Developments

Ok, many things have been occurring and I've yet to tell you about any of them... apologies!

I'm going to start with the most recent and work my way backwards...

Last night, I participated in an intensive with an associate casting director for ABC through the Actor's Green Room. Now, let me explain that sentence, as many of you may already be lost. An intensive is a couple hours one night that we (paying actors) get one-on-one time with a professional in the industry reading sides (a scene from a script) and then get feedback and critique. The purpose of these intensives is to allow unknowns, like myself, a chance to show my ability cause at this point in my career I'm probably not going to be seen by them otherwise! Ha! Humility is the key to contentment!

Anyway, the Actor's Green Room is one of many networking establishments in the City (and for my money, the best) who bring the unknown actors together with the casting directors and provide the space and opportunity to connect and work together. The ideal outcome would be for the CD last night to think I was so brilliant that she might call me in for a real audition for pilot season coming up! Oh geez, I just introduced a new term, didn't I?

Pilot Season- 20+ new shows are cast and filmed and presented to the networks to possibly get funded and then put on the air and shown in your home on your TV once a week!

SO- all that to say, I prepared a scene provided by AGR from scripts that were either recently developed or are in development and we bring it in to read for the CD. The set-up was unique in that the waiting room had a monitor showing the person in the room being filmed with audio and everything. So we were all kinda listening in on their audition. I actually loved the set-up because when I was in the room it was just me, the reader, the CD and the camera woman, but while I was waiting I could hear how the CD talked to the other actors, how their voice came across, what was missing in their performance and I just enjoy watching other people work. Now, whether or not that affected my performance, I don't know BUT I went in to read, I did my scene and I felt good about it. The CD told me she had no adjustments, I did a great job listening and reacting, she would send that copy straight to the director!

Now, before I went to the workshop I spoke with an independent filmmaker who I recently took a class with that spanned 3 weeks, meeting once a week. It's design was to simulate working on a film set. First, an audition with just the director. Second, first read-thru with the other actor and director. Third, off-book with blocking and filming the scene. Our conversation last night was a follow-up on the class and to answer any questions I'd had. He was extremely encouraging and he had tried to get me in for an audition for his latest project, but my darn schedule didn't allow it. He assured me 2012 will be a busy year, so he'd keep me in mind for projects. I'd absolutely love to work with him. He's so focused and encouraging and I feel confident under his direction, which is such a huge gift for an actor!

Also, I've been involved with a developing play that should be going up on stage maybe early next year, which has earned me a bit of $$. Now, its not a ton, but its so satisfying when you receive a bit of monetary encouragement for your life's pursuit. And I have a possible second project coming my way for the stage very soon! All good things!

The best recent occurrence, I don't actually want to post but please ask me about it sometime because it may be one of the best small world stories I've personally encountered!

Do you ever feel like you're on a path with absolutely no idea where it leads but you're sure you're heading in the right direction?

A Family Reunion... of sorts

I'm not gonna lie... I was muy nervosa going in to this evening. First class studying with Wynn Handman. Can I tell you, I felt like I was at a family reunion (hence the title).

Arriving early-- clear sign of a newbie-- I made my way to a safe center seat on the center row, and observed the room. Within moments I was engaged in conversation with several folks around me and moments later I found myself being hugged. True, I had met the person whose arms were around my neck. I must explain the fun, roundabout way I know Dain...

Working as a barista in the fine neighborhood of TriBeCa, I came to know many of the locals. One being a fellow by the name of Paul. Now, Paul would begrudgingly admit that he is well-known around the neighborhood because of his dog Hubert. This animal is large enough to ride weighing in at 110 lbs. So anyway, I know Paul. We talk theatre, film, books and have become good friends. One of Paul's favorite topics is his daughter, Dain. As all fathers do, he raves about her and constantly gives me updates on her acting career-- by the way, I saw her work tonight, and she is truly talented. No nepotism there! So, I remember he'd mentioned she was studying with Wynn and so when I got accepted to study with him as well, he told her and thus I had a friend Day 1!

But back to the class, its just so wonderful to be in an environment that is insanely supportive, nerves are high because everyone wants to do good work, Wynn is like Papa Bear. I mean, I sneezed at one point and 8 people blessed me! I love actors. Its definitely going to be a good place to grow from! Absolutely worth the investment!

"Venus In Fur"

A new play by David Ives, who is now officially my favorite modern playwright. This play had a successful Off-Broadway run at Classic Stage Company and has now arrived on Broadway. And thanks to Manhattan Theatre Club's 30 Under 30 program, I am able to see this show for an affordable price!

Now, I have been anticipating this show for quite some time! Basically since it's run Off-Broadway, which I regrettably never made it out to! However, this play... I don't even know where to start.

First of all, Ives has such an incredible ability to write with a rhythm that makes his work flow so well. This play is a dance of power. Man! I wish I'd said that in the post-show interview I did! Ha! Yep, after the show tonight, there was a 30 Under 30 party in the lounge downstairs. I did absolutely no mingling, I just chatted with my friend wonderful friend Mel the entire time! Who is incredibly inspiring and was just as moved as I was about this crazy-good play! But we were then interviewed about the play. I was a bit of a bumbling mess and have, of course, come up with many clever and profound things since that I should have said, but whatever! AND I said my age on camera! Actresses are never supposed to do that! Ugh!

Anyway, this play is a woman auditioning for a part in a play. There are many funny theatre/audition references in the play, which makes it extra enjoyable! And Nina Arianda rushes onto the stage with such energy and force that you just let her lead the night. Its either that or get left in the dust! Hugh Dancy plays an excellent counterpart, as the director she's auditioning for, but the show is designed to star her! Its such an exceptional piece with such room to play, I imagine the rehearsal process was extremely inventive and exciting!

If you're in NY, coming to NY, or have ever thought about maybe taking a trip... see this show!!!

11-11-11

Initially this post was going to be regaling my adventure at the NYC Marathon this past Sunday, which was amazing, by the way. So much emotion, so much life, so many smelly bodies running by, as I desperately searched in vain, for my friend among the 47,000+ runners!

However, I cannot let this fun date pass by without some acknowledgement.

Nov. 11th, 2011- if only I'd written this at 11:11 this morning... drat!

As stated in previous posts, the beginning of this month brought about many new things, but since we're now at day 11 of this 11th month, things have settled down. The holidays are approaching and for the 11th Thanksgiving in a row, I will be absent from my family's table. Not to worry, I have multiple invites to orphan's Thanksgivings around the City AND all the holiday markets are going up all over Manhattan, which justifies the Christmas lights I've recently hung in my new apartment!

Glad to see no Y2K craze happened surrounding 11-11-11, but then again the imminent 2012 is nearly here so I guess the world will end then! Until that time... Happy 11 day!

OCTOBER

So I thought maybe I was so eloquent in my last post that it might sustain for the entirety of the month! A little audacious? Hmmm, ok how about I wanted to let the memory of my grandmother linger and honor her by not writing during the whole month of October? You're not buying it are you?

Well, truth be told, I have been insanely busy and with acting work as well as "work" work. Quick update on the money-side of work... I started as a Front Desk Concierge at The Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca. Yes, right next to (actually attached to) the restaurant I recently retired from, Locanda Verde. I actually LOVE the job. I get to plan people's vacation and help them get the best NYC experience, which sounds incredibly cheesy, but its so fun! Plus, I'm learning a lot about the City and using my title as Concierge to try some local restaurants at a much discounted rate. Quite nice, I think!

On the acting side of life, lots and lots of auditions. I've booked a couple things and had to decline because I just started this job at the hotel and right now I need $$ over small credits for the rez! I just did a reading of a fabulous new play! For the first time in my acting life, I picked up a brand new piece of material no one had seen before and read it and felt so excited by the potential of the piece. Its hard to describe, but imagine you've just discovered an amazing recipe or song or game or book or movie and you just can't get enough and keep finding more and more things about it that pull you in deeper! That's what its like discovering these characters and their story! Rare and so fun! Also, I recently got into a selective acting class with a fellow by the name of Wynn Handman! Very excited about this one! He's been teaching forever and I know its going to make me a better actor. I'm pretty intimidated but in the inspired way not the scared way!

The biggest news of all is that I'm moving into my 5th apartment tomorrow! Hopefully this will be the last move for a while. I have a very good feeling about this and the way everything fell into place, it really was a NY miracle with Divine intervention! Thank you all for your prayers! I'm hiring movers for the first time ever tomorrow, so that should be interesting! I'm a real New Yorker now! Maybe I'll settle a bit after this and write a little more frequently... maybe!

Pamelia Wheeler Spell

My dear, sweet Grandmother was the epitome of Southern gentility with a generous helping of playfulness and a heaping dose of humility, topped off with a kind smile that comes from the heart. And like every woman born in the South, she could cook with the best of them, but her favorite was dessert. No meal was complete without dessert. Many times I foolishly ate too much of the insisted second or third helpings of a meal, only to be greeted with a bowl of ice cream and a cookie or two for the finale!

An April baby, like myself, she bounced around in the early years, but settled in Jackson, MS in 1945. There she found 'Jimmy', her high school sweetheart. They would write back and forth while he attended West Point Military Academy and she Sullins College then Univ. of Florida. Luckily, Jimmy was a good writer with excellent penmanship and won her for his bride. He still writes beautifully!

After some time in the Army overseas, they settled in Dallas, TX with their two daughters, Melinda and Melissa. In 1967, a beautiful house became their home and they haven't left. The backyard now displays a beautiful Magnolia tree that provides shade and several branches excellent for climbing, but it was a mere sapling when they first moved in. This house holds so many memories within it's walls from birthday parties, to drill team try-out practice, to first dates, to Christmas with grandkids, to puzzle building, to dress-up, to mac-and-cheese with ham, to CareBears and Go Fish.

On September 19th, 2011 Pamelia Wheeler Spell met her Lord, leaving the place she'd called home for almost 45 years and finding a new home. Her last word heard by her daughter Melissa was "Wow!" I can only imagine what image she must've seen as she left this life. She was a person of deep faith in God and sincere devotion. I will miss her so very much, but I am incredibly grateful for the time I did spend with her and the many memories I will continue to cherish!

9/11

Ten years ago, I found myself in the weight room completing a morning work-out class, required for all freshman basketball players. We'd fulfilled the grueling morning conditioning and quietly moved around the empty weight room. In the corner television I caught a glimpse of the World Trade Center with smoke pouring out of the side. One month before, my mother treated me to a vacation to the destination of my choosing for graduation and I chose New York City! One of the few places in this world that lived up to every expectation I'd ever held. I fell completely in love with the City and longed to return.> Now, I sat stunned watching a building I had stood on top of weeks before, on fire. I thought the building was simply on fire. Tragic, yes but nothing close to the reality that literally came crashing in as the second plane hit the South Tower.

Dismissed from the remainder of the morning workout, I ran back to my dorm and down the hall to my newest best friend on campus. I knocked on her door, walked in and clumsily said, "I think we're being attacked..." As a dutiful freshmen, we still went to our morning classes still not quite sure what to think or do. On the overheard projector, our professor was streaming the news as they covered the events unfolding in New York. Excused from class and informed that all classes that day were suspended, a dozen of us watched, motionless and silent as the towers came crashing down. I'll never forget that day and the flashes of faces I saw in August '01 on the top floors of the observation level at the World Trade Center.

Ten years later, here I am. I've returned to the City that cast it's spell a decade ago. A different City than the one I first met. Milestones allow the opportunity to reflect and few things cause New Yorkers to pause or even slow down, but this event honors the spirit of the City I love. It's a place where a stranger will grab one end of a stroller and help a mother carry her child up the subway stairs and at the top give a quick glance of appreciation and continue on their way. An elderly woman stumbles to the ground and in moments surrounded by 4 people offering their hand, setting her in a nearby chair, making sure she is okay and then proceeding to their business meeting or workout class or lunch appointment. A businessman asked for directions will be concise but precise and helpful. New York will come to your aid because we're on top of each other. To ignore is to neglect. I'm not so romantic about this place that I miss the harshness, but I try to find what is underneath it. My profession requires I study and soak up human behavior and essence- New York overflows with humanity of every kind. Often called the melting pot of the world, I am still deeply in love with this City and grateful for the opportunity to call it home.