Ian Weidmann Month by Month

September 2023
During my first week here, I saw a show and played a jam session at Smalls with a bunch of old UNT buddies! Playing tunes and catching up over pizza felt like we'd come full-circle. It was a really special moment.

A lot of things don't run quite on schedule here (shows might start 15 minutes late, the subway might have delays). At the same time, people tend to move really fast down the street. One of my main hobbies is running, so I feel in my element here.

October 2023
I feel more at home now that I've had a chance to settle in. Frequently riding the subway downtown and into Brooklyn has definitely helped to close that gap. I sat in and played a few tunes on a friend's gig near Times Square the other day. Afterwards, while we got pizza and hung, it hit me that I had gotten a lot more comfortable since I moved about two months ago.

November 2023
Holidays in the city can be really hectic, as you can imagine. I went to see the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza the other day, but the police had a large perimeter gated off toward St. Patrick's Cathedral. The first "most New York thing" happened a few weeks ago when a friend from Texas was sitting next to me on the subway after playing a session together at The New School. We got on and he realized after one stop that he was on the wrong train, so we said goodbye in the most rushed way possible while he barely got off the train in time to transfer to the right line. I haven't gotten on the wrong train yet, but I'm sure it'll happen at some point!

February 2024
Winter is actually pretty tolerable here. There hasn't been too much ice, and more drivers seem to know how to handle the cold than in Texas. The snow didn't collect much, but it was nice while it lasted. Last night, I got to take a picture with U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and some friends at a jazz club in the village. That was a crazy coincidence!

March 2024
A typical day is a little tricky to pinpoint because it changes so much, but generally I have a class from noon to 2 p.m. I'll get lunch with some friends, and then I'll practice until dinner or until I have a rehearsal, which usually goes from 6 to 8 p.m. This semester, I have generally gone to fewer shows, but I've written a lot more music than I did during the first semester. I do miss Texas from time to time, especially Whataburger and how quiet it is where I'm from. When I get those feelings, it helps to give my folks a call or talk with some friends from my undergrad years.

May 2024
The lowest point of these last couple of months probably came during the jury season push (performances to show progress to faculty). Any music student can relate to that end of semester push when you have so much to prepare for all due in a very short period of time.

July 2024
Living in the city for a year has definitely helped in developing thicker skin overall while opening up to new experiences. I haven't cursed at a stranger quite yet (although I've definitely gotten close), but I have been jaywalking for as long as I can remember, so maybe that's why I'm here now!

Ellie Armitage Month by Month

September 2023
There's been a lot of VERY fun, surreal moments. My job had two complimentary tickets to a new show on Broadway, The Shark is Broken. They called me about an hour before curtain and asked if I wanted them. The SPEED with which I changed out of sweatpants, ran to work and then to the theater was insane. All while calling everyone I know to figure out who gets the other comp. It was a fantastic show -- and a fantastic night.

In terms of survival jobs, I'm working two. Both I was in the right place at the right time and they were offered to me. Serving at Sardi's, a famous theater restaurant in Times Square, is pretty surreal and fun. Everyone has been very kind. I'm also currently a performer at RiseNY, which is similar to exhibition work I've done in the past.

October 2023
LOTS of self tapes (videos sent to casting directors). Lots of auditions. Went to my first Actors' Equity Association Principal Audition, which means getting up at 5 a.m. to get to the Equity building at 6 a.m. to put your name on a list. Sang at a cabaret show. Got a couple of callbacks. Met a lot of really great people.

Some days feel like home, some days still feel a bit surreal. I really enjoy spending time in my apartment, but there's something about New York City where you always feel like you're missing out on something. There's just always something to do.

November 2023
The atmosphere in the city during the holidays is so much fun. I was able to have a Friendsgiving with some buddies and celebrate my first four months here in the city.

I've always loved winter and the holiday season. Getting to bundle up and explore holiday markets and tree lightings can't help but make you smile.

January 2024
I've been VERY fortunate to meet a lot of other actors during my time in NYC. It's so nice to have some friends in the city who are also playing the auditioning game with you!

I served Patti Lupone the other night!!! That was a bit awe-inspiring. When I mentioned that I had recently moved to the city to audition, she said, "Good luck to you." So that's all the good luck I need to go into the New Year!

February 2024
There's been flurries, and it's BEAUTIFUL when it does begin to snow. Nothing that has really stuck. Texas might've gotten more ice this year than New York.

March 2024
Days aren't so typical in my world. Yesterday I spent all day in my apartment until work. Today I got up at 6 a.m. to go sign up for an audition, have a rehearsal for a scene, have class, and then have some comps to a show this evening!

I miss my family. I miss my dog. At the moment, I'm missing warmer weather…

May 2024
Auditioning a lot. Meeting new people. After completing my courses with the Patrick Page Studio, I'm returning for a four-week scene study course that I'm looking forward to!

Hoping to take in as much of the city as I can! Would love to do some more tourist-y things (museums, observation decks, etc.) that I haven't gotten to yet.

June 2024
There's been so many sweet moments. I'm writing this on the last evening of Pride Month, and the energy in my neighborhood is just so celebratory. It's lovely.