Keepin' busy as I learn to open up my options/opportunities as an actress because without change, you may very well be pushing up against the same wall for some time. I know I did but I didn't have a choice at the time...when I came into this business, it was all about the agents. You had to have headshots and the only way you were going to get into a room was through your agent, an industry referral/friend or maybe an acting instructor. Right now, you've got casting sites to submit you from anywhere at any time, lower budget productions and new media posts to help you along your journey without an agent if you choose with the ability to shoot and get things out yourself along with your friends. There hasn't been a better time for such a vast number of diverse actors so although it is still very difficult, it is more doable if you persist. I've opened myself up to voice over because after booking the video game a year ago, I began to see another side of my art form...I was just never presented with the opportunity and lucky for me the director, Tim, loves theatre actors, hence my opportunity to get in the door. No voice credits, no experience, just good 'ole theatre and lots of training along with pushing my work once in front of them all. I totally get it, being comfortable and at least feeling like you know what you're doing is safer, but safer didn't get you to pursue your passion, move across states and get up in front of people over and over and over again to hone your craft. You've got different types of opportunities to make your dream come true and it's up to you to decide to make that happen. I love being in front of an audience - my first, serious acting class was in a theatre but at the time the opportunities for being on stage in L.A. at a reputable, paying theatre was far and few in between for POC so I went on to looking for film/T.V. work. Although that produced some credits, it wasn't coming fast enough but with each job I became more aware and was gifted with more openings in which I finally got on the wonderfully, big stage at ICT and we ended up winning a "Best Ensemble" at the 2016 NAACP Theatre Awards. Last year was my first 2 Scenie Awards in "Bee Luther Hatchee" (Outstanding Ensemble Cast & Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role.) and this year I received my second Scenie Award for "HOME" in the "Best Ensemble" category. From all this work, I have been able/open to auditioning for other nicer, stage productions all the while pushing it with my other desire to be in front of a camera and as I booked here and there, small roles, bit parts, nice roles in smaller productions. Through this process I could see how you could learn to survive if you're smart in this business. Survival is key, make it through the lean to get to the goodness only to go through lean again so remember, be ready, be open and say yes to change, let that allow you to ride into your dreams!
3 voice over days with multiple auditions handled along with my very first voice over audition for a clay animation gig (wahoo,) one with a special guest (Roscoe the dog,) one catching my ugly faces when I read sometimes, because it ain't about being pretty...and a "too young" for me martial artist with autism role played. I submitted although the age was high school to just starting college, I wanted the chance to be seen to I stated that I'd like to read and be kept in mind for other roles in the season. Do what you need to do, to get into the room, then show them the choices you've painstakingly made for the role so that they may consider you an in for whatever role that may come up. Being nonchalant, not putting in the effort, not making distinctive choices because you don't feel the role is yours or you isn't the option - but yes, it may work every now and then, but really? As a professional and it's not improv? Why? It's your job...come in working it so well that they basically think you're the character - yes, there are few times I walk in being the character, this time I did because I didn't want what I looked like or spoke like to deviate from this autistic character that wasn't really given any justice from what I saw during my homework. It may be too much for them, too deep, too layered...whatever, do you and do it so well that they look for more, in you and in others behind you. This audition has helped shape another character choice for my bag and this is why you play whenever you can, you learn to develop your characters early on and build from there! Start looking at auditions as mini workouts getting you ready and keeping you prepared and you'll begin to love that you're staying "warmed up" and psyched to have your chance to get "in there!!!" The habits you form now, will follow your work ethic into the future, so don't shirk on the responsibility of being an artist, do the work & "SHOW 'EM WHAT YOU GOT - ALWAYS!!!"
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