I would really like to help this guy that I heard about through facebook (He is the friend of a family member). He really wants to be excepted onto the second season of The Glee Project. The winner of the show will be offered a chance to be on the hit television series Glee (like last season). He needs more people to view his video, and if they like it to select "Like". The more "Likes" and positive comments he gets the greater his chances of making it onto the show are. So, if you could please just take the time to watch his audition video, I would really be thankful, and I'm sure he would be too. By watching his video you will get a sense of who he is, and what he wants to bring to the show.

Vote for Shane! Please help his dream come true!

http://www.thegleeprojectcasting.com/Auditions/View/50317

A few days ago, I heard thru Facebook about a young man, who dreams about making it onto the second season of The Glee Project. This young man’s name is Shane Messick; he’s 21 years old, and living in Baltimore, Maryland where he attends school for theatre, while working as a customer advisor for Petco. He auditioned last season for the show, and not making it passed the semi-finals, in his own words, felt like getting hit in the face with a slushie!

Shane dreams of being a mentor, and role model to millions. He says he wants to give back what Glee has given to him. Through watching the show, he has learned the lesson of self-acceptance, to love himself for who he is even when others may not.

When asked what was the biggest obstacle Shane has had to overcome in his life his response was one that many can relate to. Growing up Shane was bullied in middle school because of a weight issue that stemmed from the use of medication to treat OCD. Because of the harassment, and hurtful words targeted at him from his peers he even considered suicide.

Looking back now he is glad he didn’t take his own life. Shane says that he understands bullying is done by those who have low self-esteem issues of their own. Glee is well known for tackling the issue of bullying. One of the most popular scenarios occurs between Kurt Hummel (an openly gay teen, portrayed by Chris Colfer) who is bullied by Dave Karofsky (a football player, struggling with accepting himself, portrayed by Max Adler).

When asked what his dream role on Glee would be he had two responses. His first response was he wants to play a character that helps Karofsky transition from being self-hating to self-accepting. He would like to be the character on Glee that brings out the softer side of Kurt’s ex-bully.

At this point he stops to mention that he used to wear track pants all the time, which lead into his second dream role choice. Being a family member of Sue Sylvester (Cheerleading captain, who dreams of destroying the glee club, portrayed by Jane Lynch), who secretly wants to be in the glee club, while being on her side to of course (what is family for after all). Out of the eight song choices that Glee hopefuls have to pick from Shane chose “Out Here on My Own” from the musical Fame.

I myself am a Glee Project fan, and after watching his video through Facebook, and checking his “Like” status for the last few days, I decided to ask Shane a few questions about himself, and Glee. Go a little Miss America on him if you will, and here are his responses:

Q: How old were you when you started acting, or expressed an interest?

A: I started band doing percussion in I think the 4th or 5th grade, but due to a horribly mean teacher in 6th grade, I dropped band and tried chorus and fell in love. I sang before in a music class type thing but being in chorus was amazing. I was in middle school show choir, my 8th grade year. Then I auditioned for a vocal magnet high school and got in. At fourteen, I did my first musical, Footloose. After that I got into dance, and with that I got into hip-hop. I’ve been doing it ever since, but this past year I realized TV/Film is where I want to be.

Q: Do you have any credits to your name? (television, movies, modeling)

A: I have done a lot of performance based things, but my top credits I would say would be: making semi-finals for The Glee Project: Season 1, being in a commercial that airs nationwide to 30 million viewers, being a cover boy for a GLBTG magazine in DC, but I have done many musicals and even some short film type stuff.

Q: If there was one thing that you could tell the cyber world, about yourself, and why you want to be on Glee in an effort to get their votes what would it be?

A: I would say that I want to show a real story that has been lived. That I have a lot of things I want to be an inspiration for. I want to inspire things such as sexuality acceptance, OCD acceptance, single parent acceptance. Someone that people could see on TV and if they wanted to talk he would be there for them.

Q: How would you portray yourself as a gay character on Glee? Would you be the classic diva or attempt something outside the stereotypical?

A: I would not want to be the stereotypical gay character because I feel a lot of people really view gay people, every gay person that way. I would love to be like a Blaine (Author note: Kurt’s boyfriend) where I’m gay, and I admit it and don't hide it, but it’s not what defines me.

Q: Would you like for the struggle of OCD to be part of your character on Glee?

A: I definitely feel it would be very helpful to combine my OCD with my character on GLEE. Emma (School guidance counselor, portrayed by Jayma Mays) has OCD but they really only show the cleanliness, I would show other parts, and show the struggle some people face with it. It may not be the most fun or funny, but anyone with OCD would understand.

Q: If you had to fill a character slot for one of the main characters on the show, who could you see yourself stepping in for?

A: If i could fill a character slot I would be Kurt that’s just my given (laughs to self), but one thing that is surprising, I’d love to be the male Brittany. I love being goofy and i definitely have moments of sheer stupidity.

Q: Who on the show inspires you the most?

A: I would say that both Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Lauren Zizes (Ashley Fink) inspire me. I am like Kurt (Chris Colfer) in many ways, minus amazing fashion taste, but like Kurt I do feel like I won’t get roles because of my being gay, but we both still own who we are. I say Lauren because as a bigger girl no one would think she could be on TV and she was. She commanded respect and she never let her weight bother her. I grew up being bullied horribly for my weight and it was hard. For her to show you can be beautiful and big is an amazing message.

Q: If you could get one on one time with any of the cast (to get advice about the business, and just plain hang out) who would you pick?

A: Again, Chris Colfer, I would love to hang out with him. For him to have done nothing major before GLEE and become an international TV actor/award winner is mind blowing.

Q: Last season on The Glee Project the competitors were told that many on the GLEE cast are able to do their “Slushie” scenes in one take. Do you think you could do this, and what do you think it physically feels like to be slushied?

A: I would be ecstatic if I was told we had to be slushied. I did it for my audition video to show GLEE that I can be creative and that I could do it. According to Chris Colfer, it is like being slapped in the face by an ice cube or something. I’d say if a hard chunk hits you, it is like a rock but it is exhilarating! Doing it over and over is probably very cold but I know without a doubt, I’d be able to do it pretty well.

Q: If asked would you take on the role of a male struggling with gender identity issues, a male that feels they belong in a female's body, and one day plans to have gender reassignment?

A: If I was asked to play a transgender role I’d do it with honor and sincerity. I am not transgender but I do feel I am a guy that relates and identifies much more with females then men. If GLEE said, "We want you to be transgender." it wouldn’t take a second thought, I’d do it. I would do the role if they asked, but I feel someone who actually is transgender should do the role, because it’s not a role for them, it is life.

Q: On last season’s episode of The Glee Project, some of the competitors were told that America wouldn’t cheer for them, that they lacked the thing that would make America care about the character they might portray on the show. What would make America cheer for you?

A: America would cheer for me because they would see my dedication and determination, my genuine love for performing and GLEE in every challenge. They would know that I am not in it for the money, but I am in it for the fact: it’s my dream and being a performer is what is in my blood.

After the Q&A I reflected on Shane, and what I would say to the selection committee for season two of The Glee Project. If given the chance I would want to remark on his “realness”. He doesn’t seem to be full of himself, and he shows confidence in his ability. If given the chance to be on the show I am sure that he wouldn’t take the situation lightly. He seems ready to prove himself; all he needs is to be given the chance. And to those who have seen his video, and know the show, I’m sure your saying to yourself, “There is no need for another gay character!” To those people I would say don’t let sexuality be a deciding factor. Let his talent, drive, and determination be in the forefront.

- Best of luck Shane

 For those of you reading: Don't forget to view his audition video - If you enjoy it then don't forget to "Like" it.

http://www.thegleeprojectcasting.com/Auditions/View/50317

Thank you, PBS

Shane Messick's message to teens struggling with bullies, and self-identity..

Listen to what he has to say at youtube.com, the video link is below.

http://youtu.be/aBOHwVFolF0

If you haven't seen Shane's audition for season 2 of The Glee Project, then go to the above post and watch it. Don't forget to show your support for Shane by "Liking" his video. As well as the online audition, he plans to go to the open auditions in N.Y.

Shane is ranked as number #65 out of 1,000 and something videos (as of 10/5/2011). He needs you to support him by spreading the word.

Ways you can help Shane Messick hopefully get his chance to perform infront of the glee project selection committee:

• Tell your friends about Shane, and his dream
• Post about Shane through Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, ect.
• Blog about Shane
• Have any online groups you belong to? Share the story of Shane there!
• Vote yourself!

Below is the link to Shane's audition. If you would like to hear more from Shane, click on his screen name, and you will be taken to his profile where you will learn more about him as a person, and get to watch 2 more videos of him singing.

http://www.thegleeprojectcasting.com/Auditions/View/50317

Here also are 2 youtube videos of Shane performing "Baby" by Justin Bieber, and a song called "Burnin' "

"Baby"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIGjkX58DH4&feature=share

"Burnin' "

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUHj96ChXi8&feature=share

Thanks to everyone on here who checked out Shane's video, and supported him in his efforts by going to the video, and clicking "Like".

For those of you who haven't yet seen Shane's video, then please stop by his page, and check it out. He still needs your support!

http://www.thegleeprojectcasting.com/Auditions/View/50317

Happy reading,

PBaddiction

Shane has 388 supporters! Thanks to anyone on here who voted for Shane. If you have not seen Shane's video then please do! He is trying to make it to 400 supporters.

http://www.thegleeprojectcasting.com/Auditions/View/50317 

 How to support Shane:

Click the link to his audition

Watch video/click the "Like" button