When in doubt, do good theatre...yes, even in L.A./surrounding areas! When I first started out years ago, one of my first instructors was Bennet Guillory of the Robey Theatre Company who instilled not only the finding of truth in your way but also the love of the theatre and well written pieces. I moved on eventually because of life and at the time became more interested in film/television since that is where "paying my bills" laid. I never understood that you could have a life, make a living and do theatre...GOOD THEATRE in Los Angeles, no one ever explained it to me because those I mostly met were here for "Hollywood." There was difficulty in wanting to do pieces outside of my ethnic background in L.A. as well as the pay grade. I thought I couldn't afford to do theatre and no one showed me otherwise so I would get involved with a project here and there every few years to do work that spoke to my soul and would give me an opportunity to play something "the business" sometimes won't allow because of the boxes we're put in. When I walked away from this industry to evolve my being I thought I was truly done. Although I missed the rush, I was happy to see progress in my martial arts and knew I could have a stable future if needed in another love I grew into. After being convinced to do "The Colony," my beast suggested I look into this industry once again - "just to see." I decided to audition and booked a black box Theatre piece with The Company of Angels called "L.A. Views" - a collection of short stories in which I was in 2 of them. To say it was magical would be an understatement...although there was no pay for rehearsals and $9 a show, this project restored my present drive and I was "in" once again...this time for good.
Within the past year, my idea of theatre has been blown out of the water and my eyes have opened up to Equity Theatre. Here is where you as an artist can go, train and live, all while doing your art. Why didn't anyone tell me? Why did it take so long to learn? Why isn't it shown or taught??? I have no clue but I will now shout it from the mountain tops (via my blog) and tell you that you have options here in Los Angeles. You can make a living in theatre, doing wonderful pieces and speak from your soul if you so choose to do so. I have been diligent in making sure I submit to theatre projects, especially at places I know have wonderful spaces and do good work. I try not to become "trapped" into a specific genre but to whatever speaks to me...a role I may not have an opportunity to play and boy has my attention to this part of the business paid off. A year ago I submitted to a production at International City Theatre in Long Beach to "Flyn' West" - cast by Michael Donovan (you should know this name and submit every chance you get), directed by Saundra McClain (if you see her name, submit,) and caryn desai, artistic director at ICT. It was by far, the biggest stage I had ever been on...the set - beautiful, the character - a pioneer woman I may have never gotten a chance to play because of most people's short sightedness of what they think a pioneer woman would look like...except for the vision of Saundra and then the opportunity of this to apply for the Equity union, AEA. I wasn't making much, in fact in order to be able to do this show, I basically awoke each morning, went to open up the restaurant I worked at in downtown L.A., then jetted from there around 11a to make rehearsals in Long Beach around 12p. - 7p, then home which took 45 min's to an hour every day both ways. I made it work, although difficult, I made sure I was able to survive the non-union pay for this job. I then had the opportunity to fill out paperwork and submit a $100 to be in the Equity candidate's program so I could work Equity theatre jobs and collect hours without having to jump right in. Yes, I gave up one week's pay, but I knew in the long run after speaking to Cheri (who played Sophia and makes a living doing theatre - mostly Shakespeare - I so wanna be her) that this move was the one to make. I even became involved with the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2014 doing "Four Tree Plays" which if you haven't done yet, look into it for 2016 since this year's HFF just passed, it's a month long of theatre madness in the Hollywood area on theatre row, I mean, I got to be a squirrel and a tree for goodness sake - when will you ever get to be that???? 
No less than 8 months or so, I was able to audition again for Ms. Saundra McClain (director) who actually just wanted me to come in and read so I could meet Amy Lieberman (another theatre casting director veteran you should know) as well as Jonathan Fox, the artistic director at the New Vic Theatre in Santa Barbara. The funny thing was, I knew Saundra would be doing another play soon and since I love her directing I decided to cover my bases. I found out that the New Vic in Santa Barbara via the Equity website, was having open calls and I drove myself out for 1 1/2 hours to just do a 2 minute monologe to see the space and make myself known. Again, as soon as I walked in, I knew I wanted to perform there but I also kept in mind that the role that was going to open up for me wasn't built for me so to speak. The role "Mayme" in "Intimate Apparel" required singing and piano playing...all in which I had no experience in. Although I learned basics in piano as a child, I never played since and I only sang once in church alone, then never again. I fell in love with the prostitute "Mayme" and wanted to play her so bad, I sang for the first time ever at the call backs (which I was surprised to get since they asked me if I could sing or play and I honestly answered "No, not a lick.") I sang "Amazing Grace" the only hymn I could remember somewhat all the way through...I was off key at times but I sang from the depths I knew Mayme would sing from. I was up against real singers and real piano players yet through open eyes and hearts they saw me, my work, my art and chose me instead! I went up to Santa Barbara on an Equity contract, with housing provided to rehearse for 3 weeks and perform for 3 weeks or so in a dream role, with a dream cast at a dream theatre. About $100 taken from my checks each week for Equity dues but I made enough to pay bills and enjoy my stay in Santa Barbara and I would go back again in a heart beat. To get Equity pay is the way to go in doing theatre, you not only get great pay to survive but the benefits are equal if not better than SAG/AFTRA.
So during these sparse months because of the hiatus on television/film, submit away to theatre projects on roles you believe in playing. Something you know you'll be proud to be a part of and knowing if a Casting Director came to see you, it would be all worth while because the show is just that great. This is where you can play roles that may not be open to you in the film world, so go explore these wonderful opportunities that now will have some form of pay because of the new agreements with Equity. I went in for an understudy as a militant 60's woman recently...had to sing again although it wasn't a musical. It was my second time singing at an audition but I was happy to do so and will continue to do so at every opportunity as you should as well. Don't let the fact of what you can't do hinder you from exploring because after all, you are a creative being and will figure it out...I did! Eventually, I'll be able to take vocal lessons but until then, if it isn't a musical but there is a song in there...I'm gonna go get that done...after a good breakfast that is!You can survive and work your craft by doing theatre in Los Angeles and it can be brilliant, just dive in and see...
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