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!

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!

Phoenix Rising....

So it's been almost A YEAR since I've updated this blog. I intend to turn a new leaf and keep it up this time around....

For the past 10 months (with one more to go : / ) I've been utilizing my college degree and did what I did not want to do...teach. But, circumstances demanded it. I did not and could not find a job, my mother was pretty much supporting me and my options were slim. I was blessed to be able to find a position in the climate we're in as teachers. The downside is that ALL of my free time aka training time was taken up. I have done nothing career wise as an artist this year. The upside is much better though. I was able to pay my mom back, gain excellent insurance, save money again and learn the lay of the land. I no longer feel like a fish out of water here. I was able to prepare myself to come out this time around on top. I feel that I needed to go through those awesome 1st 4 1/2 months to see that I wanted to do this and the last month and half to go through the hardships. I have a better idea of what to expect and how to go about getting it. I am much better at prioritizing money (although I am still a bit of a shopaholic) and I know now that a survival job is just that, and I should be open to a broader range of work if I want to pay the bills and do what I love.
As the school year is ending and I'm about to actively pursue my dreams again, I've come to realize that it's not enough to WANT it. I've got to FIGHT harder, WORK harder, and PUSH harder than I ever have in my life. To be away from Cameron, my family, friends, and the lifestyle that I utterly love in Texas, I have no other choice but to succeed to warrant it. I look forward to the next chapter in my life as I rise like the phoenix , brush off the ashes and fly to my goals, my dreams and my destiny!

My 1st month in NY Update

So I have been in New York for a month and a half now. So far my progress is acceptable. I can be hard on myself when it comes to pushing myself to succeed simply because I know how lazy I can get and how much I love to procrastinate. However, since being in NY, I haven't really found myself doing the things I used to do in Houston. I  have been auditioning and improving my networking skills. I make sure that by the end of each week, I have filled my calendar with classes and auditions. I don't spend all day shopping with money that could be put to better use somewhere else, i.e classes, voice lessons, RENT, lol.  I guess it's because I've been talking about focusing on my career and getting somewhere for so long, it's now time to "put up or shut up". I have no excuse now. The sky is the limit!

Happy Easter! and a mini Update...

So I am sitting at my apartment, getting over a day of homesickness. I didn't think to find a church to go to for Easter because I planned on attending my church back home via the internet. Well, the program decided not to work at all, even after I tried for 3 hours. I was frustrated and mad that I missed church today. I started missing my family and friends, especially after I called and spoke to my son, Cameron. And that's not all. I've been here for one month and I can't help but start to feel a little exasperated. I  haven't been as productive as I would like to and need to be. I haven't been going to as many dance classes as I need to, and when was the last time I looked for new material and monologues or worked on the monologues that I do have? I'm worried about my financial situation since I do not have nor am I looking for a job right away. I wanted to focus on taking class and auditioning first. I am going to rig something up to keep track of the auditions and classes I take, besides the posts I write. This way I can evaulate my productivity regularly. Be on the lookout for that.
As the day went on, I pulled myself together, cooked some comfort food and a home favorite, seafood gumbo and watched a little TV. I'm going to wash my hair and get ready for TWO auditions tomorrow. Needless to say I will be going to bed earlier than usual tonight. But before my head hits the pillow, I will do a little scripture reading. I know that will ease my mind to read the word of God and draw strength from his words. This week will be a great week for me! I am claiming it!