The Glamorous Life of Auditions - Day 3

What to do, what to do, when da character is older than you ( or older than you'd like to portray right now. ) That was my dilemma for my 3rd audition of the New Start of 2016 but I figured, I got called in for it, why not go...if I'm completely wrong but put a smack down on the audition, I will be remembered! Although I skipped submitting it myself, my management company obviously thought I could pull it off as well as get into the graces of Ricki G. Maslar's casting office and I haven't seen her since I started in this business years ago and would love to get on her radar once again since I'm baaaaa-ccccckkkkk! See, they wanted older in "Hello My Name is Doris" with Sally Field and although I didn't really look like most of the other women there, I was still chosen for the bit, so I'm all up for being cast and doing the part regardless...if they're gonna be open, then so should I, I mean it wasn't the biggest gap but when you look around the room you realize what it is they see as the character. Your job if you get in there, is to change their minds or make them forget if possible and that is exactly what I went in to do. Walking on to Raleigh Studios Lot another gal walking out is letting me know how absolutely wonderful the casting is...isn't that nice?! Lifted my spirit and allowed me to relax, this is what I do all the time and I'm so happy someone did it for me as well. We can all help each other during the process by just giving a little heads up on the positive notes in the room...I love to let people know that the room is super open and warm, it lets you as the actor just be and that's all we want. Walking in nervous with difficult dialogue can get you tongue twisted in a heart beat but when you can walk in knowing the room is routing for you, how beautious is that?!?! I could hear the room chatting it up with the gal inside for quite some time and I wasn't jelly not one bit...I can tell the other lady was a bit off about it by saying "They havin' a good time in there huh?" And I stated, "Gurl, that be da bidness, that means they're super cool, especially with someone they know and now, they gonna know us!" Then I stated how beautiful I thought her jacket was and how impeccable she looked...she might've thought I was cray cray or hitting on her but I didn't care, we need to learn to compliment each other in that room before the room every chance we get. Some don't want to hear it, but if that's not you, spread da LOVE, everyone deserves a fair shot in the process and we've all been there. What is yours will be yours because no one can read like you in the room or make the same exact choices as you, so quit feeling like you gotta compete and have stank face when we're all in this together. We all have nerves, we all hope we look good, we all want to just kill the room...we all know this, so why make it more difficult upon ourselves? We are a community of artists and as one of us gets it, we all win because that is someone new instead the same familiar faces or a star. Let all our beings shine by just saying a kind word whenever you can and see how you feel when you walk into that room to do your work...your shine, will be brilliantly, blinding! Today was "Robin Aldis - Social Services Worker, clean and less make - up, power suit but with flats - my choice ( since they wanted a spit polished character ) and hair pulled back in a clip, not the way I wanted it but since my hair had a few frizzies in the front I had to change the look of what I was going for. Check the character, be you in that character and let 'em have it!!! I made some serious choices in body movement in this one and Ricki took notice as she was off to the side on the computer, I didn't even think she was paying attention but when she took the time after my first scene to let me know how absolutely interesting and good it was, I knew I made some solid choices and that is all I can hope for. Do you...always!

Feeling a bit stagnant? Overwhelmed? Underappreciated...etc., etc., etc.? Well, what have you done for self? Did you quit celebrating last year because it was silly and you didn't have time? Did you tell yourself you'll celebrate only when you book? Did you tell yourself you needed money to celebrate? Whatever obstacles you put in the way of your hard earned celebrations, remove them...NOW! We don't thank ourselves enough for dealing with rejection, working so hard on copy, being vulnerable and fighting to look our best at an audition. These take a toll on your psyche and spirit, you can't keep putting yourself out there and think with no validation you're gonna keep up the positive outlook, it's like having a terrible relationship and just staying in it because you must?!???? In this relationship with this business, there are more valleys than mountain tops for most and the only way to get out of that feeling of being in those valleys constantly is to recognize the effort you have put forth. When you truly see how much you're giving as an artist, those aren't valleys you're in, those are the stepping stones to reach the top. Booking won't be the end goal, showing them who you are and what you've got in your arsenal of art will be your defining factor. You begin to realize the end decision has nothing to do with you but you hit that homer, so instead of stating it was a homer in a losing game realize a home run, is a home run...you still pick up the stats and for that, you must celebrate. That is one more office, one more casting session and one more job you might get under your belt...it's a big deal...PERIOD! The more auditions you celebrate, the more thankful you become of them and the more the universe gives back because you walk in knowing what it took to get you there and it wasn't just plain luck. So celebrate somehow ( I had a gift card to Veggie Grill for one of my Born Day gifts and put it to great use celebrating ), cook yourself a special din din/breakfast ( I took extra time to chop up mushrooms and make fresh guacamole on my veggie meat tacos & I added all that whip to my pancakes with blueberries, almonds and strawberries )...get those bottles of craft beer to celebrate only when you audition...treat yourself to a movie at home that you haven't had time for, whatever the celebration is, no matter how small it may feel, you are giving back to your art and saying thank you. If you don't appreciate all that you do, who's gonna at this moment? I had over 40 auditions last year starting in March and a total of 4 bookings for the year? Those aren't great numbers but if you're in this business and struggling, you realize 4 bookings is better than none and over 40 auditions equals to almost one audition a week theatrically for the most part. For me, last year was one of the best years since I rebooted back into this industry a few years ago. This year will be better and it has already started off as such...no bookings yet, but I've had some wonderful auditions already letting me know, my work, my seeds I've planted are now beginning to break through the rough soil. So keep "watering" your art, keep composting the good stuff to make it grow and watch it blossom and bear fruit...time, yes but boy does it give back when you got all the right things in the mix from the smallest detail...don't forget the details. My tangerine tree reminded me of that this year...can't wait to enjoy the sweet goodness!

So with all the hoopla over the holiday season and just eating like a geranimal, I know when it's time to get back in and I've slacked but now I'm back to making sure I'm at my very best every day. You can find amazing trails in L.A. and one of my favorites is La Tuna Canyon, there's this monster hill that beats it out of me every time because in certain points you not only have to make sure you lean forward so not to go tumbling down the crazy hill but you must use your hands and crawl because it gets so steep. Free exercise and beautiful scenery to remind me that with hard work, lots of determination and even crawling through the toughest part, I will be at my mountain top, enjoying the view soon because one step at a time may be slow, but it'll get you there! Enjoy your celebrations and enjoy each day you're here to fight the good fight my beautiful artists, I love you all and can't wait to share the views with each one of you because when one makes it, we all do!!!

The Glamorous Life of Auditions - Day 2



Marq-ita or Marq-uita if you nasty!!! 1st home audition of the new start and I gets to play someone uber competitive/cut throat in the corporate world with 3 pages of pure dialogue...YES PLEASE!!!! I even developed her into having 2 ways to say her name whenever it suit her because we all know someone, somewhere that has done it or is still doing it today and that's real. Anytime I get to play/audition for someone completely in a different sphere as me, I chomp at dos bits...I really, really, really want to portray someone supposedly utterly, despicable in many ways because I feel I can do so with layers now. It wasn't so years ago but now, I just want someone to recognize that it's okay to play a hated person with some sort of depth. The bigger stars get the chance the most but hopefully with more indies being done by you & me, we can get a better sense of humanity outside of one note. They asked for a plain wall for less distractions and I've got only one room with nothing hanging from it, so although textured and yellow, it's gonna have to do since outside was the only other option and with birds, noise and the fact that I'm suppose to be in an office didn't up the outside wall's take. I did get all gussied up because I felt the character as such, normally I'd just make up this face and get it done but sometimes in order to feel more the part/audition, even though at home, you still must go through the steps but after, back in my jammies of course!!! Edited all, sent it a day early because I'm bound to another audition tomorrow and now focused on the scene for it. Love getting these chances to read for bigger, small roles where you're not the lead but you're not just saying one line either, now trust, I'd take one line every day if I could but I also know now, that I'm just not that person for the most part in their eyes, so I've had to really focus on trying to get the roles that are smaller but with more meat in 'em. How you ask? By always building a story with the one lines in every office I've been in so they realize I'm there for bigger things. Do I take a hit on the bookings...Yes, but it's with purpose, although I know that getting a line is amazing in and of itself, I want more...I want to create a role within that so they'd give me a bigger piece of the pie. I want to go in with a co-star line and walk away with a recurring co-star if possible if not a chance for a guest. I take just as much time for one line as I do for a scene because in the end, I want them to know they can develop any character I read for into something bigger if they must ( and should. ) Don't ever just think you belong in one particular category ever, no matter how they want to box you, surprise them whenever you can just to let them know you can do more or less if needed but you're there as a full actor/actress in whatever part given to you. You must believe no matter how this business views you, that you have the last word but you must know that...so if you're character...yes, you can be viewed sexy, ( look at Melissa McCarthy - love her ) if you're sexy...yes, you can be viewed character ( i.e. Johnny Depp ) but you as the artist have that responsibility to portray that if you so choose to do so with much heartache and work. That means changing your roles as much as possible when you can to give them something different. Yes, it's easier to just get in with being a doctor because you look like one but when you get the chance, take a role ( even if it's little pay but being shot well ) that is on the opposite side of the spectrum of you and have that in your arsenal for later because it will come up and you want to be prepared for all opportunities that arise. Keep your work, your art, yourself open and let no one tell you what box you're suppose to be in, do the box if it's there but know you can change that if you work on it constantly. Hard, yes but if this was easy, everyone would do it, so let's dig in and get to work!!!


My health has always been the most important factor of living...I avoid colds but because I went home to WA, I didn't have a couple of simple things I usually use to keep the nasties at bay along with eating what I wish since Thanksgiving hasn't been the best for my body as well. I decided to experiment since most of my actor friends seem to have gotten sick recently. I only did my oil pulling and although it held what I felt away, I could still feel it coming on with all the coldness of WA that I'm not use to anymore. Then coming back to L.A. which is warm, I still didn't get my lemons/limes and even skipped some oil pulling days and then it came...my sore throat, funky feeling stomach and a cough to boot. I raced to get limes ( instead of cough syrup ) to see how this would all play out. My voice going wonky, instead of cough syrup I grabbed my trusty lime, some hot water and fresh ginger and drank that before bed. I barely coughed through out the night, I followed up with my oil pulling in the morning with some more lime, ginger hot water after and felt better. Although I have a slight runny nose now and barely a cough throughout the day, I decided to do some more lime-ginger water and will finish it off with another cup this evening before bed...to oil pull or not is the question since I've done it already once. Well, seeing that I felt fine this morning, I'll wait til the morn but so far so good. When I do this on the regular, I don't even allow it to become a sore throat so I do realize that preventing that first step is the best defense but if not and it slips through the cracks, I do now know that you can still combat it with the same simple ingredients and steps and feel better...I won't let it get into phase 3, I'm good at experimenting but not when it comes to my health. So, try the oil pulling, then lime or lemon water with some fresh ginger into your routine if you want to skip out on all the badies this season. This worked for me and for $5 for oil, $3 for limes, $2 for ginger, it wouldn't hurt to see if this worked before your next cold! Cold busting ramen style soup is super cheap and super easy - one of my go to Korean meals packed with better. Wheat noodles in a vegetable base soup and then you add the soy sauce mixture of sesame oil, sesame seeds, green onions and crushed red peppers to kick it all up a notch, you can even drop an egg is you so desire! Yummers!!!

Although I've been off my good eating path, I still have been reintegrating it all back in...found some pre-made gluten free/soy free/dairy free cookie dough from Whole Foods ( thanks Colleen for my giftee certificate ) since sometimes I just want a quick treat and they were pretty delish however, very expensive. Not as good as when I bake them but with less effort these are pretty awesome...there is one more I'd like to try before I tell ya which one was the winner. So, here's to our mini celebrations to start off this crazy roller coaster ride of a business we're all in. Hang in, fasten your seat belts cause this ride can go from 0 - 100 in no time!!! YAY!

The Glamorous Life of Auditions - Day 1

HAPPY NEW/REFRESHED START!!!! Regardless of where you're at right now or how you feel about it, things can change in a blink of an eye, so stay prepared. Now is the time to shrug off last year's disappointments/achievements and look forward with a more focused eye, whatever was...it was...LAST YEAR! This can be heavy because if you are feeling the slowness of the down time, you can become unproductive but now is the time to restart...to realign and to know that you're even better/stronger than you were. Take note of that, realize and give yourself congrats because while you're still here, many have quit...left the business because it was difficult...decided it wasn't for them and yet you still stand, you still fight and you still hope. Keep on dreaming no matter what others may say, you know you've improved, you've made steps forward and you've become more aware of your artistry. While "quitting" can be the easy out, you have to know that to quit is to be a disservice to this business because you have a purpose to change viewpoints and this industry if you so choose to do so as well as knowing you wouldn't give this up for the world....not even hitting the Powerball! (YES, I would still do this but now I would have the means to own a production company and put out fantastic films that represent the lot of us!) Whatever your goal may be, allow it to grow as you do, change as you do and give back whenever you can along the way. I may not be able to do all that I wish to help, contribute or donate but I damn sure try my bestest with every fiber of my being.

Today was a simple day of a print job. No biggie...these come and go and some have terrible pay while others seem to compensate very well, you must decide and hopefully have others around you to help you decide that some are worth it while others you should pass. Making that choice is ultimately in your hands...although I'd love to just hurry up and get paid a quick $200/$300 for less than a day's work, the idea that they have your image in perpetuity to use as they see fit is alarming. Sometimes I just can't allow it but every now and then something interesting comes up and I say "I wouldn't mind doing that" regardless of cost. Although this wasn't a time, my manager had sent me out so I realized I wanted to get back into it this year, so I went. I went and saw my girl Colleen also running in and we were able to catch up so that made it all worth while. See sometimes, just going will help you put things into perspective, will help you really know what you must do and how you must get on it so you don't have to contemplate about these types of jobs and if you book - great - but if not, no sweat...you used the audition with purpose. You have the power as well and once you understand that, you may wield it as you see fit. Make your choices with a discerning eye, know what you do will be around for quite some time and understand with every action there is a reaction...now or 20 years from now. It will come up, mistakes usually do and that's okay, just try not to keep at it in your choices if there is an end game into the roles you'd prefer...yes, that means more struggle but with more struggles come greater rewards...yes, that too takes time for the most part but you keep on building, keep chipping away at it and you'll see how all of the sudden you're riding on cloud 9 of your dreams. Just don't think you must compromise everything in order to get there...your work, your talent, your drive will get you there eventually...don't give away your art for this if that isn't what you're about. Win them over, make them respect you...make them listen...they will, it's a walking through mud experience but boy is it glorious on the other side.

Christmas 2015 was absolutely breathtaking...family, friends, foods, drinks and kiddos...LIFE! Throughout the year I collect gifts so I feel like I'm doing Christmas all the time...with this line of work you never know when you will have and when you won't and usually by November this business hibernates so I've learned to prepare. Whenever I have a little extra cash and I'm running around, I tend to make sure I buy something that would make a great gift for a Born Day or for the holidays. I store it in a cabinet and when needed I go through it and see if there is anything I've tucked away for this special occasion. It's saved me a plenty of headaches of not running around trying to find something last minute as well as saving money because during the year the sales/clearance racks can be a gold mine if you're looking properly. Did someone say 75% off, why yes then, I will take a looksie and get something for me as well as a future giftee for my loves. This way I can spend the holidays just baking cookies and passing them out with love - my secret cookies are called my berry pie cookies only done usually for December although I may crack them out for Valentine's Day this year because I love, love!!!

 Getting a flight home to be with my fam bam from my beast was a gift that made me cry while opening up the presents. See, I had finally gotten a job that I wanted at a local, organic bakery that just opened up and was going through their hiring process while dealing with trying to open. I had decided I wanted to see everyone in November but cancelled when I got the call that we would start training...of course I learned that opening doesn't always happen when you want and was into December when training even started. Didn't think I'd see WA until April/May when pilot season was over and when the bakery got a sense of the type of employee I was but because of the foresight of my beast and very good flight rates, I was able to get home for my Born Day with my parents whom I hadn't seen since my play in Santa Barbara in Feb. 2015. One week of onsies and eating all the Korean food I craved because my umma don't play when I come to visit. Spending time with my parents and family brightened up my spirit and allowed me to realize the whole reason I left WA to pursue my dreams...it was for all of us and hopefully I can make good on celebrating with them soon although soon has been years. I didn't let me being in WA change my path and while there, I made sure to send out to all 9 agencies located in the state. I've submitted over the years so many times with no response but that doesn't stop me from trying each time I visit. They haven't stated they weren't interested so I just keep right on getting them my work...crossing my fingers this time for some sort of interest but if not, I do realize one day they will wish they had...but in the mean time, I will keep on doing this with every ounce of my being. Keep sending your materials, it's not useless and keep doing it, one day you'll realize why but it's better that the cd's/directors know what you're doing than not...this gives you a shot so don't squash that because others have stated it doesn't work. It does...sometimes faster than others but it does put out that energy that you're up to something and they should know.

January is my Born Month and I love to celebrate all month long with everyone dear because this keeps me grounded in knowing who's in my corner routing for me. I wouldn't still be here doing this if it wasn't for my circle because I'm just not strong enough, I wish I was but it takes not only your tenacity but support of the people surrounding you to get through the lean, mean years of rejection. This is the main reason that who you hold near can make or break your spirit so guard it, don't fall into the negative chat because it will get you no where. Someone saying "It's time to be done, nothing has come of it" is not the one you need to hear from when you've had a terrible audition or a tough year because tough years follow by booking time and that booking time can be the change but you will never know that because you listened to the wrong person in your sphere. Trust me, it's easier to be negative, fall into that hole no matter how positive you are so make sure to hold tight to your precious art. No matter how good you feel you are, even with proof, there is someone that wants to tell you about all the bad so let them go, especially in this New Year and see how having a positive community around you changes everything. Then don't forget to appreciate it, hold dear that someone wants to see you shine brightly as you were meant to because that time is coming! Fried mushrooms with spinach puree and a bread pudding I wouldn't share with the rascals below...because it's my Born Day and me no share my food...ever!!!! HA

 Along with a New Year came a new job, a local organic made from scratch kinda bakery and although I've helped run a restaurant as FOH, I've never done all of what I'm about to do. Prepping baked goods, making espressos/smoothies and making iced teas via the espresso machine because we're not fully up & running yet although we open NOW. Yep, that's me with the list of food and ingredients looking scared because I don't have time for dis, I like to be prepared but sometimes no matter how hard to try, things don't work out the way you wish so you push on. Your art will do the same, you may not feel ready at times but if you stay training, focused, working in those moments when things are thrown at you, you may stress, be nervous, feel you're not prepared/prepped enough don't despair - all that training you've done for over these years has led up to this very moment, don't you dare back away or cower...know you are the cream that rises to the top whenever given the opportunity! SHINE ON my fellow artists, can't wait to see you all in the new, refreshed start!!!

The Glamorous Life of Auditions - Day 41

So I get an audition for a pregnant, snotty, fun doctor type character for a pilot in Georgia...it takes everything in me not to dissect her...she's a bit appalling but I love these types of people, I've had to deal with them all my life so I savor the moments I can bring someone I've studied and also the darker parts of me infused into a being I would have nothing to do with. She's fun because she's someone I haven't had the opportunity to really dig in to yet and that pulls me into a creative push...I thrive on moments getting to play someone that isn't remotely close to me, I want it so badly I've built my whole artistic being around it. How can I play someone I don't ever in life want to be but bring humanity towards it so you as a viewer might at least have compassion towards this individual whether you agree or not? That is a mark to leave in your work...I don't want to be hated for hated sake, that's too easy and a cop out to me. Sure I hate this type of person, so I play it with hate and my director accepts the hate and now everyone in the process hates this person...it's so easy to hate...but to understand, not to accept but to "get it" is where I want my work to give back. We want to just judge someone without the work of trying to get what or why but this life is full of whats & whys...someone just isn't hate out of the womb, that isn't human...a baby just doesn't show hate so where does it come from, how does it enter, why does it change this soul through those series of unfortunate events and how can we view these "hurtful" acts. Should we be so quick to compare ourselves? I don't want that in my work, I don't want that to be in me so I fight everyday to bring that nuance into my art...why...because the world needs it. When we're so quick to judge, to hate, to say we'd never, then our work becomes limited because our views are...this is the beauty of this creative world that I cherish. We as artists can fight to bring full character choices if we choose to do so and make the world view individuals with much more care or we can keep on creating things we hate and make it easy for everyone else to hate because isn't that just simple?!?! Finding humanity in the most inhumane act is the brilliance of work I love to see, I don't like walking out of a theatre hating a character...I then realize the artist didn't fully give me the scope of the being portrayed and yes, maybe it's the director's fault or producer's fault but hopefully it was done fighting with your last breath for the sake of the character as an artist regardless of whether it was shot down because we have a responsibility as the outlet to find that nugget of truth in all that hate, that is our work if we truly want to try and change some of the views of the world. Maybe it isn't so deep for you as an artist and that's okay too but I hope if it arises, you too will choose to dig in. For me and my work, I want it to move someone to change perspective, even for a moment and to realize our callous behavior at times towards our fellow human beings...art does that and boy is it glorious when it does. Yes, we can have fun and make fun and enjoy this fun but we can also change people, change views, change outcomes and change the future with our work...so I only hope we can do it all by giving it our all whenever the opportunity presents itself because it is all fun but with responsibility as well and we should all challenge ourselves to such. Easy, shapeezy...give me the stuff that'll make me question who I am and challenge me to grow as an artist and individual purdy please!

Had a callback from the Boston Court but for a different role in which I didn't really see anyone else from the 1st round lead roles but was excited for another opportunity to audition for the ensemble part which was equally as beautiful. I went in with one of 8 ensembles and was asked to stay, almost left by the mistake of the assistant running around letting people go but didn't quite leave fast enough which was a good thing because I was then told to stay put and went in as the one of 3 actresses at the very end, to then perform the sides as a monologue to about 8 people in the room. One day, 11 pages with lots of starts and stops and I pushed on although every one else with this call back had already auditioned for the ensemble...left as the last actress in the room, with the writers and artistic director in tears along with many thank yous and feeling great. I didn't book this which I found out going back to the Boston Court to see one of my favorite directors perform in a reading a week later but was simply told that she was sorry to have not picked me for this one, that I was amazing and absolutely wonderful (to my director) and was definitely remembered. Can't ask for more than that especially after seeing the short works they had in progress, I know this is a place I want to be on stage in the future so I will make sure to shine every time I walk into this building because I will get my chance in the future. I love that they had quite a few diverse, minorities at the callbacks for the ensemble and I was one of 2 black females with a couple of Asians during the lead auditions...finally, some openness to the lead casting parts regardless if neither one of us books because it means they are serious at least about seeing different perspectives. Loved seeing so many ethnic people getting the opportunity to just work their work...had to take pictures around the room to remind me how it should always be...even saw a familiar face at the callbacks - Tamiyka - from "When Stars Align" and Kyla in the lobby after the short play reading which featured my favorite director Saundra, all of which brightened my spirit!

Got a chance to shoot a sketch before the Thanksgiving weekend filled with silliness with the big RED which for me was no work at all. Getting the opportunity to bring life to another actor's work from Lifebook is always an absolute pleasure...our community of artists don't just work and wait, we work and do as much as possible as well. All I can say is that there were karate moves and my bare feet involved...an no one should really have to deal with those...EVER! Thanks for the good time Jared and Eugene - look for the blast in the new year!!! Also was convinced to send "JANE" into a pitch contest for Project Greenlight...first pitch ever...today we know if it made it ( it looks like it didn't make it ), so it's off to film festivities in the new year. Sometimes the confidence we need to step forward and to push is from the very people who surround you, so listen to the encouragement being whispered even while working on something completely different - <3 you Jared for that talk and Terri for the heads up! Take risks, the worse that can happen is a no and you're already at that so why not?!?! First practice pitch to help me with the future practice pitches...everything comes at it's time, I know this because I'm an artist slowly seeing my work finally unfold and it has been one heckava journey just to get here. So I push forward because we as artists have to take this rejection, not as a reflection that we're not worthy but that the right eyes haven't seen it and until then, we've got to fight to get in front of the right eyes with all of our talents.

Just before leaving for a week of fam bam foodie goodness & bliss, we celebrated our niece's Born Day at Knotts in which another friend was able to join...love the good, play times with positive, supportive friends and family! It's difficult to find people who may be in your casting to be supportive, but they're out there - gravitate towards them. The ones who'll cheer you on and the ones you can cheer on because they're beautiful people inside and out. The worse thing with this work, is the competition and jealousy easily infused with this business, understand you're not in competition...EVER! That person isn't you, never will be you and can't be you and nor should you be anyone else...this is truly what being an artist is about. We don't have to wonder why someone else booked that role, your time will come and you will step into your light and no one will take that shine from you. So compliment each other in the waiting room, wish everyone to break a leg and truly learn that there is a place for each one of us in this business.

                                                   Bought a voucher to another vegan joint called Vege/table in Studio City but here, the vegetables were the main attraction...beautifully presented with the taste to match - watermelon steak salad, sugared sweet potatoes, teriyaki mushrooms, spicy cashew mac and eggplant lasagna....I mean C'MON!!! Everything marinated to a taste bud's dream, this life of eating better and lighter is so much more easier with places like this and to have it be so different from the others always tickle my fancy, art food is something I will do a very happy dance for every time because it reminds me that our work in our art can be different, we just gotta realize our own uniqueness and give that. Thanks Colleen for always being down for vegan good eats and kiddie rides!

I've learned as I take myself too seriously at times, I must take the time out to play just as feverishly, it creates inspiration and it allows my spirit to just play and nothing is more playful than hanging with kiddos! Make sure to allow yourself child like playtime because there is nothing like the imagination unleashed by a 5 year old girl doing chalk, living art on her uncle's black sweats (if that doesn't inspire you....) and then there is Gobble, Gobble Day! This is always when all bets are off, all foods are on and doughnut tastings are a must. Workouts are more of a maybe and I enjoy just being with family, connecting with life and giving my usual art life a much needed break.

Shadows on sidewalks remind me how lucky I am to still have two feet planted on this wondrous planet, the food lets me know how much is sacrificed for my being, the flowing of wine & drinks tell me of the sweetness of simple gifts I miss acknowledgement of during my rush, the desserts remind me of the beauty still left to behold and my bigger family embodies me with precious love. Eat, drink, savor and love - ART!!! Me and my beast even gave back selfishly by purchasing a pie from Mama's Kitchen via Aimee, that helps get food to people restricted to home living and I ate a piece of it...some of it....okay, most of it =)...with ice cream...and whip...as it should be dammit! Okay, I got an ice cream sandwich as well...dipped in chocolate, with nuts, on brownie cookies...that's just how I roll!!!

Work hard but play well & many doughnut cheers along the way in this thankful season...keep on, keeping on my fellow artists!

 

The Glamorous Life of Auditions - Day 40

2 eco-cast auditions done did from the hiz-house, just the way I like 'em!!! I received one of them last week for an audition due this evening which worked out perfectly due to my need to focus on the new play audition that happened a couple of days ago. Now this first one was interesting because it's for a role where the gal is some sort of mother but wanting to date and has entered into the world of risque on line dating along with maybe some pole dancing action....ha - confused?!? I was but there was no nudity, may have to appear in some light clothing ( which can be worked out ) but no sexy sex of that nature so I said why the hell not! Haven't had one of these in my film arsenal and the set up lent itself to the story so it doesn't seem to be just bodies thrown around for the sake of seeing bodies. I always say, audition then discuss because things can change and for your favor as an artist if they see your work but they won't get that side without you in the game opening up the discussion. So the scene called for me to be in my undies etc. and although at home, I wasn't comfortable in front of a camera ( even if it was in front of my own beast ) down to my skivvies! Plus, I wouldn't audition in that fashion so why would a self tape be any different. Cut off shorts, black tank pulled down to show my colored bra was enough to lend my being towards that imagery, it is up to you as to how far you are willing to go. Nothing is right nor wrong in art but how you want to be perceived...what do you stand for or are willing to do. Not what you can be talked into but how do you feel doing it...see, I'm not so comfortable prancing around in a bikini or my chonies but I'm an artist and I do know if it moves the story, if it says something then I may consider it. Art is art, I do art and I don't compromise when it comes to my artistic expression...in my work or in my life, however this is my choice. It's not to say whenever I see a bikini-clad, gorgeous woman I down that work...I just ask if it was necessary. I remember the big hoopla over Halle Berry showing her breasts and when she did in the story line I remembered being like "WHY????" It seemed so unnecessary and I felt it was done to be done...however, I saw the same kinda show in a different setting by Renee Russo and it made perfect sense. I could see why Renee's character whom was sun bathing on the private veranda of her hut may have no top on...I couldn't explain it for Halle's character and with that I realized for myself where I was going to draw my line. We each have our line in our work, don't cross that unless you are convicted in doing so and that goes for choosing what character you want to portray as well. Some have no problem being a hooker getting banged and some aren't okay showing any skin that isn't necessary and both are great as long as it lines up with who you are and what you want do while you do your art. If you compromise, if you talk yourself into something you are truly uncomfortable with because you feel pressured or think you'll make enemies, I promise you that you will then lose a piece of your soul and it is never worth it. Do what you're comfortable with and if you decide it's too much, that this isn't you, that you don't consider it part of your work - WALK AWAY proudly! DO NOT do anything you feel in the deepest parts of your soul that you wouldn't be proud to watch yourself do. There is no agent, no producer, no director, no nobody but yourself that you must answer to and a shot/film will not make nor break your career...it's okay to choose to not do it, do not be bullied into a regretful situation ever for any art besides the one you're willing to be proud of, whatever that may be for you. That's why acting class is so important, if you think you're going to get on set and just go be free in everything that isn't you and be natural...HA, I say...this is why everyone can't do this. I've never kissed a woman outside of acting but that was something I explored in class as well as kissing men...now it is a stage kiss with no tongue but to get over the hump that a kiss is a kiss was something I worked on as well as having humped every item on our acting stage over at Lifebook. I wanted to feel unhindered and make free choices and the only way I could do that was to grow as an artist and try it out on stage...in front of people, but that is my art...you have to make yours but understand that your job is to find the truth and to shy away from that is a disservice to the character, so make sure you're going in with a very clear mind in your choice of who the truth of the character is. When you're free & clear, those choices will define you as an artist so let that be the speaking of your work in whatever you do. The second audition was for one out of touch/out of sync line so I did 4 takes on that line since it was just that easy to give them some choices since I had no context to go off of really...and again - WHY NOT?!?! It's one line, they never said one choice - HA!!! It was a quick take in a car out in a desert so I decided my yellow painted wall in the guest room was perfect...it even came off a bit off, so it all works out as it should...in the comfort of your own home...what I'm saying is make it work, it doesn't always have to be a white wall or black backdrop or that you have to pay - you don't, just get it done and don't stress too much about what your background is, they know you're at home. Youtubed it again for edits to make the slate to connect with the video audition and BOOYA, done! I'm beginning to love the slate process even more as I go along...to be able to just chat for a moment with casting and do it in my back yard is really quite soothing after stressing over the audition bit of it all. I even got to talk about how I took pole classes to strengthen my arms in martial arts a long time ago to break boards and that since production was willing to pay for them, that I'd be more than happy to take them again...see the fun stuff you just get to talk about at will!

So I just received noticed that I have to go back to the Boston Court Theatre today for a callback but not as the meth tweeker lead ( in which I stated I will not understudy for - been there, done that, got it and now moving on ) but as one of the ensemble players as Mother #4 and 11 pages for just this one piece of saying lines here & there & everywhere when one of the 4 Mothers speak. I love these parts as well and am excited to get the opportunity to once again, do something different on stage so I'm excited to see how this all plays out. I love reading plays and thinking to myself I wouldn't mind doing this role as well...then you know the writing is good, the play is different, the vision unique and who doesn't want to be a part of that?!?! All while being in another theatre and one that does a lot of World Premieres - can you tell I'm excited today???!!! Even got the other callback for the film I did on the same day but they wanted to tape and pair up actors but since it was already last minute I stated I already had a callback confirmed for the exact same times requesting me to stay at the theater for at least 2 hours for match ups as well. So I hope that the short film will get one more call back process and I will be able to make the final rounds of callbacks on that but for right now, I'm focused on being on another stage doing something completely different than what I've ever done in a brilliant & beautiful story...so send me all that good energy/vibes, I will use them today!

With all this crazy business happening, my workouts in the past week has faltered from my usual routine however, still putting in work at least 3 times a week with Aqua Zumba being all I've done this week so far, so I must hop to it for the rest of the days. Getting to break bread with good friends while in town is still a priority and happy to hear that Marquese is back in town so that we may be able to meet up and enjoy delicious vegan food like we did at Sage the last time he was here with his gal & friend. We enjoyed the food so much, we didn't take pictures of ourselves, just what we ate and boy does this food make everyone happy...I ate it all...I ate it all!!! Best Nachos around, hands down!

 Still juicing when I get a handful of veggies I want to mix up for a bit and with the remains, I throw it in with salads, other foods as I prep and good 'ole smoothies to make sure I use everything as much as possible!

Squeeze out everything possible in your work and food, then watch all the goodness emerge. Let's go make some art!!!! Wahoooooo