Get Inspired

One of the biggest things for me as an Actor is making sure I get my fill of Inspiration.  Sometimes when I'm down and out I start feeling like, "What's the point?" "Why do I do this?" "This monologue is lame, no one does these anymore." It always shifts when I go see something that inspires me.  It's either some amazing theatre, great episode of my favorite show or that movie I never wanted to see, but got dragged to and ended up LOVING!

Right now the Fringe Festival Circuit is kicking off and if you have one of these near by just GO!  If you don't know what Fringe Theatre is here's some info: Fringe Festivals are focused on performing arts of all types, a performing-arts smorgasbord if you will.  These show are uncensored, original or shows that you normally wouldn't see on a regular basis.  At the Fringe Festival you will see some amazing theatre, some terrible theatre and some just out there theatre and will get inspired.  These people are performers because they love it.  Here in Orlando (leaving in 15 days) we have the Orlando International Fringe Festival.  If you're an actor in the area and have never heard of it...tsk tsk shame on you.  Come get educated and inspired.  

I have been apart of Orlando's International Fringe Festival for a few years doing shows like Reefer Madness The Musical, The Lighter-side of Suicide, Debbie Does Dallas The Musical & The Booyah.  2 Originals and 2 you would most-likely never see anywhere else.  The Fringe Festival is always a blast to do and the people that you will meet from all over the world are amazing.  They come and perform to share their passion with anyone who will watch, learn and listen.

Now, for those of you not in the Orlando area you may have a Fringe Festival right around the corner and not even know!  You can check out the United States Association of Fringe Festivals for a list of those around the country.  Not from the U.S.? No problem.  Canada I've got you covered. Canada is home to some of the LARGEST and also some of the best festivals.  Feeling adventurous?  Head to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival,  The FIRST and LARGEST Festival in the world.

Now there's a little bit of my Actor Inspiration, I'd love to hear about yours!

Me trying on a Citizen of Oz Jacket Backstage at Wicked!
INSPIRED

Learning from those who know more than you do

I find reading advice and information from those in the business helps me, my ideas and giving myself realistic expectations.  Also learning the ins and out of the business from those already in it is priceless.  Going into this thing with star's in my eyes and rose colored glasses is the wrong approach.  The most important is understanding that I am a product.  I need to know how my future Agent can best sell me so I can sell myself to them and Casting Agents.  Understanding that some of the parts I would love to do or even the shows I would love to be on I never will be because I do not fit the need.

Jenna Fischer (Pam - The Office) wrote a GREAT Blog about her career and how it happened and I found it enlightening.

There is a great column on Actors Access by Bonnie Gillespie.  She covers everything you need to know and then some.  There are a bazillion articles so be prepared to take it in slowly.  I feel a cliff notes version of some of these articles you will find in her book 'Self Management For Actors'.

"I fully expected to be working in movies within a year of moving to LA.  That was not my reality and it is not the reality of most people who move to LA to pursue acting.  It can take a very, very, very long time to succeed in this business and my best piece of advice is not to give up." - Jenna Fischer

"Living my dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs." - Bonnie Gillespie

"Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny."

I had an inkling today to start a new blog.  A blog for me to write down all my future adventures towards becoming an Actress.  This is my crazy adventure into the unknown and who knows maybe someone will read it and be inspired or warned or just make fun of my terrible grammar and writing skills.

I guess the best place to start is the beginning.  When I was 6 years old I lucked out and got to be part of a National Commercial for a new brand of Tissues coming out, Puff's Plus.  I was the correct age range and just so happened to have a cold when the representative randomly called my house.  Little did I know that, that commercial would help me by pass a huge obstacle in my future career I didn't even know I wanted yet.  Getting my SAG Card, but we'll get to that.

When I was 10 years old my family moved to Virginia and I met my friend Helen (Girl on the Right, I'm in the center).  Helen helped opened up a different world for me.  We were silly girls singing and dancing together and without really even knowing it we started our performing career in her living room.  At 15 and 16, Helen and I moved to Florida to pursue a professional singing career.

The Group went through a few different band-mates and a couple of different names, but for 5 years it was an AMAZING blur!  We performed all over Central Florida, Headlined at the House of Blues, were a local news story, worked with some wonderful producers and even met and hung out with our biggest crushes at the time, the Backstreet Boys.  After that 5 year blur came to an end, we all parted career ways and I was left at 20 trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.  I tried the solo thing, I even changed my name.  I hated it, I didn't enjoy the solo attention, I lacked confidence, I just wasn't ready to take on that world alone.  

One day my mother suggested that I go try out for a musical that was happening near by and my first thought was, "A musical?  Like Grease or something?"  My parents finally convinced me and I went and auditioned for the first musical I was ever in, The Pirates of Penzance.  From that moment on I was hooked!  I get to sing, I get to tell a fun story and I'm not ALONE!  From there I just kept doing things locally until one day I decided that it's what I wanted to do as a career.  Whether it was theatre, musical theatre, straight acting, T.V., Movie's I didn't care.  I just wanted to be happy and love what I was doing.  There isn't a moment when I'm on stage or filming something that I think, ugh when can I go home and watch T.V.?  That's my happy, that's what I want with my life.

So at 21 I decided I was going to move to LA with my brother, Paul, and best friend, Lindsey.  Whew..that I wouldn't call a mistake, but it just wasn't my time.  I felt overwhelmed.  It was my first time living away from home, I had just fallen in love for the first time and left him in Florida, every audition I went on (which was all theatre at the time) I felt out of my league.  Everyone had either gone to school for acting or had a resume a mile long.  How was I going to compete?  I chose stability and making money over the flexible job that would allow me to do what I said I had wanted.  After a year I chose to come back home to Florida and figure it out.  This decision didn't make Lindsey or my brother very happy, but I had to do it for me.

The decision to come back to Florida, in hindsight, I can say was a GREAT decision.  I picked up a new skill - Professional FX/Beauty/Film/Photography Makeup Artist, my resume now speaks for itself and I found a love for film acting.  I've gotten experience in front of a camera, taken classes that have changed my world and have worked with amazing people that I have learned so much from.  Working with others that are better than yourself is a priceless education.  I can also say that my confidence in my abilities has definitely improved as well.

So now, 6 years later, I have made the decision to move back to The City of Angels and give it a real go.  I am looking at this as a life and career move.  You can't progress further than the limits of where you live.  I feel I have hit those limits here and now it's time to go to the bigger pond.  Hopefully I will have some fun and exiting things to Blog about as I continue this Adventure on May 28 when I start my drive across the country!

"It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes and leap."