When Good Things Happen to Good People and Good Actors

One of my first professional gigs after going to The American and Musical Dramatic Academy was in the Shakespearean improv troupe for The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. You heard me right: Shakespearean Improv.

It was seriously one of the best gigs for a young actor. Tons of Shakespeare, coupled with customs and manners of the 16th Century, and TONS of improv.

Best of all... getting paid for it! :)

When I left the desert of CA for the lush countryside of PA, I had no idea what I was getting into. I'd never seen any place so green! And I was quite overwhelmed. My entire family was back in CA, and I had just made quite a leap: a 5 month contract, rehearsing 6 days a week, and performing 8 hours a day.

I felt like a fish out of water until I got to the conservatory where the actors were being housed. It was an old church with bats in the bellfry. No lie! And the first person to greet me was Kacey Camp, who was going to play Queen Elizabeth herself!

Kacey was so gracious and instantly welcomed me with a hug. She was like the Rock of Gibraltar, and we formed a fast friendship. We're both Aries, we're diehards for Shakespeare, and we're both very passionate about the acting profession.

When my husband, Rob, and I moved to NY, Kacey was here too! Her home was a safe haven for us, a place to try audition pieces and watch classic films.

Over the years, we've all traveled about the country. Rob and I went back to the Faire in PA and got our Actors' Eligibility to be part of the stage actors union, and Kacey went to Atlanta to do some stagework there. Then Rob and I returned to Manhattan, and Kacey went to LA.

We've both made strides in both cities, and have always cheered each other on, in good times and bad.

Right now is a GREAT time, because Kacey just had a juicy role on Season 2 of the FX series: Justified. Her part comes right in the middle of episode 12, Reckoning - just like the meat of a sandwich. :)

I'm so proud of her! And inspired. Kacey has been plugging away, just like I have, for many years, and it's a great lesson of persistence, patience, and professionalism.

You never know when your moment is going to come, but if you give up, if you quit trying, you lose the opportunity to be there when it happens. So keep at it!

Comedy tonight!

Performing with Jen Curran's sketch class from The PIT. I play a secretary on "The Crystal Meth Diet" by The Kids in the Hall, perform in an SNL sketch called "Surprise Party," and more!

He's My Brother

When I was 5 years old, I asked my parents for a sibling. I was tired of being an only child. I was very imaginative and very good at entertaining myself, but I wanted a playmate, someone to share adventures with!

My parents promptly told me that I was "Enough," which was said with an exhausted, sardonic weariness.

Luckily, 5 years later, they changed their minds and gave birth to my brother, Sean. He was the most incredible being I'd ever encountered, and I adored him instantly! He could have wrapped me around his little finger, but luckily (again, notice all the good fortune here?) he was such a cool kid that he just seemed happy to snooze in his blankie or gaze at me and smile.

He was, and still is, my best bud. :)

Within a year, he was already dancing to Kenny Rogers, who was my mom's favorite singer at the time, but I made sure to dig out my parents old Beatles records and give him some real tunes to groove to!

Little did I know that, a few decades later, he'd bring The Beatles back to me, as well as remind me of other great musicians like Stevie Wonder, Pink Floyd, and countless other rock n rollers.

See, my brother, Sean, is a drummer. He's a major music delver, always searching for something to tickle his brain, heart, and soul.

I remember the first time I watched him on drumset. It was like watching Jackson Pollock paint. It was that magical.

And it's still a delight to watch him play, to hear him make music. He's played with a few different LA bands like Smug, The Wild Complete, and various others, but my all-time favorite is Hippie Cream.

Most of the members reside in our hometown of Hemet, but they've played all over southern CA, and they have a feature film coming out in June based on the concept album, Marty's Magnificent Day-Glo Dreamathon. I play Marty's dream-mom, and it was a thrill to be a part of it.

So why am I telling you about my brother today? It's his birthday! And as I always tell him: he was the gift to me the day he was born.

I love you, little bro! Happy Birthday!

Support Your Local Artists

Tomorrow night, after rehearsing for my sketch comedy show, I'm going to see a friend and fellow artist, Tracey Gilbert perform her first one woman show, Little Known Facts, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Having worked with Tracey on The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun, I know what an exceptional performer she is, and I'm so proud of the work she's done on this solo show. It's going to be a blast!

It makes me think of all the wonderful artists all over the world who are brave enough to put their work out there - like my friend, Chas, who's pursuing an opera career in Berlin, or every cast and crew member I've ever worked with who are making their careers happen... wonderful filmmakers from NYU and PA and CA... incredible musicians... I feel so fortunate to have worked with so many talented people!

There's Andy Monroe and Jack Lechner, who won the Outer Critics Circle Award for the new Off Broadway musical, The Kid, of which I got to perform a few of their early demos.

There's my brother Sean,  in Hemet, CA, who's getting ready for the premier of the independent feature film, Marty's Magnificent Day-Glo Dreamathon, of which I  was delighted to play Marty's dream-mom.

The film will be shown in the historic Hemet theatre on June 17.

And of course, there's the sketch comedy show I'm doing on May 26 with 10 talented performers at The People's Improv Theatre. 

It's a graduation performance of famous sketches from SNL, Kids in the Hall, Mr. Show, and more, and one of the things I loved about this class is thate very time I entered the studio, the halls were filled with laughter.

Everyone I've invited to the show have been so enthusiastic about it, which makes me smile. But then again, everyone loves to laugh. :)

Hope something fun has tickled you today.

The Fighter

Finally got a chance to see "The Fighter," and - WOW! - what a great movie!

Based on the true story of boxer, Micky Ward, the film received countless nominations including Best Picture. I can see why! The cinematic story-telling was gorgeous, and who wouldn't be interested in a story about an underdog finding his strength?

Academy Awards and countless other honors went to supporting actors, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo, who absolutely transformed themselves for the roles of Micky's brother and mother. It was astounding work!

But I was also impressed by Mark Wahlberg's performance as the "quiet lion" Micky Ward, a man fighting not only for his career but to bring the volcanic people in his life together. It was great stuff.

And the supporting cast was incredible! A delicious ensemble of characters! The sisters! My god! They were a tornado of estrogen at its fiercest! And Jack McGee as Micky Ward's father, George, was so grounded and real. I wished he was my dad! :)

Amy Adams was also incredible as the tough-girl bartender who becomes Micky's sweetheart and "rock." Her versatility as an actress just keeps growing and growing. I can't wait to see what she's going to do next! She is full of surprises!

Lastly, I have to commend director David O.Russell for his vision of this film. There were so many incredible moments. And the cinematography by Hoyte Van Hoytema was just beautiful! Kudos to the entire production team, cast and crew!

I wish I would've caught this movie in the theatre, because I bet it was great on the big screen. But I will say the DVD extras are awesome! This film is a keeper!

Practice, Practice, Practice

One of my friends is getting ready to do her first cabaret / one woman show next week, and it's been delightful to share the growth process with her. We were talking about practicing the other day, and how some things get easier with practice - like how singing constantly and healthily strengthens the voice and expands possibilities. Sometimes you discover you can hit higher notes, etc.

It makes me think of that old joke: How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.

I had a musical showcase last night, and I have a sketch comedy show next week, so I've been afforded quite a playground to practice in. It's interesting to note different strengths and weaknesses, how things that are easy require a different kind of practice from the things that are challenging. No matter what, it whets my appetite to put in the time to train and enjoy the process.

Bonnie Gillespie wrote a cool article, paralleling The Super Bowl to acting, doing everything you can to train and be at the top of your game, "showing up, suiting up, being ready, and staying in the game."

My teacher, Jen Curran, at The People's Improv Theatre (The PIT), has prepped our sketch group about being aware of what you can and cannot control as a performer, and practice is one of the things you can control.

The last thing I'll add about practice is to enjoy the process. Some of the material I've been working on has been made famous by phenomenal performers, and it could be tempting to be challenged by that. I was telling my brother it's like being afraid to play Hamlet because Laurence Olivier, Kenneth Branagh, or Sarah Bernhardt have played the role before.

We all have a voice, we all have a unique interpretation of the character.

It's been really exciting to find my voice, to discover different facets and explore it further.

Going boldly forth! :)

How Much Can You Memorize?

I feel like I'm on a game show lately called How Much Can You Memorize?

 I've been so wonderfully busy with classes and rehearsals for upcoming showcases. And in the midst of all that, I'm getting called in for auditions, as well as hitting EPA (Equity Principal Audition) casting calls.

I received a script yesterday for an audition tomorrow, so I'm working on that tonight. Plus I have a scene from Les Liaisons Dangereuses that I'm performing on Monday in a showcase for Scott Frankel, so I'm rehearsing for that.

One of my classes is a sketch comedy class at The PIT (People's Improv Theatre), and our awesome teacher gave me 2 more scenes to add to the sketch I'm doing on May 26th at 7 PM the theatre, so I'm definitely juggling a lot of memorization.

But it makes me think of Tina Fey's book Bossypants where she writes about working on sketches for Saturday Night Live, and how, no matter what, the show goes on whether you're ready or not.

I've been in many shows from theatre to film that have definitely had last minute script changes. Never have I juggled so many scripts before at once, but I am absolutely LOVING IT! :)

Bring it on!

Everything's Coming Up Roses

It's a little after Mother's Day, but as I always tell my Mom, Every day is Mother's Day!

My mom has never been a Mama Rose type, although she did ask the director of The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun, upon being introduced, "How do we get this show to Broadway?"

This is the woman who told me at the age of 5: "Live Out Loud!"

She was so young when she had me. I don't know if she ever got to make her dreams come true. But she gave my brother and me a great love of music, literature, film and art, so it makes sense that we both turned out to be artists.

I don't think she and my dad knew what to do with me when, again at the age of 5, I proclaimed I was going to be an actress. They came to every school play, enrolled me in dance, gymnastics and music classes, asked their mothers to help finance voice lessons (thanks to both my grandmothers), and drove me to my first professional gig in San Bernadino where I played an orphan in "Annie."

As I've grown, I've been compared to her a great deal. I have a picture on my desk at my day-job, and one of the guys at work said, "Woah! I thought that was YOU!" And I take that as a compliment.

She's a beautiful woman - inside and out - and I'm proud to call her my mother and my friend. We are still learning a lot from each other.

The Power of a Good Book

With the invention of Kindle and other electronic book-keepers, I must stand out in the crowd, toting around the hard-cover book, Bossypants by Tina Fey. Not only is the cover an eye-grabber, but it's so different from the electronic devices most people are hunched over in the subway.

I was tempted to call this blog, "The Power of Tina Fey," because I've had more strangers ask me about this book, and it's neat because there's been no limit of age, race, or gender regarding the people who've expressed interest in this book. I feel like this book creates a sense of harmony and unity through humor. 

Two gals on the subway made my ride home very entertaining, asking me about the book and talking about the movie "Date Night." They couldn't remember the leading man in that movie, so I happily told them it was Steve Carell, who is a favorite of mine.

One gal said she wanted to read Bossypants while the other said she was more into thrillers. I should've said, "Well, Tina Fey's exploits at summer camp were definitely thrilling! Lots of teen angst!...Or the story of her getting Oprah on 30 Rock while juggling her Sarah Palin impersonation was a rollercoaster ride!" But I had to get off the train.

Still, I have to tell you, it's a very fun read! The stories from her childhood, stories of her parents, it's easy to relate to. And as a performer myself, it was inspiring to read of her growth as an improv performer with Second City to a writer/performer for SNL, and of course, her adventures at 30 Rock.

There are also some wonderful gems like "The Rules of Improvisation That Will Change Your Life and Reduce Bellyfat." Since I'm working on sketch comedy with The People's Improv Theatre (the PIT), it has special meaning to me:

1) AGREE and "respect what your partner has created." Can you imagine what an awesome world it would be it we all agreed to help each other instead of saying, "No, we can't do that."
2) Say "YES, AND," which means, "Don't be afraid to contribute. Your initiations are worthwhile."
3) MAKE STATEMENTS instead of apologetic questions. No one wants to go to a surgeon who says, "I'm going to be your surgeon?"
4) THERE ARE NO MISTAKES, only opportunities. "In improv, there are no mistakes, only happy accidents."
And I'm going to add this one:
5) NO LIMITS! Everyone has something to contribute. Everyone has ideas. There are enough roles and enough shows for everyone. And the cool thing is, you can make your own show! So don't be afraid to play and put your work out there.

It's like climbing the ladder to jump off the high dive. Don't be afraid to jump in!

Come on in! The water's fine! :)

Spring Sings!

And so do I! :)

I really love this time of year. Everything is in bloom - the trees, the flowers - it's all so radiant!

This year my husband and I can hear the birds from our apartment on the 19th floor, and that's really a treat. There's nothing like birdsong to lift the spirits.

In fact, everything seems to be singing, so it makes perfect sense that I have some musical showcases coming up.

Tomorrow I'm singing in a presentation of new musicals at BMI's Theatre program. I've done a few performances there before, working with Andy Monroe and Jack Lechner on early songs for The Kid, and it's always a blast to hear new musicals in progress. I'm delighted to be singing a very fun piece tomorrow by Glenn Basset and Adam Cohen.

In May, I'm singing for composer Scott Frankel in a performance helmed by Alaine Alldaffer of Playwright's Horizons.

And on May 26 I'm performing at The People's Improv Theatre. I'm doing a sketch written by The Kids in the Hall. It's not a musical show, but it's comedy, and it's VERY fun! And who knows? Music might just happen there too! ;)

The Beauty of Broadway's "War Horse"

I've seen a lot of shows in the Big Apple. I saw Michael Crawford as The Phantom, Sutton Foster as Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jane Fonda in 33 Variations, Edie Falco in This Wide Night, and Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel in Wicked.

I've also been fortunate to perform and share the stage with some Broadway A-listers as well, which is beyond surreal.

The thing I love about theatre is its ability to transport an audience, to create a communal experience: a live experience that becomes emblazoned on the hearts and minds of the people who share it.

Tonight I had the privilege of sharing in Lincoln Center's production of War Horse. It was probably the best thing I have ever seen! Absolutely magical! Everything a Broadway show should be. Larger than life and moving beyond words. At least this audience member was moved!

The artistry was amazing! The horses were brought to life by 3 puppeteers per horse, and they all were exceptional. The puppets and puppeteers were truly "one." The fellow who controlled the head of the horse, for example, his face mirrored the horse's emotions. And all 3 puppeteers breathed and moved as the horse. It was astounding!

As one reviewer said, "They weren't puppets. They were horses!"

I can see why Steven Spielberg is making a film of this play based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo. The story is epic and excellently crafted. Plus it's so cinematic!

 

As directed by Tom Morris and Marianne Elliott, the story was brought to life onstage with an incredible cast and crew. At times the stage seemed bare, but there was this marvelous backdrop that looked like a torn page (from history, perhaps) and video pieces would play on this backdrop, adding to the depth of perception already at work.

The music was GORGEOUS! Two singers created that old English sound with a touch of Celtic flavor that was rousing to the spirit and mind.  

Adapted by Nick Stafford, the play is about the First World War as told through the eyes of a horse named Joey. Joey starts out free and unfettered but becomes a draft horse and develops a bond with a farm boy named Albert. When Albert's father sells Joey to the British army, Albert goes on a heroic journey to bring his horse home. That may sound sentimental, but it was beautiful and very effective. At one point, one of the soldiers says to Albert, "we're all fighting for something." And indeed, we are!

This production of War Horse is not to be missed! It is truly one of the best pieces on Broadway!

Do Cartwheels

while you still can :)

A Tale of Two Wolves

(From Jack Plotnick's site, New Thoughts for Actors: The Power of Thought: "Focus on the Positive.")

One day, a grandfather was talking to his grandson.  "There are two wolves living inside my head," he told the boy.

Naturally, the boy was alarmed to hear this. 

The grandfather explained that, "One wolf is angry, vicious and full of fear, while the other one is loving, sweet and playful. And they are at war."

Fearfully, the boy asked, "Which one will win?"

To which the wise grandfather replied, "The one I feed."

"We all have two wolves in our head.  We all have an ego/vulture and our true (loving) voice. The negative or the positive;  which one will you feed?"
- Jack Plotnick

If you haven't visited Jack's site yet, do yourself a favor and GO! It's a treasure trove!

I love this parable, because for me it has double-meaning. Wolves are considered to be "the pathfinder, the forerunner of new ideas" in the American Indian culture. "Wolf medicine empowers the teacher within us to come forth and share knowledge." Also, Wolf teaches us to "see your teacher within (yourself)... Look for teachings no matter where you are."
- Jamie Sams and David Carson

This is ironic because I'm starting 2 new classes next week: a comedy class at The Pit and a musical theatre class with Alaine Alldaffer (Playwright's Horizons). I'm excited about both, and I feel that message, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

I also feel the yen to get my own work out there in the form of a one woman show and short films for YouTube. I also have a webseries I'd like to film for some friends, which will be a learning process unto itself. :)

So.... I 'm ready!

Endless thanks to Jack Plotnick for sharing so many wonderful lessons and discoveries!

Lessons in Las Vegas

My husband and I went to Vegas last week. He had business, and I had the pleasure of accompanying him there.

I haven't been to Vegas since I was a kid and my folks would take us to Circus Circus. Boy, has the place changed! It was absolute decadence!

We stayed at The Palazzo, which was connected to The Venetian, and right next door to The Wynn. I'd recommend all 3 hotels, because they are GORGEOUS! Talk about living large!

We were wined and dined, and amidst all of it, I had these really cool epiphanies:

1) Live the life you want NOW.

By behaving as if you have what you want, you draw it to you. When you get hooked into longing for something, you can fall into the trap of keeping everything at arm's length. But if you imagine having what you want right now, notice how good that feels. When you play with that feeling, you are living the life you want, and inviting that deliciousness in!

2) A tale's success depends on how you spin it. A story can either be a comedy or a tagedy, depending on how you spin it. How do you want to tell your stories?

3) Celebrate Each Victory! Each step is important as you climb the ladder of success, and you can either celebrate each step or be dismissive of your progress. Why not celebrate it? EVERY step forward, towards your goal, is a victory and can be celebrated!

4) Take time to rest, relax, and recharge your batteries. Both my guy and I were working so hard in NY that we weren't taking time to stop to smell the roses. Ironically, at The Palazzo, there were butterflies made from roses! They adorned the fountains and indoor waterfalls.

I loved strolling the canals from The Palazzo to The Venetian. There was something so calm and luxurious about it all.

And THE SPA! Oh my gosh! Now I understand why people have full spa days! My husband and I discovered the joys of the Canyon Ranch Spa, and it was sheer heaven! There were all sorts of unique "suites" called Aquavana. These rooms ranged from saunas to steam rooms, jacuzzi, lounges and a Wave Room, which I adored! It was a cool blue room with chairs that lounged back, making you feel weightless.

My husband loved the Experiential Rains (above), and we both loved the Herbal Laconium, a tiled room that was so wonderfully heated. I also lounged in the Salt Grotto, which was made of smooth reclining "rocks," had a gentle, bubbling fountain and was filled with "sea air." Luscious!

It simply replenished our bodies, minds and spirits.

Viva Las Vegas! ;)

How to Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

My brother sent this link to me today, and I had to share it:

http://www.austinkleon.com/2011/03/30/how-to-steal-like-an-artist-and-9-other-things-nobody-told-me/

"All the world’s a stage. You need a stage and you need a costume and you need a script. The stage is your workspace. It can be a studio, a desk, or a sketchbook. The costume is your outfit, your painting pants, or your writing slippers, or your funny hat that gives you ideas. The script is just plain old time. An hour here, or an hour there. A script for a play is just time measured out for things to happen.

"Fake it ’til you make it."

And have fun! ;)

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong
man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is
marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who
comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and
shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows
great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy
cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that
his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know
victory nor defeat."  - Theodore Roosevelt

(with thanks to Gwyn from The Actor's Market)

Elizabeth Taylor tribute by Paul Newman

Women in the Arts

My first foray into film was with a young director from NYU named Ann Reilly. She had cast me as the lead in her thesis project, a great love story that took place in WWII, and it was a delicious experience, very professional. Ann handled the scenes with great style and delicacy, the cast and crew were exceptional, and the final result was a gorgeous half hour film called "Sincerely Yours."

Then, a few years later, coming off the success of my first Off Off Broadway musical, Lucky Stiff, I was fortunate to work with a young filmmaker named Julia Suo. She had the idea to do an improvisational film about colorful characters who frequent an East Village laundromat in the wee hours of the morning. I played the owner of said laundromat, and the film was called Laundry. :)

It was incredibly fun, not only to improv a film, but also to play with wild styles. Julia had a great artist for my hair and makeup, and she took my hair to new heights. :)

The film was first screened in Tribeca a few years ago, and it was well received. I'm delighted that it's making the rounds again. It's a quirky piece, and I'm glad to have been a part of it.

If you'd like to catch the most recent screening, it's March 19 at 2:30 PM at the Queens Museum of Art.