The "Glamorous" Life of Auditions - Day 25

New show audition and having to show up in yoga/workout clothes, no make-up (I laughed because most girls did it but you could tell it wasn't a comfortable thing for the lot of 'em, so I saw make-up anyway) in downtown L.A. in the midst of traffic doesn't sound fun but was truly a wonderful occasion. This character is gonna be fun and physical which I liked about the role and on a subject I know enough of. Based in a time while I was growing up, I remember this group so I'm excited to see what they do with it. Nothing stressful about this audition at all and it actually turned out to be the place on seeing a very familiar, but long ago face, loved seeing you Jamie and meeting you Keena. I love when I get to reconnect with beautiful souls along with seeing a healthy helping of gorgeous, ethnic women with their hair out since the role called for it. I was even able to throw my axe kick in the mix with a slight hold at the top for dramatic effect before delivering my last line...good times, fun stuff and whatever it is will be. I've got my hands full now, wouldn't mind adding this madness to the mix but I'll be just as happy for any of us to book this fun role. I felt so light walking in, seeing beauty everywhere and when I finally landed in the seat I had to say "It's such a wonderful thing seeing all you beautiful woman with the hair all natural and doing it." We're so focused on our sides, our mind getting into the game, we forget to just appreciate those around us and to uplift each other to get it done with confidence in the room. I love cheering everyone on, I hope for everyone to smash it in the room so that not only is it difficult to figure who to cast but to also keep us all in mind for the next project. I want to see more ethnics at all auditions, not only the ones that call for an ethnic female but for the roles that don't specify, then I'll know we've all made another step for the future together and that means we've gotta rock them auditions to another level. We can help ease that tension by a kind word or acknowledgement each time we're in the room...go ahead, break the silence, compliment someone else and let that energy just permeate. I'm never in competition with you, only myself to do better and be better, each of us has our own unique stamp so I need not fear your light because mine shines just as bright. Not everyone believes in their own power, hence jealousy, weird vibes sent out and negative energy given but don't let that be your story, you are more than that and if they don't choose you, it is always their loss, not yours. You'll shine bright when its yours and yours alone and that will happen, you've just gotta trust that it will and since you know this, there is no need to harbor any issues with any other artist so let that free a space in your work to go in and be the fierce you only you can be.

I've been seeing these posts about doing what you do well, not what you're passionate about because you might not be up to snuff in what you're passionate about...hmmmmm. I say if you're passionate about something you're bound to be good at it because you've taken the time to learn (hopefully) everything you must in order to succeed. This business isn't about passion all the time but as you can see, not all talent is on an equal plane either...sometimes it's the tenacious that edges through because I know way more talented, out of work actors than I see sometimes talented working actors. Why is this? Because having passion means something, it's that drive necessary to take those classes when you need to pick up a shift just to make ends meet. It means rehearsing even when your day is already full enough, it means working on your craft to a point that it is undeniable in the room and that means having enough passion to push yourself to another level when it seems all isn't working. See if I had listened to that advice, I would've been a server for life, why, because I'm damn good at it and I do love it but look at what's happened just in the last 2 years? Were there times it would've been better to keep being the martial arts instructor as well...yes, but I knew in my heart that I was destined for this, I knew there was room for me in this business but I just had to hang in. If I had listened to these types of mottos, I wouldn't be really in my purpose right now, so I'm gonna tell you again - if you're passionate about this work, this business and can do it for the long haul and figure how to survive while doing so, then you do it. Do not listen to "reason" if you've been told there is something there by others and you realize it as well, you were made to do what you love and you will become good at it but you must stay focused and passionate about this journey...then and only then will you see your work pay off. It may take 10, 20, 30+ years, you may be late 20's, late 30's or even in your 50's before you see the dent, but if you're willing to sacrifice, make the hard choices to stay afloat and keep going at them with all you've got regardless of the rejection...IT WILL COME...believe! I'm living proof of that, with odds stacked against me from the beginning - from starting late on this road in life, to being an ethnic woman to boot and having a particular look that most can only see one way, I've been able to carve a path...slowly but surely but it's mine. DO NOT LET ANYONE TAKE AWAY WHAT IS YOURS - period, you'll only do yourself a disservice as well as the arts so try to do what you're good at while making the way towards what you dream of and that is a life well lived always.

This past weekend was my chemistry read for another show that I've been waiting to hear about. It's a role that if played well, will add another character being into my bag of artistry and I want it badly. Had to take the day off of work since I had no clue on how long it may take and didn't want to stress about anything on this special day. I made it to the place a couple minutes late with parking being a bit all over the map, but settled in and saw the other black female I was to be against. She looked cleaner than me...I mean more in an FBI kinda way and I liked it but it wasn't my choice in my look of the character. Relaxed sweater, jeans and my tie up looking snow boots for a small town feel to her was my push, I could see this was going to be interesting because this was all about what they ended up liking more so I knew I was going to have to go all in and risk it all. I introduced myself to the other female counterpart and asked to run lines since we were waiting anyway, got halfway through when she was called inside with the other female whom I told to "kill it" in there. I went about reading my lines and watched a guy walk in and rub his back on the shelving fixture. I asked if it was a pinched nerve and told him my level of contrite towards 'em, ended up giving him an elbow to his back to relieve his pain before his read while neglecting to stay focused on mine - HA! Lucky I had already done as much work as there was to be done, it was just implementing what I remembered from their notes to adding some new touches. He wished me luck as I went in and I did the scene, even made the girl giggle uncontrollably because I had committed. They gave me some redirects which I realized where some of my first choices so I quickly made the adjustment and went back at it knowing I did what they wanted but the decision was theirs. I left smiling and getting a thumbs up from the guy outside, giving him a thumbs up back. The next day I was told the role was mine if I wanted it and of course I accepted just dancing on my way back to the car from work. I was told who one of the guys were going to be because I had a scene with them, who I happened to help with my elbow work and realized I had watched him growing up...my dad loves some of the movies he's been in...can't wait to spill the beans, my daddy gonna be so jelly!!! Well cheers to getting another opportunity to play something different once again, love it when it's a role untreaded by me, challenge accepted!

Plenty more to do but almost finished with this gem of a show "Cheetah in August" with it's trailer for the new season. Please be mindful when watching because of the adult themes but the role I get to play is pure magic for me, can't wait for this to come out. Another shoot date coming up along with more promos to send your way! Love being a part of the LGBT community and getting to share my work with such a wonderful cast/crew...stay tuned!

Still neck deep in Shakespeare and loving it more as the weeks pass by so quickly. So good to see my Lifebook Family - Katherine, Sharon, Jared, Tuka and Ryland, along with Pat (stage manager from "Flyin' West") and Tina (from the recent new Discovery Show) - you guys made my night just that much easier being able to celebrate it with you...thank you ever so much! There are still 2 weeks left to catch this show at the Garden Theatre Center in Burbank if you so desire for an interesting look of this production along with the imaginative uses of the theatre space as well, still pay what you can. So thankful to be a part of a tremendous cast that has covered my rear when the words have failed me at times because although I'm not new to the stage, this is absolutely my first dealing with the lingo of another sphere. So with much love, I'm ever so thankful for my castmates whom have experience in this genre and are allowing me to grow each and every time my foot hits the stage. I love being "Maria," she has been an eye opener for me...can't wait to do more but first, "Bee Luther Hatchee" next!

I finally got to catch up on a movie I've been wanting to watch for quite some time and boy oh boy was it needed. "Trumbo" is definitely a must watch so that we are not doomed to repeat ourselves, which we keep on doing through out our history. Power in the wrong hands, used for "righteous" causes can rain down terrors for ridiculous reasons of fear which put me right into what we're dealing with now in our midst. The fact that many artists were attacked for "communist" actions/thoughts in our free country is reminding of how people scream out the fear of terrorism or racist ideals without even realizing the hate spewed in them...and for what? This witch hunt of communism ended up with little to nothing to show for all it's grandeur much like the "war on drugs," "war on ethnic groups"....war, war, war because that's what we've got to be in to feel alive. Why do we repeat instead of learn, because instead of thinking outside the box we'd rather follow the masses. What we're taught as children until adulthood, what we've somewhat experienced is never to be questioned by us because what we know is gold and these are facts?! Listen to whatever you're raving about now...is it more important than your health, good life, family and love or are you saying that it is? What are we doing to ourselves, to our futures because we're just so darn right about it all? Really...are you really?! I loved this movie because honestly, it shows me what people can do when fear and hate takes over, I'd prefer to be on the other side when history decides to tell the story...my story will be love and what I can do to connect instead of unplugging. Choose love, use your work to question it all and hopefully bring about more light, that is the gift to leave...let's give 'em love folks and maybe one day, we can actually create new history with new paths with it all! Let's work!!!