Women who watched "The Watchmen"

There have been a lot of critiques about the new film, The Watchmen, and one that caught my eye was, "Will women watch it?" Well, I was there opening weekend with my fanboys and girls, and we all truly enjoyed it. Our group was comprised of small business owners, a literature professor (Jayne in the red), an economist, a chef, a graphic designer, myself the actress, and other movers and shakers. Everyone seemed to really dig the picture, and I would recommend it, though I would NOT recommend taking kids to it.

This is a very adult superhero film where violence reigns and the superheroes have been told, "thanks, but no thanks" since the government has decided it only needs one superhero, Dr. Manhattan, to take care of all the "big" issues like averting nuclear war. So what about the rest of the retired vigilantes? There's still a lot of distress on the streets and in homes, and one subversive hero named Rorschach (played with passionate intensity by the incredible Jackie Earle Haley) refuses to lay low.

When an ex-hero named The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is murdered, the Watchmen inadvertently come together to battle some unknown evil once again.

The thing that's fascinating about this film is the basic premise of good and evil in every person. The Comedian, it turns out, was really more of a hired gun, committing all sorts of atrocities for the government in the name of "good." Very chilling.

The rest of the heroes include Nite Owl played by Patrick Wilson (whom I loved in Angels in America and Little Children), and this character is an obvious nod to Batman; Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), a business mogul considered to be the fastest and smartest man alive, and Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman), a martial artist-type hottie whose mother (lusciously played by Carla Gugino, who nearly steals the show in my opinion) was a superhero of the same name. And lastly, there's Dr. Manhattan, beautifully played by Billy Crudup (even when he's glowing blue), a full-fledged superman who can destroy matter (and that includes people) with a thought. Needless to say, this hero's mind is so far-reaching that he's losing his touch with humanity.

And I would say that's partially a danger for the film as well. It tries to cram so much in and reaches for such lofty heights... sometimes it feels like it's trying too hard.

But there are incredible spectacles to see! And I love the major questions that come into play such as, What is "good" and what should be done for the greater good and who truly knows what that is?

It made me want to check out Alan Moore's original graphic novel, especially in light of this blog I found that focused on the women of The Watchmen. That was my only complaint (other than the film being a little too long, clocking at 2 hours and 45 minutes): the ladies seemed to be relegated to eye candy. Ass-kicking eye-candy, but still.... I just didn't believe that Silk Spectre II had it in her to be the type of woman that truly inspired great men to do great things... unless it was only based on a sexual charge, because yeah, she exuded sexy innocence, but there wasn't a true sense of soul-searching depth, and that was frustrating, because I could tell from the writing that she was supposed to be that type of ultimate human inspiration. Ya know?

Anyway, because of that missing element, the love story was just sort of "eh" for me.

But the rest of the film worked in a mind-blowing, graphically dazzling, terrifyingly thought-provoking kind of way.

My favorite character was Rorschach (above far right), whose blank mask would shift with inkblots like the famed Rorchach Test. Jackie Earle Haley absolutely captivated me with his intensity. He exuded a bazillion emotions while masked and unmasked and brought this character to full-bodied life. There's a great interview about his process behind the character here.

So if you're in the mood for an especially epic and dark superhero film, give The Watchmen a go.

Return of the Blue Coyotes and The Essential Herbal Blog Contest

Two subjects today. :)

First of all, if you're looking for some interesting downtown theatre in New York, check out the Blue Coyote Theatre Company. My friend, Tracey Gilbert, who was my co-star in The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun, is a member of the company, and I must say, it's always a pleasure to support this innovative group.

Their latest production is Conversations on Russian Literature Plus Three More Plays by David Johnston. Really interesting stuff. Tracey performs in a delightful piece called Mothra is Waiting, about two over-the-hill chanteuses, one of whom is sure that a fictional Japanese monster will rescue them from their dreary lives. Tracey is electrically funny and a joy to watch. I love seeing her work and it's even better getting to work with her! :)

Conversations runs through this weekend only, so if you can, catch it!

My other "nod" is to my friend, Tina, of The Essential Herbal, who's having a Blog Contest. 10 blogs are involved, and you can enter to win simply by posting a comment on one or all ten of the blogs.

I had written for one of Tina's "companion books" The Fairy Home Companion, and the prize for this blog contest are fairyland cookie cutters! Really cute!

I love this "contest" simply because it's a great way to see other blogs that are out there, focused on nature's elements, and the sense of community that is built from promoting these small businesses.

When is an audition like a Tea Party?

My sweetheart has a fondness for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and we often toss around quotes from that world. A hard day at work can often seem like the Mad Tea Party, don't you find?

But today started beautifully for me. I woke up nice and early to go wait in line for the Equity Principal Actors' call for The Norman Conquests. Most EPAs are like that - you get up early so you can make sure you get an assigned time to audition later in the day. This time of year many auditions are jam-packed and there's a reason they're likened to a "cattle call," because everyone's jammed together and "moo-ing" about something.

This morning, however, was a breath of fresh air! I don't know if it's because the call was so specific, looking for actors to understudy the British cast that's being brought over from the successful run at The Old Vic, but there were only about 15 of us there to start, all ladies (the gents arrived later).

Usually, when I'm waiting in line, I'll put my headphones on and focus on whatever I'm currently reading. As I said, most of the auditions can be noisy and crazed, but the minute I stepped off the elevator today, these ladies were all so lovely and welcoming, even offering me a rocking chair that seemed to be waiting just for me. We all sat and talked lightly about shows, fashion, and the news (one gal had a newspaper and would make little "reports"). There was such an air of congeniality. It made me think very much of English tea parties. Truly, all we needed was the proper setting for tea and the mood would've been complete!I'm hoping the audition itself will be just as lovely. I love Alan Ayckbourn's plays, so getting to read from the script should be a treat indeed!

Patience

The message of patience has appeared to me twice today, and when that happens, I realize it's time to pay attention.

My first sighting of this message was on the Actors Voice POV, the March 1st entry:

"When opportunity knocks, you better know what to do... And who knows when that opportunity will come around again? So when you get an audition, make the most of it. It's not that difficult, really. Just be on time, be prepared, and do the best you can... Every audition is a free learning experience and a chance to change your life." - John Schultz, Manager

The British singer, Adele, also encourages patience while pursing an artistic career in her interview with ExploreTalent.com.

I find this gentle nudge helpful as I gear up for auditions and networking events with agents this week. I continue to grow with my monologue repertoire and am looking at new songs for musical auditions. I just want to really cultivate work I enjoy, and that includes working on myself, my instrument, taking classes, going to the gym, being aware, being good to myself as I nurture myself on this artistic path. It's all good.

Vote For Wayne!

My friend and funny buddy Wayne Henry needs your vote to make it to the next round on The Big Gay Sketch Show! Can ya help?

You can vote every 24 hours, so if you can, put Wayne on your daily "to do" list.

Thank you! :)

Blessed in Friendship

These past few days have brought me an influx of friends. It's just such a treat when you get time to connect with people you care about and who care about you.

I saw my friend, Deb Radloff, for lunch yesterday. We had worked together a year ago on Hell's Belles, and we've done a few readings together (SIN, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Vienna) and recently recorded a demo of the new musical Argentina Rumpus. Deb is an amazing woman, phenomenal friend, incredible actress and singer, and she's also training to be a yoga instructor. Talk a Renaissance gal! I'm just so proud of her and very excited to be working on a cabaret with her.

Since she's going through intense training to be a yoga instructor, she shared with me one of the sutras, which is something akin to "Change your mind and you change your world." Ironically, this has been something I've been exploring as well, realizing how perspective - and a positive one at that - has such an incredible bearing on our life experiences.

My brother confirmed this with his college course on Hindu studies and how he's realizing that what he focuses his thoughts on grows, whether its good or bad, so why not focus on the good stuff and increase the good in our lives?

I totally dig it.

And speaking of good stuff, check out my friend Wayne Henry on Logo's Big Gay Sketch Show contest produced by Rosie O'Donnell:

http://biggaycasting.com/people/waynehenry

Wayne needs over 4,000 votes to get to the next round, so please cast your vote! You can do so every 24 hours, and believe me, this funny man is worth every second!
Wayne and I worked together on Johnny on a Spot, though we actually didn't get any stage time together. When he was on, my character was up to mischief offstage and vice versa. But we had such a blast backstage and in rehearsals that we swore our characters should come together for their own show! Hmmmm - perhaps we really should give those characters their due. I have no doubt hilarity would abound!

I love how all these people inspire me - artistically, professionally and personally. I am surrounded by really wonderful folks and that makes "the ride" so much fun!

Happy trails!

Art and Life

My friend, Michael, and I were talking about art yesterday, and how important it is for us as human beings. It allows us to express ourselves in such fascinating ways, to tell our stories... stories that are important to us. Whether it is the written word or film or photography or a painting, there is this sense of necessary expressive experience. Michael was very game in going to the MoMA with me to take in my friend, Kara's film, Bachelorette 34 (detailed in the post below), and he also took pictures with me of The Essential Herbal magazine. It was my goal to get the magazine in a few photos around town, because, to me, this is art that, like Kara's film, TEACHES. My friend, Tina, created this magazine as a newsletter to bring together people who are into herbs for health and crafts and finding natural remedies towards making our world a better place. The newsletter grew into this wonderful multi-page magazine that is made from recycled materials and contains a wealth of info and ideas. As Tina says, "Some tiny little herb shop in the hidden hills might harbor some powerful knowledge... and how are we to know? Its an opportunity to put that herb shop on the map. It is a chance for the home herbalist to be published right alongside someone everyone has heard of."

And I love that!

Art brings people together, stirs the imagination...

My brother always says, "Don't judge your art. There are enough people who will do that anyway. It's all perspective." And we all have unique perspectives. Some art we dig, some we don't, but it's all about what moves you.

I dig how art can bring people together from all over the world. Penelope Cruz mentioned this in her Academy Award acceptance speech last night: "I grew up in a place called Alcobendas, where this was not a very realistic dream. And I, always on the night of the Academy Awards, I stay up to watch the show and I always felt that this was, this ceremony was a moment of unity for the world because art, in any form, is and has been and will always be our universal language and we should do everything we can, everything we can, to protect its survival."

Seasons In The Sun

It's cool when you get to see a friend have a big moment.

Last night, I met up with my childhood friend, Kara Herold, and we hadn't seen each other since high school! She's in NY, showcasing her documentary Bachelorette 34 which is playing at the Museum of Modern Art, and it's screening tomorrow (Sunday) at 1:30 PM if you're in the city and want to catch a really fun, innovative film.

For the past few weeks, I've been seeing Kara's poster in subways around the city, and it's such a thrill! It reminds me of when my sweetheart, Rob, designed a billboard for Swatch in Times Square.When you get to see people you care about get their big moment, it's such a joy!

I also got to visit with Kara's mom and dad at the MoMA last night, and that was such a trip. These people were a pretty big part of my childhood since our families all grew up together on the same street. Kara was the first person to introduce me to the Helen Keller story, and we both shared a love of drama and musicals. We played the Von Trapp children in The Sound of Music, breaking the rules and performing in a high school musical before we were in high school.

It's funny - Kara's dad said last night, "I remember you and Kara putting on shows as kids, and you're both still doing that!"

I love that we're making our dreams come true.

It was so cool to see Kara's film. It was so innovation and interesting, mixing animation with old footage from the 50s and 60s, and addressing the important issue of a woman's sense of fulfillment in this day and age.

Kara's mom, Alice, is a big star of the show, searching for a marriageable man for her daughter, but what stands out in the film is the idea of the “quirkyalone, ” a name given to happy singletons, written about by in a now-famous essay by Kara's close friend, Sasha Cagen. I believe the focus here is on women, but this term also makes me think of many marvelous men I know who are also choosing to nurture themselves on their own while they seek fulfillment in the midst of seeking a mate to share the ride with them.

“I think women want more options," Kara says. "They realize it’s better to be single than it is to be in a relationship for the sake of it.”

Again, I believe this holds true for men and women. I have seen both sides of the coin.

What I loved most about this film is what it says about generations past and present, and how, whether we like it or not, we are all intertwined.

I like it. I think there's much to learn from those who've come before us, and we can also learn from ourselves, by listening to and loving ourselves, paving the way for future generations.

"Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the face." - Helen Keller

Terrific Teachers

There are classes and teachers that change our lives. My kindgarten teacher, Mrs. Borden, made school feel safe for me. My first music teacher, Pat Wear, created a venue where I could sing to my heart's content. My first voice teacher, Winnie Hammond, took me to my first professional audition at the San Bernadino CLO - first for Peter Pan and then for Annie, which I booked. Tom Hatten was the top billing for that show, and my Dad was a big fan of his and the Popeye / Family Film Festival shows that would play on the weekend.

My 8th grade teacher, Marcia Cloyd (pictured left), was a huge influence on me, encouraging me as a writer and an actress. She introduced me to her mother, Marguerette, who was a local celebrity from The Ramona Pageant, which is a gorgeous outdoor play based on Helen Hunt Jackon's novel, Ramona about the Spanish/Indian conflict in Southern CA in the late 1800s. Both Margie and Marcia took me under their wings, and Margie kept her eye on me, offering me the role of Rita in Educating Rita at her Palace West Playhouse (local theatre) when I turned 21. I ended up winning the Inland Theatre League Award for that role and that show, and that was pretty darned cool!

Then I was off to NYC... "three bucks, two bags, one me." I went to AMDA, booked work at the PA Renaissance Faire and learned tons from my directors and castmates! Fell in love, and continue to learn from my sweet Robbie, who is a master at comedy.

Back in NY, I booked gigs here and there and got my Equity card, but you know when you plateau? You need a guide to the next level.

It was VP Boyle (above) who rocked my world and opened the door for me with his Musical Theatre Forum. One of the biggest lessons I learned was that it's not about "them" and what "they" think. It's about working to my own satisfaction. And one of the questions VP would often ask was, "If today was your last day on earth and you had the chance to sing, what would you sing?"

My Mom (below) always talked about that when I was a kid: "Live each day as if it's your last." And to me that translates to, "Live life to the fullest!"

To quote Auntie Mame, "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!"

Life's too short to not "go for it," ya know? And I'm in the business of making my dreams come true!

I just finished The Monoluge Audition Workshop with Karen Kohlhaas, and this has been one of those life-changing, restoring confidence, stir-the-imagination kind of classes. I wish I would've taken this class years ago! It is a boon to any actor!

For our last night of class we did mock auditions, and since this class is at The Atlantic Theatre School, there were other classes and sessions going on. While I was waiting in the hall for one of the "mock" auditions, a very famous TV star happened to pass by, and she asked what we were doing. When we told her about the "mock" audition, she gave a knowing look and said, "Whew! I was afraid it was a REAL audition!" It made me laugh because you hear all the time how no one likes to audition, big stars included, yet we all do it, we all go through the trial by fire to get what we want!

And now I've got these great tools to propel me forward. :)

If you're not in NY and can't study with Karen, I highly recommend her books, The Monologue Audition and How To Choose A Monologue. Seriously, they're right up there with the infamous Audition books we've all been schooled in. But these are current, chock full of info, and incredibly inspiring.

"Once more unto the breech, dear friends!"

Hope you're making your dreams come true too! :)

Passionate People

Tonight is my last class for the Monologue Workshop at the Atlantic Theatre School, and I feel this bittersweet mix of sadness and excitement. Sad because it's the last class, even though I know many more classes are out there, and I'm excited to partake of those, but still, I'll miss this class. It's been one of those life-changing classes. And it makes me think of that great line from the movie, Yentl (lyrics by Marilyn and Alan Bergman)....

There are moments you remember all your life
There are moments you wait for and dream of all your life
This is one of those moments.

Tonight, I'll be performing 4 monologues for my teacher and classmates, and it's such a thrill, knowing I can do this, that I have built this repertoire of 4 solid pieces in 5 short weeks, and that I can keep going, that I have more to add to my arsenal. I have more to bring to the party, and I love what I have to offer. It's unique.

Going back to Yentl, it's the 25th (really 26th) Anniversary of the film, and I remember watching it as a kid, being inspired by it. What tomboy and musical theatre lover didn't feel the same way?It was on over the weekend, and as I watched it, I noticed things as a woman that I hadn't noticed as a child, and I was especially caught up by how Barbra Streisand directed the film. Her choices of lighting and where she placed the camera for far away shots vs. close-ups. And she acted in it, co-wrote the screenplay and produced it! Talk about wearing many hats! Rock on, Babs!

As I watched the film, I was also struck by the realization that I got to work with the director of the original Broadway production, Robert Kalfin. Bob directed me last year in two staged readings of the play SIN, one of which was with F. Murray Abraham (wow) as Satan! Both SIN and Yentl were short stories written by Isaac Bashevis Singer, which were adapted and turned into plays.

It's easy to imagine a young Barbra Streisand being inspired by the play. In fact, as early as 1968, Ms. Streisand began to work on acquiring the the rights to the story. So for her to get the film out in 1983... talk about a labor of love!

One of my friends from NYU, Jonathan Betzler, a filmmaker in his own right, has been doing video-blogs about the movies from 1983 and Yentl was among his discussions. It's a great review, so check it out on YouTube.
What's wrong with wanting more?
If you can fly - then soar!
With all there is - why settle for
just a piece of sky?

Opportunity

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Seneca

"Success is where preparation and opportunity meet." - Bobby Unser

Exciting time

Man, time is flying! It's been so jam-packed with joy and life lessons. I'm still taking it all in.

I've certainly learned to multi-task!

While prepping for my callback for Snoopy (2 week Off Broadway gig), I'm also working on new monologues for my monologue class with Karen Kohlhaas at the Atlantic Theatre School, and I've been prepping for the annual regional theatre auditions. Theatres from all over the country come to the city this time of year to hold their seasonal auditions, and I usually shy away from the monologue auditions, but not this time, baby! Since I booked 2 Off Broadway plays last year via "cold readings," I figured I could expand my horizons. And boy, am I glad I have been!

This monologue class has given me tools I can use in ANY audition, and I am actually having FUN in monologue auditions (and feeling effective with my work) again. No hit or miss. I can totally go for it because I have a strong, structured base and tools for freedom that can work every time I audition. It's amazing, and I'm having a blast with what I can now "bring to the table."

I definitely used my new found knowledge at the Snoopy callback, which resulted in making it to the final round of callbacks yesterday.

The final callbacks were a BLAST! Incredibly fun, funny, and at times intense, I forgot how final callbacks for a musical can sometimes take up half the day or longer. I was there for about 4 hours, dancing, singing, reading the script. It was a blast, and I remembered very quickly how you need to pace yourself to maintain that high level of energy needed for a musical. It's like running a marathon! But wow, what a ride!

Now I'm focused on fulfilling my work for the last class of this monologue workshop (4 monologues in 4 weeks)! Man, I'm going to miss it, that wonderful sense of structure, working on a new monologue to perform in class each week while still nurturing the other monologues and songs I'm working on as well. But that's one of the wonderful things this class has given me: the ability to set goals for myself and keep the momentum going by drilling my current pieces, constantly reading plays, looking for monologues in all sorts of places, and increasing my repertoire with work I enjoy.

One of the things I love about this process is that I'm learning to focus on what I can and cannot control. That's actually what drew me to Karen's book and class in the first place. Her book opens with a checklist of things we can control (being prepared, choice of material, how we "talk" to ourselves before and after an audition) vs. the things we can't control like "what they're looking for?"

It's about working to our own satisfaction. And I love that!

Onto the next adventure! :)

Music, Food for the Soul

"If music be the food of love, play on..." - William Shakespeare

One of my favorite scenes in the movie, Groundhog Day by Harold Ramis, is when Bill Murray decides to learn to play the piano, and because he has all this time (due to a glitch in time), he turns into a consummate pianist and ends up giggin' with a band at the end of the movie. He easily switches from jazz to a more classical sound when the woman he loves walks into the room. And she falls in love with him - just as we the audience have - because he's taken the journey and the time to nurture himself and to realize his potential to really live each day.

What does this have to do with music? Well, music is the language that bridges all gaps - languages, limitation, emotional blockages. It moves us and inspires us.

I was wondering how I'd feel about music since I've been focusing so strongly on non-musical theatre lately (in Karen Kohlhaas' monologue class at The Atlantic Theatre School). But what I've discovered is that the "pull of the tide" is just as strong. I can feel the music of language in plays - from contemporaries like Theresa Rebeck, Adam Bock, and Don Nigro to more classical writers like Henrik Ibsen. And since Karen has been teaching us to create interesting tempos within our monologues, each piece with each student seems to blossom with exuberence and spontaneity and unexpected rhythms.

I know that what I'm learning in this acting class is also something I can apply to my musical theatre repretoire. And I'm reminded keenly of something I'd heard not too long ago about how a pretty voice is nice but if there's great acting behind it, it's even better!

I noticed this with the clip I saw of Liza Minelli on NY1. Liza is a miracle to behold, and boy, can she sell a song. Every inch of her seemed to pulsate with vibrant energy, and while her voice is not what it was in her glory days, she STILL was incredible! I wish I would've seen her recent show, Liza's at the Palace, because it's not every day you get to see a living legend onstage.

I learned so much from watching just that clip of Liza - that utter joyous commitment to her performance.

Music takes us places if we let us.

I've been listening to Snoopy the Musical, because I have a callback for it tomorrow, to play Charlie Brown's little sister, Sally. The music is SO GOOD, and I've heard that the recent London production included even more songs, so I'll definitely check that out. I'll be learning some of the music tomorrow at the callback, and I tell you, I can't wait to sing it! The songs range from absolute FUN to wonderfully moving. Just getting to sing this music at the callback is going to be a very fulfilling experience. Looking forward to it.

Paddy Chayefsky

I'm working on a play by Paddy Chayefsky for my monologue class with Karen Kohlhaas at the Atlantic Theatre School, and I just had to pay kudos to this great writer. I've always been fascinated with his plays, The Tenth Man and Middle of the Night. His work is humble, human, and warmly intimate.

I'm really impressed with how timeless some of his work is. This play I'm currently working on is from the '50s and deals with "the real connection" between two people, particularly in a marriage. Sex, emotions, the mental connection of two like minds. It's all as relevant today as it was then, and I find myself constantly tipping my hat to Mr. Chayefksy and his wonderful writing.

One of my friends asked me who he was, so I did my research and discovered this beloved playwright was an Academy Award winning screenwriter:
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/C/htmlC/chayefskypa/chayefskypa.htm

My parents were big fans of the films "Network" and "Altered States," and I find it fascinating that Mr. Chayefsky's work still resonates with so many generations. Very very cool.

Friends, Films, Family and Fun

While in the midst of working on my craft, it's always a joy to see others putting their art out into the world as well. There's something so inspiring about that, and there's this great sense of fellowship and community and artists supporting each other through the "birthing" process, getting a labor of love seen by the public at large.

My high school friend, Kara Herold, is bringing her documentary, "Bachelorette 34" to the Museum of Modern Art here in Manhattan next month, and I can't wait to see her and her film.

One reviewer said, "Forget five stars, this film deserves 34 stars...an exquisite, gem-quality of documation at its best.”

"Bacelorette 34" will be playing Friday, February 20 at 8:30pm in Titus 1 Sunday, February 22 at 1:30pm in Titus 2 at the MoMA.

Likewise, director Jonathan Betzler, whom I worked with at NYU on the 30 minute film, Sincerely Yours, is screening his feature film, "Homecoming" on Feb. 10th in New York City at 9pm at the Anthology Film Archives on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street in NYC, featured by the New Filmmakers Series. I'm so excited for him and can't wait to see this film.

And then there's my little bro, Sean, playing with Hippie Cream at Juanita's Club Flotsam in LA. Wish I could be there!

They all inspire me to keep on with my craft, to enjoy the ride of each day and to embrace each opportunity we have to be creative.

Groove on, you all!

A quick word

When I was in CA, my little brother imparted this wisdom to me:

"A mistake is only a mistake if you label it so."

And I had to giggle because my acting coach Karen said something very similar in class last night:

"If you make a mistake, say, 'GOOD,' and practice dealing with where this new energy takes you."

I love that!

In Effortless Mastery, Kenny Werner talks about how "there are no wrong notes," and my brother, Sean echoes this sentiment. As a musician, he's learned that a "mistake" can lead to an incredibly cool new riff, and I love that unlimited approach to art. Isn't that why we dig being creative in the first place?

Enjoy your process!

Risk-taking and Bravery

I'm on Week 2 of Karen Kohlhaas' Monologue Audition Class and we're moving from being "outside" the monologue (taking care of all the work your own "internal director" wants you to do during an audition) into the excitement of getting "inside" the acting of the piece. It's really exhilirating stuff, and I've been enjoying the homework. It makes me feel like I finally have the tools to take care of the technical aspects of an audition beforehand and then really enjoy it once I get in there.

Karen took us through a bunch of steps last week in class and it was fascinating to experience. Now this week all 8 of us in class will show the monologues we've been working on, and I tell ya, I'm excited to see what we all bring to the table.

I don't think I've ever run the lines of a monologue as much as I have for this class. Sure, I have 2 standard monologues memorized for auditions, but because they were done without these new tools I've acquired, they felt stale and flat and without a sense of direction. Sometimes I would hit the right emotion in an audition, because of where I was at that day, but now I feel like I can truly back myself up every time! It's like before I would be able to pull out A color to show during a piece, but now I feel like I've got a whole rainbow in my pocket, just waiting to come out. That is thrilling!Something yummy I also learned was about one of my favorite actors, Sir Anthony Hopkins, who reportedly runs his lines 200 times until "there is no more distinction between the actor and the words – he is what he has to say, and it comes out of him as effortlessly as if he were actually that character." There is no need to "embellish or push when he acts." And there are times I've hit that mode, but it can be so happenstance.

To be able to demystify the process and still respect it and enjoy it... I have truly found that this week with just drilling and drilling my monologue every chance I can get. Have I done it 200 times? Nope, not yet, but I'm working on it. :)

This next class focuses on the acting of the piece, on risk-taking and bravery while "acting on the character's behalf." Anyone who has done public speaking knows what a wild thing it is to get up in front of a group and speak. I thought about that yesterday with Barack Obama speaking his inaugural address to the huge crowd in front of the Capitol. He also spoke about risk-taking and bravery. And I know it might sound wild to compare my little class to the work of the now president of the United States. But it takes dedication to pursue one's dreams, and there is hard work, and there is a sense of absolutely taking risks in putting oneself out there to make your dreams come true.
I think of all my friends who choose to live fully, to take the road less traveled. I believe we all do the best we can every day. And we do it with guts and gusto. Some days require more risks and bravery than others, and actually, that's one of the things I love about auditioning - the challenging risk-factor. It can be scary as ever, and almost every award-winning actor remarks on the terror of auditioning. But now I have the tools to climb that mountain, and I am THRILLED.

Unity of purpose

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. " - Barack Obama

It is such a fascinating time. Watching Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th president of the United States, I was blown away by the amount of people there, but I totally get it. Everyone wants to really be there, sharing this historic moment. One of my neighbors even took the train down to DC with his partner, to celebrate this joyous occasion.

Watching it with some of my workmates, it truly felt like a unifying hour. I loved Biden's sincerity and confidence in taking his vows. I cheered Aretha Franklin on, though I wished the key of the song had been lowered so she could really belt it out. Still, she's Aretha and she's wonderful!

I was especially moved by the quartet (cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, clarinetist Anthony McGill, and pianist Gabriella Montero) who played John Williams' composition, "Air and Simple Gifts." What a gorgeous tribute!

And of course, I was greatly inspired by our new president Barack Obama. His speech was awesome, and I was especially moved by these passages:

"The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. "

"It has not been the path for the faint-hearted... Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things.."

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task."

"In this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations." - Barack Obama.

So it is time to meet the challenges before us and to press on with hope and prupose.

Baby, it's cold outside

A lot of people ask me, "Do you miss CA?" Like they're wondering why I would come to New York and leave the land of palm trees and orange groves. But I have always been drawn to the dark, mysterious east. Except for days like today when the temperature hovers around 9 degrees... that's when I really miss CA.Of course, I miss my friends and family in CA all year round. I had such a blast visiting them for the New Year. Something I particularly tried to do on this last trip was to visit local shops in town that are unique. My Mom turned me onto this little coffee shop that appeared before Starbucks came to my small hometown. It's called the Ya Ya's Coffee Shop, and I'm glad to see it's still alive and kicking. How cool is it that they did The Vagina Monologues last year? The place is really hip and perfect for intimate live performances like that.

They also make AWESOME "fluffy coffees." I had one called The Peppermint Patty and it was deee-lish!
My little bro, Sean, came with me and was diggin' the painted walls inside.The Ya Ya's Coffee house is located at 312 N San Jacinto St./Hemet, CA if you're in the mood for something groovy.

Support your local small business! :)

Class and Creativity

I had an awesome class last night with Karen Kohlhaas. It was my first time at the Atlantic Acting School which was such a treat. I've auditioned for productions in the actual theatre spaces for the Atlantic Theatre Company which is in a completely different building altogether. The classroom I was in for Karen's class was warm and cozy and a perfect space to mirror the many monologue audition spaces an actor will find themselves in.

I tell ya, if you've ever had any issues with monologues or wanted to get more out of them, this is the class to take! It lets you look at your work from the outside in, creating effective staging and guilde-lines for a work environment that lets you get the most out of your material, from creating clear choices to providing really meaty acting exercises once you get inside the piece.

I'm still reeling, taking it all in. What an absolute blast!

On that highly creative note, I'm wearing my Hippie Cream shirt today in honor of my little brother and the awesome band he's playing with this weekend at The Beach Comber in Oxnard, CA. They are racking up gigs in LA pretty quickly as people are catching onto their groovy tunes. I believe they even got an invite to play in 'Frisco and Las Vegas, so catch the wave! If you like music that ranges from soulful to silly, old-school rock n roll punk to funky-country-folk, Hippie Cream might just be your cup of tea. :)
(my Mom and me show the love with Hippie Cream T's).

Rock on and have a great weekend!

Snow Days

A lot of my friends in the Midwest are having snow days today. I imagine they're home with their kids, and I hope they're enjoying some hot chocolate.

In the meantime, it's business as usual in the Big Apple. I love it when it snows here. There's something so magical about how the snowflakes blow about the city and then settle in piles. When the sun shines on them it's like walking on glitter.

Growing up in the desert of southern CA, snow was unusual and didn't appear unless you went into the mountains in search of it. So now, to be in a place, where winter truly drags her long white coat over the land, is always a marvel.

This is not to say that I'm impervious to the cold. On the contrary, I've spent many a day out in the cold, waiting to get into an audition, and I have to say that I think actors are as dedicated as the postman, because when it comes to auditions, we'll show up in rain, sleet, and snow. See, here in NY, even though an audition will be listed with a start time of 9 or 10 AM, people will show up as early as 6 AM to make sure they get an audition slot. Some of us are pretty driven when it comes to getting out product out there, and we'll run all over town, hitting different audition spaces at different casting offices or rehearsal spaces, to hit as many auditions as possible.

I've become a lot more focused over the years, targeting specific auditions, and fortunately, I've reached a point where I've been getting called in directly from the casting director or director for specific appointments, which is great. Still, I go to the general Equity auditions when there's something that really grabs me.

Tonight, I'll be hiking across town to The Atlantic Theatre Company to start classes with Karen Kohlhaas. I've been interested in her monologue class for quite a while, but I've been so booked up with gigs that I haven't been able to jump into it til now. So tonight's the night! I'm so excited and have been enjoying the preparation for the class, revelling in the homework.

When I was in CA, my brother and I talked about how every class we take adds to the whole package of what we bring to the table as artists. He's a drummer who also plays gorgeous acoustic guitar and is an incredible writer. He went back to school after years of working solely as a musician, and I'm so inspired by his choice to take classes that stretch him. He could argue philosophy with the best of 'em! And the cool thing is that musically he keeps growing too.

So I'm off to class! Tell ya about it later!

The clouds are shifting

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

This quote has appeared twice to me today, and when that happens, I know it's a sign to pay attention. I see so many of my friends struggling with day to day fears like being out of work, or scared about what to do for an interview/audition, for life and school... all these transitions... and I know they're working through their stuff just as I am. But I think of that great quote from Frank Herbert's novel, Dune:

"Fear is the mind killer... I will face my fear... and when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

I believe we can overcome our fears.

One of my friends was talking about how when we're kids we never think to focus on the obstacles. We just think, "I'm going to do that!" No limitations. But as we age, something happens and we become aware of perceived hurdles. If we waste our energy focusing on the hurdle instead of getting over it then we're missing the joy of what's beyond it. Or the joy of leaping over it.

As my friend Tina says, "If there's a wall in your way, just walk around it. It doesn't need to block your view."She recently posted this awesome blog on coming out of the darkness - as a small business owner and as a woman. And I can't help but salute her and thank her for shining her light, for bringing hope to others by sending out a shout of hope for the future.

James Wolcott mentions this in his recent article in Vanity Fair, how people in New York City (considered the cynical capital of the world) are still wearing their Obama buttons, and I still see Obama bumper stickers in store windows. People are hopeful, I believe. We have to look to the light. There will be a dawn.

Bonnie Gillespie wrote about focusing on the positive in her column, The Actors Voice, paying kudos to Malcolm Gladwell's book, Outliers: "We--as a society--can conspire to create greater success for all of us. Sure, there are predictors such as socioeconomic status, IQ level, raw talent, era in which you were born, and geographical advantages. All of those matter too. But perhaps just as important is a person's practical intelligence (or social intelligence), i.e.: charm, wit, even chutzpah. And because those things can be developed and supported by a community that rallies around a person to make success more feasible, we actually have far greater control over whether we succeed or fail in life than we may have always thought (or been taught or been told, based on how or where or when we grew up)."

So keep positive, people. Hang in there. And shine your light!

The Start of Something Special

You know when you read that first line of a book or hear a piece of music that just grabs you? You know you're in for something special, and that's how my New Year started.

I was in CA visiting my family and I got to hear the phenomenal band Hippie Cream at this fun club in Venice called Good Hurt. My little bro, Sean, is the drummer for the band, and they've been steadily growing in recognition and reputation. :)

I'm just so proud of him, because he's a cool cat to begin with, and he's played with some really neat bands, but this one... there's just something special about Hippie Cream.

They were the early band at Good Hurt, so there were only a few people there, but we all could feel the fun factor increase a hundredfold when they started to play, and everyone went nuts for them. Even the other bands that were arriving to play later in the evening were like, "Wow! Glad we got here early to hear you guys!"

It made me think of all those great "beginnings" where audiences got to first hear The Doors or Oingo Boingo in whatever small setting they first rocked. Those are two bands whom I really love, and ironically Hippie Cream reminds me of them. Apparently I'm not alone in this, because Hippie Cream reminds everyone of their favorite band! One guy at the show said they reminded him of Elvis Costello. Another person said they were like The Grateful Dead. I also sense a bit of Bob Dylan in their material, and yet they still have their own wildly unique sound. It was a blast to be part of that.Even some of my pictures of them turned out psychadelic. :)

Ironically, their performance made me think of the musical theatre scene, because that scene has been growing much more pop-rock flavored. Heck, musical theatre has been rocking since HAIR and Hippie Cream would be a great comparison to that freedom-loving scene.

As I watched them perform and then watched some of the other bands, I was reminded of my musical theatre audition classes. Strange parallel, I know, yet you can learn so much by watching AND doing. For example, if you have a group of 12 performers, and 10 people decide to do slow ballads, but 2 performers decide to do something wildly different, guess who's going to standout? This isn't to say the balladic folks aren't going to work... some of them work really well. Look at Evansence. But I think the thing that works so well with Hippie Cream is that they are unfettered, and I know I've always felt more successful in auditions and performances when I'm letting everything flow like these guys were. They're just having fun - whether they're rockin a punk-flavored tune like Cuddles the Vampire, which played on the radio on KXLU's Demolisten 01.02.2009 or crooning some crazy country love song like, "Pray That When I Die" that's on their latest album, On The Moon. They are unique, and they're just letting their sound out and having fun doing it. It's awesome.

If you want to catch them, they've got some gigs at The Beachcomber next weekend and will be back at Good Hurt in LA on March 22nd.Boogie on!