The City that Never Sleeps

I don't care who you are. Nothing can prepare you for your first time in this city. I suppose if this is where you were born and raised, you might be a little more adjusted, but something in my gut tells me that even born-and-bred New Yorkers have a moment in their lives when they look around and say, "Whoooa." It would be totally understandable to do so- New York City is a place unlike any other. And I've been a lot of places.

Hi. I'm James Guthrie Addison. You can call me Jay. Ever since I was in a high school production of Cinderella at the whopping age of five, I have wanted to be an actor. I grew up in a small, Texas town, with a father who was pastor of a local Baptist church, and this upbringing influences every part of me; I am a Southern kindness-oozing, fun-loving, Christian. Now, thirteen years and lifetime of experiences later, I have moved to New York City to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. This is the place that helped train Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall, Robert Redford, Adrien Brody, and Anne Hathaway. If I do say so myself, this is legit. This blog is my life, my experiences as I attempt to navigate my way through one of the toughest performace schools in the world while adjusting to life lived at one hundred miles-per-hour in the biggest city in the United States.

 Arriving in NYC was quite an experience from the start, especially with my Dad at the wheel in rush hour traffic. Dad at the wheel in big city traffic is an experience I suggest everyone go through at least once. After winding our way around streets that bared no resemblance to the directions given to us, we finally inched our way past the whistling and gesturing police man and came to a stop beside the New Yorker Hotel which would be my home for the next nine months. After unloading my mountains of stuff and tossing it in my completely insufficient space, my parents bid a quick a farewell and went speeding off out of sight- No worries. They would be back a day later.

The next two days were a blur of school auditions, registrations, voice evaluations, and very little food. I won't lie. It was no stroll in the park to be suddenly thrust out on my own; this city, with its millions of people, can make you feel very alone. When the second night by myself rolled around, I couldn't quite bear the thought of sitting alone all evening again, so I set out to the one place I could think to go: Broadway. That's when the magic first happened.

Strolling along, looking around at the bright lights and big dreams all around me, I began to remember exactly why I was so determined come here, and my cold, lonely little night started to feel a little warmer. Observing the people rushing by all around me, it's easy to think you're in the most impersonal city ever, but look a little closer: See the gangsta-looking black man go running to return a dropped five dollar bill to a little girl. Notice how the whole street works together to find the woman who left her green sweater on the bench and give it back to her. In a way, New Yorkers could be considered even closer than almost anywhere else; an unimaginable mass of people, all bound together by their beloved city. Somehow, even on that lonely second night, God had a way of taking me right where I needed to be: By pure chance, I found myself at the entrance of Times Square Church right as the evening service was starting.

Wednesday brought the return of my wonderful, fantastic, marvelous parents- they had never been such a welcome sight! They would spend the next two days with me, and first on the agenda was Promises, Promises starring the woman I have been in love with since 8th grade, Kristin Chenoweth. Following a delightful show (highly recommended), I, naturally, wanted to be a true nerd and try and wait at the stage door to see my dearest Ms. Chenoweth. I quickly found out I wasn't the only true nerd; there were enough people queued up to meet the woman that guards and crowd barriers had to be brought out! She emerged, to screams from all (no shame, including myself). No crowd barrier was containing me- I zipped my way around that silly diversion and leaned my head around the stern security guard who'd planted himself directly in front of me. "Kristin! Take a picture with me, please!" "They won't let me, honey! But I'll blow you a kiss!" Which she did. Which was nice. I suppose I should have taken a picture, but my hands were shaking uncontrollably. As I walked back to my hotel later I realized that I truly love that woman more than anyone else standing there- I doubt there's another celebrity who could thrill me so much by NOT taking a picture.

The next day was spent entirely with Mom and Dad, doing all the fun touristy stuff that the locals scoff at. I have the best parents in the world. You may think that you do. You are mistaken. The best ones are mine. For a final breather, we decided to drive completely out of the city for dinner, get one last breather before settling in for nine months. I won't deny that I was scared. How could you not be? Not only to be thrust out suddenly on my own, but to move from Small Town USA to flipping huge Metropolis. Trust me. It's scary.

Yet something had happened over the past week. I'd come to the point of realization that I was on my own and returned. I'd looked around me at what at first seemed like an alien planet, and found simple, human comfort. What's more, I'd experienced magic: Broadway. Times Square Church. Kristin Chenoweth. Spending a whole day in complete peace and delight with my parents! MAGIC. As my parents prayed with me parked outside of the hotel for the final drop-off, I still felt overwhelmed. This time, though, it was with a peace that I've come to know over the years, a peace that comes from Somebody much higher than you and I. A peace that passes all understanding. Armed with my new-found peace, I hugged Mom and Dad tight and then turned to face my new life. I had a fantastic night and an equally sweet next day, making all kinds of new friends along the way.

I know that this is where I'm supposed to be. I am probably the most blessed boy in the whole world, and I'm not going to forget it. I'm going be confident in my faith in God and enjoy every minute of my time here. Maybe it took my parents really leaving to realize that it was real. Now, I'm gonna change the world. And this city, of all places, is the place to do it.