My Morning Glory Catharsis

So I had an easy day today of sorts. I slept in, made a nice breakfast and picked up my new glasses (which I spent WAYYYYY too much money on). Once home I warmed up some leftovers from Whole Foods and watched "Morning Glory" starring Rachel McAdams, Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford. The movie is about Becky, a hardworking TV producer (McAdams) who has a no-existent social life and gets fired from her job. She gets hired at a failing show and turns it around for the better. Really nice, light movie. What really stuck out to me though was the miniscule sub story with her mother. Her mother has a monologue in the movie where she tells Becky that her dreams were cute as a child, inspiring at 18, but sad at 28 and she needs to give up. That struck something in me. Now my family isn't at all like that. They are in fact, very supportive. It's me who's the hard one. I'm 27 years old and I had doubts about my future as an artist. I used to think that I was too old to keep dreaming and pursue a career in the business and I needed to move on to something more stable. I know there are a lot of "seasoned" actors out there who are shocked and tickled by this revelation; nevertheless it's true. But the past couple of weeks have been a blur. I'm doing and achieving things I thought would take awhile to obtain. I have representation, I have auditions coming in, people are commenting on my talent and my look favorably and things are really coming together. As I was watching the movie, two castings I wanted sent me emails inviting me to audition or interview. I was just thinking about how out of all the submissions I replied to on Actor's Access and NYCastings, I wasn't hearing much back. And now look at what happened. I'm still facing rejection the way all actors,dancers and models do but I also feel a confidence and inner strength in my abilities to succeed that wasn't quite there before. Sure I was confident before, but hard work, specific goals and results have bred a new confidence in me as well as a hunger to do more and achieve more. It amazes me how I can take anything in life and learn a lesson or receive inspiration from it. I guess the romantic in me will not let the realistic side of me keep it down for too long. I'm enjoying my journey, my personal rollercoaster of life and experiencing the ups, the downs as well as the topsy turvies. Those are what make life one hell of ride! So far it's been pretty awesome and I'm looking forward to the rest.

Classes, Commercial Rep Update

This past week has been crazy busy. First off, I sent my materials to several commercial agencies in New York. I'm targeting the smaller boutique agencies because although I have a lot offer, I don't have many credits on my resume. I believe working with a boutique agency will aid me better than getting lost in the fray with a larger company, especially with minimal experience. Well this Monday I received two emails. One turned me down because they didn't have a need for someone with my stats and to apply in 6 months. The second.......DRUUUUMMMMMMSS PLEASE........picked me up! I am now officially apart of Flaunt Model Management! I am so excited! I didn't expect it to happen so fast, but it did. I went in this Tuesday and met with the president of the company and got everything I need to get started. I can't wait to start going out on auditions for them. Now I have pictures, but I'm in dire need of a better, diversified portfolio. I'm in the process of setting up several test shoots to increase my book. That means money I didn't intend to spend anytime soon. I have a few TFP shoots coming up, so I'm not going to break the bank just yet. I'm going to keep being smart about my business and not go crazy with the spending. I still have to get comp, post and business cards made too. This is all out of my pocket. Many people believe that models get all of that stuff for free. WRONG. Most of the time these costs are passed on to the model. I've reached out to several models I know for referrals and Gene gave me a list of photographers that I can choose from, so I'll start there. I'm still waiting to hear back from the rest of the agencies as NYC is mostly non-exclusive when it comes to representation.


After I went into the agency Tuesday, I went to audit and watch Anthony Abeson's acting class. I spoke with him the day before and he invited me to sit it for free and observe. I loved the class. At first I was a bit put off because of the size (20+ actors), but Anthony handled the size well and it seemed everyone was benefiting. The format was nice and I heard from a student who had just booked a really big role in an extraordinary way. I even got to participate a little because they were short on girls. I will definitely be back as an official student. I also took a free Intro to Improv class at the Magnet Theater. I did really well in class and it reminded me that even though sometime I get a little intimidated, I did learn in college and I do have the talent and know how. I just need to tighten up my skills. I start my on camera class with Angela Mickey this upcoming Monday and I'm about to register for an 8 week improv class. I'm so happy my career is on the fast track now. All I have to do is keep up!

P.S. - I have an audition tomorrow for a once act play festival. Wish me luck!

Positioning Week

The past week I have been deciding which area of the market I want to focus the majority of my energy on. If I know where I'm going, I can determine the best route to get there. What I came up with is to focus on getting commercial representation and challenging roles in student films and non-union theatre. I need the commercial rep in order to gain access to print and commercial jobs that can provide substantial income, networking/relationships with CDs and improve my resume for future representation by agents and managers. The non-union roles will give me more experience and credits besides the meager ones that I had in college. They will also further my growth as an actress. Each performance gives an agent a chance to see me and/or material for a reel.
While auditioning is great, I need to workout my acting muscles and grow as an artist. I'm also making acting classes/workshops a priority in my budget. I am currently searching for an intense, intimate class that's going to whip me into shape. So no more excuses about not having the money. I will cut out shopping, eating out, trips, etc. to be able to afford them.
Those are my plans for the time being. Of course they're flexible (have to be in this business!) but I plan to stick with it. Stay tuned for my 12 month plan and more updates!

New Headshots!

Sooooooo, I've been needing new headshots like, AGES ago. I got my first headshots done in Houston May 2007 and they were pretty decent. I think a lightbulb went off in my head when at my last go-see for a modeling job, I noticed that the casting directors had reached my picture and were starring, puzzled, at all the girls in the lineup. I had to then speak up and say, "Oh that's mine, sir!" OUCH. Luckily I still booked the job, but that's a definite no-no in this business.My hair and overall look has changed so much since those shots were taken. Needless to say, as I endeavor to jump back into this rat race, I knew my first order of business was to get new headshots.

I started researching and asking around, as well as checking out blogs and any source I could to get the scoop in NYC. It's a pretty daunting task, especially if you want quality at the most affordable price. I came across a photographer named Taylor Hooper. I was skeptical because he pops up first in a search and I tend to steer away from those. I looked at his work and I really like it. He responded to my questions in a timely manner and he even had a spring sale going on at the time. After debating between another photographer I decided to go with Taylor. The deal breaker was he was more affordable. I decided on the cheapest package because just getting back in, I knew I didn't need all of those looks and I knew what I wanted. I completed the headshot homework he gave and at the shoot we talked about what look I was going for. I wanted the "sexy, outspoken, mean, bestfriend" channeling Samantha from "Sex in the City" with equal amounts of Maya and Toni from 'Girlfriends". The shoot was so much fun and he really kept me in character. Sara Ugino, the makeup artist was awesome too! I had some misgiving about her working on African American skin, but her work was flawless, and she was so sweet.
After the shoot, I had so many shots to choose from! Everyone had about 20-30 shots out of 92 that they loved that showed different sides of me. I finally decided on these two to start out with....

This one is the favorite. I love this color on me and I look so commercial here.

This one has a little sassiness to it and it shows off my body great.

Just for a reference, here is my old headshot:













I'm really looking forward to how these new shots are going to do as I start auditioning again. Fell free to leave feedback I hope this post helps anyone who is looking into getting new headshots done!

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!

A LONG OVERDUE Update

So it's been a MINUTE since I last posted. So much has been going
 on in my life up to this point. First of all the show "Miles of Styles" did not pan out. Let's just say I got my first taste of dealing with an unscrupulous "director". I was down about that for awhile, but then I threw myself back into training and recovered.

Eric and me :)

I booked a big model gig! My good friend, Eric Sanchez, sent me a casting notice to be a dancer and hair model for Clairol. I immediately sent in all my information and waited to see if I would be invited to the call. FINALLY I heard back from the agency and I went to the casting call. When I arrived at the studio (Milk Studios in NY) I was amazed at how gorgeous the place was. The waiting area had more than a few chicks waiting from boutique agencies who were clearly "models". I began to feel a little insecure. Here I was, with no representation, barely a portfolio and no model credits whatsoever. All the other girls looked chic, and I had on a hoodie and sneakers. However, I learned from previous auditions to always be prepared, so I changed into a pair of heels I had in my bag. That helped a little. The call was more of a go-see than an audition. I could see into the space that they were asking the girls to dance to the radio. My confidence went back up. Most of  the models couldn't move! When it was my turn, I kicked off my heels and went for it. The casting group was very excited. I ended up in a line with all the girls and they narrowed it down to 4 girls and 2 guys, including me. Needless to say I left feeling very optimistic! A few days later I got a call from the agency saying that they were interested in possibly using me for TWO shows! Wow! I thanked God for his blessings right then and there. In the end, I only booked the one that I originally auditioned for, but the money is awesome and I get a work vacation in Atlanta! God is good!

I haven't been auditioning much, but one audition really lifted my spirits. I auditioned for "The Color Purple" tour and got the furthest I ever have in an audition. I made it through two dance cuts and then was let go right before the singing. My ballet has improved alot since being in NY, and it showed when we had a short center barre. The choreographer made it feel more like a workshop than an audition which really helped to ease my nerves. Another thing that happened that isn't common was that once you were cut, she invited you to speak with her about why you were cut and what you needed to work on. I need to be more specific in my movement, meaning understand exactly what the choreographer is asking you to do and do it that way. It has more to do with placement than technique. That's why some people who may not be as technical make it through to the end. Although I didn't make it, that audition really helped me, and she will see me again at the next audition!

H-Town Visit and Miles of Styles

First off, I apologize for the gap in between posts, but I've been busy. After I finished "Steal Away" at the Paul Robeson Theatre I went home to have some dental work done and visit. I spent most of the week hanging out with Cameron and my family. I had a blast hanging out with my friends and enjoying simple things I missed like driving, the heat  and how CLEAN everything was.And yes I got my Blue Bell ice cream, lol. While I was in Houston I got a nice surprise. I had auditioned for a concert called Miles of Styles back in early March and I totally bombed the audition.

RECAP OF AUDITION....

It was a tap/jazz audition and I came in hip hop clothes.The tap was way more advanced than what I remember from 5th grade and one tap class sophomore year in high school. One girl left without saying anything. When it came time to do the combo in groups of three, I stepped to the side and slowly began getting my stuff together. I was hoping the choreographer would ask me to stay for the jazz. Sure enough he did! So I'm thinking, "Okay, I got this now." I pull out my hip hop sneakers and wait. After tap he tells us to put on our HEELS and get ready for jazz. I had never worn heels for jazz, or anything for that matter. I thought we were doing... I don't know what I thought we were doing. So once again I look out of place. The combo wasn't too hard and I did it the best I could wearing sneakers. After the audition I thanked him and left, mortified. Needless to say, I didn't get a callback. I learned alot at that audition.
1) I learned that jazz in NY is not the same as jazz in Houston or at least how I remembered taking it. I needed to take a cue from the title of the show and research all the different styles there were of not just jazz but everything.
2) When I decide to attend an audition, read the notice carefully and look at any references or resources it gives you. For instance, this audition had a website with videos of the previous year's show.
3) Bring ALL shoes (and sheet music if musical theatre) no matter what they say and dress according to the show auditioning for.

BACK 2 THE FUTURE...
I got a call from the choreographer asking me to join the cast of "Miles of Styles". I was so excited and looking forward to returning to NY. Plus the show was paid AND it performs at the Lincoln Center. That was a real confidence booster for me.