Smorgasbord Post

Just a little update on what I have been up  to.

Seeing shows.

Shows seen recently:
-Driving Miss Daisy
-Priscilla Queen of the Desert
-The People in the Picture
-Sister Act
-Baby It’s You
-Wonderland
-The Normal Heart

Thought: Who hires the book writers for Broadway musicals? While I have enjoyed all of these shows in one way or another, there is a lot of not-so-great-book-writing-for-musicals/music-is-way-better-than-the-book musicals out there.  I know what to do to fix so many shows’ problems. Someone should hire me. It really couldn’t hurt.  Also, there are a few directors that could use pointers. That sounds very “I’m full of myself and know better than anyone.” Not the intention. It is just frustrating to watch a show sink when you know how to keep it afloat (or at least think you do. And I mean afloat artistically, not financially). Don’t get me wrong there are some great books for musicals out there, too. And I always try to find the good in every production. This isn’t directed at one specific production, just a general though

In other news, Pep and I went to the Harry Potter exhibit in Times Square. I saw it almost 2 years ago in Chicago but wanted to go  again. Pep wanted to go. I had comps. The end.

Pep performing "expelliarmus" before entering the exhibit.

And that's me just generally excited. I blanked out on the HP spell front.

It was a fun time. The only down side is I picked the first Monday NYC’s public school Spring Break. That means we waited in line to wait in another line to wait in another line to wait in another line finally go into the exhibit. But it was free for us so I’m not complaining. It’s just a fact. Lots of lines.

I recently changed around my work schedule at my second job to work 2 days each week as opposed to 3. It means a tad less money for me but I have been super busy so having another afternoon free has been completely worth it. I am so grateful to have a job that offers me such flexibility.

I am working Book of Mormon tonight and am also hoping to work House of Blue Leaves before the Tony’s. I took a night off work this week so I am hoping to see Jerusalem and I also want to book tickets for Anything Goes. There are many more shows I would love to see but let’s be honest, I’m poor and there’s only so much time in the day. I also REALLY want to see War Horse but that will have to wait until after the Tony’s. It’s my full-price show for this season. I NEVER pay full price for theatre tickets.

And last but certainly not least……HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY! I am beyond blessed to have such a wonderful mom in my life and am so grateful for her. Love you, mom!

My mom and I when I went back South for Christmas last year:)

Mildred Pierce

Last year I was an extra in the HBO mini series Mildred Pierce which began airing on HBO on march 27th so if you haven’ t tuned in yet, please do. I would but I don’t have HBO. You won’t be able to see me (but let me know if you do). I am in the back right corner during the symphony scene.

It was a long day: arrived at 10:45am and left at 2:00am. But I got paid to hang out with cool people and play dress up so I’m not complaining. Also, Kate Winslet is crazy gorgeous in person. Not that I expected anything less.

In costume for the shoot!

She updates

Long time, no blog! As much as I love to blog, when I get busy it ends up on the back burner. Apologies for the lack of posts.

So, I just thought I would give everyone a general update on my life.

Here we go…

I am apparently the only person in the world that liked this year’s Oscars (Ok, most people agree that Anne was good) but I liked a lot of other stuff too and I now love Anne Hathaway even more than before.

I ended up seeing quite a few of the movies.
Movies I saw:

1. Black Swan
2. Blue Valentine
3. Inception
4. Toy Story 3
5. The Social Network
6. Rabbit Hole
7. The Kings Speech
8. The Fighter
9. The Kids Are All Right

I think the only major films I didn’t see that were players at the Oscars were True Grit (I’m just not a Western person. I’ve tried and it just doesn’t work for me), Winter’s Bone (I know nothing about this movie but I’m receiving it from Netflix today), and 127 Hours (I wanted to see this but there’s wasn’t much in the way of time). By far, my favorite film was The Kings Speech. I love a good period film, I love Colin Firth, and I love British accents so you can imagine that if you combine all 3 of those elements it’s like the film was made for me.

On Valentine’s Day (when I last posted) I ended up going out to dinner with some friends at a bar in midtown called Vintage. It was a fun night filled with chocolate martini’s and pasta:)

Kristy, me, and one of those delish chocolate martinis!:)

I have also been working hard on submitting myself for acting roles online and last week I had a ridiculous amount of auditions. Unfortunately, I was so tired from being so busy that they were not all my best, but it was a good experience and the fact that I had so many auditions made me feel like my plan to re-focus is a good one and the right one for me.

I also got cast in and filmed 2 student films a few weeks ago (in one weekend). They are both short films, and I have small parts but it was a great experience, and I am excited to be able to start building a reel. This week I randomly got cast in a scene from Proof that an NYU student was filming and I have to say it went really well. Everyone was super nice and it was a 3 camera set-up so that was  great experience. Also, the set was kind of awesome for a student film. NYU is legit, ya’ll!;)

I took a commercial class this week as well which was very informative. Sadly, my improv class I am taking is coming to an end this Monday. I took improv because it scared me and now I’m kind of obsessed. I am definitely going to take level 2. Although, I will probably not take for a couple of months but I am excited to actually enjoy improv now!

My theatre (the Al Hirshfeld) opened back up on Saturday and I am so happy to be back. I enjoy floating around to different theatres and seeing different shows but there is something very comforting about the stability of being in my theatre with my fellow co-workers.

Come see a fun, classic Broadway show and support theatre! And, if you're seeing this show, come say hi to me, too!

Speaking of Broadway, there are so many shows that either just started previews or are about to start previews that I want to see!

Shows to see:
1. Priscilla Queen of the Desert
2. That Championship Season (kind of on the fence with this one, but if  I have time to see it, I think it could be interesting)
3. Lombardi (Ok, this didn’t just start previews and it wasn’t on my list to begin with but I’ve only heard raves about it)
4.  Driving Ms. Daisy (Again, didn’t just open but I must see it!)
5.  War Horse (I’ve posted about this one before. I need to see it at least for the puppetry.)
6.  Catch Me If You Can
7.  Wonderland
8. Anything Goes
9. Sister Act (So freaking excited for this one!)

Wow, that’s a lot of shows to see…..I should probably get cracking on that. And, I am pretty sure others will pop up along the way that I “must” see.

Well, that should be enough updating to last you a while. I promise to blog more frequently. It seems that time management is not my thing. I’m gonna work on that. Have a great day, kiddos!

Re-focus

Long story short:

I took a break from acting/auditioning during the Holiday Season to enjoy the holidays and get some perspective

During that time I thought about what I really want to do with the goal of knowing by the New Year so that the New Year would be my motivation to pursue it.

I decided I want to focus on tv, film, and commercials

I spent some time actually accepting this and figuring out how to act on it (no pun intended)

I love theatre

But I currently cannot find the motivation to sit in rooms for hours on end to maybe be seen

I will come back to theatre but I need to focus on one thing instead of trying to do everything (i.e. theatre, musical theatre, tv, film, commercials…it’s too much and spreads a person far too thin. I would rather be really successful at one or two of these than mediocre at all of them).

Once I establish myself in that one thing (i.e. acting on camera) then I will spread into other areas of that field (i.e. acting on stage)

How I’m achieving these goals:

Currently enrolled in Improvisation class (highly recommended for commercial work, great way to break down inhibitions, and lots of fun)
Hoping to take an “acting for the camera” class in March
Attending a commercial workshop in a few weeks

Why I think I’ve made the right decision:

I have been getting auditions for student films since deciding and firmly pursuing what I recently decided I want
I went to a seminar a few weeks ago about how to get an agent but it really drove home the point that picking something to focus on is very important.

I feel much less scattered and much more focused. I’m also very excited and I feel like there are some really good things on the horizon.

And remember, these are just my acting goals, ideas, etc. I have other creative endeavors on the side (i.e. writing) and now I feel like I have the time to focus on that too:)

I have something related to both the acting/writing part of this in the wings but it’s in pre-production so to speak and very up in the air/I don’t want to jinx it so I’ll post on that later, when the time is right.

Stay focused!

A Perplexing Playbill

Imagine: Hair Playbills with Billy Elliot The Musical covers.

A Playbill that basically encompasses the story of my life.

I saved one but I left it at the theatre and it got thrown away:( Apparently, sometimes playbills are accidentally printed with blank covers. I hope this happens soon. I will have way too much fun making my own cover!

The horizon…..

….good things are on it.

I can feel it!:)

The Hunt

I have been job hunting. I have applied for lots of jobs. Jobs that I am actually excited about. Not a lot of response this week though:(

But, it’s okay because I now have 2 interviews lined up for next week, still work at Billy, and some theatres where I usher that had been closed are opening back up this month. That in addition to some sporadic babysitting and savings has allowed me to not stress about money.

*knock on wood*

I am very fortunate. But, I am very excited to have a slightly more stable income.

And one job I already interviewed for wants to hire me but they don’t have a position open for me right now. (Why interview then, right? But still,it’s nice to know that they could call me anytime:))

One of my interviews is with a babysitting service which at first I was unsure of as I was kind of trying to steer myself away from babysitting as a job I depend on. But, I like kids, there’s nothing wrong with it, and it pays well. I am leaning more towards doing on call babysitting as opposed trying to work regularly for one family. Yes, it means a little less guarantee of what I will be paid each week but if this service has enough business then it should still provide me with a pretty stable income and give me the flexibility I have become accustomed to over the past weeks.

The reason for the hunt: I was babysitting regularly for a family but that need went away. I totally understand and was/am fine with that.

It’s funny because a year ago at this time I was also job hunting so it made me wonder how far have I really come. But I think it proves I’ve come pretty far.

This time around, had more savings so less income wasn’t a huge deal for a couple months, I also had contacts so I have been able to do some sporadic babysitting that has really filled in major income gaps. I also saw it as an opportunity to see what else was out there for me to do while I pursue acting.

As I said, it seems I may end up babysitting again anyway, but if that’s my worst case scenario then I’m totally fine with that:) Besides, someone told me that Jenna Fischer (The Office) once said she lived the way she did while auditioning because she knew that wasn’t her future. I feel the same way. Where I am now is fine (and whether I like it or not) it’s not necessarily my future. There are other good things coming my way. I just have to be patient. Easier said than done.

Also, I have been going to a lot of auditions, catching up on some life stuff (cleaning, organizing, errands, and such), and writing more. I have also had more time to practice for my voice lessons, and yesterday I filled out an application to volunteer at the American Cancer Society which I’m pretty pumped about:)

Of course, I still need a job (especially come November) but it seems that good things are on the Horizon and I think this feeling I have walking down the street in NYC is somewhere in the neighborhood of happiness. A far cry from me this time last year (I was happy to be here but not sure how to make a life for myself). I think in the process of finding a job I found a little bit of myself:)

Oh and Memphis The Musical is amazing! Just in case you’re looking for a good show to see:)

baaah!

I have 3 auditions this week that I was called in for. Thank you, Actors Access!

1: Auditioned this morning with a my true and faithful monologue from Seascape With Sharks & Dancer by Don Nigro. I didn’t knock it out of the park, but it was decent. I’ll take that.

2: I was just called an hour ago to audition tomorrow evening for a musical. Well, at least a play with music. I submit myself for acting work all the time so I don’t recall all the details but they e-mailed me sides and music. Singing is scary. Too bad. I will never conquer my fear if I don’t face it. So here’s to learning a song on my own in 24 hours and then presenting it for a group of strangers with the hope it looks (or in this case sounds) like I know what I’m doing.

3: Thursday I am auditioning for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I have to do a monologue or tell a story dealing with ghosts. I am planning on doing one of Ophelia’s monologues from Hamlet. I should memorize that.

I am about to start rehearsals for 2 one act plays I have been cast in through a theatre company I recently auditioned for and was accepted into. I am not working much this week because my regular babysitting job ended. But I’m starting orientation tonight for an ushering job at Lincoln Center. The pay isn’t awesome but it’s a paying job in the arts.

I just booked my bus ticket for a weekend in DC later this month:)

Stuy town still hasn’t given me my deposit money back. Grrr! Don’t live there. They’re stupid with money.

I need to see Avenue Q before it closes but between rehearsing, auditioning, and, oh yeah, working I’m not sure when that is going to happen. I think it’s a good thing I’m not working so much this week. Yes, it means being poor right now but I have a little less to juggle. Or maybe I’m just juggling different things. Too bad the new things I’m juggling don’t pay.

I finished Breaking Dawn on the train today. Now I should probably read a real book;)

No more reading until after my auditions are over this week. I Have to focus on preparation. Oddly, as much as I love acting I always seem to put off the prep it requires.

Point in case: this blog post.

I saw Julie & Julia on Sunday….amazing!!!! Then I went grocery shopping. Smart!? Well, I didn’t buy everything in the store but I definitely looked at food with new curiosity. So today I used my Barnes and Noble gift card (Thanks, Nicole!) and bought The Joy Of Cooking. I really wanted to buy a Julia Childs book but I figured I should get some basics down before I venture into boning ducks and what-not.

Also my first celebrity crush, Jonathan Taylor Thomas is 28. Where does the time go?

<3 you always, JTT!

Edit: I now have an interview at a temp agency tomorrow! Things are looking up for the bank account:)

When it rains….

….it freaking pours!

Seriously.

It’s a good thing but making the right choice is hard.

Updates soon and then this post will seem less abstract.