End of April Review

April has been a weird month for me. This spring has been weird for me. I feel like I've done some things, but I also feel as if I could've done more.

• I auditioned for the Houston Grand Opera again. After booking 3 shows in a row these past few years I just knew I was a shoe-in for their upcoming production of "Showboat". well, I was wrong. Another strong dancer showed up and showed out. We both had great auditions but ultimately I didn't get it. They were only looking for a female understudy to fit in with the rest of the cast they brought in from Chicago, so I guess I didn't fit the bill. Oh, well. I'll get 'em next time. 
• My visit to Houston was wayyyyy too short. I didn't have nearly enough time to see my son and the rest of my family and friends. Next time I'll make sure I visit longer.

With that being said, here are my accomplishments:

• I really enjoy Anthony Abeson's class. From the very first day I felt at home and everyone was/is so welcoming. We do so much in just one day and I'm excited that we're preparing a show, I'm working on a monologue to present, I just got a scene partner and we're starting to work, and the whole class has decided to write produce and star in our own showcase. All of this in just one month!
• I've had a few castings, and although I didn't book any that's still good that I at least had some. I still think I'm not getting sent out nearly as much as I should in a market like NYC, but hopefully once I find a solid agent, that will change.
• Slowly but surely I'm going to dance class more. I realize that I've been slacking off and am definitely starting to put more effort into taking more ballet and theatre dance classes.
• I finished Roz Coleman's class and I have to say I really enjoyed it. She helped clear out some of the stuff I needed to get rid of mentally and I had a lot of fun working on the sides with her in class and exploring my choices with her. I hope to work with her someday in the future.
• I survived substitute teaching 4 out of 5 days last week. Believe me, that is definitely an accomplishment for me!

I guess looking at the list I did a lot more than I thought. I'm just really ambitious and so ready to reach a larger milestone in my career. I'm really looking forward to what May will bring. I going to focus more and stop being so lazy. I have way too much free/down time and I'm not using it productively or creatively. The first week of May I'll be sure to post my goals for the month.

My first time on a TV set!

(Me in costume in the holding room)

So I promised a review on my 1st experience on set. In March, I received an email from one of my agents saying I was direct booked as a featured extra for an upcoming pilot "The Carrie Diaries" which is based on the high school life of  "Sex in the City"'s Carrie Bradshaw. Now I have always heard that extra work can kill your career or at the very least not move it anywhere at all. However, I really wanted to experience being on a set and more importantly, the rate was more than 3 times the rate for a non-union extra, so what could I lose? 

The night before I called in to a provided number to get my number and information for the next day. My call time was 11AM. The message said to come camera ready. This made me nervous, because I've never done makeup for camera and I didn't want to look a mess. Nevertheless, I read up on 80's makeup and did a look. I packed some things that could be 80s wear in a rolling suitcase, as well as some snacks and things to do. I didn't want to chance anything. Once I arrived, I checked in and went to wardrobe. An outfit was built around the shoes I brought and then I went to stand in line for hair and makeup. Apparently we didn't have to do it ourselves after all. First I went in for hair. I was a little guarded because I saw the havoc some of the girls were going through to recreate 80s hair, especially one black girl with natural hair that some stylist was haphazardly straightening AND teasing. We were going to have a PROBLEM if they wanted my hair straight just for and extra part. Wasn't happening. I could've brought a wig with me if it was that serious. Luckily I got a black woman who understood my hair and just pinned it up into the style in the pic. Whew! Next stop was makeup. I sat in the chair and all the artists loved my makeup! I was literally just given some golden lips and a touch a blush and sent off.

On set, I learned so much just from watching. I observed who was in charge and how everyone worked together. I saw how many different ways one thirty second part of a scene had to be shot in order for them to edit it the way we watch it on TV. I really paid attention to the main actors and how the director interacted with them. It was a relief to see that even they mess up and aren't perfect. I ended up being seated right next to the main actresses so hopefully I'll get a lot of screen time. I was also one of the main dancers at the club so that 's great too.

We were on set for 13 hours! They were not playing when they said shoots run LONG. My shoes didn't have platforms and they were KILLING me. Plus, after all of that decent weather, it decides to be cold and rainy all day long that Sunday.

All in all it was a great experience and I don't regret doing it. I just don't see myself doing it again. My goal is to be a working actor, not an extra, which anyone with common sense can do. There's certainly nothing wrong with it, it's just not for me.

What's been going on?

I had a great conversation with a fellow blogger and friend, Andrea Bordeaux (a blogging veteran). She is so focused and knowledgeable about the business and really works on her craft. I realized after our conversation that I have been focusing a lot on the "business side" of acting (which is great, of course!) and forgetting about the creative side. I'm embarrassed to say how long it's been since I've been in a formal acting class and even the course I did take weren't adequate enough. What happens when my business savvy side get me in the room? Having teachers praise my talent recently has led me to see that it was never my talent I doubted, it's my skills. My biggest problem with acting has been not having the tools I need to channel my talent with. I'm hungry to do it, but lacking some of the technical skills.With that in mind, here is what has been happening:

• Today I took a big step in my acting career. I finally made a decision about which acting class to take. I auditioned with Anthony Abeson this afternoon to be a student in one of his classes and I made it in! It only took a year and a half for me to make the leap, lol. I'm looking forward to working with him. 
•  I went to TVI Studios for an introduction to the program after seeing a flyer promising a free casting workshop. The program seemed very interesting, but I just don't have that type of money now to part with for a membership and I'm also more interested in a solid acting class than workshops right now. Plus One on One is more affordable and a lot of my friends are apart of it and recommend their program. Nevertheless, I registered to audition for Lauren Port's casting workshop next month at no cost. Pretty sweet deal! 
• I'm going to voice lessons once a week (and practicing often on my own) as well as several dance classes weekly.  
• Roz Coleman's On-Camera Intensive workshop started last week and is wonderful! 
• Roz recommends reading Margie Haber's "How to Get The Part" and this book is amazing! As soon as I finish it I'm going to start reading Susan Batson's, "Truth". I'm definitely interested in reading more great material so if anyone has any recommendations feel free to let me know!
• Keeping with that, I'm going to start researching and building my knowledge of TV shows/movies that have roles for me and the casting directors who cast them. I plan on doing the same for theatre as well. Doctors read medical journals and know all of the new advancements withing their field. Lawyers, engineers, teachers, etc. There isn't any excuse for me not knowing the industry I claim to be apart of and love.

Whew! There's a lot going on for me right now and that doesn't even include my day job as a substitute teacher and just living. I'm very excited to see my progress over the next couple of months and throughout the summer.

Note: Still looking for a commercial agent (on camera and print). Send up a prayer!

Pictures from my portfolio

TUTS Guys & Dolls pics

My chickie costume...adorable!

HAVANA!

This is the full outfit.....

AND this is what I ended the number in!

Wedding/Finale

My GOOD friend Erin. she was, IS the best! Oh, and the girl can BLOW!

My "Havana" partner, Nathan. What an amazing dancer and such a wonderful partner!

I have many more pictures but I didn't want to overload y'all, so enjoy!

Back Again!

I'm back! I know, I know these long hiatuses are crazy, but rather than harp on them, I'm just going to jump right in. Since I've last written I've done a few things. I had my first SAG commercial audition, booked it, and then at the last minute (while on set and dressed!) had it fall through. I've booked and shot my first print ad for Minute Maid juice, and I've worked with the Houston Grand Opera in a lovely opera, La Traviata". I also did a couple of photo shoots while I was in "Guys & Dolls" (I'll post pictures up). I guess it would take a LOOONNGGG post to catch you up on everything I've done so far with details, so I won't even tackle that mountain! I will say that I feel that for me, 2012 is the year to step it up technically in all of my performance areas AND step it up as far as booking. I had some success and momentum at the end of 2011 and I opened it nicely with the HGO show. I pray that the rest of the year goes swimmingly. I'm now back in NYC and have already dove right into voice lessons, dance and acting classes. I'm starting to call this my "Put up or shut up!" year. I vow to take my training seriously and go even further than I did last year. I have some specific goals, but I'll do a separate post (promise, lol). I hope all of you who read my obscure, neglected blog will continue with me on my journey. Alright 2012....here we gooooooo!

First couple of days at TUTS

So I have officially started rehearsals for "Guys & Dolls" at Theatre Under The Stars. I can already tell that this will be a great experience for me. As an aspiring broadway dancer/actress, I need experience to up my skill set and performance experience. One thing I feel that a lot of dancers and actors fail to realize is how important experience in actual shows is. You can take class everyday but it in no way form or fashion able to replace BEING in a show. As I sat in my vocal rehearsal, I saw that even though I've improved in singing, I have much more work to do. In dance, I feel a lot more confident, but I know that I have a lot of work and progress to make there as well if I want to be a fierce competitor in NYC. As soon as I return home to NYC, I'm going straight back into Vic Dimonda's theatre dance class at Ailey. I will have at least one 30 minute session a week with my vocal teacher and make sure I practice on my own (which I haven't been doing). I really need to step it up several notches as far as training goes. I haven't really been pushing myself hard at all This show is definitely going to push and stretch me in many areas before it closes. Am I disappointed? Heck no! I'm very excited to have this opportunity and equally excited to get back to working hard and improving.