You know you’ve made some progress when people start asking you, “How did you do it?”

I have been the lucky recipient of this question a few times this week and it’s been a bit of a surprise. I guess it shouldn’t be, because I’m always at work on my craft, always thinking, “What else can I do to make my work better?” Whether it’s in a song or a monologue or my physical workout (since my body is my instrument I have to keep it in tune). I am often reminded that as much as I look ahead, I also need to savor the moment as well as give myself kudos for the leaps I’ve made.

This week I was at a birthday party for a dear friend who has ties to much of the Broadway world, and the party made me think very much of the NYMF gala, because the room was full of established Broadway people (from stars to directors and casting directors) as well as up-and-comers, and it was so interesting to be in the midst of all that.

A lot of people were buzzing about the work I’d done on “The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun,” and that was really cool. It was so great to meet new peeps, reconnect with old acting buddies and to share stories.

The main theme of the evening was the celebration of growth. Very fitting for a birthday party.

And as I go through my day, juggling auditions and life and work and play, I realize how fortunate I am. I have worked hard to get here and I have much farther to go, but it’s such a cool thing when people ask “How did you get to where you are?” It makes me proud of my hard work, knowing that the seeds I’ve planted have taken root and are growing.

Going Blog-Wild!

Blame it on my friend Tina. She started this. And I am SO GLAD she did! When I first heard about blogging a few years ago, I was reluctant to post "my stuff" online, but over time I've come to realize how utterly cool, inspiring, and helpful blogs can be.

Check this out: Emily Whyte, a friend of mine from VP Boyle's Musical Theatre Forum started The Ulitmate Theatre Homepage with some of her buds, and it's a great site! Lots of helpful links for NY actors: http://www.theatremafia.com/ultimatetheatrehomepage.htm

And the thing that I love most? Their BLOG! It goes hand in hand with their site very nicely and gives more in-depth, hands-on, been-there-done-that experience which is GREAT! I wish it had been around when I first came to NY.

Tina also stumbled upon this blog which she sent me, and I LOVE the little glimpse it gives into the life of a Hollywood screenwriter: http://juliegoestohollywood.blogspot.com/
Blog on, Julie!

And of course, there's Tina's blog, which I am always inspired by: http://theessentialherbal.blogspot.com/

It gives this New Yorker a lovely glimpse into the PA countryside, and I am always warmed by Tina's humor as well as inspired by her knowledge. Rock on, soul sister!

So put on your blog-shoes and jump into the web. It's awfully cool!

"I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends."

I feel like Ringo today, though, gods help me, my brother would cringe with that comment. He is a consummate drummer, and while he does give props to Ringo for some interesting playing, ask Sean about any Beatles album and he can list off who the actual studio drummer was. That boy knows his craft!

Which brings me to today's blog: knowing my craft and knowing that I owe so much to my friends and family who have been there for/with me on this wild acting ride. There's my Cali family, whom I just saw a few weeks ago, and boy do I miss them! And then there's my East Coast crew:

There are my friends, Carl and Michael and Ataman. It's said that in NY your friends become your family and this is especially true of my three amigos. :)

There's also my friend, Tina, who is an entrepreneur in the herb world. She started her own magazine over 5 years ago, The Essential Herbal, and I have learned so much from her! A business is a business, and show business is really no different from any other. We all have to perform in some way, shape or form, and we all need to invest and research and challenge ourselves to grow so that our products and crafts grow.

And I would be nowhere without my guy, Rob. He's my best friend, the love of my life, and a true partner in every sense of the word. Since I met him as a fellow actor, he certainly knows the ups and downs of this ride, and he's been with me every step of the way. He left the biz and went into graphic design and marketing, and LOVES it! The cool thing is that I've learned from his lessons as a bigtime marketing director, and it's helped me to see my job as an actor in a much clearer way.

I love that! I love that we all can learn from each other as we share this wild ride together. It makes it that much more fun!

I just got back from CA a few weeks ago and a friend of mine was asking me how the trip went. Well, it was lovely. The weather was perfect! Sunny Southern CA can be so glorious at times! And I had a great visit with my family. It's always so cool, knowing that my acting career will usually bounce me around between the two coasts where I have so much love waiting for me. And that got me to thinking about all the love and support I have in my life. I have people cheering me on each day as I work towards my goals, and I'm cheering for them right back!

In CA, there's my brother, Sean, who is an incredible drummer. He had broken his hand before Christmas, but instead of that deterring his career, everyone was comparing him to the one armed drummer from Def Leopard, and Sean's students (he teaches drums while he gigs) were in awe of his ability to play one-handed. "You're amazing!" one student said, and indeed, she hit the nail on the head.

My little brother amazes and inspires me. He really makes magic happen with his drums and I can see as well as hear his artistry when he plays. Truly incredible.

I also saw my parents. My Dad and his wife picked me up in San Diego and we had the yummy treat of spending the day at the beach. What a way to start the New Year!



I also had a lovely visit with my Mom and her friend Kathy. They had both come to NY to see me in "The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun," and it was great to see them again, to share in laughter and love, to talk over happy memories and to get excited about future possibilities.

It's neat to see my family growing as individuals and to feel the love when we all come together. We all learn from each other and I feel like I make so many discoveries every time I go West. :)

Happy New Year!

One of my dear friends, Tina from The Essential Herbal, and I tend to celebrate the New Year by saying, "This is our year," and indeed this has become a wonderful affirmation.

2006 was full of leaps and bounds! It started with two short films: Laundry, which put my hair through the Bride of Frankenstein test, and Divine Intervention, which allowed me to play the Goddess Aphrodite (post-op plastic surgery). Both were fun films that gave me the opportunity to work with great people.

And speaking of... I had the pleasure of working with the fabulous VP Boyle in his Musical Theatre Forum. What an incredible workshop! I cannot recommend it or VP enough!

I was inspired to write my own one woman show, based on that journey, and the result was Love in 35 Minutes, an homage to the search for love via musical theatre with everything from Irving Berlin to Charlie Smalls. It was a successful show and I played to sold-out audiences Off Off Broadway.

Zooming off from Love in 35, I landed the title role of Sister Smile in the New York Musical Theatre Festival's production of The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun. It was a dream-come-true, working with some of the best people in the industry, and I was honored with NYMF's Outstanding Individual Performance Award of Excellence.

Now with 2007 kicking off, I have some fun projects cookin. I started with a callback for a leading role in the short film, "The Winter Father," and I'll be bouncing into VP's Pop/Rock workshop this Friday. I'm really looking forward to a bright and bubbly New Year.