My New Year’s Resolutions at the Paramount

By Jenny Holmes

It’s that time of year when I publish my New Year’s Resolutions for all the world to see and hold me accountable. I love this time of year when I can reflect on the past year and see if I do all the things I said I was going to do. But I don’t beat myself up if I wasn’t as accomplished as the ambitious list I created. Instead, I move the unfinished items to the new list and pretend I just came up with it. My favorite resolution for this past year was to audition for a musical. Well, I did it. I auditioned for Hairspray. I was here for 5 hours with more than 100 people. I sang, I danced, I read scripts. I did NOT get the part of Velma. It’s the one I really wanted. You’d think since I work here and share an office area with the Paramount Player Director that I would get some special favor. But the fact is, I wasn’t the best for the part. But you know the old saying, when one door closes, another opens. That is exactly what happened for me. I got the role as a hooker in Hairspray and got to dance in the BiG Doll House Scene. It was amazing. And because I was such a great hooker in that musical, I got another hooker part in Footloose, the musical. Not only did I get to sing and dance, but I even had FOUR lines. And then, I basically had to get an agent because I just keep getting offered parts. Well, yes, there is a little typecasting going on. But I got to successfully check that off my 2011 list of resolutions. Now here is my list for 2012.

I am going to see one of the greatest love stories ever…on our big screen. It’s called LOVE STORY and is part of our second Sunday film series.
I am going to laugh so hard that I can’t breathe when I stand up and sing “Shake Ya Tail Feather” when the Blues Brothers show comes in March.
I plan to ask one of those amazing Cirque performers to teach me how to ride a unicycle or swing from the top of the stage during the Pop Goes the Rock Cirque Dreams show.
Because I love to sing the songs from “Sound of Music,” I am going to see if I can work my way onto that stage and belt out “The Hills Are Alive” at the top of my lungs. However, I will probably get a call any day now with an offer for a ‘special part.’ I’m waiting.
I guess it is a good thing I like to sing because I am going to be singing some ABBA in May. “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.” and “Money, Money, Money” to name a few, because, yes, Mamma MIA Broadway will be on our stage. I may just sing those songs from my office since it’s a pretty big deal and at the rate the tickets have sold, I’m not sure there will be any extra seats!
Once again, I plan to watch the Oscars in our theatre. But not before I get a new do, a makeover and maybe a little botox —when we have our Second Annual Red Carpet Party.
I will make a new fancy gown to wear to our next fancy gala – and each year I try to come up with some fun new marketing idea. Last year, we covered the event LIVE with Ustream. HMMM now I gotta top that one.
I’m going to speak at a conference or two. I already got invited to one. Melanie (our education director) and I wrote a book called “Marketing the Arts” and we will be presenting it at the SETC (Southeastern Theatre Conference).
I definitely will write another book. I have a dozen or so in the works, so not sure which one I’ll finish first, but it’s pretty much a regular posting on my resolutions.
I’m going to write at least 2 grants, which reminds me I should probably cut this list short and get busy writing something that can make some money for the Paramount.

Well, we’ll see how this year goes, but so far these are looking do-able (maybe not the unicycle but I have to have some resolutions with physical challenges). And they are all definitely do-able right here at the Paramount! What’s your resolution?

Well, how about I recommend some to you. Visit our website www.paramountartscenter.com, be our fan on facebook, follow us on Twitter, download our free APP, scan our QR code, sign up for push notifications and texts on your phone, subscribe to our newsletter, watch some of our videos, volunteer, call our box office and chat a bit 606.324.3175 or email me, jenny@paramountartscenter.com and let me know you did all of these things and how accomplished you feel.