. They will take place the following two nights.

In all three showcases, I will be introducing the evening, playing my guitar to transition between scenes, and portraying several characters throughout the show.


Here are the details:

• Tues & Wed June 24th & 25th 7:30 PM
• Urban Stages Theatre, 259 W. 30th St.
• MAP
• Admission: $25/$30 Tickets available HERE or by calling 212-560-0991.

New Play! - "A Year in the Life..."

"...of 25 Strangers Living in a City by the Lake." Yeah, that's the real title. Fifteen words and 63 characters if you include spaces. How could it be anything other than an awesome production?

Here are the details:

• Opens Friday May 2nd, closes May 18th
• Wednesdays (May 7 & 14): 8:00 PM
• Thursdays (May 8 & 15): 8:00 PM
• Fridays (May 2, 9, & 16): 8:00 PM
• Saturdays (May 3, 10, & 17): 8:00 PM
• Sundays (May 4 & 11): 4:00 PM
• Closing Night! (Sunday May 18): 5:30 PM
  
• The Parker Theater / Algonquin Theater
• 123 E. 24th St. (Between Park & Lexington)
• MAP
• Tickets: $15 at http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showCode=YEA0
  or (212) 868-4444

Alexander Dies Monologue

This is a recording of the monologue that I performed during Just for Giggles on February 18th. It's also the same monologue I did at the Monologue Challenge on January 7th.

• Alexander Dies

Video from the February Showcases!

The Actor's Project NYC just posted some video from Just for Giggles and Theatre of the Diverse. Two of my scenes are up!

• The Glass Whatever

• A Strange Hotel

Showcase Tickets Discounted! ...and prize?

Hey, if you go here - www.theactorsprojectnyc.com/discount.html - before Friday and buy a ticket, you can get in for $20 instead of $25 or $30. Also, whoever sells the most tickets wins a year of membership and admission to networking events with The Actor's Project...and that would be great! Cheaper for you and bonuses for me. If you buy a ticket, I'd most definitely be indebted to you. Please let me know if you buy a ticket so I can turn in an official count.

Here are the details again:

Just for Giggles - An all-comedy showcase featuring sketches, scenes, and monologues. I take part in several scenes and play a couple of funny characters. I even get my butt kicked a little bit! Good times. AND JUST ADDED: I will be performing my Monologue Challenge-finalist bit Alexander Dies! So if you missed the Monologue Challenge, here's another chance to see it!

• Monday February 18th 7:30 PM
• Admission: $25/$30 - DISCOUNT TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
• The Abingdon Theatre
• 312 W. 36th St. (bet. 8th/9th)
• MAP

Theatre of the Diverse - A combination of dramatic and comedic sketches, scenes, and monologues. I take part in a couple of things again here, one of which will be a repeat from the Just for Giggles showcase; the other is only being done at Theatre of the Diverse.

• Monday February 25th 7:30 PM
• Admission: $25/$30 - DISCOUNT TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
• The Abingdon Theatre
• 312 W. 36th St. (bet 8th/9th)
• MAP

Updates

The Best Party Ever
Turns out I won't be the g-string-clad character in the show. My mom is relieved. And I'm okay with that, too.

Running Blood
Had the cast read-through on Monday and filming began on Thursday. My first scenes are coming up on Sunday. Exciting!

Showcases
Showcases are taking place on Monday the 18th and Monday the 25th. Check out more info here: www.justinhoch.com/actor.html.

New Play! - "The Best Party Ever"

I just signed on to partake in the next run of The Best Party Ever. Performing every Saturday in March, the show is about two hours and is wild and crazy. I've been told each actor plays 4-5 characters throughout the show. Oh, and at the audition, the writer/director/producer asked me how I felt walking onstage wearing only gloves, socks, a hat, and a thong...

So yeah, practically naked.

Naturally, I said I was comfortable with that. I'm just not sure anyone else will be.

Anyway, here's the press release and all the relevant details:

Tired of the Bar Scene? Looking for something Fun to do this weekend? A Hip pre-cursor to your evening?

You're invited to The Best Party Ever, a satirical two act play about a keg party followed by an office party consisting of vignettes, sketches, and monologues.

This show ignites onstage with a congo line in the first act and a bunny hop in the second act with a brief intermission where audience members are given free drinks!

Performing: Every Saturday in March @ 5:00 p.m.
Reservations: 212.684.2690
Admission: $24 Includes Two Drinks / $28 Includes Three Drinks
     *(Wine, Beer, Cola, Water)*

The Richmond Shepard Theatre
309 E. 26th St. @ 2nd. Ave
Running Time: 1 Hour and 50 minutes

http://www.myspace.com/bestpartyeverysaturday

February Showcase Dates Finalized

The showcases I've been talking about for weeks have now been scheduled! The theatre was finally able to confirm our reservation so now it's on. The details are as follows:

Season 10: February Showcases - presented by The Actor's Project NYC. Although some scenes and sketches will be performed in both showcases, the majority of the content will be different.

Just for Giggles - An all-comedy showcase featuring sketches, scenes, and monologues. I take part in several scenes and play a couple of funny characters. I even get my butt kicked a little bit! Good times.

• Monday February 18th 7:30 PM
• Admission: $25/$30 - TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
• The Abingdon Theatre
• 312 W. 36th St. (bet. 8th/9th)
• MAP

Theatre of the Diverse - A combination of dramatic and comedic sketches, scenes, and monologues. I take part in a couple of things again here, one of which will be a repeat from the Just for Giggles showcase; the other is only being done at Theatre of the Diverse.

• Monday February 25th 7:30 PM
• Admission: $25/$30 - TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
• The Abingdon Theatre
• 312 W. 36th St. (bet 8th/9th)
• MAP