Anticipate!

Good morning my fellow readers!

So sorry I've been MIA. However, it's been a busy and exciting month.

For the rest of February, I dedicated my time to performing in a brand new musical called, 'Life Recital.' What a joy it was to work on that piece and that character! A cast of 5 strong women, Life Rectial is a musical journey of four young artists passionately chasing their dreams. From the excitement and possibility instilled in youth to the harsh challenges of "the real world", these four aspiring artists struggle as they chase success. Lead on by talent and motivation, or turned away by rejection, fear and failure, to stay sane they draw strength and inspiration from each other....I played a photographer/visual artist named Lana. A daring persona/no fear kind of girl, Lana was never given the attention or support she deserved from her parents. She was always underminded, pushed aside or ignored. So, she had to find the courage and inspiration within herself to move to New York and follow her ambitions. It was so nice to have a meatier role this time around. Something, you can really dive into, explore and unveil. These kinds of opportunities are few and far between. But I had a blast playing Lana, and collaborating with all of the amazing women involved in the project. It was definitely a strong female dominated piece, which  fueled my feminism, and overall gave me not only something new and fresh to work on, but the message was so strong, I couldn't help but feel empowered after every performance. Thanks to everyone who came out to see it! Your support is greatly appreciated!

For those of you who missed it, here's a trailer we put together to give you a little taste....

Also, here a few shots from the our final dress:

Since our run ended, I've had a lot of time to audition, work on some new material, and begin thinking about the future......While work may not always come immediately, there are endless opportunities everywhere you look, and although this business is one of the toughest out there, and can often be discouraging when rejection hits, there's always something else to look forward to.

It's ususally around this time, when Winter is breathing it's last breath, and Spring is being reborn that I again find ways to develop my own rebirth. With every new season comes new change, and I love that every season, especially spring, I have yet another chance to renew, grow and reinvent. Life is beautiful when you are alive to experience the ever constant changes that lie ahead, ......

Today is March 18th, 3 days away from the Spring Equinox! I'm anticipating that change is in bloom and I'm ready for it!

Here is one of my favorite songs that helps ignite my fire....

"For every hand extended, another lies in wait....Keep your eye on that one...Anticipate." -Ani DiFranco

Vintage Love

"Giving LOVE is the true measure of a GREAT artist." - Diane Keaton

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time, because it rings 100% true.  Inspired by love in all of its forms, here are some vintage photo's of some couples truly in love, (some unknown, and some of my favorite celebrity couples, as well as fictional couples.)

J'aime tous d'entre vous!

My Grandparent's on their wedding day

My Grandparent's in love :)

....And here's one of my favorite love scene's from my favorite Romantic film! Enjoy!

Aimez et être aimé!

Sanity Rules!

Living in New York City is not the easiest job in the world.
You would think with so much readily accessible to us urbanites, we'd walk the planet with more ease and a little less baggage to carry around.


Lesson # 1 about New Yorkers: This is NOT the case.


Yes, we have subway cars, bodega's on every corner, a variety of bars and restaurants to choose from, the best theatre in the world, and of course delivery to and from almost anywhere. However, has anyone noticed how rare it is to see someone walking down the street in NY and actually looking at what's around them?
Usually, when I see someone doing this, I have unknowingly identified them as a tourist.

Move. Walk. Maneuver. Run. Climb. Ride......There are oh so many ways to move just as fast as the wind between skyscrapers....Knocking down almost everything it dances through. Unless that something is concrete. Some things are just that grounded.


I prefer to have a balance of both. Balance is something I strive to attain on a daily basis, but it's one of the hardest things to maintain.....especially as an actor.
Life as an actor, is like living as a pirate on a large ship sailing from one island to the next. The city is my ship, and the islands are the jobs and projects I've landed on. Constantly sailing. Constantly relocating. Sometimes adrift and sometimes docked comfortably. We live for the day.


Let me give you an idea of what a typical day is like for us pirates who are not currently on tour, on Broadway, working in summerstock, regionally, or in blockbuster films ( aka 90% of the actors in NY):


DAY 1:
- Awake at 5:30am or 6am, (make a pot of coffee: this is essential)
- Warm up/vocalize, stretch/ wake up as much as you can.
- Shower, get dressed, - Head to audition (It is now 6:30 or 7am) with a rolling cart or backpack filled with music binder, dress, heels, maybe some dance clothes or dance shoes, Normal clothes for later, snacks, a water bottle, and a book (because you will most likely be waiting 4-8 hrs before getting seen, if you are seen at all).
- Get to audition. Sign up as number 124 (where do all these people come from so early?!)
- Stay at audition or go grab a bagel until its start time at 10pm
- Mingle with your competition. (It's good to learn who youre up against).
- Wait..
- Wait some more
- Read
- Wait
- Vocalize
- Fall asleep and wait some more
- Go over monologue, go back to sleep
- Wait......
- Finally 5 hours later you get to go into the audition room and strut your stuff. You do your monologue/ and or sing, and spend exaclty 1 minute doing so.
- You leave, and go about your day (usually to a job that undermines your full potential/intelligence in order to support your life as a pirate.)




DAY 2:
Do the same thing all over again.




And so on and so forth.........


Now to live this crazy life, without actually going crazy,  it is essential to find things that ground, calm and nurture our bodies, minds and souls to remain somewhat sane. (However, I believe no actor is truly sane if they are a true actor, because insanity is a part of what makes us unique and special..... oh and able to portray a variety of characters aka depressives, bipolars, serial killers, vampires, drug addicts, mothers, abused children, disney characters, musical theatre junkies (Glee anyone?) or any of the other more interesting roles that are available to us)...


Everyone has their own unique way of remaining grounded and in balance.


For me, I have found a great love and devotion for the practice of yoga.


YOGA:
Means "union" in sanskrit. That is the union of the mind, body and spirit. The combinations of asanas (poses) with pranayama (breath), so one can practice a moving meditation. I was fortunate enough to discover yoga at an early age (15) but didn't actually understand or gain true benefit from it until I started working for a yoga studio a little over 3 years ago. Ever since, I have been hooked. There is truly nothing better than ending a day completely calm, in balance and feeling alive. And that is what yoga does for me everyime I practice it. Some people who have never done it, do not understand it. It is just one of those things you have to try for yourself. Also some people try it, and get frusterated that they arent as strong or flexible as they'd like to be, so they get insecure, scared away and give up before they have the opportunity to grow at all. Yoga is not about showing off in class, or reaching your leg as high as your neighbor's. It's about doing what feels good for you, and only you.  No one is judging you but yourself.....If you can stick to it, and remain consistent with your practice (sort of like a ritual), the benefits are endless.


I've found that when I practice yoga regularly, I...


a) Grow stronger
b) Gain more flexibility
c) Gain more confidence and belief in myself and the world
d) Eat and live healthier
e) Have less anxiety
f) Get sick less often, and have better digestive health as a whole.
g) Have more awareness
h) Have a more open heart and mind
i)  Develop a closer relationship to the divine + a more spiritual self.
j) Have less fear
k) Am happier :)


There's also always something new to learn everytime you step on the mat. One new thing I learned the other day, is that when meditating, the practice of putting your thumb over your pointer finger, with your three other fingers and palms facing up is to signify the union of the self with the divine. The thumb represents the divine and is placed over the pointer finger, which represents the ego. The divine over the ego brings more awareness to this unity.

Just the other day, I took a delightfully cleansing hot yoga class with one of my favorite teachers. I had had a stressful day at work, was being highly self critical, was full of anxiety, and my body was tight and heavy feeling.


As I made my way from one pose to another, sweat dripping down my face, I remembered my breath. I concentrated on breathing more fully and immediately found it easier to hold each pose. All the worries and self critiscms that had plagued my mind before hand, seemed to disappear without almost any effort. I completley forgot about all the things that had stressed me out before, and I felt lighter, freer and more calm than I had felt in what seemed like years.
My body was no longer tight, and the butterflies of anxiety that flew around my stomach seemed to melt away with each pose. I began to feel an openness unlike any other. All of a sudden, an intense tingling warmth came over me and filled me completely with love. I immediately thought about my family, and how I wanted to share this feeling and experience with them. How through my efforts in yoga, I could somehow manage to pass on the love and positive energy I was creating and experiencing.


I like to set an intention for each time I practice. Every time I step onto the yoga mat, I seek an intention for myself and dedicate the efforts of my practice to someone else who I feel could use the good energy. That day I had dedicated my practice to my parents, who seemed to have been developing a case of the winter blues. I hoped that my efforts would bring them more love, awareness, happiness and most of all, peace.
Within the practice of giving: to ourselves, others and our community, there is always strength to be had.

It is no secret that many actors and artists practice yoga not only for their own sanity, but for their art's. To be open, grounded, more aware and connected can only help produce better art. :)


What keeps you well balanced and grounded?

Compulsive Art

There is really nothing more invigorating than a piece of theatre that makes you think, question, or that pushes the boundaries. That's why I love The Public Theatre. I have never seen a play there I didn't like (knock on wood), and almost every single play they produce has some kind of political message.


A few nights ago, I had the great pleasure of seeing "Compulsion" at The Public's Martinson Hall Theater on it's 2nd night of previews. I saw it with a good friend of mine who supports New York theatre with the same kind of passion that I do. Now, let me say a few words about my good friend, whom we will call "Bobby" for privacy purposes.


[Bobby and I have been friends for going on 16 years. We first met back in the summer of god knows what year in the 90's and have remained good friends ever since. I'll never forget the first play we did together. It was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He played Charlie and I played Violet. Then it was him and I playing opposite in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe as Edmund and Lucy....Years later we worked in one of the most challenging and most rewarding roles I've ever acted in as husband and wife in Desire under the Elms, and next played Morales and Paul in A Chorus Line. Just this past summer he also assistant directed and staged managed a one act I directed at The Theatre at St. Clements. I guess you could say, he's my lifelong costar. :)
One reason why I love seeing shows with him, is not only the undaunting passion for theatre we both share, but for the fact he will always give his complete and honest opinion about every production. Sometimes we agree and sometimes we don't, but I always admire and value his opinions and perspectives. Additionally, he can dissect a piece of theatre quicker than a squirrel can crack a nut, and this my friends, is a god given talent that only few are born with. Additionally, he's witty, funny, understands my humor, and knows how to enjoy a good pre show meal, which makes the theatre going experience, that much more enjoyable.  I believe it's very important to selectively choose who you view a play with. It can make or break the experience as a whole.]


Here's one of my favorite pictures of us from a couple years ago, boating in central park.

Now, back to The Public. Their support of new writers and groundbreaking new works is a rare gift in which the world has been given. They are thought provoking, innovative and not afraid to think outside the box.


"Compulsion" was a poignant, beautifully directed and acted show, written by Rinne Croffe, directed by Oskar Eustis, and starring one of my favorite actors of all time, Mandy Patinkin.
It follows the writer, Sid Silverman on a grueling journey of compulsive passion, as he is driven to bring the story of Anne Frank to the heart of millions by promoting the diary's publication and in writing a stage adaptation of her book. However, one obstacle after another get's in Sid's way of achieving these goals, and he spends countless years of his life fighting to bring his desires and Anne's book justice.
 'Compulsion' questions the importance of morality, and how far a man is willing to go for the love of his work. His life's work became Anne's story, and his need to bring it to life, from his point of view. He eventually strove to be a 'better writer than Anne' and eventually took his obsession too far, burning his reputation and putting aside his wife and children.


Mandy's costar is a beautifully made, elegant, and grim looking puppet of Anne Frank's 'ghost.' The beginning of the play starts off with Sid writing, as Anne comes alive in his imagination. It is truly one of the most touching opening scene's of a play I've ever seen....But what start's out as an innocent love for a deceased child and a compelling piece of literature, soon begins to threaten his life and his family's. Without giving too much away, let me just say that it was most interesting and heartbreaking to watch the journey and progression of this man. How he started off so loving, but became so compulsively obsessed with Anne and her book that it drove him mad. If there is any character I sympathized for the most, it was his poor wife. She supported him through it all, and sacrificed her wants and needs to make him happy. However, blinded by his obsessions, Sid couldn't see past his own compulsive nature to acknowledge the love of his life right there in front of him. It wasn't until he almost lost her completely that he began to realize what really mattered in life.


Why is it that people take advantage of those they love the most, when they are the ones who should be showered with the most love and affection? Why does something life threatening and dire have to happen in order for people to wake up and see the truth. Sometimes, it's too late, but Sid had a second chance. Not everyone gets second chances. I know too many people who take advantage of the one's they love. I see it with my family and with my friend's....It's piece's of theatre like this, that can help clear away some of the blindness. If only everyone could be affected by theatre in that way. I suppose one of my own goal's in life, is to create theatre that will help cure the universal blindness of the world...but for now, I hope we can all concentrate better on embracing those we love before it's too late.


There was a part of me that empathized with and understood Sid's point of view, however. To love something so much you would die for it. To have so much ambition and determination and heart that other things in life become less important. However, no one understand's it except for you, and you feel completely alone in this passion. There were elements of comparrison I also found between Sid's character and George's from 'Sunday in the Park with George.' Mandy originated the role of George in 1985, when it opened on Broadway. A beautiful musical masterpiece by Stephen Sondheim, 'Sunday' tells the story of George Seurat, an innovative painter who becomes so obsessed with his art, that he loses the one he loves. However, what most don't realize is that George never created a separation between the two, and his love (Dot) was always present in his art and vice versa. Life and art were completely fused as one. It analyzes that eternally reknowned quote by Oscar Wilde, ''Life imitates art far more than art imitates life." Although Sid's character is much more extreme than George's. Seeing Mandy in this role, I couldn't help but see some similarities. My favorite Stephen Sondheim song, 'Finishing the Hat' depicts life as art and vice versa quite beautifully. Here, it is sung by Daniel Evans who played George in the most recent revival at Studio 54.

All in all, this play could not have been as effective as it was without Mandy's performance. His ability to completely lose and immerse himself in a character is pure magic. He is incredibly moving, and I couldn't imagine anyone else as Sid. Also, I cannot leave you without also noting Hannah Cabell's performance. Her ability to dissapear into two completely different roles almost simultaneously is utterly flawless.


Please go see 'Compulsion'. You will not regret it!
http://www.publictheater.org/component/option,com_shows/task,view/Itemid,141/id,1023

And that's good, isn't it?

Over the course of the last 5 days, I've had an assortment of theatre forced upon me.....No just kidding ....It was completely willing ;)


First, let me flash back to Sunday afternoon. Now mostly every Sunday, I spend 12 hours a day starting at 8:30am sitting at a desk, checking people into yoga classes, and organizing our boutique's ....Now, while I love working at the yoga studio, and the peaceful energy that is exonerated as I watch each Upper East Sider exit the classroom, sweat pouring down their faces, anxieties ridden, freer and happier......I managed to win one free ticket to Chicago on Broadway for that afternoon, and couldn't have been more excited to dedicate that Sunday to one of my favorite Broadway shows of all time instead....

So, back in December, I entered a contest on Chicago's facebook page to win a free ticket to one specific performance, in which they had generated  the audience to consist entirely of facebook fans. They called this Chicago's Fan Day. Each audience member had won their ticket, by getting 10 of their facebook friends to 'like' their page. Doesn't sound too hard right? Well, I was determined to win, and yup: I was that girl. The one who updated her status every 10 minutes in order to get people to 'like' Chicago. I couldn't resist the effort in trying. I mean, a free ticket to Broadway? You don't have to ask me twice, especially since my 'starving actor' status is in full swing.

I arrived at 49th and Broadway an hour and a half before curtain and waited in line in the cold about a half a block away from the theatre. Although people were shoving their way through the line to cross the street, us Chicago fans were too busy anxiously awaiting our entry. Waiting in line usually bores me to tears, want to rip my hair out and take up smoking. However, this time, college aged girls dressed in red tights, fancy heels and Fosse hats danced their way from one end of the line to the other passing out slices of pizza, hot dogs, cups of hot coffee and cocoa, and delicious Chicago themed cupcakes. What's not to love? I took advantage of this fully, especially since it was free and I had been PMSing for about a week. Thank God for baked goods. :)
Meanwhile, other Chicago Reps made their way through the line with fun trivia questions offering prizes such as signed posters, Cd's and other Chicago paraphernalia. Unfortunately I did not win anything, but I did meet an eccentric man named Tony.....but get this: his job is that he's a "nominator". Meaning he gets paid by the American Theatre Wing to go see shows and nominate the one's he likes for Tony Awards. Now, as I am clearly one to believe in fate and happenstance, I found it quite uncanny I would meet a man named "Tony" who happens to be a "Nominator". Get it?....Tony Nominator.....Perhaps this is a premonition for my future?...I sure hope so.

Finally we made it inside the theatre. Dressed with red velvet curtains and seats and outlined by a luminescent gold trim, I couldn't help but feel right at home.
Seth Rudetsky was our host, and the show opened with a hilarious introduction to Broadway's first ever Internet crazed audience filled production. Although the whole thing sounds pretty corny to begin with, I am proud to include myself in this lunacy if I have a chance to experience live theatre. To me, there is really nothing better. While more trivia games and random seat number drawings produced dinner gift certificates and hotel stays for two for several lucky winners, I became more focused on Karen Ziemba sitting at the end of my row, and Chita Rivera a few rows down.
Not only was the audience made up of Chicago's most loyal facebook fans,  but the theatre harbored many of Chicago's most famous faces who originated roles, or left impressionable tony nominated performances for the world to admire. Well this day just got a whole lot better....

As the curtain rose, a gorgeous tall lanky broad, wearing half a shirt and fishnet stockings welcomed us to the performance. I looked forward to escaping for the next 2 hours to this imaginary, delicious musical world. 

The funny thing is, I had never actually seen Chicago performed live in its entirety before this day. I grew up listening to the soundtrack and singing the songs. I've watched countless renditions of Cell Block Tango performed at every school share day, among countless YouTube video's and Fosse documentaries. Accompanied by the fact, I had the great honor of studying for several years, and being directed by one of Chicago's  orginally revived cast members, who performed with and understudied Chita as the murderous villain, Velma Kelly. Not only did she teach us the original choreography to 'All that Jazz,' but I had the great pleasure of being directed by her in 'A Chorus Line' in my most favorite role to date: Diana Morales. All our choreography from A Chorus Line was  also the original Broadway choreography as well, as my director was also in the original 1975 cast as Donna Mckechnie's understudy. I will forever be grateful for her influence, knowledge and talent. She always pushed us to be better performers, and what's more of  a motivator than her own stories of how Fosse himself molded her into the triple threat performer she too dared all of us to be.

As I daydreamed about my days in school and learning from a Fosse protege, silence emerged and the orchestra set the stage for the first act. Soon I became sucked into an incredible performance filled with wit, sass, sex, murder and most importantly, strong female characters who come out on top. Now, THAT is my kind of musical. ;)

Intermission came and went. But not before I scurried to the bathroom to relieve myself before Act II. There I was at the sink, touching up my bright red lipstick to get back in the spirit, and fuel my feminism, when I look up to see Chita grabbing paper towels. Well, I couldn't help but introduce myself and boost her ego a bit by expressing my undying love and gratitude for the legendary performances she had once given. Chita was very gracious, asked me my name and thanked me for my kind words, then slipped back to her seat in her all white pant suit as if almost unnoticed...

The rest of the performance was certainly magical. I always have my criticisms, but today, I let myself be that tourist who falls in love with Broadway all over again....

Not only was Chicago revolutionary for it's time and for women, but its become one of the most famous musicals ever produced on Broadway. At some point, I'll have to write about the time I met John Kander unexpectedly and had his drivers license in my possession for 2 solid hours....But that's another story....... ;)

I find it's important to always give time to the things and people that inspire us. While it's essential to work and make money and survive, nothing fuels me more than the opportunity to be inspired. Once in awhile we all need to be inspired, so we can carry on with our lives more willing to love and inspire others. And that's the ever evolving  effect of universal theatre. It's a unique oil painting that's different everytime, and while people can type numbers into a computer, or watch movies on a screen, live theatre, is and forever will be a true HUMAN experience.

I leave you with one of my favorite numbers from the show. Enjoy!!

A History of the Moirae:

I've aways been one to believe in fate. Fate or destiny, rather. They say everything happens for a reason, and I've come across a wide array of experiences that could only occur due to the plain and simple fact that it was supposed to happen. Now, don't get me wrong, I believe we humans have the ability to control our own fate, depending on the choices we make. However, these choices mark what inevitability is the destiny that God (or whatever higher power you believe in) has designed for us.


A few years back when I was in college, I had the great opportunity of studying ancient Greek theatre and classicism in the beauteous Greece itself. It was a great adventure, as we traveled by bus and boat from one ancient ruin to the next. Collecting artifacts and random bouts of knowledge, that any true theatrical artist would dream of acquiring. One of our professors who led us on this epic journey, happened to speak ancient Greek: a long forgotten language that was rarely used by many of Greece's native inhabitants. This became quite an advantage as he translated carved out sayings from ruin's in Olympia, or depicted the meaning of fragmented phrases located on archaeological sites in Delphi. As I learned of the Delphic Oracle, the history of the acropolis and the formation of the Theatre of Epidarus. Discovered the meaning of Greek Mythology to its people: the stories of Apollo and Athena, Dionysus and Aphrodite, to exploring the Tomb of Clytemnestra outside the Citadel of Mycenae, I discovered my love for Hellenistic Civilization and its impact on the world of theatre and art today.


I specifically remember one day that we explored the Minoan site at Knossos in Crete. It was the hottest day I've ever experienced. The sun was burning down on us, as we all tried to engage ourselves in this rich historic palace, and ignore the bullets dripping down our foreheads. As we walked through the now restored Labyrinth, I discovered a mosaic of what is most commonly known as 'The Fates,' The Greeks call them 'The Moirae', and in Roman Mythology they are referred to as 'The Parcae.'  I quickly became intrigued by this depiction of these three powerful women and their folklore.
As explained to us by our tour guide at the time, and better explained later by my professor, here's a little history of The Moirae:


The Moirae:


"Were the white-robed personifications of destiny. Their number became fixed at three.
The Greek word moira (μοῖρα) literally means a part or portion, and by extension one's portion in life or destiny. They controlled the metaphorical thread of life of every mortal from birth to death. Even the gods feared the Moirae. Zeus also was subject to their power, the Pythian priestess at Delphi once admitted." Klotho, whose name meant 'Spinner', spinned the thread of life. Lakhesis, whose name meant 'Apportioner of Lots'--being derived from a word meaning to receive by lot, measured the thread of life. Atropos whose name meant 'She who cannot be turned', cut the thread of life.
In their mythology: " The Moirae were supposed to appear three nights after a child's birth to determine the course of its life. The Greeks variously claimed that they were the daughters of Zeus, but this was just a speculation. In earlier times they were represented as only a few – perhaps only one – individual goddess. Homer's 'Iiliad'speaks generally of the Moera, who spins the thread of life for men at their birth.
The Moirae were usually described as cold, remorseless and unfeeling, and depicted as old crones or hags. The independent spinster has always inspired fear rather than matrimony: However, despite their forbidding reputation, Moirae could be placated as goddesses. Brides in Athens offered them locks of hair and women swore by them. They may have originated as birth-goddesses and only later acquired their reputation as the agents of destiny."

You can find more information about the Moirae at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moirae, (my current resource for description.)

So how do the Moirae fit into my life and this blog?

 I was completely inspired by the story of The Fates, and believe that perhaps they have something to do with my own destiny.

Over the course of the last 24 years of my life, I've had the opportunity to experience some really amazing things, and meet some incredible people. All of which, have loomed only as an outgrowth of happenstance. Many of these people I've met and experiences I've had have occurred in the theatre and entertainment world, coincidentally due to chance. I believe my passion for the arts have played a huge role in these happenstances, and that the path I've been working to create for myself, has garnished the way for the Moirae to lead me to my destiny.

So sit back, relax and join me in my recordings of daily events, incidences, chance meetings, memories revisited, theatrical reviews, and current creative pursuits. Please feel free to comment and share some of your own happenstances.

Until then, check out some of these amazing depictions of "The Moirae," including my personal favorite, William- Adolf Bouguereau’s, ‘Orestes Pursured by The Furies.’