Invading Nirvana

A Chicagoan in the City of Angels

By: Kevin Theis

Narrated by: Kevin Theis

Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Chicago theater veteran Kevin Theis, co-author of the cult classic Confessions of a Transylvanian: a Story of Sex, Drugs and Rocky Horror presents: Invading Nirvana: a Chicagoan in the City of Angels the story of one actor's quixotic odyssey into the heart of the entertainment industry: Hollywood, California.

From the early preparations for his trip to La La Land to his search for representation, his encounters with the famous (and soon-to-be famous) as well as his deep-dive exploration of this unique and fascinating city, Invading Nirvana is a must-listen for anyone considering moving to L.A. to pursue a dream of breaking into show business.

The author is both candid and unsparing in his description of the industry, the city of Los Angeles, and the challenges of being a performer in Hollywood looking for work. Casting agents, pay-to-meet workshops, the comedy club scene, film and TV auditions, as well as a peek inside the audiobook world; every aspect of the entertainment industry is thoroughly examined in this hilarious and comprehensive look at life as a professional actor in Hollywood.

©2017 Kevin Theis (P)2017 Fort Raphael Publishing Company

DON'T MISS THIS - for so many different reasons.

This book, entertainingly written and narrated, is really many books.

If you read to be entertained, you won't be disappointed. Seek inspiration? You'll find it here. For creatives, already in LA or contemplating it, this is a guide book. The voyeur gets an intimate view of the artist, the historian revels in fascinating snippets about Los Angeles. It's a travelogue of where to run and where to eat, along with what museums, graveyards and theatres to visit. Always with the narrative of taking that chance, going for your dream while remaining grounded in reason and gratitude, focused on family and friends.

I've rarely enjoyed an audio book as much as I enjoyed this one.

a 360 view of Los Angeles

as a chicagoan who has just arrived in LA, i found myself nodding/railing/laughing along with kevin and his experience here. whether you’re an actor making the “go west or no” decisions, or just someone who enjoys excellent storytelling, i highly recommend this book. thanks, kevin, for lending your voice to accompany me on hikes and long drives. Invading Nirvana has been a loyal companion and i was sad when it ended!

What an amazing journey!

Would you consider the audio edition of Invading Nirvana to be better than the print version?

The audio edition, read by the author, is amazing. By the end of the book, I felt like Kevin and I were old friends.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Invading Nirvana?

Kevin starts going to auditions and is in the room with some of these big names, people who get regular work on TV and Movies and it made me feel a true sense of awe. It really made me feel the magnitude of where he is at that moment.

What about Kevin Theis’s performance did you like?

I love hearing the words in the voice of the author. Kevin's performance was wonderful and truly helped me be a part of his journey.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud many, many times while listening to this book, but Kevin's journey is a roller coaster of emotion and I truly had to hold back tears a few times.

Any additional comments?

This is a great listen. Keving Theis is easy to relate to and he invites you to take a journey that so many of us have dreamed of taking.

Fantastic story!!!

Love author’s take on Hollywood and the entertainment industry. My jaw dropped several times at the stories he told and always ended with a laugh! Highly recommended!

I liked it more than I expected

This is one of those books I had to look at in my Audible account and wonder how I ended up with it. I mean, I know I won it through a Dab of Darkness blog giveaway. But what was I thinking to even enter? I have almost debilitating stage fright. The thought of becoming an actor is tantamount to hell for me. So, how did I end up listening to the story of a 50-year-old veteran actor's move to Los Angelous to pursue his acting career? Honestly, I'm not even sure.

But surprisingly enough, I found it interesting. Interesting in a detached, 'I have NO INTEREST in doing that' sort of way. But interesting all the same; kind of a 'how the other half lives' experience. The other half being people who don't pee themselves at the thought of standing in front of a crowd.

Theis has a self-deprecating humor that I appreciated and I found myself invested in his journey. I also found myself shocked at how many people he knows. At one point he had a chapter dedicated to how many people took him out to lunch during his 3 months in LA. I'm not being facetious when I say, I literally don't think I even know that many people!

Not only am I not interested in acting. Prior to listening to this, I'd of told you I'm not remotely interested in LA. Big cities? No thank you. But all the history was fun. Again Theis made it so.

All in all, you might not be surprised to find that I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. Even my hesitancy to listen to an audiobook narrated by the author himself proved unfounded. Theis spoke a bit too fast for my liking, especially in the beginning (which I listened to at .75 speed, which I hate doing), but it eventually slowed down and I enjoyed his banter-like narration. Invading Nirvana was a surprise win for me.

A fun look at a man taking his shot in tinsel town

Mr. Theis has an engaging style. I found this to be funny, and inspiring. Taking a chance at living one's dreams is something many of us don't do. I applaud his drive.

I have downloaded several books of his now, and I recommend him to anyone.

What a great story!

What made the experience of listening to Invading Nirvana the most enjoyable?

I really enjoyed the whole story. From beginning to end, the journey is so vivid that I felt like I was a part of the trip.

What did you like best about this story?

The struggle of an actor in LA trying to find a job is vividly portrayed. It is heartbreaking, but realistic. Excellent and tough part of the book.

Which character – as performed by Kevin Theis – was your favorite?

Kevin, the narrator. By far. His manner of speaking is very easy to listen to. His voice sounds like the thoughts in my head. This makes the journey taken in the story more personal. I feel like I have something at stake. It's amazing!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

If you think Nirvana is a place of peace...think again.

Informative and a little scary

I thought this would be a self-help book for pilot season, but the best thing about this book is that it proves there is no self-help book for pilot season. Everyone's story was completely different and no one has the same journey in this business yes. Book is incredibly entertaining, very informative and a little scary if you are considering going to LA to try to make your mark. I highly suggest this book for anyone in the acting industry

Chasing Dreams & Sharing Wisdom

There's something wonderful about an author reading his own work, and that certainly holds true for Kevin's travelogue. Equal parts cautionary tale, encouragement, and actor's practical guidebook, his wit, charm and first-hand nowledge of the acting profession shine through. An enjoyable listen for everyone, whether you're looking to get into showbiz, or could use a kick in the pants as motivation to go chase your dream.

Travelogue for the Artist or Tourist

Where does Invading Nirvana rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is definitely one of the better audiobooks that I've listened to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Invading Nirvana?

My favorite moment of the experience was when I began to consider LA as a city that I may like to visit some day. Previous to listening to this book, I've had absolutely no interest in seeing LA based upon other folks's feedback. I actually may want to see the sights of this city that Kevin described in the book.

What does Kevin Theis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This was a great example of how a writer can bring his/her own book to life in the voice that was intended. He's a great writer and a fantastic narrator.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My biggest reaction to the book was my newfound interest in seeing LA. Additionally, the whole time listening to the book I was enthralled by Kevin's professional and casual journey through the city and his career move.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book to anyone curious about the city of LA, attempting a career in LA, or just looking for a fun book to experience between non-fiction educational books for dummies.