Burden Me 3

A one act, "Burden Me", that I was in for the first time over a year ago seems to have legs as the playwright keeps getting it accepted to area theaters/festivals. 2 of the 3 original cast members were in the "revival" at the Winter Strawberry One-Act Festival (the playwright stepped in as an actor) but this time I was the lone original. Although I had the lines, our handful of rehearsals pre-performance proved I couldn't be on autopilot (which was a good thing) as different actors meant different reactions. In that respect it made an "old" show new again, which was kind of fun and gave me a chance to do different things w/ the character I hadn't done before!

This time we performed for Awakening Drama in the West Village. And I think it was the best audience we've had as far as audible reactions - you could tell they were catching all the subtleties.

Afterwards, the playwright's wife (and our director) took our cast pic on Minetta Lane. And that was the day. It always amazes me how much work can go into a production and how just like that, it's over. But I guess that's life - weddings, babies, vacations, etc. Lots of prep and waiting and then - there it is and gone. Don't Blink!

Amerigo the Brave @ the Omaha Film Festival

A short film that I flew back to film in NE about a year and a half ago had it's official "premiere" at the Omaha Film Festival last night. There were preview screenings prior to the public screenings (a second one will be held Friday) and this is what Leo Adam Biga of "The Reader" had to say about the film already... (Note: the stars are out of 4)

Amerigo the Brave ****
Of the 20 films I screened, the single best work of art is this short by Omahan Jonathan Trvdik. He’s a serious filmmaker to be watched. Shot in expressive black and white by Bill Sitzmann, it is reminiscent of the best original “Twilight Zone” offerings. There are hints of Arthur Penn’s Mickey One and David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks.” It ultimately stands as something all its own. It plops us into some backstage netherworld on the vaudeville circuit for a few telling moments in the lives of three people on the edge of existential abyss.

A sense of impending doom drives the story. Jon Purcell, Bill Hutson and Nora Vetter distinguish themselves among the small cast. Kudos to Michael Arch for lighting design and Justin Thompson for set design. I can’t wait to see another film by Tvrdik, his producing partner Purcell and his DP, Sitzmann, who reportedly have new projects in the can and on the drawing board. Add Tvrdik’s name to Nik Fackler’s, Dana Altman’s, Alexander Payne’s, Vince Alston’s, John Beasley’s and Omowale Akintunde’s as Omaha’s best hopes for a homegrown feature film industry.

Wheeeeee! This group that I worked w/ are up and coming for sure. I'm happy I was able to be a part of their film and hope the opportunity arises for me to work with them again.

Coming Up Next....

So, due to the stars aligning just right I managed to find myself w/ a sizeable role for a full length play w/in an interactive play that opens in December. And I'm currently trying very hard to buckle down and get my lines memorized so I'm off book sooner than later!

I am playing "Diane", the leader of an all female theater group that is putting on a trial play in which the audience can vote to overrule or sustain and the play skips or continues to progress accordingly.

A lot of work is ahead but I'm excited to be a part of this production and if you're in the area - come see it! :)

Here are more details from the email blast...

THE ANASTASIA TRIALS IN THE COURT OF WOMEN Genre: Comedy

by Carolyn Gage The Emma Goldman Theatre Brigade, a radical feminist theatre group, is at it again - implementing their innovative lottery system to insure theatrical equality. They each draw the role they will play out of a hat each night before the show, but tonight there's a critic in the audience and t he sisterhood is put to the test when some of them don't draw the role they want. What follows is the trial of five women accused of denying Anastasia Romanov, the infamous daughter of Tsar Nicholas, of her identity where the audience becomes judge and jury. They rule on objections during the course of the play, creating a new show with every performance. A courtroom drama based on history wrapped in a backstage farce with a healthy dose of audience participation thrown in for good measure, The Anastasia Trials in the Court of Women presents a profoundly engaging excursion into the interactions of women who are survivors and abusers. Open: 12/03/08 Close: 12/14/08 Schedule: Wednesdays - Saturdays 8PM, Sundays 3PM Theater: Roy Arias Theaters - Off-Off Broadway Th Address: 300 W. 43rd Street 5th Floor New York, NY 10036 Google Maps Cost:$18 General Buy Tickets Online or Call: SmartTix at 212-868-4444 Company: Little Hibiscus Productions Official Web Site: www.littlehibiscus.com Beth Adler Lisa Theater: Titus Andronicus; Phare Play Productions: Office Hours; The Tempest; Fifi, Effie and the Donut Lady; Ensemble Studio Theater: Bluff and Berlin '45; Barrow Group Studios: Punchline; Theater-Studio: The Greatest Love; Instant Shakespeare Company: Othello, Hamlet, the entire cycle of history plays, The Vagina Monologues; Love Creek: Beyond the Horizon; Sauce for the Goose, Women of the Wild West, No Plums, 3 Widows and a Corpse, In a Wicked Mood. Television: Lipstick Jungle; Parco, P.I.; One Life to Live. Film: P.J.; Dance Salsa; numerous short films. Corporate trainer with Performance of a Lifetime. Molly Church Amy Molly Church is a graduate of the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School. After taking a small hiatus from the theater, she is thrilled to be back on stage again and working alongside Christine and with such a tremendous group of actors. Some favorite roles include Judy in Callback, Caddie in Snake in Fridge and Helena in an all-female production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. She has also been featured in a handful of independent films, most recently Group Therapy and The Super Amazing Movie. And she is proud to have been cast in her first television show, working alongside Denis Leary in Rescue Me. Molly would like to thank her family and friends for their continuing support. Ashley Diane Currie Athena Ashley Diane Currie is ecstatic to be playing a woman again. She was educated at The Atlantic Acting Conservatory, where their use of common sense and vulgarity made her feel quite at home. She's studied with Scott Zigler, William H Macy and David Mamet. Her favorite roles have included Natasha in Make Believe (her most recent role), Cassius in Julius Caesar and Josephine in the short film The Duel with Elwood Gentry Productions, official selection Secret City Film Festival 2008. She has also acted with the sketch comedy groups spurn and Mind Bleach. Love to Mom, Dad, brothers David and Bryan, and everyone else who makes her smile. Remember, folks, don't throw flowers, just throw money! Dianna Lora Marie Dianna Lora was born in Harlem raised in the Bronx and now is kickin' it old school back in Harlem. She graduated with a B.F.A from Ithaca College and is a proud Mercersburg Academy graduate. Her proudest moments were playing Princess Puffer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Queen Margaret in Richard III, and a stint as a saucy maid at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire where she learned high falling and swashbuckling. Dianna would like to thank her friends and family for their endless love and support! iSin Ti Soy Nada! Emily Murray Melissa Recent theater credits include Gloves Off! Nabokov Vs. Wilson(Dolly) and The Visit (Ensemble) Payomet Performing Arts Center, Truro MA. 37 Stones or the Man who was a Quarry (Erin) Working Mans Clothes productions, NYC. A Boy's Life (Karen) The Zipper Factory, NYC. Gloves Off! (Dolly) and Left at the Harbor (Daughter) The W.H.A.T. Theater, Wellfleet MA. Film credits include A Woman Called Job (Cathy) One Brick Films. All the Queens Women (Nightshade) NYC. Currently a finalist for the Actors Studio. MFA The New School for Drama. Through Compassion, strength comes. Peace. Brooklyn Scalzo Betty Brooklyn Scalzo is thrilled to continue her love affair with Phare Play. Brook has directed Dance at Bataan, The Food Chain, The Lady and the Clarinet, The Raft and is co-directing Phare Play's Pants on Fire. Some of her favorite acting credits include Sideman, Sweet Charity, Anything Goes, Romeo and Juliet, Parallel Lives, The Dumb Waiter, The Beaux Stratagem and Charlotte's Web. Proud member of Actor's Equity. She would like to thank Chris and her family and friends. Sara Towber Jenny Sara began her professional career at the School of American Ballet, performing at the New York State Theater. While attending Smith College and graduating with a degree in Literature she performed throughout the Pioneer Valley with various companies and The Ohio Dance Theater. Upon returning to New York and hanging up her dancing shoes, she has studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, The Neighborhood Playhouse and The Matthew Corozine Studio. Favorite roles include Bonnie Jean in Brigadoon with the Heights Players, Babe in Crimes of the Heart, Valerie in Imagining Brad with the Matthew Corozine Players, and Julie in Pizza Man with Little Hibiscus Productions. She also originated the role of Mia in On The Rocks written by Dina Laura. She can be seen in several movies including Center Stage, Mona Lisa Smile, The Forgotten, as well as many student and independent films. Nora Vetter Diane Nora is excited to be in her first show with Little Hibiscus Productions and to be working with director, Christine Vinh Weems again! You may have seen her in other NYC productions with the Summer Strawberry One-Act Festival (Francine in Jump! - Top 4 Finalist), Phare Play, Queens Players/Secret Theatre and Reality Aside Theatre. Previous regional productions include a staged radio play of Trip To Bountiful (as Thelma, costarring Tammy Grimes and Joel Vig), The Rainmaker (Lizzie), You Can't Take It With You (Essie), Steel Magnolias (Annelle Dupuy), Lend Me A Tenor (Maggie) and Toxic Avenger: The Musical (Sara). www.noravetter.com Lexi Windsor Donna Lexi recently performed in The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public and Around The World In A Bad Mood at the Duplex in NYC. She also performed with New York's Ziegfeld Club in the production, Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic of 2008. A native Oklahoman, she performed in the 2007 centennial production of Oklahoma! at Lyric Theatre starring Kelli O'Hara. Favorite credits include: A Chorus Line (Val), Grease (Marty), Sweet Charity (Nickie), 42nd Street (Anytime Annie), Once Upon A Mattress (Winnifred), & A Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania). Lexi currently performs on Spirit Harbor Cruises out of Chelsea Piers & also enjoys performing for the troupes with the USO of Metropolitan New York.

All day @ Equity

Auditions @ Equity aren't easy to go to when you have a 9-530 desk job and aren't Equity yet. I managed one audition last summer ('07) for "The Farnsworth Invention". I got in, in the first half of the day but it was kind of obvious that the audition was a formality as the person behind the table gave a look of "just hurry up & get it over w/." After that, I decided to get more comfortable w/ more than one monologue and wait for something that I thought I truly had a shot at before taking a day off to sit and wait for the chance to audition, again.

Then I saw a posting for season auditions for The Public Theater in Lewiston, Maine. Now...why would I want to go there? Well, "Last Mass at St. Casimir's" was in their season line up and "Last Mass..." happens to be the third show in the trilogy of the Pazinski Family in which I played Annie in the 2nd show called "King O the Moon". And we had read a version of the 3rd script at our cast party. I had always wanted to continue the role and now here was a possible opportunity to do so...

So, I got up early and signed up on the Non-Equity wait list (I was #8 as I had killed time before going over because I mistakenly thought since no one was lined up outside that I was a bit TOO early...wrong. I should know by now there is no such thing as "too early").

Once auditions started, we were told that it looked good and we should get in. Then, more Equity people showed and pretty soon we were told @ 11am to leave and come back @ 2pm.

Back @ 2pm and by then the #s were less and as time passed we were told that 2 maybe 4 would be seen. Most of the Equity (mostly older) actors that saw us waiting gave us positive words of encoragement but one younger actor came around and was nothing but negative. Someone actually told him to take it elsewhere. Not helpful.

More time passed, more bailed. My number 8 status was hovering around 4 or 5 now. I decided to wait. We were told we could leave our headshot and resume if we didnt' get in. I started to prepare a note and then was told to head back. I was going to get in! I was going to be the very last audition of the day but I was going to get in!!!

The time finally came for me to step in. There were 2 people behind the table. The one person was very friendly and the other person just seemed tired of seeing so many actors audition. I gave my monologue and I saw red ink by my KotM credit and was told callbacks would happen as the shows came up in the season. (Which means spring for Last Mass...)

In the meantime, fingers will be crossed I guess... Couldn't really tell if I did good or bad from their reaction. But if I do get it, it would mean a paid gig that gives me Equity! Which would be mostly good - and a good role to revisit, too. :)

Ugly Talent

I went to another workshop via Network Studio East tonight. This time it was to meet Michael Rodriguez of Ugly Talent.

He has worked in the industry for several years but has only been in charge of Ugly Talent for a little over year in which he's seen huge growth. He talked about how he likes to get to know his actors well and his philosophy really appealed to me. One tip he gave that seems obvious but wasn't something that I had thought of was that we should be doing just as much research on agents/casting directors as he does on us. (In other words, when going to these workshops we should know more than just his name and a little about the company he works for... Much like knowing the whole play you take your monologue from rather than just the monologue.)

Michael said that he did take on non-equity actors but always w/ the idea of making them equity as soon as possible. He also said when he negotiated contracts that he negotiated them as if HE was the one getting the gig, in other words he strives to get the best for his clients.

After the Q&A, each of us got to have a one on one w/ him and perform a monologue. I was one of the last ones to go in so the whole time I was debating on which monologue to do... I still hadn't made up my mind until I was in the room and it was time. I decided to go w/ comedic. I wasn't wholly satisfied w/ how I'd performed but Michael seemed impressed. He asked me what I was working on and I told him I was directing and I gave him the details. He asked if I was working w/ anyone or had worked w/ anyone. I told him "no". He told me to send him details asap about the show I was directing, because even though I wasn't in it, it would be another way for him to get to know me.

I was totally thrilled when I left! What a potential opportunity not only for me but for my actors. The next day I sent off a note to him (he prefers snail mail). Now I wait and see if I hear back. I hope so. A breakthru in that direction would be wonderful! :)

Festival & Marathon

It was a mish-mash of a weekend.

"Jump!" opened at the Strawberry One-Act Festival.

(Note the pic of me in my costume - I'm wearing my old cheerleading shoes and the socks were meant to cover my tattoo but apparently it did peak out as I got some comments after the show...oops. I guess I'm a church lady w/ a past!;) I'm also wearing a cross necklace that came in a "Buffy" set I have - teehee. Also note the guy in the stocking cap in our cast pic - he is not that much younger than me but played my son at the end of the show. Eh. It worked.)

"Jump!" is the first show in the lineup for our section - which is good because we can leave right after instead of waiting around (or watch at least the 2nd half of the show after us and the rest in the section) but it is bad because often times the first one up has a harder time sticking in the heads of the audience than the last one. (Since advancement in the festival is based on audience votes...having the audience remember us so they vote for us was kind of important!)

Aside from a near slip and fall on some lettuce on the ground (another actor spills her salad on stage in the show). I think it well well!;)

Will see what happens...
My friend from Boston came into town to see the show and also be in the city to prep for the NY Half Marathon on Sunday.

After the show, we got her pasta'd up at John's Pizzeria and then went to see Wall-E. Admittedly, I wasn't all that eager to see the movie but I'm glad I did. I loved seeing how much they could do with so little dialogue.

Cut to the next morning where I went to the race and stood watching for her about the time she thought she would cross thru. I never did get my eyes on her. But I took a pic of where I was instead! ;)

Finally made connections w/ her @ Battery Park. We wandered the various booths (and got free mini Jamba Juices) and then my friend headed to another friend's to recoup while I performed another show. Later we met up again and watched another movie via rental this time - 27 Dresses. Once again, a movie I wasn't all that excited to see - it proved to be cliche after cliche but at that point we weren't looking for anything too brain boggling to watch anyway I guess! ;)

The Strawberry One-Act Festival posted videos of our show online - but you have to pay to watch them. My parents did and for the money they paid were a bit disappointed in the quality. When I watched the rest of the shows after ours on Saturday I saw a guy w/ a recorder that used the full size tapes and during the last show the tape stopped and he had to switch it! Eeps! And they charged for that?! You'd think they could upgrade...maybe. It seems like there has be a decent amount of money brought in but what do I know...

Hopefully the Strawberry One-Act Festival blog will post semi-final results soon... :)

In The Metro & on YouTube

Last night, the cast, director and writer of "Jump" went to the Strawberry One Act Kick Off Party. It was an event meant for networking & mingling but we noticed that most groups kept to themselves and so it actually ended up being an night for our own group to get to know each other better as we noshed and drank the wine & snacks they had set out.

In the same room as the festivities they were filming people talking about their plays. Which is a cool idea except, they didn't have a mic for people to hold. The only audio was being picked up by the camera mic and we were actually told to yell so the camera could hear us. Uh...

You can see our interview here.

We had gotten a detailed email telling us what info we were supposed to include in our interview and I typed out some of that info on a sheet of paper so we could reference it. The idea being that the camera could focus in on it but much like the mic sitch they weren't putting themselves out by zooming either. Oh well.

This morning I was flipping thru The Metro and found myself! I had submitted a book review for The Metro Summer Reading Club and was told they'd notify me if I was going to be published. I never was notified so it was quite a surprise to see myself in there! Woot! :)

Then over lunch, a co-worker and I walked to 6th Ave to see what we could of the All-Star Parade. It seemed like everytime I went to take a pic, someone's head got in the way but I did manage to get a couple shots of Hank Aaron. My co-worker had to go back to work and as I walked along the route a guy behind me started shouting at whoever would listen to him- "What's the big deal? These guys make millions a year and you're cheering for them?!" He had a point as by this time it was the current All-Stars passing and not the Legends. Long gone are the days of the ball player working a 2nd job just so he could afford to play the sport he loved.

Down 42nd towards 5th I found another All Star Liberty to take a pic of and then headed over to Garrett's Popcorn to find out what a popcornsicle was. (Further incentive was the fact that it was free...) As I stood in line, 3 guys lined up behind me going on and on about how weird the concept sounded and how they'd probably get cancer but yet they kept waiting in line...

It was finally my turn to get a popcornsicle and Top Chef's Richard Blais saw my face and said - You looked intrigued.

I said - I am.

Then he told me that the popcorn (Cheese/Caramel Popcorn molded on a stick) is dipped in nitrous oxide. It's edible and safe and that's what makes it a popcornsicle.

I referenced the "edible & safe" as being a concern and gestured towards the complainy guys behind me. ;) It was certainly tasty and worth the wait! :)

PAID!

I'm currently in rehearsals for a one-act that will be part of the Strawberry One-Act Festival and the writer stopped by yesterday.

He answered any questions we had about the characters and then he left early. When rehearsal was done, our director said that he had left something for us. She handed out envelopes w/ our names. "A small stipend." We talked about how there was a cover charge for the Kick Off Party of the Strawberry Festival and it was suggested that it was probably money to cover that. How nice!

I tucked the envelope away w/out opening it and managed to forget it until this morning when I was rearranging my purse. I opened the envelope and it was much more than I expected!

Then I realized that this is my FIRST PAID GIG IN NYC!!!!!! How exciting is that?!

Well, I think it's exciting...and another step in the right direction. Woot! :)

Playing Francine/Cheap Night on the Town

Found out today that I got cast in a one-act (Jump!) that will be @ the Strawberry One-Act Festival!!!

I'll be playing Francine - (she's described as being in her 40s?!) a pusher of her faith.

Will share more details once I get them! :)

In other tidbit type news...

A co-worker who normally scoots out early due to her long commute was actually in town this evening due to a conference she's attending so we decided to check out Morton's Bar Bites. (The only time I could reasonably afford Morton's.) Their appetizers were $6 a plate, so we got a few and put together a fairly decent meal for the price. I highly recommend trying it after work sometime! :)

Afterward we headed to a newly opened Red Mango where we got a free froyo serving w/ 1 topping (having tried Red Mango, I think I might prefer Pinkberry) and then took advantage of a bogo bottled beer special @ Duke's. I hadn't been to Duke's before and if I'm near there again I'd like to go back and get more than a drink! It has a very eclectic, time warpy atmosphere.

It was a good evening and I had money leftover, so that made it an even better evening! ;) Proof that you can go out in NYC and not break the bank...

Inside Spragg's Shorts Opens

Today was one of those days that you think had more than 24 hours squeezed in.

Since I knew we had an early tech today, I made cookies (sans chocolate chips) last night to maybe give everyone an extra boost of energy. - I used Hot Cocoa Kisses and they didn't last long! :)

The one-act I'm in takes place on Thanksgiving (It's titled "Wombsgiving" and I play Rena, the sister-in-law that finds out her lesbian sister-in-law is expecting while she can't seem to get preggers herself) , thus the need to have a non-summer costume. This of course doesn't balance well w/ the theater warmed by summer temps. Ugh. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right? And hope you don't look too sweaty and gross doing it! ;)

We had a quick break and then it was time to set up for the actual show. A friend from NE happened to be in town for a visit and got to see me (the first show she's seen me in in NYC) and my friend from Boston was there, too.

Afterwards, my NE friend and I grabbed lunch at Cowgirl. Yum! And while we ate it began to just pour w/ the added bonus of crackling thunder and lightening. We attempted to take our time at the restaurant and wait for the rain to calm down but once it was clear we were done eating we were asked to leave so other patrons could sit - so we did. We scurried to a bodega to get my friend an umbrella and then hid out in a Starbucks until someone else my friend knew in NYC picked her up.

I continued to hang out @ Starbucks (totaled up, I was there for a few hours) and my friend from Boston joined me again. By then the weather had calmed down somewhat so we headed to Flannery's (located by a place called the Donut Pub) and had a Guinness. Although I'm told that Guinness is ALWAYS supposed to be served this way, this was the first time I saw my Guinness w/ a shamrock drawn in the foam. Very cool! My friend knew the bartender and when he found out I was an actress he said that the first drink was free, adding - "You gotta help the starving actor!" Niiice! :)

Keep on Keepin' On

Went to a couple auditions that were for more one-act shows today. One was w/ Phare Play and another w/ a group I hadn't worked w/ yet.

First stop, Phare Play - where everyone knows my name. Kinda nice to go in knowing what to expect for an audition. And w/ a snap it was over and I was on my way to another audition and ended up being there VERY early. So I killed time wandering around the 4th & Washington Square area. Lots of great little places to have a meal and then dessert (Red Mango & Pinkberry are across the street from each other!) - I need to remember to get down there more often.

Finally enough time had passed and I was able to get into the building next to Cafe Wha? to audition - I thought to myself, the last time I was here I was auditioning for the Staten Island Ferry Plays and who do I see but the same casting director that had helped w/ that and she remembered me.

Unfortunately I don't think the audition went well as those that weren't the casting director didn't give me an additional side to read and I could tell the casting director was trying to encourage them to as she said - Is that it?! Well, I know Nora, she does good work (or something along those lines...which made me giggle as she's only seen me in auditions - we have yet to work together).

By late afternoon, I received a call w/ an offer to be in a one-act for the Phare Play show. I will play a woman who has been struggling to get pregnant and has a bit of an issue w/ the fact that her lesbian sister-in-law and her partner are expecting. It's a comedy... ;)

The show opens in June!

As Seen on GMA

A week or so ago my boss mentioned something to me about a spa machine being set up in the office because he was doing a friend a favor and Good Morning America was going to film a segment.

Cut to the spa machine actually arriving. It was quite the process to deliver and set it up due to our cubicle set up and the fact that they had to load it up w/ gallons upon gallons of water (using buckets filled from our kitchen sink) - the machine massages using water pressure. Then the electrician had to come and hook everything up and after a few days of this, it was finally running! (Except for the aroma therapy as a partner didn't think that it was necessary to have it connected - I'm sure there's more to that story but that's the info I got.)

Since I'm the "actress" in the office my supervisor, boss and co-namesake of the firm all asked me separately if I'd like to be the "spokesperson" for the segment. They told me I didn't have to but knew I acted so thought it may be something I'd be interested in. Of course I was up for it but really didn't know what would be involved or what to wear, etc.

Tuesday afternoon the camera crew, rep & creator of the spa machine and a GMA reporter came to the offices and set up and chatted up a co-worker that is smaller, blonder and has an accent. I could tell they wanted to use her, but felt corned to use me as others in the office kept saying that I was "the actress". So once everything was set up, they used us both.

First, they had us line up w/ other men in the office as if we were waiting in line to use the spa. Then the reporter is supposed to brush by to cut in. We were supposed to be mad that she cut.

Then they wanted to do q&a w/ users of the spa and said they needed someone bubbly and positive. One co-worker pointed out the co-worker of GMA choice and another co-worker said, "Nora's an actress...she can be bubbly!" (Because I'm not normally I'd have to act it - har!)

Anyway, they took her in promising that they'd get to me. The reporter tells the co-worker of choice that she looks beautiful and later says how much she liked her soundbite. Then when it was my turn it was like - okay, get in here. And of course by this time I had totally psyched myself so I felt like my answers were less than stellar and when I was done the reporter said, "There's always an actress in every office. But you actually act, right? I mean, you've been in shows?!" Yes...I have.... Later another co-worker told me that she thought the reporter was pretty but then she heard her on the phone and changed her mind.

When they were all packed up and ready to leave the reporter told the co-worker of choice that she should watch for the segment on Thursday and then when she came by my desk she flatly said - thanks.

So, after all the hoopla the segment is shown in the last minutes of GMA this morning and NO INTERVIEWS were included in the segment! Sheesh. BUT you can see the back of my head in the spa and me standing in line. ;)

Will see how much longer we get to keep the spa now...it really is nice, but you MUST wear the headset as it is LOUD too. Could easily fall asleep in there so the visuals you see as you lie in it really don't do a lot for me.

Agent Workshop

Went to another workshop tonight to get some one on one w/ an agent.

The agent/owner of the talent agency introduced herself, told a little about her agency and then had a Q&A.

I found out that although they are looking for theater talent, it is easier to place non-union musical actors than straight play actors. Sadness.

She said that it is important to learn what your "type" is so when you are seeking representation you can communicate that to them so they know what kind of characters to look for w/ you in mind.

She stressed that agents are meant to do the negotiating and act as a liaison between the actor and the production heads. That's their job - the idea is that the agent looks like the "bad guy" then, not you.

After the Q&A we were all cleared out so we could go in separately to have one on one w/ the agent and perform a monologue.

I was the first one in! I performed my monologue and she seemed to like it. She asked questions about my experience and brought up voiceover work - asking if I had a demo. Ugh. I really need to get that taken care of. She liked my "attitude" headshot and asked if I'm looking to play quirky characters. (Honey, I'll play any character I can get cast for! lol.) Then she said that she can't base a lot on just seeing me do 1 monologue so suggested I keep her in the loop on future performances (and send her a demo) so she can see me flex my acting muscles more. Overall it seemed to be a positive meeting but when dealing w/ agents - ultimately it is better if you have your Equity Card. I'm still trying to figure out how to even get cast in something that will give me points towards Equity! All in good time....right?!

Since I finished early I happened to run into a couple co-stars from Office Hours waiting to go see a show that a former co-star from Spring Shorts was in. It was opening night! I was talked into joining (a free ticket can really talk! ;)) and well, the actor we knew did well but the script needed severe editing - it really didn't need to be as long as it was and the devastating thing is that it had been published! How does that happen?! The premise was promising but the storyline seemed to freeze in motion w/ excess dialogue @ times. Some of the direction choices were interesting, too - lots of talking straight out to the audience when I'm not sure it was always necessary or effective. There was also confusion w/ when the play took place as it was written in the 80s w/ 80s references but then some lines were updated to make it seem like the present but yet...not ALL timeframe related lines were changed so...???

Needless to say, I was glad I didn't pay for the show but I was glad I saw it - I've found that no matter the individual review on a show, you can always take/learn something from the experience. Or @ least that is what I try to do! :)

Baby Shower, Boiling Water and a Callback

Our director for Phare Play is VERY pregnant and I got to go to her surprise baby shower on Sunday @ Yum Yum Bangkok. And she was indeed surprised!

My experience w/ Thai food is limited so anything I ordered would be a new discovery, but the thing I discovered that I'm HIGHLY recommending to anyone that has the opportunity to try it is Thai Tea! I really don't know what all is in it but it sure is tasty - even if the orange color may be a bit concerning. ;)

As I was headed to the subway, post-shower, I got a call from a director affiliated w/ a PA Playhouse I had previously auditioned for and been called back for. She wanted me to come in and read for another show. I went home, printed out the emailed sides and then headed back in for our final show of Office Hours.

Ever since we've been in this space we've noticed a bucket nearly overflowing w/ dripping water from a pipe in our cramped dressing/set storage area. Another leak had been discovered in a side stage nook that one of the actors sits in for a scene during the show and when the owner was asked about it he said there wasn't a leak. Oh-kay... Well...the "non-leak" which happened to be of the boiling water variety, reared it's ugly head again and the actor was so distracted by it that he missed his cue line which left me and another actor stranded onstage trying to figure out what to say to kill time in hopes that he would respond soon. Of course, we didn't know he was being pelted w/ boiling water drips until after the show. Oh, the life of the non-paid, non-equity actor!

So, today I went to the callback over my lunch and I felt like it went well. I was asked to re-read one scene based off instruction the director gave me. If anything, I feel like the casting director at least is keeping me in mind (he referred me to this director and was the one that determined the original callbacks) so if I still don't get cast this time around maybe an opportunity will arise in the future...

Looooooooooooooong Weekend

Friday after work I went to rehearsal, went to an audition then killed a bit of time by getting caffeinated before I got my playwriting assignment for Who Wears Short Shorts? (Cubed). I got home about 11pm, brain stormed, took a nap and officially started writing the script @ 2am. I finished the script @ around 6am and tried to sleep for a few hours before getting ready to turn in my script @ 10:30am but my bod was so caffeinated and out of whack that is just shuddered. Yikes!

This blog gives further insight into the process.

After the lunch that is referred to in the blog, I then went to tech from 1-4 (during which they took publicity photos) and was tempted to go home and sleep afterward but was afraid if I did - that would be the end. So...I opted to kill time til the 7pm WWSS3 show by seeing Run, Fatboy, Run. I did feel myself drift a couple times (no fault of the movie) but managed to get thru it okay and the movie actually was better than I thought - the trailer doesn’t actually give everything away! Then off to the show - considering the time frame I was impressed w/ what everyone had come up w/ and knew it would improve w/ the 2nd show however...I had another stop to make so snuck out after the first show and went to a friend’s b-day party @ a karaoke bar @ 9pm. Needless to say I didn’t hang around long but I did make an appearance and I also didn’t wake up before noon on Sunday! ;)

Sunday night was opening night of Office Hours and we had a reviewer in the house. We had a couple opening night snags but it is good to have the first show under our belts!

Out of the blue

As opening night of the show is coming up I was making sure what few industry people I know, knew about it. When I was looking up addresses, etc - it occurred to me that I didn't have contact info for the person I met at a recent Commercial Workshop. Hmmmm...

Then something unpredictable happened - the person from the Commercial Workshop called me up! She wanted to know if I could come in and read for a national radio commercial! Well, of course I can! I couldn't believe the timing.

So I took an early lunch to go the audition and found out it was for a Big Lots ad. Which made me even more excited - if I got it, people I know back in NE might actually be able to hear it! :) It was a fun ad, too. I sat and studied the script thinking of different ways to say it and when it was finally my turn I went in the audition room and was recorded reading it twice. She asked me about my Southern Accent that I had listed on my resume - is it natural? Apparently if it had been, she wanted me to use it with full force but instead I just used my Midwest Accent. ;) If I actually book it, I'll record it next week. If don't, I hope she still calls me in for future projects!

Happy St. Pat's Day!

Since I was out of town when the Columbus Day Parade marched down 5th Avenue I was excited to actually be around for the St. Pat's Parade down 5th because that meant it conveniently went past the building I work in! :)

A couple co-workers and I took a short break so we could step outside and catch a glimpse. Lots of bagpipes! While we were watching my co-worker suggested we get lunch @ one of the Irish Pubs nearby (I had told her earlier that back in O, me and a friend of mine used to meet for lunch & get green beers on St. Pat's Day.)

So that's what we did! We headed over to Patrick Conway's near Grand Central. They have a very nice set up downstairs - an escape from those that didn't have to work for St. Pat's and were in full on celebration mode @ the bar above! After we had been sitting there a while someone familiar caught my eye at a table close by. Then I realized 4 of our co-workers were sitting there! It appears that many in the office were celebrating! ;)
Note: You'll see in the pic that I did not get green beer this year. I got Guinness instead. :)

After work, I met up w/ a co-star to run lines. We are supposed to be off book starting tomorrow. Eeek! I think rehearsal is gonna be rough...

Had I not had lines to cram into my head, a co-worker suggested Stout as the place to go for St. Pat's. I looked it up and it looks like a good place to go even if it isn't St. Pat's! Another destination to put on the ever growing list....

I also was asked to be a playwright for Phare Play's upcoming 24hr play festival. I was kind of on the fence about it but when they couldn't find anyone else I decided to give it a try - and maybe being "forced" to write will get the ball rolling w/ me writing new works in general... Oh, did I mention that this festival starts w/ us writing into the wee hours on Friday into Saturday, March 28th - the same day we have dress rehearsal for Office Hours and Office Hours opens on Sunday, March 29th? Yeah...it will be interesting...

Opening Day/Tech for Spring Shorts

The first show of the Spring Shorts run is being performed today, but first...tech!

Since we had to get up kind of early for tech I decided to make peppermint patty brownies to hopefully feed and perk up actors, crew, etc and give them minty breath!:) They seemed to go over well - thankfully - I was a bit worried that the "non-patty" part was a little tough but people went back for seconds so no worries! ;)

After tech we had around an hour break to find some food and get back for the afternoon show. Of course Mother Nature had chosen that block of time to down pour outside. Sigh.

The one-act I am in is the last one in the show so there is a bit of time to kill. I decided to read the other actor's bios in the program and discovered that an actor in another one-act had gone on tour w/ The Christmas Carol thru the Omaha Playhouse! Small World! So I asked him about it and he actually knew people I did and had an appreciation for the kind of productions they put on (because as a general rule an Omaha Playhouse production doesn't mean squat to those in NYC). And he is originally from the NYC area too, so for him to have an appreciation for even Omaha in general was kind of unexpected and nice and he's touring again this year too!

My roommate came to the show so she could actually see me on stage acting and when the person selling tickets asked her how she heard about the show she said - My roommate is in it...and those are her brownies! lol

And as the show run begins I found out that I have been cast in another show w/ Phare Play! Rehearsals start the day after this show closes. It is called Office Hours and I play 2 characters - Pam Gerard (Bitchy News Producer) and Sharon Freeman (Sexually Frustrated Therapist). Should be fun! ;)

The Journey to S.I. and back

Spent all last night cramming the monologue into my head for the audition tonight. Skipped lunch today so I could get off an hour early and at 4:30pm, I booked it to the subway.

Things looked good as I finally arrived @ the S.I. stop - was dodging & weaving around people trying to get to a Ferry Gate and then hit a roadblock when I came to stairs. No way to get around people, I was just stuck at whatever pace they were going. I checked my watch - I still had a few minutes til 5pm. I finally got up the stairs and saw others running so I started to run too and then a guy stood at the entrance waving his hands to stop us. The clock flipped to 5:01pm. Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! The next one didn't take off for another 20 minutes or so...

Got onto the next Ferry and the trip was agonizing, as much like the stairs, I could only go as fast as the Ferry. Finally got to the other side and had to wait on a bus and I was quickly running late for the start of the auditions. Boarded the bus and met 2 others that were headed to auditions so if I was late, at least they would be too! ;)

Once we got to our stop, it was a big mess to figure out where the building that had auditions was on the fairgrounds area we were instructed to go to. It didn't help that daylight was gone, either.

Fortunately we seemed to be finding our way as we found a gated entrance. We flagged down some cops who shrugged and said they didn't know that area well - eek! What if there was an emergency?! Then we flagged down another car w/ a single driver. He asked if we were actors and we said, yes. He said he thought the place was up ahead and kept driving. An actor in our group wondered out loud if the driver was an actor, too and we all hoped he wasn't, otherwise he should have given us a ride! (Or at least that would have been the decent thing to do...)

Finally find the place and the auditions had started and the driver gives us all a sheepish smile. Nice.

I had about 20 minutes before I had to turn around so I could catch the bus and then catch the Ferry in time for the concert - at this point I didn't care about the opening acts, I just didn't want to miss the Foos!

So I go up to the gal @ the sign-in and apologize for being late but told her that I was told to ask her to get me in as I was rushed for time. 2 people went in after my request and by the time she told me I was to be next, I had to go.

I left a note for the person that had called me back to audition and left only to run into that person while I was hurrying to a bus stop. She called me by name and I think she thought I'd actually been able to audition when I hadn't. I didn't have time to straighten it out and figured she'd see my note - I could also feel tears of frustration building so I just wanted to keep moving.

I made it to the bus stop and in a few minutes the bus came. I ran on only to be told to get off. What?! The bus was having mechanical issues and just quit running. Lovely - I could have stayed for the audition!!!! By this time it was getting COLD out and the bus driver told us we could wait on the bus for another bus to come by but if the next bus didn't see us out there it wouldn't stop. Nice.

So I stood outside and lamented on the phone and FINALLY the bus came and then the painfully slow trip back on the Ferry. Then the subway. Then the dodge and weave around human traffic to MSG and then...I made it!

Whew!

And even saw the last half of the 2nd opening act - Serj Tankian (I had to text my bro as I recognized his voice singing "the terra cotta pie" song in my bro's car but couldn't remember the band he fronted for - System of the Down.) He is quite the showman and says what he wants.

It was my first time in MSG and I'm not sure why, but I expected it to be more than it was. It's just a concert hall. But it's probably more about the history - right?

The Foos finally took the stage and 2 songs in, the middle-aged guys that were supposed to sit next to me finally decided to show up. Since the rest of the row had already spread out the guys hardly had a place to stand so that put me partially out in the aisle and getting bumped into by the up & downers. After another song or two, one of the guys decided he needed a beer - then of course he came back a few song later, but then had to leave again because he had to go to the bathroom. Gah!!!

I had to remind myself why I was there - I was there to enjoy the Foos, I'd actually made it there to see the Foos, so I needed to concentrate on that...

Dave Grohl was his usual quipping self and the band became more than 4 as they split time between the main stage (for rock) and a smaller stage that extended out in the center of the floor for acoustic. Dave used the walkway during his guitar solos and at one point started leaning towards the ground as he played. What is he doing?! Down the walkway was his daughter trying to crawl towards Daddy. Very cute - but I hope she had some earplugs!

It was nice to see Pat Smear w/ the group (I missed the acoustic tour he also joined back up w/ them on) and I was witness to potentially the 1st cowbell solo in MSG to which Taylor Hawkins commented, "If someone just came out of the restroom and heard that they were probably like, 'WTF'?!"

All too soon the concert was over but not really... The crowd clapped and hollered in rhythm to get them out for an encore and then all of a sudden the screens showed their set list from tonight's concert and then Dave's face appeared. No sound was heard as he gestured whether we wanted them back out for 1 song. The crowd cheered. 2 songs?! The cheers were louder. 3 songs? Then Taylor came on and held up 4 fingers and the crowd went crazy but then the camera went back to Dave and he held up 3 fingers again but then kept flicking up his fourth.

No matter what, they were headed out to play at least a few more songs!

Then, for real, it was over.

Posing @ St. Pats

I had President's Day off @ work and apparently so did the rest of the cast of the one-act I'm in rehearsals with as our director scheduled a photo day so we'd have pics for the Phare Play website.

Since the one-act takes place in a church what better place to take pics than St. Pats?! We blended in fairly well w/ the other picture taking tourists - although some would inadvertently get in on our pics causing a do-over.

It reached into the 60s today and after raining, raining it got really humid. I'm not sure, but I'm beginning to think the weather here might just be even more unpredictable than Nebraska's!

Got an email that I had been called back for an audition I went on yesterday. The show is in Staten Island - another one-act show, but they did mention a stipend! All the plays take place on the S.I. Ferry and it is a 24 hr type festival in the fact that the director and cast don't get their scripts until a day or so before the 1st performance. So part of the callback is to memorize a monologue - for tomorrow.

The snag? (besides the whole memorize bit) I am going to the Foos concert tomorrow night @ Madison Square Garden and since it takes about an hour to get to S.I. and back I'll need to take off early and hope that my timing is excellent on all transfers, etc. The person in charge of the theatre told me that they would get me in right away and to let the person @ the sign-in know. So hopefully I can get in & out and get to the concert in time - the Foos FIRST show @ MSG!!! I can't believe they've never been there before and Fuse is broadcasting it live for those that can't be there in person - but since I don't have cable, I have to be there! ;)

I also have to be off book by Friday...hmmmm...here's hopin'!