Who Doesn't Love...

...Carole Lombard?

(If you don't, please, don't tell me...)

Evolution of a Grab Bag Gift

Last week, I started to paint. Bad idea. At work, we picked names for the grab bag. I didn't want to give the usual (candy, gift card, lotion, &c). I should have! Ha! Late in the game, I decided to paint my person something. The price was at least 15clams. I spent 65 on the supplies! Yikes! AND, on top of that, I DIDN'T even like what I had given=( *brr-brr* I gave it anyway because I didn't Hate it=P Meh...

I should have just left the painting as it was. But, no. I painted over it. And over it. And over it. And over it. And, finally, over it. Yes, folks. There are 5 paintings on top of each other on that canvas for my grab bag person! I took pictures of the first painting, third and final. I would leave the piece and come back hoping that I would like it. Didn't work. Eventually, I had to surrender at around 2.30 the morning that it was due to my supervisor.

My person told me that she had to take a peak at it and she said from what she saw she liked it. So, who knows... I feel like I should get her a consolation gift! *ugh*





To think that if that painting is x-rayed...Ha!

PLAYBILL.COM'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER With Amy Morton

By Robert Simonson
19 December 2007

Meet Chicago actress Amy Morton, who plays a rumbling volcano of a wife-mother-daughter in Broadway's August: Osage County.

*

Much of the pre-opening press about the cast of August: Osage County centered on Deanna Dunagan, who plays Violet, the vicious matriarch of the triple-decker Tracy Letts drama about three dysfunctional generations of a small-town Oklahoma family.

But Amy Morton, who plays Violet's strongest daughter, Barbara, is actually on stage more and tracks the more expansive character arc. Over three and a half hours, we watch her comfort her mother, then challenge her, outright attack her, verge on becoming her and then abandon her altogether, all while putting out sundry immediate and extended familial fires. Barbara is played by Amy Morton, one of the most dominant actresses and directors in her hometown of Chicago, but a talent almost unknown in New York. Morton mustered up the energy to talk to Playbill.com about the show that has been a thrilling and exhausting experience for her.

Playbill.com: Is this the biggest acting assignment you've ever had?
Amy Morton: Uh, yeah, this being a three-act play (Laughs), this is probably the most time I've been on stage.

Playbill.com: Have you ever been in one of Tracy Letts' plays before?
AM: No. I've been in quite a few shows with him as an actor, and I've directed him.

Playbill.com: When you read the play, did it come as a surprise to you, knowing his previous work?
AM: The breadth of it came as a surprise to me, meaning the size. That many characters, that many generations, that big a set, yeah. I had no idea that was what he was working on. It didn't surprise me it was as good as it was.

Playbill.com: Are you from the Midwest?
AM: Yes, I grew up in a suburb of Chicago.

Playbill.com: I grew up in Wisconsin. When I was watching the play, even though the action takes place in Oklahoma, I recognized many of the attitudes of the characters and the family dynamics and behavior. Did any of the writing speak to you of your own experience growing up?
AM: Absolutely. It was interesting. Most of the cast members of this play come from small towns. All of us in the original Chicago production were from the Midwest. In the New York production, all but two are from the Midwest. And it's a very Midwestern tale. (Laughs.) I don't mean because it's got sensationalism or any of that stuff — the huge surprises you find in the play. I think it's stoicism, its pent-up pain — it's certainly Midwestern.

Playbill.com: Letts has mentioned quite a lot that the character of Violet is based on his own grandmother. Has he said that your character is based on anyone in particular?
AM: I think my character is an amalgamation of a few people in his family, but not specifically just one.

Playbill.com: Your character has an incredible arc in the play. What was the hardest part of achieving that journey?
AM: Stamina. Building up the stamina. Physical and emotional. It's a long haul and it's a tough uphill slog. It takes a while for your emotional muscle and your physical muscle to be able to withstand the whole three hours and 20 minutes. I remember during the previews in Chicago thinking, "Oh my God, it's the third act and I can't act anymore."

Playbill.com: You were out of acting!
AM: That took a little while. But the great thing about the play is it doesn't require a lot a preparation, emotionally or anything like that. It's written so well, you just get on the ride and there it goes.

Playbill.com: What's the most difficult scene for you?
AM: No particular scene. It's jumping up and yelling as much as I do. You see, your body doesn't know you're lying. At the end of the show, the next day you wake up and feel a little bit like a cripple, because as far as your body's concerned, it thinks you're in trauma eight times a week. So, I'm sure the show has taken a number of years off my life, but that's OK.

Playbill.com: Is there a scene in the play that is the most fun for you?
AM: Well, certainly the scene where I say, "Eat your fish, bitch!" That's a fun scene. I get to get away with murder. It's just fun.

Playbill.com: Do you take your days pretty easy to rest up?
AM: Yeah. I really can't do much. It's just too hard to do. I had all these fantasies that "During the day, I'll go to the museum and blah, blah, blah." That's not happened so much.

*

Amy Morton is one ferocious mama. I bet she would eat your eyes if you were a horrible collaborator! (JUST KIDDING) Thank you to Matt who told me to get a ticket to the show when I met up with him to watch Pinter's THE HOMECOMING (great performance by Eve Best).

It's a small world. I know her husband. Matt and I worked with him while we were doing LIFE IS A DREAM at South Coast Rep. He was one of the composers.

For me, there really was no weak link in AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. But, of course, my favorites were the mother (Deanna Dunagan) and the eldest daughter (Amy Morton). Watch out!

I'm so glad that I have more opportunities to see the show. They extended 3 weeks because of the strike. They close on March 9th, I believe.

Get ready to go if you're a friend of mine that lives in NY or that will be visiting before March 9th...!

PS This article came out yesterday the 19th, which--by the buy--was my parents' anniversary. Thirty-one years, folks!

"What Color is a Man?"

Joni Mitchell, ladies and gents. Joni Mitchell:

The Move

Waiting in the airport of JetBlue, trying not to think of my family because I'll have a breakdown, I check my phone, and notice that I missed a phone call from an unfamiliar 646-area code and that there is a voicemail. I listen to the message and it's a director asking me if I could be at his 34th street office to audition for him that afternoon. Uh...obviously, I can't. I'll be on a plane. I give him a ring back and he tells me that if he doesn't find anyone, he'll give me a buzz. I ask him to let me know either way.

Getting ready to board, I squish my way into the crowd (not that bad). I didn't understand what the attendant said about where I should go. I decided to just follow whoever was in front of me and make sure that I stepped into the "Hopelessly Devoted To You"-plane. Honestly, the name of the plane. Yeah, I should have gone the ground-back way and taken the stairs, rather than stay on the platform and take the first set of stairs. I had to walk all the way to the back causing some light traffic. At the end, there was a very nice gentleman that let me go and put my stuff up. Another attendant, a sweet older man, took my duffle bag and put it up in the compartment for me.

The flight was fine. I tried to sleep. Was in and out of it. I took the complimentary snacks (all that I had eaten were those snacks--blue chips, cranberry juice, cookies and water). Went to the bathroom a couple of times. Watched some lousy TV, et cetera, et cetera, and so forth...

I rang my cousin to let him know that I had landed. By the buy...my outfit...I looked like I was going to go riding because I was wearing these boots that one of my best friends let me borrow because she said that I would need some boots. I clunked and clunked as I walked. It was distracting to me but where could I have possbily stuffed those boots? Alright...my cousin told me that he was 10-15 minutes away. I thought, "I have to get my luggage myself?!!" Honestly. That's what I thought. I had 2 big suitcases that I checked in, and my own bag and a duffle that I took on the plane with me. Then, I thought, "My God. I have to get a cart?!" LOL! So, I did and did. I went outside to wait for my cousin. Cold. Real cold. Not the fake California-cold. Please. But, it was quite refreshing. I listened to Nellie McKay on my new (RED) iPod that The 3 bought for me (my brothers). Traffic was horrendous but I got picked up and off we went to Queens, where I would be staying with my cousin, his wife (who is amazing and awesome), they're 5-year-old kid, and his in-laws.

I shacked it up inside the kid's room. Cramped but I was grateful. I had somewhere to sleep! Hello! Living with my cousins is a joy because they offer warmth, homemade food and family=) Not to mention hot water for tea, a working bathroom, the Internet and cable TV. My cousin is a chef and a very good one!

I stayed with them till the first of this month. On the early-evening of the first, I moved in to my apartment in the City. My apartment is weirdly shaped. It's like a hallway. A bit bigger in some areas. I've got a pretty good-sized bedroom. No complaints EXCEPT girls really should be clean! I mean, I had NEVER seen so many dust bunnies on the floor in my life! Not even in the Philippines! I'm still trying to imagine how the girl before me slept in a bed with her headboard and side tables filled with dust. Absolutely disgusting! Even the drawers and the desk were icky-dusty. BUT, I'm thankful that I actually have a place and that I don't have to worry about rent for a couple of months.

My roommate had to go to a party at 8p. I was glad because then I'd have the place to myself and could just unwind and settle-in. I unpacked everything and before putting anything in it's temporary place, I took west paper towels and just wiped away all the dust from the furniture. Yuck! I checked out what kind of cable we had. Uh...NOTHING! What the HELL am I paying for then? And the Internet is a bit shoddy. What the Hey?!! Wasted money. I mean, the cable should have, I think, atleast the Disney Channel and Nickleodeon! Right? Yeah. I think we have TBS, A&E and some NY channels...whatever. Thank God that, "Pushing Daisies," "Ugly Betty," and "Brothers and Sisters," are all on channel 7! Ha! Honestly.

The next day, I was to meet up with one of my best friends. I had to pick her up from her voice lesson on 72nd. Not bad. I found my way=) I took her over to the MET because my cousin's wife told me that I should go there and meet with one of her patients that was going to help me get a job over at the museum! So, I went. What an adventure. There was a mix-up, and I thought the man I was supposed to be speaking with was the man I was supposed to be speaking with! I forced him and tried to convince him that he knew my cousin. He looked at me like I was crazy. I started sweating. Then, right when everything was going to completely go down the drain, the man that I was supposed to meet with came up behind me! Eureka! And, just WHO was I speaking to? Yeah, I was talking to the manager of the Luxury Boutique. Yikes! Well, my cousin's patient cleared it up with his manager and said that he'd just take me up to HR to fill out an application. But, the manager said that he'd give me an application right there and interview me after I finished filling it out. Wow, how easy was that? I hate filling out applications. I used my own pen and it exploded black ink all over the fingers of my left-hand. Oh, well. It took me some time to finish the 2 pages because my hands always shake when I fill those damn things out. I got interviewed and he hired me on the spot. I almost cried. He asked if I had any experience with jewelry and textiles. "Uh, actually, I don't." "That's okay. It doesn't matter." What?! He said that he liked my appearance and said that I was nice. LOL!

That was my 5th day in the City. FIFTH!!!

Oh! I almost forgot...let us backtrack*** The day after I landed, the director wanted me to audition because he needed a last-minute replacement for the SAG actress that he hired. There was some trouble with the Union. I auditioned for him in the lobby of my cousin's apartment and he gave me the role. I thought about it and turned him down a couple hours later because the energy just wasn't there for me. There was something that kept telling me to say, "No." So, I turned it down and decided that I really needed to take care of myself first. It was the best decision!

Alright...on Sunday eve, on the way to Saint Patrick's for the 5.30 mass, I met a guy on the subway. He got off at the same stop just so that he could ask my name. He was coming from church and I was going to. I was late. So, I went to get some coffee with him. He's from South Africa. An investment banker in training. Crazy. Don't worry...I went to church the next day. That was the first time, in a LONG time that I've been to church.

Monday, I went to do paperwork and get my picture taken for my ID at HR. I met another guy. A musician from Maine that has been in the City for 5 months. He's such a cutie!

I started training on Wednesday. Two days of it. It wasn't so bad. I really felt positive and ready to go after Wednesday's training. Then Thursday came and I got scared. My first day was Friday and I did very well. I didn't sweat at all! =) Even with the mistakes I made. Which I can count as having made three, or four.

It's amazing the people that you have the opportunity of meeting. I felt like I was back working in Disneyland, it's just that I have to sell jewelry and sculptures and the like. I hate sales. I don't want to be pushy. I read the person's energy and find a little hole that I can enter in with my, "Good morning (or whatever), if you need anything, just let me know." And then I leave 'em alone.

Well...in between those times that I've written, I've been running mad around the City doing not what you think I would be doing considering that I'm an actress. I was running errands for myself. Shopping for work clothes and shoes (I still have to find some flats and another pair of boots), shopping for things to keep me warm!!!, shopping for food and cleaning supplies, toiletries and blah-blah-blah. Things that I absolutely Need. I've also been back to Queens with my cousins. Spending my Saturdays with them.

So, that's the gist of my first 2 weeks. I wish I could be more specific but in this town, there really isn't time to just sit down and think about doing things. You just gotta Do.

PS I can't believe I'm able to write this long post. I just haven't had the time! So, I hope you enjoy=)

PPS I have been going to bed (on work days) before 10p! Unbelieveable. This from the gal that doesn't sleep till 3 in the morn! D.R.A.I.N.E.D

The Reaction of a Piece of My Artwork from My "Nephew"

First, he gasped and with widended, amazed eyes he exclaimed, "That's AWESOME!"

And, this is the piece in which his amazement could not be contained:
It was one of the greatest reactions I've ever received. He scrolled through all my pieces and he'd say, "I like that one," &c. At others he'd say, "I don't like it." I'd ask him why and he responded with, "Because it's pangit," (which in Tagalog means, "ugly"). Can you say, "WHOOPS!" HAHAHA!

I say he's my "nephew" (with quotations) because he's really not. He's the son of my cousins which would mean that he's my 2nd cousin, right? But, no. In my family tradition, he'd be my nephew=)

What's funny to me is that I don't really like the painting! It's this new style that I started painting in because I just wanted to. Though, the more people have responded to it, I may begin to like it...?

Gig-Time with red shoes on a thuuursday

Hey, hey, hey All!!!

This is the first inaugural theatrical event in the Norma Kershaw Auditorium housed in the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, Ca.

I'm part of it so Come, Watch and Support the Arts!

"Be My [G-D MotherEffing] Friend!!!"

I am high on, "Weeds."

Elizabeth Perkins has always been a favorite of mine. Mary-Louise Parker has been a recent favorite. She often reminds me of one of my good friends. The 2 together are dynamite. Mary-Louise plays Nancy Botwin and Elizabeth Perkins plays Celia Hodes.

I think that everything they touch turns to acting-gold!

Let this video be a warning to my friends...! =P

My New Favorite Show on TV: "Pushing Daisies"

Finally! A show packed with creativity, genunine warmth, charm, fun and eccentricities! Oh! And...LIFE!!! It's like a Technicolor-extravaganza. I mean, the saturation of color is tremendous and bold, and I Love it! On top of the technical aspects of the show...the cast is great and chock-full of Broadway Babies (Swoosie Kurtz, Ellen Greene, Jim Dale, Kristin Chenoweth...). The lead, Lee Pace as Ned, is absolutely likeable and I dig the way he delivers the dialogue. His partner, Chi McBride as Emerson, is equally likeable and quite funny. Anna Friel as Charlotte, aka "Chuck"...now, I did not know that she was in this! I first saw her in, "A Midsummer Night's Dream." She was also in CLOSER with Natasha Richardson, Ciaran Hinds and Rupert Graves. She is so deliciously adorable.

I love the twist to the show with Ned's being able to bring people back to life. The consequence of that power.

It's such a magical show. And, sometimes, we all need some magic in our lives. Good magic. Not that black magic stuff that can get you into trouble!

Here is a big and bold, BRAVO!, to Bryan Fuller, the creator.

The Mad Who Burn-Burn-Burn

Poetry-Time Cafe with red shoes on a thuuursday

PORTRAIT OF A LADY WITH THREE ROSES

© red shoes on a thuuursday
Monday, 17 September 2007 (2.05a)

poem taken down: Sunday, 23 September 2007
by: red shoes on a thuuursday

Currently listening to: Outtasite!

Alice Ripley to Star in Blank Theatre's LITTLE FISH

By: Brian Scott Lipton
June 8, 2007
Los Angeles

Alice Ripley will star in the Blank Theatre Company's production of Michael John LaChiusa's musical Little Fish, October 9-November 18. The show will be directed by Kirsten Sanderson.

The musical, which premiered at New York's Second Stage Theatre, focuses on a group of friends in New York City. Ripley received a Tony Award nomination for Side Show and her other Broadway credits include The Rocky Horror Show and Sunset Boulevard. LaChiusa is the composer-lyricist of such shows as Hello, Again, Hotel C'est L'Amour, First Lady Suite, and The Wild Party.

The Blank's 2007-2008 season will begin with the world premiere of EM Lewis' Heads, directed by Darin Anthony, August 14-September 23. The play tells the story of four civilian American and British hostages in Iraq. In Winter 2008, the Blank will present the world premiere of Dickie & Babe: The Truth About Leopold and Loeb, written and directed by Daniel Henning, the company's artistic director. The play is based entirely on trial transcripts, medical records, and other material relating to the Chicago teenagers who shocked the world in 1924 with the brutal murder of a young boy.

For more information, call 323-661-9827 or visit http://www.theblank.com/.

from: http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/10934

**

**
Alice Ripley was the first performer I ever met. She was such an inspiration to me during my later college years, and her music/recordings that was out at the time (musicals, compilations CDs with Emily Skinner, songs here and there for musical composers, &c) were integral in getting me into the next and last level of acting while I was in school. Atleast, I think so.

I've seen her live a couple of times (theatre shows and concerts), met her backstage, she even recognized me in a bar in Dayton, Ohio(!), when I went on a roadtrip with two friends to NY and made a stop there. I also watched her in master classes. She's a true inspiration!

I met her in LA at the Ahmanson Theatre when she was performing in, THE DEAD. I wrote her a letter and hoped that it would get to her before I went to see her. My best friend came with me. After the show, we headed to the stage door. I was on the verge of tears. I had never "met" anyone before. Then my best friend threatened me and said that he wouldn't take my picture with her if I brokedown. I know, what a jackass, eh? Ha! We waited and waited. Faith Prince came out, Stephen Spinella, my best friend got checked out, &c. Finally, Alice came out in the center of a small group. I heard her voice and looked up. Oh.My.God. I don't think I was breathing. She saw me and asked, "Are you Lovelle?!" What?! How the hell did she know? "Yes!" And I put my arms out and we embraced. "We usually take the other exit in the theatre but I wanted to meet you!" What? Honestly. Wow. She told her husband that I wrote her a lovely letter. Upon hearing that, I told her that "lovely," is my real name. Blah-blah-blah. She and I took a photo together and that was that. Oh! She told me to keep in touch and that if I was ever in NY that I should hit her up. Can you believe that? Wow.

She's an amazing and exciting performer. She's got a solo-album out, "Everything's Fine," and two albums out with her band, Ripley: "Ripley," and "Outtasite." Her music rocks. (If only I knew where to get the lyrics to the last two albums!)

L.A. Run of Jones' BRIDGE & TUNNEL Canceled

(What a damned disappointment! I really wanted to experience the show once again, if possible. I am lucky that I got to see it in NY, though)

from Playbill.com: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/111082.html

By Andrew Gans and Ennio Hernandez
16 Sep 2007

photo by: Brian Michael Thomas

The Los Angeles run of Sarah Jones' Bridge & Tunnel has been canceled, according to Variety.

Jones, who won a Special Tony Award in 2006 for her one-woman show Bridge & Tunnel, was scheduled to play 28 performances at the Brentwood Theatre, Sept. 25-Oct. 21. The trade paper reports that the engagement has been canceled because the show's national tour "failed to materialize"; the Brentwood Theatre was the tour's first destination.

Bridge & Tunnel originally played Off-Broadway beginning Feb. 6, 2004, at the 45 Bleecker Street Theatre. It opened Feb. 19 to positive critical and audience response. Actress Meryl Streep produced that run with The Culture Project, Allan Buchman, Robert Dragotta, Jayson Jackson, Michael Alden, Eric Falkenstein, Marcia Roberts and Tom Wirt Shafter. The solo show recouped its entire investment of $200,000 within seven weeks of the first preview performance.

The Broadway run at the Helen Hayes Theatre began previews Jan. 12, 2006, and opened Jan. 26. The show played 16 previews and 212 performances.

In Bridge & Tunnel, press notes state, "fourteen characters travel the roads of assimilation to tell the story of American change in an ever-changing America. Mohammed, a charismatic Pakistani accountant; Mrs. Ling, the Chinese mother adjusting to her daughter's alternative lifestyle and Nereida, a young Latina with a quick wit and an even faster tongue, are but a few of Jones's gallery of characters. This mix of voices emanates from the reaches of New York's boroughs with origins far beyond the city's limits."

In a previous statement writer and actress Jones said, "Whether we are women or men; older or younger; straight-laced or queer-eyed; whether we pray Saturday, Sunday, everyday or only at football games; whether we're born here or not; barely scraping by or more comfortable than most, we are all much more connected than any of us realize. By neighborhood, by circumstance, by chance and most importantly by our basic human dignity, we are all cosmically, and of course, often comically linked."

Sarah Jones penned and performed Waking the American Dream, Women Can't Wait and Surface Transit. The actress also appeared in the Spike Lee film "Bamboozled," Off-Broadway in Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues and in her own Bravo television special "The Sarah Jones Show." As a poet, Jones has performed on HBO's "Def Poetry Jam."

The Brentwood Theatre is located on the Veterans Administration grounds at 11301 Wilshire Boulevard in Brentwood, CA.

**
Alright...I'm off to an audition...

Poetry-Time Cafe with red shoes on a thuuursday

(as with the first-and last-poem that I posted EDIE, you'll be lucky if you get to read this one as I may take it down...)

It seems like I haven't written a poem in AGES. But, really, I haven't written one since the 15th of last month. It seriously feels like AGES, though. I really don't know why I decided to post this. It's my ennui. Whenever it's present, I feel like sharing personal stuff...

THE WINTER SEA

© red shoes on a thuuursday
Sunday, 16 September 2007 (12.58a)

poem taken down: Saturday, 22 September 2007
by: red shoes on a thuuursday

Musical Stylings with Donna Murphy

Donna Murphy hails from the theatre, and also has a good career as a working actor in TV and film. She is supremely talented and if you can get your hands on the DVD of Stephen Sondheim's PASSION, you will witness the greatness I speak of.

She was on a short-lived series starring Joan Cusack called, "What About Joan?" I never saw the show when it was out. But, I found this clip of Donna's characeter, Ruby, taking a risk and doing which she is afraid of.

My Friend's Entry into Sephora's THAT GAL Contest

Starring: Christine Terrisse
Directed by: red shoes on a thuuursday

It was SWELTERING in my house while we filmed. We also went on LOCATION to downtown disney!!! She came to my house not really caring and procrastinating. I told her that she couldn't just come in and not have a "plan." You've got to be methodical and have some kind of structure. And within that structure she'd be able to play. She got down to business figured out and fine-tuned what she wanted to say, and away we went. By the end, she and I were ladies obsessed, and looking up other entries and watching them on YouTube!!! LOL! There were 2 or 3 of the entries that we really liked which we thought were strong contenders and made us say, "Damn," outloud! Ha!

The limitations of doing a 15-30 second entry was (OF COURSE!) the time! Time constraints are very difficult. Naturally, we chose to use all the 30 seconds. I think it all worked out and you catch her personality. Hopefully, those judging will think so, as well!

What I'm most proud of is that we finished it. She said she wanted to enter this contest and she followed through. Good gal!!!

C'est so Paris!

I found this wonderful site: http://www.cestsoparis.com/language-lab.php?show=street-french-lessons&video=to-leave-a-rabbit

There are 4 videos up on the site. But, I couldn't upload the 3rd one. Which, by the buy, is HI-larious! So, check out the website and click on the video that reads: "To get tackled."

Mm...isn't this a lovely way to learn French slang? Oh-la-la!

Art House Cafe with red shoes on a thuuursday

Some of my pieces. There are pieces out there that I did not take photos of, or forgot, or just didn't think to. If you have any artwork of mine, I'd love to have a photo of it. (More at the end of the entry)

untitled

untitled

untitled

untitled

broken hearted

cordelia

untitled

untitled

make-up project as frida

untitled

untitled

amnesty / compassion

blue sacrifice

grotto prayer

torchsong

girl and hand mirror

lady in sandstorm

untitled (napoleon and horse)

the faceless

through the curtain (for jen-jen)

untitled

grey gardens

for liberty students

for kristin

for AS YOU LIKE IT cast

untitled

for the andreas

for LIFE IS A DREAM cast

untitled

untitled

untitled

untitled

for eva

for serein

I'm working on cataloguing my and building my portfolio of artwork. So, as I said in the beginning, if I have given you a piece of my artwork (be it pastel, sharpie, black ink, black thin-point marker, acrylic, on paper, on canvas, on cardboard, on panel, poetry on acrylic/canvas, &c...), I'd like to ask you to take a photo of it and send it to me. If it's dated, let me know the date, as well (if there is no date on the artwork, if you remember when i gave it to you, that would be rich!!!). Also, if you can give me the dimensions that would be a tremendous help. Thanks!

I Need them before September 19th, 2007. Merci, mes amis...

Salut!

Cecilia Fannon

So, I've bee inspired to take out a journal entry of mine that I wrote about Cecilia last year.

Sunday, 6 August 2006

"I thought I'd be a dancer. But I'm not that good at it. Truly one of the great things to happen to American theater is that I never danced on stage." ~Cecilia Fannon

I wish I had a picture of Cecilia to share. She is a playwright and from what I've heard and researched, a mighty damn good one! She is a small woman; small-boned. If you look at her, she seems very fragile and meek. What makes her a powerhouse, to me, is her quick mind and dry wit, her intelligence and humor. The woman just knows what she's talking about. I'm so intrigued by people's minds. I sometimes feel so inadequate because I feels sometimes my mind is not up to par or whatever. Okay, enough of that! On to Cecilia...I also love when she laughs because it's so contagious! When something absolutely kills her, she turns very red! Cecilia is another woman that I know that is soft-spoken with a great laugh. She prefers to devote her time listening to her students' work rather than following along with the script and being the narrator for the stage directions. She takes careful notes. She knows the questions to ask. At the reading, yesterday morning, she was wearing a soft yellow, cable-knit short-sleeve sweater with (I think) khaki pants. I don't remember the pants. I remember her blouse, though. Because it set off her light red/orange hair. I think the frames of her small glasses also had red in them.

At one point, during the reading, I looked over at her and thought, "I need to paint her something." I already know the colors I'm going to use.

I first met Cecilia earlier this year. I got a ring on my cell from some number I was not familiar with, at all. And it was her asking me if I was available and interested to read a play from a student of hers at SCR. HELLO! Of course! I was ecstatic! I had given her my headshot last year around March because she wanted any of Karen's students that were interested in participating in readings for her playwrighting classes. I never got a response back until that ring on my cell. She said that she was sorry that it took her a year to get back to me. I told her that it was better late than never! HELLO! Seriously. She wanted me to read for her Advanced Playwrighting class, a play by Michael Buss titled, THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF SANJAY GUPTA. I would be playing Sanjay's 17 year old daughter, Millie. A pretty girl. Ha! Cecilia also said that she really liked my headshot. Which totally took me by surprise. "I really do like your headshot. And I'm VERY picky about headshots. Yours is a good one." And that was that. That began my association with Cecilia.

The reading was pure joy. We all had so much fun up there with each other. Michael said that he wanted us to get up and move around and be free. We didn't have to stay in our seats. We took total advantage of that direction and we all flew!

I was also involved in another reading for her student, Scott Samson. I was a last minute replacement. Karen was in charge of finding a person to fill in that day since Cecilia was in NY at the time.

The play was titled, REALLY USEFUL PEOPLE. And I played about 5 characters in that piece; ranging from a Louisiana torch singer to Liz Taylor in, "Suddenly, Last Summer," from a black Starbucks employee to a newscaster. Seriously. It was great! Though, I got my script a few minutes before the reading and did not have time to go over it. I went into the bathroom with the script and started to thumb threw it. Karen had highlighted all the parts I was to play. So, I came upon a couple of sections that were italicized. Yeah. Yyyeah. I had to ... wait for it ... SING! Yes. I had to SANG!!! What?!!! I was crazy! Karen came in at that moment and I said to her, "Karen...I have to sing..."

"Yeah."

"Karen. You've never heard me sing."

"You'll be great."

And she rushed out of the bathroom! Mm. Mm. Mm. No, she didn't. Yes, she did. She SURE did. I mean, I had NO time to be nervous. Man! I had to sing, "Stormy Weather," and two other songs. One of the other songs went like this: "This will be/An everlasting love..." Makes me think of Natasha Richardson in THE PARENT TRAP because that song was part of their soundtrack. Anywho...I just went for it. On EVERYTHING. I had fun. I was free. It was great! Wonderful time!!!

After both readings, Cecilia had emailed me, thanking me for participating. Please. She doesn't have to thank me. I'm so grateful that she thinks of me every now and then and wants me to be involved. I want her to use me! She was sad that she wasn't able to be there for the second reading. But, I believe, she had a funeral to go to. She's a New Yorker. And she wrote to me, "No doubt you were wonderful..." I mean...stuff like that makes me feel good because it's from people that know my work first. She is someone that I do respect. I remember Karen coming up to me the last day of class, I believe, and told me that Cecilia asked her, "So, what's this Lovelle like?" And Karen told her that I was reliable and a good actress. "We need to get you out there. Let's get you started." I absolutely love that woman. She's really good for me that Karen Hensel.

Yesterday, I was involved in a reading of scenes for her students. All us actors, had to run by the time the last scene was read. I felt bad for jetting but I had to go. It was past 2 and we were supposed to be out at around 1 or so. So, obviously, it was "or so"!!! I didn't want to leave without saying, "Bye" and "Thank you," to Cecilia. So, I did. I gave her a hug we chatted and she walked me out. She mentioned my headshot again and said, "I love your headshot. I really do. There's such joy in it. And you look chubby." I laughed at that and she said, "And OBviously, you're NOT chubby!" She told me to keep her updated with what I'm doing. She said that she thinks I'm an eloquent actress. "You're wonderful at cold reading. You do such a good job. You really are good." Wow.

[Her] class is so full of talent. It's a bit overwhelming. They're all so fun and creative and intelligent folk. I love it. I love to surround myself with people that really care about the craft and always want to learn and are open to criticism and improvement. It's important for artists. Plus, I'm in my element. It makes all the difference.

There's this deep well to Cecilia. She's full of depth. I don't know. How can she not be? It's in her eyes. Makes me want to get to know her. Same thing with Karen.

I have to keep going. I can't stop. I have to keep faithing in myself.

I need an audition. LIFE IS A DREAM (this was the production I was involved with last summer not the South Coast Rep one) will be coming to a close and I'll be jobless, acting-wise.

Er...I'm jobless both ways!

http://www.citybeat.com/archives/1998/issue506/onstagearticle1.html
http://www.cincypost.com/living/1999/redcor011499.html

So...I just saw her a couple of hours ago at the play reading. For the first act she read the stage directions and the second act she played a character named, Mrs Morgan. She was Good. I was rolling on the floor! The play is titled NUDE AND SUNFLOWER by Reba Thomas. I played, Clara, a dancer. A dancer working in a cabaret who has a German accent and sings! *whew* It was loads of fun. I am still so in awe with Cecilia's students.

During our break, she came up to me and we started to talk about the Bowers Museum gig. I'm Very Excited! I swear, I'm totally enamored with her. Oh! She told me not to chop off my hair. I told her that I had wanted to get it cut like Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby. "No! Cut it after the show if you're gonna cut it." But, really, I can't cut it because of my new headshots. I don't wanna get new ones just because I hate my hair and wanna chop it all off! Ha! I told her that I was re-learning French and she went off with that one! She told me that she speaks Italian and that she got that Rosetta Stone program for French. She loves it. She made it sound like it was a program that hypnotizes you, puts you in a trance. And she said, "It's like they're brainwashing you! I love it." Then, with her eyes wide-open, "You begin to think in French! So, you don't really have to 'translate.' It's wonderful!" God! She's makes me smile.

You know...she reminds me of Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity.

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/homepage/article_1259298.php
(There are 2 photos of her in this article)

Press Release for THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT

(This is the project that I'm involved with through Cecilia Fannon, in which I will play a long-lost mummy and a Haitian Voodoo Woman! Come watch!!!)

October 26, 2007

Bowers Museum Presents “Things that Go Bump in the Night,” Scary stories

Bowers Museum Presents “Things that Go Bump in the Night” Halloween Special that Premieres on Oct. 26 with Encore on Oct. 27 Scary stories come to life in 1930s-style radio play format

“Things that Go Bump in the Night,” a Halloween special event featuring ghost and mummy stories set in a 1930s-style radio play format, premieres at the Bowers Museum’s Norma Kershaw Auditorium on Friday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. with an encore performance on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. Admission is $22 for adults; $20 for children, seniors over 62 and students; and $18 for Bowers members. This performance is not recommended for small children.
Commissioned by Bowers Museum, Cecilia Fannon, playwright, screenwriter, and director, has adapted three classic horror tales for the stage. Edgar Allan Poe’s iconic “The Tell-Tale Heart” is a story of horror and paranoia about an old man with a clouded eye who terrifies his caretaker to a murderous degree. “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs tells the tale of a collector of oddments who comes upon an irresistible talisman that brings unexpected wealth and other less pleasant consequences. In “The Ring of Thoth,” by Arthur Conan Doyle, an insignificant museum worker fulfills a life’s dream by traveling to Egypt to make a stupendous archeological discovery – a long-lost mummy.

Fannon has had plays produced at regional theaters across the country, South Coast Repertory, on National Public Radio and abroad. She is winner of the prestigious Lois and Richard Rosenthal award for playwriting. She holds an M.F.A. in film from UCLA and has won the George Burns and Gracie Allen award for comedy screenwriting and the coveted Samuel Goldwyn Award. Fannon has written for film and television, including the Emmy award-winning “Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?” The Guiding Light, and several works for Leonard Nimoy’s production company, Alien Voices. This year, she directed Michele Lowe’s play, “String of Pearls” for Panndora Productions and her own short film, “Red Hot & Bothered.”

“There is a novelty in creating “Bump” for Bowers because theaters tend to perform Christmas plays, not Halloween shows,” says Fannon. “Halloween is a $5-billion dollar industry, getting more popular each year – and that figure doesn’t include horror movies.” “‘Bump’ is an opportunity for adults to step into the past and relive the stories from their youth and for some to remember the hang-on-every-word days of radio drama. It’s for teens and young adults who can temporarily leave the special effects of the movies behind and discover the power and suspense of live theater,” Fannon says.

Seven actors with scripts in hand will perform in front of microphones. An onstage Foley artist will create the sound effects for the audience to “see.”

According to Bowers Museum Director of Education Linda Kahn, who brings a myriad of lectures, films and performances to the museum throughout the year, “I caught the performance of Cecilia's 'Halloween Special' with Leonard Nimoy on television several years ago. What a remarkable, creative endeavor. It was a perfect combination of terrific actors, tantalizing suspense with spectacular sound effects (thanks to the Foley artists!), and brilliant writing. Some years later a colleague at the museum introduced me to Cecilia. When the opportunity arose to collaborate, I approached her with the idea of doing something unique for the Bowers. Her ideas, ingenuity, and scope of experience were a perfect match. 'Bump in the Night' is the result. I've no doubt: they will be a marvelous couple of performances!”

The actors who will appear in this production include Michael Csoppenszky, Ree Johnson, Lovelle Liquigan, Cameron Markham, Pete Taylor, Rebecca Taylor and George J. Woods. Cast is subject to change.

Bowers Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every fourth Thursday. Exhibitions featured include “GEMS! Colors of Light and Stone,” and “Mummies: Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt…Treasures from The British Museum.” Bowers offers shopping at its two unique gallery stores and a world-class dining experience at Tangata Restaurant of the Patina Group. The museum also features an array of films, lectures, festivals, art, music programs and events throughout the year.

Biographies

Cecilia Fannon has had plays produced at regional theaters across the country, South Coast Repertory, on National Public Radio and abroad. She is winner of the prestigious Lois and Richard Rosenthal award for playwriting. She holds an M.F.A. in film from UCLA and has won the George Burns and Gracie Allen award for comedy screenwriting and the coveted Samuel Goldwyn Award. She has written, directed and produced a short film, “Red Hot & Bothered.” Fannon has written for television, including the Emmy award-winning “Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?” “The Guiding Light,” Spock vs. Q,” and “Armageddon,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Canterveille Ghost,” and “The Mark of the Beast” for Leonard Nimoy’s production company, Alien Voices. This year, she directed Michele Lowe’s play, “String of Pearls” for Panndora Productions.

Michael Csoppenszky trained at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and South Coast Repertory’s Professional Conservatory. Theater credits include Bonifacio (lead) in Cecilia Fannon’s “Time is a Gentleman.” He also appeared in “The Case of the Crushed Petunias” and “Days and Nights of BeeBee Fenstermaker.” Film credits include “Gang of Roses,” Contraption,” and “The Akin.” Csoppenszky wrote and performed with the sketch comedy group “Fries on the Side” in Los Angeles. He fronts the rock group “the Bumbaclad Wicked” and writes/produces all of the music that can be heard nationally on Radio Wazee and Last.FM.

Ree Johnson began his career as a professional singer in Las Vegas and California, opening for greats such as Diahann Carroll. Johnson’s theater credits include “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “I’m Not Rappaport,” “Lov’in Al,” “Raisin in the Sun,” “Big,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Requiem for a Heavyweight,” “Of Mice and Men,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and “Guys and Dolls.” He also appeared as Frank in “Working,” for which he won a Drama-Logue award, and Jim in “Big River” at the Laguna Playhouse.

Lovelle Liquigan recently finished a short film for Chapman University titled “Bird Got to Fly,” and a run of “Life is a Dream” at South Coast Repertory as part of the ensemble. She was involved in the inaugural season of the Capistrano Shakespeare Festival playing in two of their four productions: Rosalind in “As You Like it” and Princess Estrella in “Life is a Dream.” She was chosen to be in The Kirov Ballet’s production of “Romeo and Juliet” as a maid and a mourner. Some theater credits include Henriette in “The Learned Ladies” (KC/ACTF Irene Ryan nominee), Nena in “The Conduct of Life,” Cordelia and the fool in “King Lear,” Fabian in “Twelfth Night,” and leading roles in Cecilia Fannon’s advanced playwrighting workshop at SCR. Next up for Liquigan is a short film in which she will play a young woman who struggles with the decision she has made about leaving her child at the door of a church. Liquigan has also finished a book of poetry and a cycle of 11 poems, and continues to explore through her painting.

Cameron Markham With over 30 theatre credits to date, Markham has been acting all of his life. Originally from New Mexico, and traveling to New York to study stage, he now lives in Hollywood and has been spending most of his time training at the world famous improvisational troupe, The Groundlings. Some of Markham’s recent television credits include “Talk Show” with Spike Feresten on FOX, “Joey” on NBC, and a starring role in Moby’s most recent video “Spiders,” which reached #2 on Top of The Pops. Markham can also be seen in many National Commercials such as Geico, Sony, and McDonalds. He feels privileged to have been able to come into contact with Cecilia Fannon and many other theater artists while at South Coast Repertory, and feels honored to be a part of this production. Markham is a member of The Screen Actors Guild.

Pete Taylor’s acting credits include leading roles in “K2,” “Our Town,” “Murder at the Howard Johnson,” “Twelve Angry Men,” “Love Letters,” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” He is also literally hundreds of voices in various video games. His many directing credits include “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “Call Me Back,” the critically acclaimed “the Belle of Amherst,” Panndora Productions hits “I’m Not Rappaport” and the world premiere of Cecilia Fannon’s “Time is a Gentleman.”

Rebecca Taylor expresses her passion for the theater through acting, writing, directing, and set design. She was a resident member of Backstage Theatre & Company ensemble. Taylor has appeared in “Miss Reardon Drinks a Little,” “The Haunting,” “Veronica’s Room,” “Love Letters,” and as Emily Dickinson in “the Belle of Amherst.” For Panndora Productions, she’s appeared in “Tennessee’s Women,” the American premiere of “Thirteen Hands,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and “String of Pearls.”

George J. Woods recently appeared in “Meet Me in St. Louis” at the Gallimaufry Theater. He originated the role of Angelo in Panndora Productions’ “Time is a Gentleman” at the Little Fish Theater. At Laguna Playhouse, he appeared in “The Underpants,” “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” “Painting Churches,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Beyond Reasonable Doubt,” “Noises Off,” “Crucifer of Blood,” “First Monday in October,” and “Dracula.” Woods won a Drama-Logue award as Nat Miller in “Ah, Wilderness.” Other appearances include “Bed and Breakfast” at the Key West Theatre Festival, and “Travels with Charley” at the Western Stage Company. At South Coast Repertory, he appeared in “Galileo,” “Merchant of Venice,” “The Showoff,” and Henry IV, Part I. Woods’ television credits include “The Golden Girls,” “General Hospital,” “Santa Barbara,” “The Invisible Man,” and the feature film “Cataclysm.”

http://www.bowers.org/about_us/about_press.asp?PRID=447

Look on page 5 (October 26 & 27): http://www.bowers.org/passport/pdfs/passport.pdf

Wow! I can't believe I actually have a bio out there in public somewhere! It's nice to feel that you're movin' on up=)

Career Updates

*A couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday morning, I found myself in Westwood to audition for a short at UCLA. Luckily, it was on a week-end because this gal would not have found a parking space and I'm not one for paying for parking just for an audition! Honestly. I parked on the side, right across the street from the campus and in front of some rich looking houses with 3 cars in the driveway and who knows how many in the garage! I got there early. Way early. I went in around 9.30a. Found the room and sat myself down on the chairs that were sitting outside the room. I hemmed and hawed a couple of times, discreetly, to indirectly let the people inside the classroom know that there was a chick waiting outside for them. The director came out. Invited me in. I took a seat. He said that there were going to film the audition but at the last minute decided not to. He asked if I had any questions about the script. No. All he had me do was read a question found on the GRE exam. That was it! Simple. Of course(!), I stumbled on a word (or two, but who's counting?). Then, he had me read another exam question. We spoke a little bit before we got started and a tadbit afterwards. There was another guy with him, it was his friend helping him out. That was it and I was on my way back home. I felt good about it. He sent me the script prior to my audition. It's about a guy bored out of his mind in this GRE Testing class; a girl comes in and he takes notice. Before she came in, he wanted the class to end as quickly as possible. After she arrived (late), he perked up and wanted the class to run on forever. Short and sweet.

I got cast in that role and finished filming on Sunday morn. The shoot was fun and refreshing. I really liked all the people that were involved. It's one of the extension classes at UCLA and the whole class helps with all the directors' projects. I liked the camaraderie between the classmates. They were very kind to me. I think, perhaps, some didn't know how to act around me so they were shy but that's understandable. I'm that way as well. Who really warmed me up was their instructor. He was actually there for the filming and "supervising." I say, "supervising," because he really wasn't, he was just there to lend his presence to his students. He came up to me and another actor that was playing the lead guy and asked us if were the leads. And I just chatted it up with him. There was another actor who played the teacher. The director's classmates ended up being the extra students he needed to fill the classroom. It was a successful shoot. I loved that there was food and drink. Bread and coffee (among other snacks and beverages)!!! Yummy! Though, I only drank coffee.

I can't wait to see the final cut. It'll be interesting how the director plays with the time. Hopefully, I'm not too-ugly in this one!!!

*The next day, I had another audition for a UCLA short but this time the audition was held in Beverly Hills. In the director's home. Yikes! I went, anyway, because I didn't get my usual vibe of paranoia. Honestly. Plus, in his email to me, he was pretty funny about the whole "at my house" thing and said that he lived with his parents. Sold! Ha! So, I ventured to Beverly Hills. Before the audition, he sent me his script and I liked it. He wanted me to read for the lead and also the psychotic girlfriend. Which brings me to the question: "What's up with my headshot that makes people think I'm a killer?" Hm...This is the 3rd role in which I got called to read for a killer. If you'd like to look at my headshot that I use to see if you can figure it out, let me know and I'll send it to you. But, hey...that headshots been getting me auditions for the gamut of roles! So, I'm gonna fermer ma bouche (shut up).

When I arrived, his mother answered the door. She offered me a cup of coffee and I acutally said, "Yes." I never do. Well, I spoke with her for a bit waiting for the director to come home from his haircut. He arrived and set up, straightaway. Of course, there was the regular chit-chat and so forth. He told me that he has a degree in law and that he was also taking the night class at UCLA. I asked if he knew the other director. Nope. Before, we started the audition, he asked if he could ask me something about his script. It had to do with the ending. I told him that if he stayed with his ending that it would be a more positive, sunny spin. But, if he were to go the other direction, then he'd be able to build on that with another film and take his lead girl onto another journey. It was more dark the latter way. He lit up and said, Oh! I never thought of that." He seemed to be pleased. What's funny is when I told a good friend about that, he said, "Well, now he should cast you! You just handed him his next project!" Ha! The audition went very well. And I ended my stay there by asking his mother what kind of coffee she gave me! Ha!

I got an email from him asking me to come to a callback for the lead. At the first audition, he told me that he wanted a certain look for the lead girl. If the other guys were Asian, then he'd want a white chick. If not, then he'd want someone like me. To fill the spectrum of race. So that it's not only an "Asian" flick. Understandable. He also asked me if he could pass my headshot and resume around to his classmates. Now, that was flattering! So, the callback. It went well. I'd change one thing. He said that he liked the way I did it before and wasn't gonna tape me but we did it anyway and I wish I could have done it better. I wasn't there. Well, he told me that he'd get in contact with me about the role the next day.

I didn't get cast in that one. I wasn't disappointed but I was. And it was because of the "look" thing. To which I'd like to say: Is someone really gonna tell you not to be friends with your friends because you don't look like you could be friends? But, that's not what it was about. He wanted a cast that would appeal to all races and that's why I didn't get the role because he already had enough Asians! But, I had a good experience with him and enjoyed it very much.

*Last Friday, I had my first of 2 readings for Cecilia Fannon's students. It was very fun! The play was called THE HIVE by Paula Fell. The characters were all bees! No joke. It was so clever and a joy to read. I got the part of the lead who is enthusiastic, immature, prejudicial and has a heart of gold. Wow. It was also a very fun group of actors to read with. I really liked the differences of the bees, the roller coaster of emotions and the changes that happen within some of the characters.

*On Saturday, I went to an open class with a very good friend. It would be nice to take his class for the work and also to build networking but I didn't sign up for an interview because I'm just not wanting to dish out the money. I was inspired and mad, reinforced and harshly reminded, which is all so good! Mad because I want to be out there and act. And, I know, that pleasure tends to get lost with "working" actors but I would have to have some outlet to provide me with artistic pleasure. And, yes, taking a class does do that. My friend was inpsired and mad, as well. Right after he said, "We're going to Sam French and we're getting a play that we've never read and we're gonna work!!!" And, so we did. I was happily shocked at his attitude. Even during the open class, we were talking about having a class of our own? Why the hell not? And I told him, all we would need is space.

We were also making fun of the teacher, not because he was bad but because he reminded us of one of our friends combined with Tom Cruise in Magnolia and Vincent Lombardi. Honestly. He's one of those guys that knows he's a good teacher and that knowledge lends itself to arrogance. He's a confident guy and I enjoyed his class, as did my friend.

I wanted to cry afterwards because I realized that I do have so much to offer and to give, and I need to be used up. It wasn't really a realization because I do already know that but it was a forced reminder, I guess I should say.

One last thing, when we were in the lobby area, the teacher came out and greeted us. I felt like he wanted something from us. Not money but more like he knew who we were and wanted to be part of our world/our energy. Does that sound gey? I just felt that he wanted something from us. As if he knew that we'd be valuable to have in his class...

*Monday afternoon, I had an audition for a dark short film. All I knew was that the character, Nina, is bold, pretty and a rebel. I brought in my monologue and they wanted me to read from the Pulp Fiction script. I felt uncomfortable, physically. Not because of them or the scenes but something didn't feel right to me. It was a good audition despite that. And the director told me that there were more auditions that afternoon and also the next day. She then asked me if I had a sarcastic, biting monologue for the callback. But, I don't think it's for sure that I have a callback because I haven't gotten an email from her assistant.

One thing that caught me off guard was when the director told me about a scene that will take place after sex. Yeah, didn't know about that because I didn't get a script. Usually, you aren't sent a script beforehand anyway. She asked if I was uncomfortable with that. I told her that I would be unless I was covered up. Listen. Unless, it's Meryl Streep directing me, I'm just not gonna be nude at this time. It really depends. Really Depends. REALLY.DEPENDS. And I would charge thousands of clams for each part I was gonna show! One of my best friends told me that that sounded like prostitution...well...maybe. But, no, because I'm not havin' sex with 'em! Right? Right. I really have to believe in that part of a project to bare it all. I'm tired of these actresses trying to validate nudity in the movies that they've done. Though, I do think perhaps I have a slight prejudice with foreign films. I don't particularly have a problem with nudity in those films, most of the time=) So, unless the film is being directed by Meryl and in Europe somewhere... =PPP

*A couple of hours ago, I auditioned for another short film. The audition was held at the Lee Strasberg Theatre. Ooooooooooooooohhh!!! I was an hour early. Though, I always say better way early to an audition than 5 seconds late. Eh? Let's just say that I whooped major ASS at this audition. Man! I felt so good that I wanted to scream! I had a really good audition partner. We rehearsed 3 times and the 4th time, the producer and the director came out and asked for us to come in. Inside, we found out that there were 2 directors. The one that called us in was filipino. The other director took Marcus aside and I was taken aside by the filipino one. They spoke to us about or characters.

I was sent the sides by one of the directors. I studied them, memorized them enough to be comfortable. But, nothing in the sides prepared me for what the diretor would tell me and that was, "She killed her boss before coming to the park and feeding the cats." What?!! Wow. Whoa! Wait a minute!!! Now, this is the 4th role in which I'm a killer! LOL! That took me by surprise but didn't phase me. I could still play what I was playing. I took the scene and made the choice of covering up her pain with bits of smiles and laughter towards the other character. I did the "Chekhov-thing" of covering up and layering. I made a lasagna with my acting, pretty much.

So, Marcus and I performed. The waterworks did not fail me. Praise Jesus! The thing is with crying in acting...you can't think of that result. It's too much pressure and not very good to be thinking, "Okay, I have to cry in the next couple of lines, in the next couple of seconds." I just need things to be authentic. I can't stress out about emotion. I give to and take from my partner. You never know what's going to happen. What's important to me is that I've done my homework, I'm prepared and when I get to the audition, to the theatre, to the set...I will be open and receptive and truthful. Well, they liked it but they wanted me to not smile and laugh. Pretty much, they didn't want my Chekhov acting. The other director said things about this girl being devasted and it was the end of her life, all that jazz (and I knew that). The filipino director said that he totally got it and really liked the choices I made but both wanted me to take out the covering up business. They went back and forth for a couple of sentences and finally I just said, "Well, I wanted to play the oppposite." But, I will do what you guys want me to do. I won't smile." And then, the filipino director said to me, "But, maybe at the end you can. I like that you did laugh and smile at the end. So, maybe there." Yep. I did it without smiling and I guess it was fine. I felt fine. It was challenging but I did it.

The producer right away came in with, "Will you guys be free for callbacks on Thursday or next week Tuesday?" "Yes." The filipino director asked if I had a comedic monologue. "Yes." "Can you perform it?" "Tonight?" "Yes." "Yes." Uh...yikes!!! I was prepared with a dramatic monologue because that was what the role required. I was not at all prepared with a comedic one, though, I am quite familiar with the one I always use. Which isn't HA-HA funny but more subtle, sweet, chuckling funny. I went back out into the lobby area. Tried to run the lines in my head, went outside and I just couldn't remember. The filipino director came outside to call me in asked if I was ready. "Yes." LOL! I totally screwed up the monologue. It was awful! LOL! Mais, c'est la vie, eh? The director asked how long I could stay, if I could stay longer and I said that I could. The producer jumped in and said that they still had others to see, and this one girl was running late, &c. So, he asked if I was available for the callbacks and I told him that I was. And that was that...

I did. I WHOOPED MAJOR ASS. Sure did.

*Tonight, will be my second reading with Cecilia's students. I can't wait! I'm not the lead in this one but who cares! I love reading for her students. They're very gifted writers and I've enjoyed all the times that I was part of their readings. Whether it be a whole play or just scenes.

*Oh, last thing...that film that one of my best friends recommended me for? The one where I had to leave my baby at the front of the church... Well, I got totally dropped from that one. And in such a horribly unprofessional way that I took a stand and wrote the director a letter. He never responded back. GUILTY. AND! AND! He had the AUDACITY to go up to my best friend and try to talk to her about me. She stopped him and said, "Uh-uh. No. She is my best friend. You keep that business away from me." That's right! Sadly, though, she called me a couple of weeks ago about the filming process and jazz. She had such a terrible experience and wasted so much time. She became very discouraged and disheartened. She told me that she was glad that I was off the film.

*le whew* I've written too much. I'm a chatter-box. Hm...what do you call a person who writes too much? A typing-whore? Meh...

Okay, I now leave you with Kiri Te Kanawa in Puccini's MANON LESCAUT singing the last few minutes of, "Sola, Perduta, Abbandonata." By the buy, the reason I looked up this song was because it played in the beginning of the scene that I had to audition with at the Lee Strasberg Theatre. I'm such a nerd. I wanted to know how it went. I listened to Maria Callas' version of it. Big-time nerd over here.