how to live the ordinary life in an extraordinary way!

Thanks-mas

2011-11-29T07:18:00.000-08:00

This weekend, was spectacular in a very unexpected way. My husband and I were very overwhelmed at a weekend of hosting Thanksgiving in our 575 sq. foot apartment then driving 4 hours for a 15 year high school reunion and a 2nd Thanksgiving meal. I usually have such high expectations for the holidays, but this time, I just went with the moment and what do you know? Best Thanksgiving ever. Very little drama, lots of love, food, family, friends and even a little healing and closure! Yippee.

Events that Party

2011-10-26T08:11:00.001-07:00

So I have been working on my website. Trying to get my event planning butt in gear and start my own business. I wanted it to be more MOM focused but right now that is only a part of it. www.staigepatchy.webs.com

Art meets happen. Starting NOW.

2011-10-16T18:49:00.000-07:00

Art is part of who and what we are. Dreaming is key to being happy. Actually making your own dreams come true? Well, that is what this is all about.
Every idea is a seed. Plant it in the soil of dreams, water it with inspiration. Add the hardworking ever present sunshine that never skips a day and never gives up and soon enough you have yourself a garden of your dreams blooming into reality.
Staigepatchy Productions is my creative outlet. I have been working and producing under this name (a blend of Patchy, a family nickname and Stage, where I long to be). Staigepatchy Productions. It is where art meets happen. Staigepatchy is dedicated to No-Name's who plan on making a name for them self even if they don't know any BIGNAME'S to help them out. One step at a time, one brick at a time we build our own yellow brick road. So I build. I dream.

I am thinking that I am going to start my own company working as event entertainment. It melds my theater/acting with my event planning and will enable me to stay home with my baby.

Why Not?!

Food for Baby...

2011-09-30T07:53:00.000-07:00

I made all my babies first foods....I used ice cube trays with a lid and a plastic bottom & I bought something like this http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=537637&parentCategoryId=85181&categoryId=85206 She is all about snacks now, so those containers work perfect for cheerios, and are great to throw in the diaper bag as I run out the door!

But, I did try some store bought puree's for travel...
I LIKE:
*Sprout Organic Baby foods--they taste GREAT, nice simple ingredients and flavor--plus get baby used to our tastes and spices and they travel well, and the big plus is they are made by chef Tyler Florence--such a cutie! :)
http://www.sproutbabyfood.com/resources/2011/06/14/butternut-squash-macaroni-and-cheese/
*Gerber Organic Smart Nourish Foods--taste good, simple ingredients, good little containers and travel well.
http://news.gerber.com/pr/gerber/gerber-smarthnourish.aspx

I did NOT like Ella Baby food, my daughter always seemed to get sick afterwards :(
Taste OK, Travel Great, but I don't know why..baby always got a sick tummy after the food!!
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=ella+baby+food&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=7158341139&ref=pd_sl_dtvkcgwaa_e

For my babies first foods, I made all of her first foods. It made me feel good, since I worry non stop...plus have you tried to eat that stuff they make for kids? YUK. Baby loves mango and avacado! So weird, I bet I did not have avacado or mango until I was in high school! I would take the food, cut it up in tiny pieces, cook it with a little pre-boiled water on the stove top or roast in over....and then puree it. let it cool and put in the freezer! Easy!

The left over cubes of pureed food work great now as a fruit ice pop for her teething--http://www.amazon.com/Mesh-Teething-Baby-Feeder-Feeding/dp/B000056JCY.

And, have you read Jessica Sienfiel's cook book? http://www.amazon.com/Deceptively-Delicious-Simple-Secrets-Eating/dp/0061251348

I have made a few of her recipe's and they ARE GOOD!

I bought one of those small cuisinart's for her food. Works great. She is just moving up to table foods now, I take our meal and just chop up a little portion--she is "stage 3" and doing really well with most foods.She has the mashing and the finger grasp down. I always laugh when I feed her, she likes to play in it--I let her get all messy, it is too funny not to let her have at it! I think she might be allergic to pumpkin or curry, she had a little rash after she shared some soup i made with me last week, but it could have just been coincidence...I will try again later and really watch to see. I was nervous about eggs but we just tried egg yolks and that went fine , so far so good!

Hush Little Baby by Sylvia Long

2011-09-24T03:41:00.000-07:00

http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Little-Baby-Sylvia-Long/dp/0811814165/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316814994&sr=8-1
I love this book, it took the mockingbird lullaby and changed the lyrics to a loving, sweet and nurturing bedtime story. illustrations are soft and win as well.

Classified Ad

2011-09-23T06:38:00.001-07:00

Stamford Stay at home MOM of 9 month old seeking Stay at home MOM to be my new MOM Best Friend--We can have play dates and Plus, I really need someone to get a glass of wine with on a random Saturday Night and also swap babysitting needs when appropriate so I can get my hair cut

Review: Goodnight Moon Video by Scholastic Storybook Treasures, A sign language DVD with Read along.

2011-09-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

Review: Goodnight Moon Video by Scholastic Storybook Treasures, A sign language DVD with Read along.

I love going to the library with my daughter, and we always leave with a handful of books and one or two DVD's....

I love how Scholastic Storybook Treasures makes DVD's of books that are being read, this one especially--my 8 month old daughter was fascinated by. Now, truth be told, this is a favorite book of ours, and we are signing at home (she is starting to get a little signing vocab down) so maybe that is why she paid extra attention, but it really was very well done and fun for me to watch too! Plus the other books on the video A Creature was Stirring and Gladys Goes out to Lunch were great too!

Highly reccomend...So for the stay at home mom who teache's...I would give this video a 3.5 star rating out of 4!

a poem-the abundance of motherhood.

2011-09-12T11:34:00.000-07:00

daughter is sleeping in my arms, 

making my eyes so heavy-flutter be

as i lsiten to her breathing in and out. 

feel her warmth against my chest 

very at peace, in the moment, 

as it is.

knowing she will never be this small again,

 i will never have this moment

 again,

i revel in each moment of her life from dawn till dusk

each day she grows and evolves

more and more independence 

as she discovers the world outside of me

fascinated by every single thing

great and small

i see the world in a whole new light

the joy

the brilliance- the beauty

the mystery-the complexity of it all

i may not have riches and yahts to sail

but i have this:

an abundance of magic

of life

of motherhood.

daughter is sleeping in my arms, 

making my eyes so heavy-flutter be

as i lsiten to her breathing in and out. 

feel her warmth against my chest 

very at peace, in the moment, 

as it is.

~paige johnson

Stay at Home Mom's TEACH!

2011-09-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

I recently made a funny observation. A lot of Mom's now call daycare SCHOOL. I think that is great. I know daycare's have curriculum's and childcare professionals working every angle. I was a women's studies minor in college. I certainly think every woman has a right to work and career, and would never judge a woman for putting her child in day care or "school". But, there is a backlash. It used to be that men looked down on women who stayed home to raise their children. Women looked down on women who worked outside the home. Feminist's spent most of the 60's ( and 70's) for that matter writing thesis after thesis about the undervalued and overworked stay-at-home mom. Feminists to this day write articles that break down what a stay at home mom does and how much it would cost to hire an outsider to do these things that seemingly go under the radar with barely a THANKS. Women fought to be valued. And, to a large degree I think it worked. You would never catch a man saying a woman who stays home with her children is lazy. In fact in has turned into a luxury more then anything else. Women who stay home (in the middle class at least) are seen as being well-to-do. But for others, it is a huge financial sacrifice. We COULD go to work, but CHOOSE not to. I myself am choosing to stay at home. It is not easy. I could make A LOT more working, but I am trying hard to stay home because I want to see my child grow, and because as of right now, I can. I think it is sad that most women say "I wish I could but, I can't" when it comes to staying home with their babies. But, it also seems like a lot of women, just DO NOT want to "be stuck" at home. They feel it is a 'waste' of their brain. Alas, their is still the subjugation of the stay at home. Some things never change? Now it seems stay at home mom's also have to compete with an idea that we are not TEACHING our children and that they are better off in "school". I recently made a joke on facebook that I was going to start referring to myself as "home schooling" my daughter and women, mainly women who put their kids into day care basically told me that I was not qualified to teach my child. At least that is how I took it. I am hurt, I am angry. A man would never get away with saying that to me. Women would be all up in arms, but because another woman does--it is fine. We can't judge a woman who puts her kid in "school" but she can judge me for staying at home. The point was made that most stay at home Mother's just "observe" their kids and don't do much past keeping them safe, and can't call it school unless we 'teach'.
teach·ing (tchng)

1. The act, practice, occupation, or profession of a teacher.

a. Something taught.

b. A precept or doctrine. Often used in the plural: the teachings of Buddha.

adj.

1. Of, involving, or used for teaching: teaching materials; teaching methods.

2. Working as a teacher or in teaching: teaching assistants.
The art, practice, occupation of profession. Well, I may not be certified in early childhood education, but I most certainly practice daily, hourly the act and practice of teaching...Every moment with a child at home is one on one advanced study. Children listen to you speak, sing, they observe you, mimic, you. I do not sit back and watch cable and soaps all day, in fact, I do not have cable! I am sad, that another woman assumes that those of us who choose to stay at home, sit back, and do nothing all day--or merely observe. I would like to ask them, on the weekends, do YOU do NOTHING? Merely observe your child? Certainly not! Being a stay at home Mom is very involved, and a LOT of work! I am very active and playing with my daughter. I talk to her all day. I read to her. I sing to her. I am teaching her sign language and vocabulary. I hold her. I love her. I give her one on one attention and love that she can not get at "school". I feel very hurt and angry that I have to justify my choice as a stay at home Mom and now I have to explain and clarify what I do all day so I can say she is learning?
So for those of you who are not stay at home mother's, I thought I would type up an example of my "typical" day as a stay at home Mother who TEACHES....

3:30 am-wake up and breast feed the baby. nap.
6:00am-wake up and breast feed the baby. nap.
7:00am-wake up with daddy--daddy/baby cuddle play time
7:30am-I usually put the baby in her pack and play while I make breakfast (pack lunches) and make coffee
8:30am-baby gets her breakfast cereal and finishes off with a cuddle and breast milk.
9:30am-music time--while we dance and sing (learning songs! and nursery rhymes!)
10:30am-picture book and reading/cuddle
11:00am-nap
12:30-baby lunch time (home made puree'd with love food, at that!)/breast milk
1:00-2:30-walk around block or trip to library/store (where I talk to baby--"see the car? what sound does a car make?..."what color is that?" "red!" where else do we see red?!" see the doggy? what sound does a doggy make? "woof"---etc)
2:30/3:00 breast milk/snack and a nap
4:00pm-independent play with TONS of educational toys...while I start clean/dinner. (here we usually listen to music or she will watch some video in background--like signing time--http://www.signingtime.com/?gclid=CIiC77G0mKsCFUuK4AodwQ48Dw--that we just took out from library, keep in mind i also sign with her all day as we talk!)
5-6:00 dinner we all sit at table baby in high chair, and we talk about day and life and eat!
6pm-7pm- baby and daddy play
7pm-bath time
7:30--book and cuddle before bed
8:00--bed time

11pm--breast milk?
4am--breast milk?

I don't know about YOU. but I see A LOT of learning and teaching in there....

A lot of roads can lead to one drive way, but it is in the trip that you learn all the lessons....

2011-08-24T10:34:00.001-07:00

A lot of roads can lead to one drive way, but it is in the trip that you learn all the lessons....

Reading Time

2011-08-23T15:38:00.000-07:00

Today my daughter and I went to the public library. It was so much fun. Meeting and playing with other kids, all of them reading and loving books. It was the kind of place I want to freeze time in.

Conscious Mom

2011-08-16T11:18:00.000-07:00

conversation with a friend:

Friend: how was your summer!?

Me: lovely, very busy, flew by, and she is growing so fast.

Friend: I know, and I haven't even met her yet!

Me: I try to be in each moment with her, but it just takes my breath away, she is always growing/leanring...amazing!

i hope you two can meet soon!

Friend: You make motherhood sound magical!

Me: It is.

Friend:
- You HAVE to do something with it
- career-wise called 'conscious mom' or something
  
  Me: I would love to
  
  And, I would love to. I have been thinking about it. Brainstorming....So How can I?

paige is performing in FACT's IT Fundraiser @ Joria Mainstage

2010-03-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

Friends Always Creating Theatre

F.A.C.T. is a talented group of Actors-Directors-Playwrights, All Friends working together to create exciting NEW Works. And in MARCH 2010 I am excited to be a part of their fundraiser: INSTANT THEATRE, a 48 Hour Playwrights Festival for Actors-Directors-Playwrights.

SUNDAY MARCH 14 -JORIA MAINSTAGE THEATRE
(260 W 36 Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10018)
7:30 pm FIRST WORKSHOP PERFORMANCE

MONDAY MARCH 15-JORIA MAINSTAGE THEATRE
(260 W 36 Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10018)
7:30pm FINAL WORKSHOP PERFORMANCE

(Since this is a FUND-Raiser for This Exciting New Company, Tickets will be $15 per person in advance and must be reserved through jdyville@yahoo.com Remaining Tickets without Reservation if available $18. Industry Comps will be offered if seating is available.)

MEET THE PARTICIPANTS . . .

OUR PLAYWRIGHTS (On Friday draw 3 Names & WRITE ALL NIGHT for them!)

JIM BOYETT

RUBEN CARBAJAL

KIRBY FIELDS

PENNY JACKSON

NATANIEL KRESSEN

SERENA NORR

OUR DIRECTORS (Draw a name of a Playwright/ Then Help Interpret their words)

JOHN DE BLASS

JACK DYVILLE

LYNN MANUELL

KATHRYN McCONNELL

SAMANTHA SHECHTMAN

MARCUS YI

OUR ACTORS & ACTRESSES (Interpret the roles written for them & perform)

LIBBY ARNOLD MARCUS CONERLY

SUE BERCH DARYL EMBRY

KELLY GRIFFITH CHRIS FERRETTI

AMANDA JOHNSON BILL KOZY

PAIGE LUSSIER DANIEL LUGO

LAURA LANE ZACH ROTHMAN-HICKS

JENNIFER SOBERS STEVE SHERMAN

LUCY SORLUCCO PEP SPEED

BRANDI VARNELL

SIMONE ZVI

THE STAFF

JACK DYVILLE - Co-Producer/Stage Manager

DAVID FULLER - Co-Producer/Stage Manager

ZACH ROTHMAN-HICKS - Associate Producer

Possible Branding Statements: Paige Is-

2010-03-04T05:56:00.000-08:00

"so when you think of Patricia Heaton's style, Sarah Silverman's snark, and Sally Field's sweetness all wrapped up into an energetic fireball a la Cheri Oteri...that is me"

"Though I exude empathetic compassion, I've got the perky spontanity a la Gilda Radner with a side of Sarah Silverman snark".

"I am a Sarah Silverman and Cheri Otteri hybrid wrapped up in a sweet Sally Field style".

"I'm as sweet as Sally Field, as snarky as Sarah Silverman and as silly as Cheri Oteri"

"Imagine Megan Mullally's energy, add Sarah Silverman's snark and Sally Fields sweentess, That's me!"

"When you think of me-think of a Rosie O'Donnel meets the flying nun with a jolt of Gilda Radner's energy"

"I'm as sweet as Sally Field, as quirky as Cheri Oteri and as Sassy as Sarah Silverman"

Marketing Branding Feedback

2010-03-02T20:10:00.000-08:00

Help from my friends...

Having turned 30 I am trying to re-focus on my acting career and figure out my marketing/branding. Can you give me 10 - 15 adjectives that describe me

and some celebrities that I remind you of & What is it about about each celebrity that reminds them of me....

& What did they say?
Jonell's Adjecti ves:

Adjectives that describe Paige-

1 beautiful

2 dependable

3 joyful

4 adaptable

5 faithful

6 consciencious

7 strong

8 independent

9 Christian

10 caring

11 loving

12 effervescent

13 conversationalist

14 journalistic

15 reader

Celebrities that remind you of Paige-

1 Susan Sarandon

Why? Wonderful Actress

2 Meryl Streep

Why? Plays sooo many characters

3 Glenn Close

Why? Strong Woman

4 Lucille Ball

Why? Comedienne

5 Robin Tunney ? (the female on the Mentalist)

Why? You look like her

Jen's Adjectives:

Adjectives that describe Paige

1 creative

2 funny

3 risk-taking

4 determined

5 caring

6 great under pressure

7 able to relate to the kid within

8 loyal

9 friendly

10 intelligent

11 leader

12 open-minded

13 ambitious

14 adorable

15 off beat

You remind me of Sarah Silverman. To me you have her off-beat sense of humor (just remembering the Strawberry Shortcake stripper idea.) You also have some of the same child-like qualities.

Chris' Adjectives:

Adjectives that describe Paige-

1 cheerful

2 loving

3 sweet

4 adventurous

5 exciting

6 talented

7 bright

8 pioneering

9 excellent

10 friend

11cosmopolitan

12 personality

13 honorable

14 adorable

15 able

Celebrities that remind you of Paige-

Paige is in a class all by herself!

Cheri's Adjectives:

Adjectives that describe Paige-

1 Perky / Bubbly

2 Funny

3 Self-Motivated / Hard worker

4 Determined

5 High-energy

6 Loyal / Dependable

7 Creative

8 Smart / Well-read

9 Luminescent

10 Hair & Skin to be Jealous of!

11 The sound of your voice just makes me happy. . . .

Celebrities that remind you of Paige-

1 Meagan Mullaly (i spelled her name wrong but she rocked on Will & Grace)

Why? Looks-wise & vocally I think this is the one person u most remind me of--she's good-looking, can play funny-ingenue, comic next door neighbor, does commercials, talk show hosts & she doesn't seem to be caught up in the shallow hollywood bullshit!

2 Cheri Oteri

Why? Has nothing to do with looks--it's cuz (like her) you're not afraid to be goofy (strawberry shortcake!)--good improv comedy mentor

Richard's Adjectives:

adjectives:

warmhearted

affectionate

strong

attractive

energetic

generous

self-effacing

bright

determined

open

childlike

optimistic

loyal

trusting

Hope's Adjectives:

Adjectives that describe Paige-

1quirky

2fun

Celebrities that remind you of Paige-

1ellen page

Why?sincere vunerable

2janeeane garafolo

Why?open liberal

My adjectives:

Perky, Funny, Intense, A Deep Well, Intuitive, Aggresive, Welcoming, Kind, Leader, Empathetic, Loving, Sweet, Cute, Silly, Pixy, Querky, Organized, Planner

My celebrities:

Tracy Ullman, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Megan Mullally, Sarah Silverman, Sally Fields

Gilda Radner, Helena Bonham Carter, Björk, Rosie ODonnell

Elenora Duse

Prep For Savvy Branding Session

2010-02-18T06:50:00.000-08:00

Please answer the following questions.

1.What kinds of roles do you get cast in? What?s the description of those roles, the essence?
I get cast in young, youthful, energetic roles....
girls that are broken or lost somehow....
other characteristics of characters I have played are stubborn, naive, truthful, honest, scared, in love.

2.What kinds of roles do you want to play?
Most of the roles I have played, I have enjoyed. I would love to do roles of women that are more fierce, strong, evil....Like Lady M. I wish I could do more shakespeare but i'm not quite engenue and not quite lady M/older lady.

3.What are your strengths as a performer?
I listen well. React in the moment. I am much better with a partner then alone. I would be happy doing a part where I said no lines and just listened.

4.What are you strengths as a person?
I am strong, smart, compassionate,

5.How do you want to make people feel when you perform?
human. alive. inspired. happy.

6.List 10 ? 20 adjectives that describe you. Preferably how others have described you, such as casting directors, directors, teachers, friends ? things you hear over and over again.

Perky, Funny, Intense, A Deep Well, Intuitive, Aggresive, Welcoming, Kind, Leader, Empathetic, Loving, Sweet, Cute, Silly, Pixy, Querky, Organized, Planner

7.Write your name at the top of a piece of paper. Draw a line underneath your name. Under that line, write down every word that comes to your mind when you look at your name
Paige. Perky.
Paige. Party.
Paige. Party Pooper.
Paige. Planner.
Paige. Pine Tree.
Paige. Bubble.
Paige. Stage.
Paige. Private.
Paige.

8.List at least 10 celebrities you get compared to that play the kinds of roles you get cast in and want to play.

Tracy Ullman
Stephanie D'Abruzzo
Megan Mullally
Sarah Silverman
Sally Fields
Gilda Radner
Helena Bonham Carter
Björk
Rosie ODonnell
Elonra Duse

9.When crafting your brand we like to look to outside sources to get a different perspective. Now it?s time to think outside the box. What kind of soap are you? Think about color, smell, type of use. (Are you a lavender French soap, Dove body wash with bursting beads, a rich exfoliator, a fruity bubble bath?)

I think I am a bar of all-natural handmade soap scented with orange and amber.

Acting Coach

2010-02-17T13:01:00.000-08:00

I have heard of acting coaches and life coaches and I never thought I would need or want one. I always thought I could set my own goals, and motivate myself but honestly lately I realized I needed help, I needed some one to help me figure out this world of acting and how to navigate, market and motivate. I started working with a coach from http://www.thesavvyactor.com/, there are 5 sessions. The first was good. I had homework....

Preparation:

1. Creat Your 20 Year Plan-Write down where you want to be in

· 1 month- I am settled into the new apartment. I am submitting myself for acting work via actors access, backstage, etc. I am getting my career in order.

· 3 months- I am working a flexible, part time job(s) and working out. I am being called in for auditions. I book a non-union paying commercial.

· 6 months –I am now regularly booking commercial work, and book my first national commercial. I am cast in a play that garnishes attention from agents/cd’s.

· 1 year- I am booking work in TV regularly. I am now booking a small recurring role on a nationally rated TV sitcom. My husband and I are buying property. We will start our family.

· 2 years- I am still acting in TV and Indie film. I act in an off- Broadway run with MCC. I am going to grad school for psychology with a major emphasis on drama therapy.

· 5 years- I am still acting in commercials and TV. I am a working actress, making 50,000 or more by my acting and creative endeavors. I open my own theater where I direct and produce work that inspires me and others. My theatre will have an educational component/and drama therapy center that helps children and adults heal through the art of laughter and love.

· 10 years- I am acting in theater, TV, and film regularly, I sometimes travel for my work-if I feel the project is worth while. I get to host SNL to promote a film I am in. My husband and I buy a second home on the beach in FL. I am cast in a Shakespeare in The Park production.

· 20 years- My theater company wins a TONY. I continue to act and create art, those around me inspire me and I inspire others. I love my healing work and my artistic life. My home life is wonderful, my husband and I are still in love just as much as the day we met-if not more- and our children are going to college. We are very proud of them and looking into a beautiful future.

We like to call these milestones. Be specific. (In order to market effectively you need to be as specific as possible in what you want. Create in the positive and in the present tense. Focus on what you want, not what you don't want.)

2. List Your Strengths & Weaknesses

· 5 strengths- Good Leader, Good listener, Organized, Compassionate, Focused,

· 5 weaknesses- at times narrow minded (overly focused, I miss the big picture), Egotistical, Self centered, head in the clouds, overly sensitive

3. Your Challenges-Write down any and all challenges you have been facing.

· Got so focused on “work” (this job sucked the life out of me and did not pay enough to make it worth the pain) I haven’t been acting. I am happy I left but now I feel unmarketable in work force because my job was in sales and I don’t want to do sales again.

· Debt. So much debt. My job was 1099 had to take out a loan to pay off taxes and will have to do again.

· Ill family members. Mother=sick and in hospital, Mother-in-law=sick and in hospital. Sister =divorce, Brother in law=mental illness, Brothers=financial hardship/bankrupt etc.

· My illness=TMJ

· Change is not easy for me—lots of change right now. My life is upside down. Stress of moving to another state-for my husbands work. Loss of job, friends, life.

· Financial hardship, since I left my job. My income is poof and it costs a lot of money to move, we have had to take loans out.

· I am really unhappy about this move.

· A lot of rejection on many levels-dealing with that.

· Regret—should have gone to grad school when I had the chance. Should have taken the stage manager job with the new group, should have gone to northern stages company manager, etc.

4. Be, Do, Have Exercise· Write down everything you want to be, do and have. Write about each one separately and allot 10 minutes for each. Write the entire time, no stopping, NO Judging. Writing in a stream of consciousness will help break your own boundaries! Think big and have fun. Examples below.

Be: I want to be a successful working actress. I want to be a mom. I want to be a published author. I want to be a business owner. I want to be a healer. I want to be a part of something bigger then myself. I want to be an award winning artist. Do: I want to inspire others. I want to act for a living. I want to say live from NY it’s Saturday Night (on SNL). I want to learn French. I want to sing. I want to learn guitar. I want to travel. I want to go to India. I want to go to Greece. I want to go to Rome. I want to go to the Rainforest. I want to see Yellowstone National Park. I want to heal others. Have: I want to have success in life, love, and health. I want to have a happy 50th wedding anniversary party. I want to have 2+children. I want to have a close knit loving family. I want to own our own home free and clear. I want to have financial security.I want to have my own theater company. I want to own a second home -near the ocean. I want to have a pool. I want to have a gazebo.

During the coaching session we looked at my goals vs. reality...

We set two 1 year goals for me.

1. to book a day player role on a tv show
2. to book a national commerical

and we brainstormed on what i need to do to make that happen.

i need to work on my markeing materials like my headshot, they think my headshot doesn't look like me enough.
i need to do some seriosus reseach on the who's who in the casting world. I need to know who is casting and what they are casting.
i need to network
i need to do mailings and branding....

which leads us to our next session BRANDING/MARKETING

i am really jazzed up about this.....

Friends are the Best!

2010-01-27T10:23:00.000-08:00

I recently sent this email to friends, co-workers, peers, old contacts

"Hey Folks, I made a big leap towards doing what I want to do...I quit my soul sucking job! Yippee.
All, in the hopes of following my dreams. But, I need income...
I want to get back into acting, and commercials -I want to take classes and study more...but for now I would be ok with extra work just to get my foot wet and get back into the industy and make some extra cash to help pay the rent.If you have any acting career advice for me -resume, classes, headshots, etc ( I have attached a copy of my H&R) please let me know.
If you know of and agents/managers you think would accept my H&R with your reccomendation please let me know.
If you know who to call to do extra work, please let me know.
If you know of any acting gigs or part time work please let me know that too!
I thank you in advance!
PS: I am in a play right now at the Metropolitan Playhouse, In a show called "A Brief History of Cross Dressing in the Civil War" in the festivals Program D. (it is historical yes, but also actually very witty and funny) I am playing the role of Charlie Compton. Check it out http://www.metropolitanplayhouse.org/

Check out my website -Staigepatchy.com
Check out my youtube channel-www.youtube.com/staigepatchy
Check out my radio show-www.blogtalkradio.com/staigepatchy

Love and Thanks, Paige"

And I have had an amazing response! I am so grateful for the advice and the feedback!

Some Great Tips I received that I thought I would share:

www.nycastings.com for all kinds if work. $5 a month
Also call Grant Wilfley casting, they have an extension you dial to let you know what they are casting. 212-865-3537-Meet PA's at these shoots.
Volunteer to usher and see as much work as you can.
Put yourself on YouTube
take on-camera commercial class with Brooke & Mary at House Productions.
on-camera - esp commercials - are so different. And before you really target commercial agents it's good to be as infomred as possible before wasting their time & yours with the learning curve - know what I mean? It's nothing complicated - trust me - but it helps to get this experience first.
Take a class with Beth Melsky (one of the biggest commercial CDs in the city) used to have classes and might still.
After subscribing to Backstage online (go in on a subscription and share a password with friends if cost is an issue) and picking up a copy of the Ross Reports (who's casting what and where you can send in your stuff)
I recommend checking out Breakthrough Studios. It is a great place where actors can meet agents and casting directors and get real information about the business. They offer a range of industry seminars some of which have a group Q&A followed by a one-on-one where you do a monologue or scene w/reader for an agent or casting director and some are master class style.
Breakthrough Studios- http://www.breakthroughstudios.com/
The owner of Breakthrough Studios-Anthony and his wife Diane are super nice people and Anthony is a working actor who will tell it like it is. He also teaches a 6 week on camera class which you may find helpful. I took it 3 times.
Also don't rush into getting or worry about not having an agent. I didn't have one but because of Breakthrough, I was able to meet casting directors who called me in directly and didn't care that I didn't have an agent.
As far as extra work goes, send your stuff to Grant Wilfley and any other extras casting agencies there are. Barbara McNamara? Kee? There may be others If you're willing to pay $40 a month (there may be a $40 joining fee), you can send your stuff in to Extra Mile. They got me a ton of work (Devil Wears Prada, Spiderman 3, Music and Lyrics, all the Law & Orders and a few pilots) which covered the fee and I got a SAG waiver out of it (they only book you if you are non-SAG). Most people disparage extra work, but I found it to be a generally positive experience. If you have realistic expectations and look at it as a way to make extra cash and get experience on set, then go for it. You might meet some cool people (you will definitely meet negative ones who complain about the long hours, low pay and bad food and wonder why they are not the ones getting the close up) and have some fun stories to tell. You may want to wait for warmer weather when more projects are shooting and they need more people.
http://www.extramilenyc.com/
Asking for advice from everyone may be your first mistake. Everybody has a different opinion, whether they actually know anything or not.
For part time work, are you familiar with the Actor's Work Program at the Actor's Fund of America? Its over on 7th avenue in Mid-Town.
Soap extra work is the best, because they need to wrap on time, and it is also indoors and pays better. Also, call the AFTRA hotline weekly at 212-532-2063 to find out about principal work as well as extra jobs. And whatever you do, do not give up your excellent stage work to get bogged down in the extra work trip to nowhere.
the website: http://www.nycasting.com/ny_home.asp it is well worth the fee as you can submit yourself DIRECTLY to real jobs-submit yourself to the following casting offices that do primarily background work, and then postcard them often because usually if they happen to have something that very day and you happen to fall on their desk they will call you.

Background work-
Central Casting
Grant Wilfley
Kee Casting
Background Inc (mainly does commercials and it's harder to get calls from them)

you are interested in doing student and no budget films you can find them on http://www.nycastings.com/public_s/defaultmodeall.asp (for a fee, but it is fairly worth it), on craigslist, or on mandy.com, and of course backstage
summer intensive program at Circle in the Square which was really great, and I think one of the teachers there does an evening scene study class which based on his summer class I would assume is really good (as long as you don't mind BRUTAL honesty).
For a listing of TV Casting info in NYC, http://www.utdtheatricalservices.com/casting_hotline.htm, keeps a pretty up to date listing for both principle and BG
Go to the Mayor's Office For Film Theater and Broadcasting for general info: http://www.nyc.gov/html/film
Website-There are a couple of great articles on The Actors Voice on the topic: http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/000651.html & She also has (at least) one article on resumes, too: http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/000932.html though yours looks great
Also on websites: there is a free website generator at wix.com with fun ideas (some are too busy, too.) If you go on any of the forums anywhere or HHH, check out people's signatures where their own websites are listed, Is good to see what others are doing, get ideas and take note of what some do that is not recommended (any page that takes too long to load, or has to redirect the visitor is a turn-off, etc...)
Ms. Gillespie has SO much information from over six years of weekly columns, you could probably answer all of your questions just by doing a Google search starting with - site:http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice - and then whatever topic you are interested in
Yahoo Group "Hollywood Happy Hour" (aka HHH) several years ago and it now has almost 2K membership (with both performers and industry people on it.) nationally (mostly LA) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hollywood-Happy-Hour Great place to feel connected, search through archives...
For additional income, you might consider doing event work as you are friendly like me so would do well as a Brand Ambassador. Check out Eventspeak.com for a directory listing of agencies nationwide (nearly all operate nationally) and there is a great forum there, too, to help you avoid the "negative" agencies. Event work might be just selling a product in a store or handing out samples on the street. It is as fun as you make it, or as miserable, too.
Another way for actors to make money (definitely warm weather dependent) is The Go Game which saw me dressed as Batgirl, an annoying tourist or a Girl Scout many an afternoon in Times Square or the West Village frolicking with corporate raiders. http://www.thegogame.com/

wow. i am so blessed to have so many wise friends willing to help me! thanks everybody, i have so much research to do now!

xox

Ahh, Being on Stage Again...

2010-01-25T17:17:00.000-08:00

What a rush. That rhythem, heart beat, of the stage. There is just something magical about it. The show is going really well...only 2 more performances left!! Quick come check it out!!

Program D:

A Brief History of Cross Dressing in the Civil War

by Andrea Pinyan

A Brief History of Crossdressing in the Civil War

by Andrea Pinyan. A Radio Hound Production:

A modern and humorous fantasia of heroic transvestism during our nation's bloodiest conflict. Follow our real-life Heroines Bold Sarah Emma Edmonds, Loreta Janeta Velazquez, Sarah Rosetta Wakeman through their unlikely and little-known exploits in the "men-only" world of war.

Only 4 performances, 2 left...
Wed the 27th @ 7pm and Sat the 30th @ 7pm

Rehearsal to Tech to Show.

2010-01-18T20:30:00.000-08:00

We are getting closer to opening night for the show I am in. A Brief History of Crossdressing in the Civil War by Andrea Pinyan--a Radio Hound Production. The shows blurb describes the show as "A modern and humorous fantasia of heroic transvestism during our nation's bloodiest conflict. Follow our real-life Heroines Bold Sarah Emma Edmonds, Loreta Janeta Velazquez, Sarah Rosetta Wakeman through their unlikely and little-known exploits in the "men-only" world of war". I tell you, it has been very interesting to play a girl, passing as a boy in a time of war. We have been rehearsing and running and working, and tonight it really came togehter. I love that feeling. That thrill of seeing it all gel. Being part of something. I am really excited for this show.

flowing with the go

2010-01-14T10:23:00.000-08:00

Sounds easy doesn't it? Go with the Flow. I am trying. I have been out of work for a month now, which is what I wanted, needed, begged for. Be careful what you wish for folks. The good thing is I realize how much I love working. Not, to say I didn't make the right decision, becuause I did. But, I hate being lazy, sitting around...now for some people this may be heaven but for me, nu-uh.no.nope. don't like it. I LOVE being busy. LOVE organzing, detaling, getting things done. I am trying to stay positive, and ENJOY the time I have. Doing things for me. Like yoga and taking walks. Oh, and cleaning the house (O, joy.)

Signature Theatre, The Orphan Cycle Part 3

2010-01-11T06:03:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to The Signature Theater for "The Orphan Cycle Part 3" by Horton Foote. I loved the show. I missed Part 1, and 2. But 3 stood beautifully on its own.Some points may have been lost plot wise because I missed the first 2 cycles. This series was done for love, you could see the passion on stage. The first act was amazing, and could easily have stood alone as its own production. The opening sequence took my breath away. I love theatricality and the way theater artist paint a picture. The Lights, scenery and costumes blended seamlessly together to paint a beautiful canvas that I just folded into. The acting was strong, and believable.

Last night also left me walking down memory lane. I used to work at Signature, as a house manager. At the time, I did not appreciate the role I was playing. I have this tendency for my ego to think that nothing is ever good enough. I wanted to act. I self sabotaged. I did not leave on bad terms, but I did not leave on the best of terms. I was young 20 years old and dying to be on stage, now I am 30 and dying to be around the stage in any capacity. For the last 5 years I have stepped away from the theatre working in sales and paying bills, but no matter what I miss the theater. I had a blessed life and did not value my role in the theater as house manager because it is true in the theater no part is small. Stage, Crew, Box Office these are all roles that must be played for a production to happen. And, Here The Signature send me an email that they still consider me part of their family, their alumni and invited me to see this show. I was touched and sitting in that theater, watching this play made me realize how blessed I am, how far I have come, and it reaffirmed how much I love the theater.

In Rehearsals...

2010-01-07T21:38:00.000-08:00

SO far 2010 is going well! I am in a play which will take part in the 2010 living literature festival at The Metropolitan Playhouse down in the Lower East Side. The Play is a Brief History of Cross Dressing in the Civil War. No, Really that is even its title! I am playing a composite role of women in the civil war named "Charlie Compton". The festival will run Jan 18-31. We are in Program D. For more info go to http://www.metropolitanplayhouse.org

Quater Goals

2010-01-06T04:49:00.000-08:00

Why is a New Year both a good thing and a bad thing? Well, mainly it's good because everyone get's all motivated and inspired to "make this new year___" somehow better, wiser, more abundant, healthier, cleaner, shiny, etc. But that is a lot of pressure. Do everything BETTER. NOW> START NOW> Oye, it makes me want to go back to bed! But,

My husband works in financial quarters,
Jan, Feb, March=1 quarter.
April, May, June=2 quarter.
July, Aug, Sept=3rd quarter.
October, Nove, Dec=4th quarter.

I am proposing this for myself. Look at goals via quarter not year. It is the whole baby step thing.

So each quarter I have a goal for my career.

I had a friend tell me once she looks at acting as a full time job, thus she puts 40 hours of work into her career each week. awesome. And, then I look at me...Yes, I have done a lot of really cool things. I have done all kinds of theater, children's theater, shakespeare, performance art, experimental dance, movies, commercials, sketches, stand-up, long form improv, short form improv, promotions,

SO, since i rarely use this blog....and honestly 2009 i barely did anything substantial acting wise. I have to ask myself..."is this the right career for me?" I hate asking it, because I want to fight to the death to prove it is, but I have to be sure. No doubt. No fear.

So.
My goal for this first quarter of 2010 is to use this blog weekly...and to keep track of my acting hours.
so then i can see....how much time do i really commit to my acting....
what counts as acting creative log hours?
*submitting myself for acting or theater/film related work
*exersize
*auditions
*rehearsals
*writing
*performances /gigs
*filming video
*editing video
*painting/drawing/crafting
*reading
*watching movies, tv, etc. commercials for research

seems easy....but is it?

Dear 2009

2009-12-31T07:01:00.000-08:00

Dear 2009, Thank You for all the lessons you have brought me. I am grateful for the challenges, both the pitfalls and the mountains I have had to climb. I am not going to focus on what I will change or do better for 2010, instead I want to focus on all the things I have done right. So, Thank You 2009, may 2010 be all that much better because of you.

Happy New Year! Wishing you many blessings and an abundance of health, wealth and love for 2010.

check out my websites
www.staigepatchy.com
www.youtube.com/staigepatchy
www.blogtalkradio.com/staigepatchy

Inside the Actors Quest NYC Interviews Theresa (T-time) Galeani

2009-10-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

wwww.blogtalkradio.com/staigepatchy NEW EPISODE! 10/18/2009 6:00 PM - 1 hr
Description:
Inside the Actors Quest NYC Interviews Theresa (T-time) Galeani indie NYC artist, actress, singer & underground performance artist. Listen to learn Theresa's view of the "underground" art scene in NYC. We will get her advice, and Learn from her Mistakes. What does it mean to be an artist in NYC? Learn about how to surivive in the edgy world of NYC and pursue your passion! Be edgy, have fun, make your own art! facebook.com/tgaleani
http://www.myspace.com/ybbsux

Blog Talk Radio New Episodes!

2009-10-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

10/13 Actors Quest NYC interviews Michael Sean Cirelli
Inside the Actors Quest. Acting Tips. Interviews Michael Sean Cirelli student at the Atlantic Theater Company and PIT House Manager, to get his Advice, Learn from his Mistakes, Hear his tales of Woe and Wins as an actor and artist in NEW YORK, NY...Listen to the show for "Tips Hints and Help for actors in NYC". Because remember "If you can make it here you can make it anywhere" so let's learn from those who are "suriving and thriving in NYC!

check out www.blogtalkradio.com/staigepatchy

Upcoming Show! Tuesday 10/20 at ParkSide Lounge

2009-10-07T19:03:00.001-07:00

Tuesday October 20th at 8pm I will be performing with the brainiack ladies of The Bibliophiles Appreciation Consortium (1/2 book club, 1/2 improv) We will be disecting "The Time Traveler Wife" the Book? The Movie? All of it in Improv format!

Social Networking is WORK

2009-09-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

Oye, more things to do! Must update facebook, tweet my next tweet, blog, stumble upon this and that....link em all togher so I can be linked in, in my space, which feels like outer space. I mean it is FUN, yes, addictive SURE especially when you go mobile. But it's work folks. When you are a performer, especially in a city like NYC, this place is all about networking and now-a days that means on-line friending and e-event invitations. I remember watching this AMAZING documentary about living in NYC - Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There http://www.broadwaythemovie.com/home.htm and in it they were talking about how actors and actress's would meet for coffee at a times square coffee shop and THIS is where it all happened where you met where you introduced...and now it happens on line.

what a crazy world we live in, where we have more friends online then we do at our birthday parties. where we connect with long last pals via an internet poke versus over a cup of coffee....

Actors Quest NYC interview with Kim Gatewood on BlogTalkRadio

2009-09-24T05:33:00.000-07:00

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Staigepatchy/2009/09/13/Actors-Quest-NYC-interviews-Kimy-Gatewood

Inside the Actors Quest. Interviews and Advice = Tips Hints and Help for actors in NYC. filled with Tales of Woe and Wins. Kimmy Gatewood is an actress, guitar comic, improviser, director, and writer in New York City. This interview will focus on Kimmy's persepctive on one woman shows, Improv, Youtube video and viral internet promotion. For more info on Kimmy check out http://www.kimgatewood.com/home/

Going with the Flow...My new goal!

2009-09-24T05:07:00.000-07:00

"Just let it all go, and start riding the wave instead of fighting the current, you will mainfest faster by just releasing the control and letting spirit guide the ship. Things may not appear exactly the way you think they will but you will make progress"

Actors Quest NYC

2009-08-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

Please check out my radio blog= www.blogtalkradio.com/staigepatchy

Remember that old song "New York, New York, If you can make it here-you can make it anywhere"? Well, this show is all about learning how people make it in NYC. The journey or quest of being an actor/artist in NYC is not an easy path. So learn tips and tricks from actual actors, artists and performers in NYC who making it in NYC. Want a successful acting career? Well, learn from those who are already doing it!

Today 8/31/09 I interviewed Ashley Ward, Actress, Comedian, Improviser and Singer to learn about what makes her tick as a NYC actress. Ashley has a degree in musical theater from webster university and has studied improv at the pit, ucb and the magnet. she currently performs with big black car (every wed. at 8 at the pit), baby wants candy (musical improv) (sat. at 10:30 at barrow street theater starting sept 12) and various other performance groups including best new artist, 30,000 khz of sound (improv in the dark) and nights of our lives (story telling show at ucb).and Best New Artist Sat. at 8 at the PIT!

So learn about Ashley! Learn tips from Ashley about HOW TO MAKE IT IN NYC!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow--That is SOO COOL! Who else have I interviewed?

On 8/13 I interviewed Matt Fried. Matt Fried is a writer, performer, and the real-life Spider-Man. His comedy career began in college as an inaugural member of the C.W. Post improv troupe, The Men's Room. Since then, he has studied improv and comedy writing at The PIT, as well as UCB and iO (Improv Olympic) in Chicago. He is the creator, producer, and host of "The Matt Fried Hour," a live latenight-talk show, which had its initial run at The PIT. His improv credits include The Dream NYC, The Best of… Fried & Mandeville, and Bad Luck Rising. As an actor, he's appeared in music videos for The New Rivals and Peter Cincotti, as well as a few independent films from SVA and Brooklyn College. As a writer, he has contributed original work to Guidespot.com, The New York Television Festival, and maintains the storytelling/humor blog, IamMattFried.com. Matt holds a B.F.A. in Theater Arts from Long Island University - C.W. Post. He lives in Brooklyn.

to download this interview go to www.blogtalk.com/staigepatchy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

On June 28th, I interviewed Joseph Rocha. Joseph is a stand out stand up comedian. Joseph Rocha, the sometimes host for the monthly “Comedy Caliente” show at the Comic Strip Live on the upper East Side was honored for being a stand out latino comic!
Read more:
http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/2008/05/07/2008-05-07_la_raza_cmica_latino_comedians_find_thei.html#ixzz0PhFyTNga
The Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/2008/05/07/2008-05-07_la_raza_cmica_latino_comedians_find_thei.html

check out his myspace page for upcoming shows!
http://www.myspace.com/17928152
You can also See a clip of him here:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/21454/urban-extreme-joseph-rocha

And, Listen to him on my radio show, learn all about how Joseph Rocha is surviving and thriving in NYC!

www.blogtalkradio.com/staigepatchy

---------------------------------------------------------------------

on 6/10 I interviewed Aaron Simms. (http://www.aaronsimms.net/) Aaron is a graduate of the Jordan College of Fine Arts. Select New York credits include: Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Antony in Julius Caesar, Forest in The Ugly Man and Spartacus in Spartacus. Regional credits include: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Human Race Theatre Company, Theatre West Virginia, Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival, and the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. On television he has appeared in a recurring role on ABC's One Life to Live, and also on All My Children.Aaron is an experienced fight captain and has been recognized by the SAFD and FDC in the broadsword. He is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Listen to his tips on how to make it in NYC as an actor at www.blogtalkradio.com/staigepatchy

---------------------------------------------------------------

on 6/5 I interviewed Richard Brundage. Richard is a talented film and stage actor. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0116054/. New York-based actor Richard Brundage was born in Seattle and grew up in Woodbridge, Virginia and La Spezia, Italy. Before taking up acting, he pursued several careers, some of them quite brief, including librarian, semi-professional French hornist, high-school math teacher, word processor, and classical music engraver/editor. At the age of 39, pretty much on a whim, he signed up for a couple of acting classes at HB Studio in Manhattan. Soon he was ruined for any kind of useful employment except acting, and that's all he's been doing ever since.

Learn tips from Richard on how to make it in NYC as an actor

www.blogtalkradio.com/staigepatchy

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Actors Quest NYC interviews Matt Fried

2009-08-13T10:26:00.001-07:00

Actors Quest NYC interviews Matt Fried

Shared via AddThis

It takes two to Tango

2009-08-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

I just recently watched a video where author of the book Eat, Pray, Love Elizabeth Gilbert gives a speech on creativity. Talking about the fears we all feel to live up to some imagined idea of what success means. She talks about creativity being a form of divinity. This strikes me. As someone who is always trying to find God, could it be every time I am touched with inspiration God is by my side. But what when I am not touched with creativity? Creativity, Art, can be like an addiction. I remember a healer once told me I was "addicted" to the idea of acting. What did she mean, at the time, I thought she was crazy but now as I look back --I think Well, Maybe I am. Addicted to that feeling of Oneness with God. Once you feel that pulsing through your veins, no drug can ever match that. It is a high beyond all highs. Its elevation. And, when I am without that, I slam back into earth fully aware I am just the same ole girl sitting on the couch---In this speech Elizabeth Gray. Says YES, that is your job, to get out there to act, to live, to be and if you are so lucky to be touched to feel Divine-then great. But don't beat up the person you are. She said it is like showing up for work, you have to show up before you can be blessed. So get up, audition, dance, paint, write, laugh & enjoy and hope that the creative genius shows up--because remember it takes 2 to tango.

The Big 30

2009-08-05T09:20:00.001-07:00

Well, I am officially leaving my 20's. Not so happy about that either---especially because I am in a business where everyone lies about their hair color, their eye color, their height, their weight, their bra size, their shoe size and especially their age. So. What is a girl to do. Lie? Stay 29 for 4 more years or just admit it? Ok--truth time-- That is right folks I am turning 30. I am 5'1 not 5'2 I am 150 pounds and counting, I hate exersize--in fact I have had a gym memebership for MONTHS and I have gone 3 times. Once just to buy a protein shake. My shoe size is 7.5 WIDE. I am a 34 A in bra size (but still pretty damn perky, thank you very much). And you know what, it is me. Take it or leave it y'all. I am getting WAY bored with trying to think myself into someone elses idea of pretty or sexy or cute--cause you know what? I look in the mirror and me likes. My husband loves me for me ( please insert that cut song here " she likes me for me not because I look like....) and I am cool with ME. I have been feeling less then cute or pretty for YEARS. I just found an old picture from High School. It had all of my High School friends in the pictures with me. And, I remember feeling so Ugly compared to all of them--they all had boyfriends and guys who liked them/talked to them. I remember I had a huge crush on this boy Hans, and the only time he talked to me was so I could hook him up with a my best friend Sue, and Hans wasn't the only dude to do that to little Paigey, many many boys broke my heart that way. I wanted boys to like me, but I felt like matchmaker not promqueen in fact-no one asked me to any of my proms and since I was class president I had to go--I took my girl friends. Then got a reputation as a lesbian? so I thought well, maybe? I even asked a few lesbian freinds out--who said I was not their type. So I just felt ugly duckling for years. But looking back at that picture--of little Paigey I realized-- I wasn't just cute, I was way BETTER looking then most of these girls that had me feeling unfit to have a face! I have to turn this around. I am not going to start off a new decade of my life feeling old and ugly, So happy 30th birthday to me. and suck it cosmo, 17, People Magazine, and MTV. that is right..i said SUCK IT.

Someone recognized me today on the Street!

2009-07-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

So, I stepped out of my office to go to starbucks for a coffee as I was in an awful mood. As I was checking my phone and heading to starbucks, a girl smiled and was walking towards me. I was thinking fast in my head--how do I know her? she looks like she knows me?!...
She walks up and says "Hi- were you in the movie Jump Start with Carlo Fiorletta /Mara Lesemann (written by)?" I was in shock! "Yes, that was me!" I was wordless. I started giggling. "Wow, I feel like a famous actress right now" She laughed and said "Well, you are. You were great in that movie". We introduced ourselves, and she smiled and walked off.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1267174/

For the FIRST time ever in NYC someone recognized me. It felt great. And, the funny thing is I needed that little boost of encouragement from the Angels!

Thank You!

Man, Have I been busy...

2009-06-25T14:28:00.000-07:00

I just had it brought to my attention that I haven't updated my blog in a year. Yikes. I guess I assume that nobody reads these...but surprise! someone just did! I make a promise right now to update this once a month if only to say Nut-N-SPecial. But really, lots of good stuff has happened I should have been sharing with the world.

In a nut shell...I am performing and doing a LOT of improv. I tried out for the People's Improv Theater House Team and was told NO THANKS. Actually, I was told I was too aggressive. Damn it, I have gotten this feedback before. How spiritually do I incorporate this and learn. I am aggressive and as a woman I think it keeps me a float in this world. But because I have been told I am aggressive so many time I have started to get shy and quiet and resist my self tendency to be loud, outrageous and true to who I am ! I felt like it was just one more acting rejection in a long line of them and was ready to kick the NY bucket and run to the country. But, some insain side of me just won't let go. I'm glad I'm BIG at times and SOFT at other times. I think that I need to learn to accept other people's energies more. But, a lot of time people's impression of being aggressive comes from my need to take care of. In Improv, if I see a scene sinking or people not making sense or listening. I try to walk on and "fix" it. Sometimes If I see someone on the back line I try to do scene with them to "help" them.

This is just such a huge lesson for me in all areas. "STOP trying to fix everything, Dear."

Just do what is right for ME and the rest will follow.

SO, while I was licking wounds from my PIT rejection I came to realize this was a good lesson for me. Thanks Universe I think I get it! Now I just have to adopt this lesson into everyday. I'm trying. And, on the bright side a lot of people I met from the PIT wanted me on their Indie Improv teams which makes me feel special and loved. And now I perform at the PIT all the time, just not under their team names-which is better then fine. I am getting a lot of experience working with new teams, new venues, and new styles...I actually am learning so much more about performance then I would have on one of their teams. Ah, sweet life lessons....

So you can see me perform with the Bibliophiles, a book club/improv group every month at the PIT!

You can see me perform with a short form Improv group called "No Laugh Track Required" at different venues around the city.

My Birthday is fast approaching and as LEO age is never one of our favorite things. But, as I get older, I like myself a little more. I think I am learning more. I certainly think I am more "in tune" with the Universe and my higher self and I am starting to listen and learn from these little life lessons I have been sent for a long long time.

I have a new creative blog venture as well, It is WAY COOL. Check it out...I have a radio show! It is called BlogTalk Radio. You can find me at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Staigepatchy
I have a show called "The Actors Quest NYC" . Inside the Actors Quest is Interviews, Advice, Mistakes, Tales of Woe and Wins... from working actors in NYC. We share Tips, Hints and Help for actors in NYC from actors in NYC. Because remember "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!" So far we have 2 interviews availble for download- Richard Brundage, Aaron Simms and This weekend I will interview Joseph Rocha. Let's share and trade tricks on how to make it in NYC as an actor! Listen Live and call in to ask questions, or listen later and email me!

Happy Holidays 2008

2008-12-25T10:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from Paige Lussier Johnson....
Best Wishes for a beautiful 2009 with many wishes for luck, love, joy and success in your life and for those that you love!
Love,
Paige
www.staigepatchy.com

What is Paige Up to?
2008. Was a year of traveling, working and comedy for Paige. 2008 has been a good year for Paige acting wise as well... The film Jump Start she acted in during the summer of 07 was nominated for best dramatic short at the Action on Film Festival.

and is listed on IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1267174/
Which means I AM NOW ON IMDB! (which was an 08 goal whoo-hoo!)
2008 has been a year in which I have been focusing on comedy. I started taking classes at the People's Improv Theater and recently finished my training there! Levels 1-5 are now complete and I am lucky enough to have joined 2 great Improv groups. Washington Sidepost (aka WSP) recently competed in the PIT Sketchprov 2008 festival and made it into the semi finals! and Leave it to Beavers is a hot new all female improv group that is taking NYC by storm! Both WSP and Leave it to Beavers perform regulary around the city so keep your eyes open! (Both groups are on facebook, so become a fan!)

On a personal level: I love to travel and have done a lot of it this year! I started off the new year flying to CA and FL for an event promotion company. Paige (and Joe) also traveled for fun and weddings this year to Seattle, WA and Portland, OR as well as many weekend getaways to New England and upstate NY thanks to zipcar.com. I have also been working A LOT in the day job circa! I have been promoted to manager at Florelle, Inc. where I design favors and centerpieces. So if you or anyone you know are looking for centerpieces check out our website www.wanderfuls.com (and call me for a deal-& please ask for Paige for the love of god... it is a sales job!I )

For more info and updates -- Please go to www.staigepatchy.com for more complete listing as Paige does perform last minute venues around the city!
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
I Hope to see you soon! Have a great 2009 and Happy Holiday Season 08!

Keep in Touch,
Paige Lussier Johnson
Check out my website
Staigepatchy.com

Just graduated Level 5 @ People's Imrov Theater

2008-09-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

Whoo hooo! One year has past and I have graduated 5 levels of Improv at the PIT! A few months ago I was invited to join a group of classmates who wanted to practice outside of class. We have become Washington Sidepost. I am performing a lot with the group WSP we have grown so much since the beginnning of our practice groups. At level one at the PIT I thought I knew all to know about Improv (how hard could this really be, you just make shit up?) But know I see the art of it. The skill and know that like anything in life it is all in the moment and takes practice and skill to create anything of promise. My group Washington Sidepost is really kicking butt lately. Improv is fantastic and I think very zen. In Improv you must

Say Yes, And...
Listen
Trust
Be in the moment

Sounds like a zen master if you ask me....so hey, give me a suggestion and let me zen that for ya.

Diving into the Id -Ego- and Super Ego

2008-05-21T06:29:00.001-07:00

I've been Improv'ing up a storm lately: classes, jams, coachings, shows....I'm hooked. I love it. But its making me think a lot about all these masks we wear and how we wear them. Being a Psych student back in college I have that nasty habit of analysing everything I do or someone else does. For example look at the roles we think we play vs the roles others see us in or how about our habits, crutches and blocks. I'm filled with all of these! We all have certain things we do on stage some gesture or voice or character that seem to be out good 'ole standby. There is nothing more amazing then watching someone perform in a new way. So I'm digging in trying to figure out what my strengths are and avoid them. As an actor it makes me think back to roles I have failed at, and why. Often times its hard to admit total failure in a role we thought at the time we were doing our best at. But with age and time we look back and have that ah-ha moment of what the character really wanted or what our block was what that "thing" was we had been looking for-- but alas, too late!
I was in this scene class once with a guy I genuinely disliked and I got the chance to pull a gun on him. But in the scene I caved in and failed. By the end I was just faking it. I hated that scene and for a long time now I have been blaming everyone I could think of why I did not succeed in the role. His timing was off, He moved the blocking we had and I got stuck behind the bed, The teacher pushed me to work with someone I hated, This guy could barely speak English and was a total jerk, blah blah....it all could have fed the scene! But years later... last night in my Improv 4 class... I realized : I hate weak characters and always try to find a way to "win".
Maybe it is because I love being right. Maybe its because I try so hard to be strong in real life. Maybe its because I'm used to being the strong one and overcoming the shit that is thrown my way. Maybe its because I hate being vulnerable to other people. But Here I am reliving a scene in my head that I performed about 3 years ago. Having an ah-ha moment of how and why the scene just fizzled and how it was my fault. This character was weak and at the weakest point pulled a gun out of weakness. I was trying to pull strength and macho but now I see what I should have been tapping into. Seeing now that what I did was not react to how this made me feel weak I caved in and felt angry inside. I ran away from what I was feeling and tried masking my volunerability instead of exposing it.
Hindsight really is 20/20

Go Green... Zipping is good for the NYC soul

2008-03-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

I just fell in love with zipping, That is right. I love zip car.
If you join we both get $25 bucks driving credit, I LOVE zip.
So sign up, Say I sent ya.
Whats the deal with zip? I don't know but it is pure gold, and I am in love. It's easy, user friendly and a total GODSEND.
I got away this weekend and it was the best thing I have done for ME in a long time, and the best thing my husband and I have done for WE in even longer. I feel great. I drove a car and got the hell out of the city, for a day, in my "own" car, rocking out to tunes and feeling the stress melt away with each passing mile.
I found a little city upstate. Cold Spring , NY. I took the back roads. We packed a lunch and stopped by a bridge for a bite. We went antiquing. We love small towns and old stuff. I bought an early 1900's foot rest and a jade ring. My husband and I walked through a quaint little village popping in the stores along Main St. USA. We went out for lunch in an almost empty retaurant/old train depot turned eatery chatting and laughing while we sat across from a warm and cozy fire. I really think zip car is good for my soul. for the longest time I have been freaking out, hating my life, and it looks all I needed was a zip day to get away.

Inner Artist Grove On

2008-02-22T07:49:00.000-08:00

I admit it, I am in an artist slump. Writers have writers block and I have my artist slumps. I have blocks and issues and fears. I experience general feelings is isolation and bitterness. I admit to being totally green with jealousy of others peoples success stories. Stories that should inspire me that if my friends can make it there is hope for me. But, in my 'slumpist mentality' all I see is my self fading. I lose hope. I see all the things I have not accomplished instead of listing all the things I have accomplished. And damn it, I have done a lot of really cool things. Yet I can't help feeling jealous. When is my time going to come, my break. I start asking how long can I do this...I procrastinate. I sit around thinking about all the things I COULD be or SHOULD be doing. Like a writer stares at a blank screen I stare into the mirror with a blank look in my eyes it is as if I am an empty canvas. I could try to get that inner artist out. Get the creative mojo flowing. I could: Doodle; Write; Paint; Color with crayons; I make masks, or clocks why not make one? I could blast some tunes and dance like a Young Patrick Swayze was by my side. I could write a blog. OK, check I am doing that. Is it helping? a little.

I am going to trust that everyday good or bad I am in charge of my own life. I am going to know that someone else's success is fantastic and it is their success not mine. I am going to trust that I am creating the structure through which all of my gifts will be actualized. I am going to trust that every day things are happening and seeds under the surface are growing for MY success and I am going to trust that my inner artist is jazzed and ready to go but sometimes its OK for her to be tired and not so artsy. Its snowing, I think I am going to go play in the snow....I think my inner artist would like that.

The struggle between work and art

2008-02-20T05:49:00.000-08:00

i work a lot. i don't have set hours. i work in the day, in the evening and on the weekends. it is "flexible" i travel for work. i fly to CA or FL or where ever else they send me. i feel as if i barely have time to breath let alone set aside time to be an artist. I work 2 "flexible" jobs. so i can audition when i want. as long as i book the audition a week in advance. i intern at the PIT every wed night from 6-10 for discount classes, i take classes. i get together with other actors and improvisers to practice and perform weekly. i have an apartment that needs cleaning and laundry to do. i have a husband that misses me who only sees me on the weekends and even then i leave him every weekend to go audition or take a class or work one extra shift. i have family that think i should be home more often and say i don't love my nephews or nieces enough. i have a sick mother who is angry at me for not taking care of her. i sleep a dead sleep at night from pure exhaustion and if for some reason i am not truly exhausted i toss and turn because i have no idea how to manage all the "have to do"s with all of my "want to do"s... i feel as if i barely have time to breath let alone set aside time to be an artist. it is the most difficult tug of war i have ever encountered.

I am having a hard time staying focused on my art. art seems to be the first thing to fade, i am always tired, so i will skip that audition, cause i can't skip work or hey i want to see that play but cant afford it so i will pay my credit card bill.

How can I balance my have to's and want to's? How can I be an artist and successfully balance being a woman, a lover, a wife, a partner, an individual and all the while pay the rent, my bills, and all the rest?

When I first moved to NYC I used to mock people that would say " I am an actor" and when I asked them what they have done or what they are doing they would say " well, i work too much so I haven't done anything in ____years" I'd smile to myself and think "you are not an actor".

But look at me now?! I still have things I am doing but really when was the last time I answered proudly with out hesitation "I am an actor". I usually say I work in event planning and act on the side...on the side? that has got to stop!

I need to learn how to say "no"...no i can't cover that shift. no i can't fly to CA this week and FL the next. "no" i can't help you. "no" i can't come home this weekend.

I need to learn how to say "yes" to the important stuff-"yes" to the audition. "yes" to the class. "yes" i would love to go out on a date with my husband, "yes" to seeing the play. "yes" i am an artist.

My First step:
Q:"what do you do?"
A: "i'm an artist" ; "i'm an actor"

Trying to Plan a life- Listen to that Trouble Tree

2008-01-28T07:34:00.000-08:00

I am so conflicted, at work, at play, at home, at auditions. Who am I and how do I market myself? What are my strengths and weakness, from an objective POV how can I grow? how can I be better?This is why teachers and coaches come in handy but sadly, teachers and coaches cost money. And money is not something I let go of easily-mainly because I am trying desperately to stay afloat and perhaps even save.
I have finally realized the importance of peer networks. This Sunday I met with three other artists to play and work on Improv scene work. It helped. A lot. I have been itching at this idea for years now, a network of peers who support one another's art. But to get people together A) is hard and B) to find space is impossible. We all need outside pockets of creativity and freedom to express our inner artist in a safe snugly sort of way. Classes and Coaching never seem as safe and snugly as I want, because I feel judged and I am. I judge myself and look to the teacher to ease my harsh assessments. In peer play we don't judge (as much) because we are all teaching and learning equally. Last night we had the people and we found space. Technically someones office after hours, but hell it works for me!
I have an audition coming up, and I am so nervous, because I am SO out of practice. This little peer play reminded me of the fact that I am not alone in this crazy actor world with harsh self assessments and brass judgements from that self loathing POV I try to ignore daily. but its there so I have to accept its feedback, but not dwell on it.

I work as a corporate trainer in my spare time and I am constantly coaching my staff and clients on release and energy work. Yet here I am hanging myself from the branches of my own trouble tree unaware of the elephant I ignore in the room. self doubt. Hey DOUBT. I see you, and I am so over you. or trying to be....maybe if I can just peek over that elephant for a spell I can see the path I am trying to get a foot hold on. This trouble tree we all have-we can either hang ourself from it or climb it.

So LISTEN TO THAT TROUBLE TREE.
We all have troubles. Rent, Money, Partners, Family, Loneliness, Stress, Doubt, Health, you name it. We all have troubles. If we think of our life like a tree. Each thought is a leaf, each year is a branch. We are the trunk or core of every feeling and emotion. Family is our roots but the sun and above is our destination. So the choice is do we save the fallen brittle leaves of our past or do we water the new growth. I say we water what is beautiful in life. Turn the old leaf over and look at it from another point of view. If we have troubles we can acknowledge them and as long aw we know that we have new blossoms and new hope to tend to we can climb that tree higher and higher.

Make your own Monologue Scrapbook

2007-11-17T20:20:00.000-08:00

YOUR SCRAPBOOK!
Go find your monologues. Copy them. Paste them where you want them. Work on them, have fun!

You might want to leave a blank page after each monologue for edited versions with time cuts
And leave margins on the edge for notes from coaches, etc.

I suggest making copies of handouts your teachers give you
(Tongue twisters or vocal warm ups, or action verbs or anything you think will help YOU). Include anything that you think will be a good reference to have with you at all times.

Your Scrapbook Section Guide:

Section 1: Contemporary Monologues (plus pg. w/ section for time cuts: 3 min, 2 min, 1 min, less)
Section 2: Classic Monologues (plus pg. W/ section for time cuts: 3 min, 2 min, 1 min, less)
Section 3: Sheet Music
Section 4: Feedback, Notes, & Handouts Section
Section 5: Audition Tracker/Organizer
Section 6: Mass Mailing Organizer/Networking Finder
Section 7: Goals
Section 8: Resource List
Section 9: Thoughts & Quotes
Section 10: End Notes

So you want to be an actor, you want a career in acting? Best Wishes! For more info, contact Paige Lussier Johnson email:paige@staigepatchy.com and I can make a monologue scrapbook for you--well, get it started for your, the monologue choices are your own....I have this blog and more info in "book" format(for sale)....so you can easily use the info to get started on your career! Congrats on your bold choice of careers and the passion to follow your heart...

Now forget the ABC's and mind your XYZ's

N: nobody but you makes the choice on how to live your life.
O: only you know the right way.
P: put yourself first.
Q: quit trying to be like everybody else.
R: remember who you are and where you are going.
S: stay active, alert and alive.
T: tune the doubt out.
U: unfinished business is no fun—finish what you start.
V: victory is within reach.
W: what other people say and think about you should not affect you.
X: the x factor, or the it factor, depends on what you are willing to show them of yourself.
Y: you rock.
Z: zippity do da—it’s all up to you! Go get ‘em tiger!

Keep in mind all this info, is just little bits of wisdom and advice other people have given me or
I took note of somehow-- from classes, workshops, or other actors.
Nothing is factual, it is merely observation from my perspective…You will find your own truths and helpful hints of wisdom from those in your life, and those are the things that should be in YOUR monologue scrapbook!

Audition Wisdom and Helpful hints I’ve gotten along the way

2007-11-04T17:56:00.000-08:00

Life as an actor
Ask yourself these questions:
1) What is your passion?
2) Why do you want to be an actor?
3) What texts and what teachers have been most influential to you?
4) What precepts on acting and/or theater/art have stuck in your brain? Why?
5) How can you redefine them? (Nancy Saklad)
You’ve got to love it.
Focus on what you DO want. Don’t waste energy thinking about what you don’t want.
Figure out what it is, that is UNIQUELY YOU. Cultivate what is uniquely YOU. Let that energize you.
Be positive, don’t allow negative thought and fears to get in your way. Focus on what you want and don’t worry about HOW you’ll get there…just trust you will!
Networking is KEY. Every person you meet is a brick in your yellow brick road to success.
(Remember that today’s secretary is tomorrow’s agent)
Volunteer for theater companies you like and respect. Get to know, and work with people you admire, even if from the distance. Volunteering can sometimes be the foot in the door you need.
Learn different skills in your trade: Costumes, Stage Management, Lighting, directing, etc The more you know, the more you will work. The more you work, the more you can network. The more you network the more you learn, the more you learn, the more you grow as an actor, the more you grow as an actor, the closer you are to pie in they sky success!
Observe actors you respect. Model their excellence. Find out what it is that those actors do that you love so much. Read their bios. Search them on the Internet. Observe and seek out more of their work. Figure out what makes them uniquely them. Study their beliefs. Study their values. Observe their actions and their life story. Get inspired. Learn from them.
Go SEE live theater. Go to the movies. Watch commercials. Watch TV. Listen to Voice Over’s. Hint: If you can’t afford tickets to live theater: usher, volunteer, find a way.
The barter system is alive and well in the theater world. Use it wisely.
Act as much as you can, you need to be willing to act for free--within limits: never settle and don’t compromise yourself, if you act for free do it because you love it or you want to. Expect the best, and attract the work you want.
Yes, you will probably need a “day” job. Don’t settle. Don’t get sucked it. Don’t let that job define you. Don’t bring that job home with you. Don’t let this job distract you from what you really want to be doing. “You want to spend 80% of your time on the 20% of your activities that bring you the greatest results”(Acting Success Now http://www.actingsuccessnow.com/).
“The full secret of life is how you focus your mind, what you focus it on, and the actions you take…
1) Know where are.
2) Know where you want to be.
3) Take action.
4) Evaluate the action.
5) Refine action.
6) Repeat steps 3.4.5”

Actor exercise/keeping in shape
This is wear training comes in handy. Know your strengths and weakness. Work on your weakness. Pump up your strength. Physical exercise is always important, but so is your craft! Get a routine worked out, and stick to it. Set goals for yourself. Figure out what you have to do to accomplish those goals.
Show your monologues to people. Do tounge twisters. Stretch. Do vocal warm ups.Work on general articulation. Do singing vocal scales. Observe strangers (secretively) and make notes on their walks, gestures, and voice. Read books by the greats (Stainslovsky, Meisner, Adler, Clurman, etc), Take acting classes, Take Improve classes, Take singing lessons. Take Trapeze. Take fencing. Take stage combat. Take Dance class. Take Yoga. Take_______ (fill in the blank with a class you want to take). Read Plays.

Reading plays
You should always be reading plays, especially if this is your desired career. It is your job to know as many plays as possible. It is your job to know theater. It is your career! You choose to do this. You need to keep up to date with the hot new playwrights and their hot new plays! Doctors can’t forget to find the time to ready the latest medical journals, it is their job to know what is out there in their field! You read plays because it helps you stretch your imagination and grow as an actor, and it is a great way to discover new monologues…because monologues are your meal ticket to getting paid work!
Picking your monologues
Why are you drawn to this piece, how do you connect with it? How are you and the character alike and different?
Avoid pieces that tell to much and make it easy for you to hide behind words or a story. Find a piece that has space for you to navigate, make discoveries and to dive into.
Find a piece that has an A-HA! Moment. There should be some element of surprise in the monologue and opposition in the character.
When you pick a monologue: don’t pick one to “sell” and to prove what a strong, versatile actor you are. Instead pick one that “sells you” for who you are. Once you are cast, you can branch out and show them how versatile you really are.
Pick a piece that is age and gender appropriate. You have to overcome enough obstacles in this business why make more for yourself?

Questions for the character and for you as you get started
Who are you talking to?
How do they react to what you are saying?
What is your objective (what do you want)? Choosing an objective helps you re-wire what you would normally do, and gives the monologue a different energy from you.
What point are you trying to make?
What do you do when you get what you want?
What do you when you do not get what you want?
What makes this day different from every other day?
Where is the danger in the piece?
Why are you talking about this right now? Why do you need to? Is something happening NOW or is it something that happened a long time ago and you need to share it with someone? If so why NOW?
What is your physicality at this moment-are you tired, drunk, why? How can you mask your physical condition so the other person doesn’t know?
Where is the A-HA! Moment in the piece? How does that moment change things?

Preparing the monologue… text work
Phrasing. Punctuation. Where are the commas, periods and exclamation points. Why are they there?
What CLUES is the playwright giving you?
What is the rhythm of this character’s speech? Do they talk slow or fast? Erratic or constant?
Is there a subtle dialect or physical characteristic (like, overbite) written into the text that you can use?
Are there certain color words, like adjectives, that give you a hint of who you are and how you talk?
What are the KEY words in the piece (hint: look at the last 3 words of the sentence, do they give you a hint about what point you are making?)
Is there opposition or antithesis in what you are saying? Why is it there?
A neat trick: While rehearsing-read the monologue out loud and walk in a straight line- at every point of new punctuation: walk in a different direction. What does this tell you about the character? What is happening in that punctuation? Why is it there?

Rehearsing your monologues/coaching
Find a coach you trust and work with them. Keep in mind, everyone will have a different opinion on your piece. Work with other people, get their feedback, then throw it all out the window and see what still resonates with you. Work on those notes.
Find ways to study the piece and get inside the characters head:
1) Find a photo of a work of visual art that appears to you to be someone else’s way of reflecting something key in each of your pieces.
2) Find a song that really speaks to you about each piece.
Avoid “settling” for art/music/images that aren’t quite right. Find as many as seem really right.
(Nancy Saklad)
Type up clean copies of the text, double or triple spaced is best. Exact punctuation. This will help your coaches as they work on the piece with you
What kind of monologue is this? What are saying and why? Is it a story? Is it a journey? Is it a “this or that” piece? What are the differences between these types of monolgues?
“Think of your monologue as ABC:
A-Beginning: Set up character
B-Middle: Deliver a human moment: reveal/click/shift/change: is physical and emotional
C-End: Transition to “new” you: how do you react to getting or not getting what you wanted in the beginning? Did you make the point you wanted to?
What are the gear shift between these moments, how do you shift from A to B to C?” (Catherine Doherty)
Don’t be afraid of silence. Silence is human. It is often in silence that we make discoveries.
If you ask a question in the monologue—REALLY ASK IT. How does the person you just asked respond to the question? How do you respond to their response of the question?
Rehearse with this neat exercise: finish every sentence in the monologue with “do you know what I mean?” (and really ask it), see if that changes anything. (NTC)
Be careful with accents/voices. That voice could take the auditor in a different direction and they will have to “get past” the voice to see: you. And, you want them to see you, that is why you are there! It is great to rehearse with accents and voices, because it helps you safely fall into character—but once you have the character start taking the voice off, or masking it, bit by bit until it is gone and only you know it is there-just under the surface.
What are your points of focus? (John Basil)
It is OK to use a chair, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit in it the entire time either. You can use it like a set piece to delineate the space, time and place.
Remember pitch propels the story forward.
A strong Intro does not mean LOUD
Never Yell.
Strong shift changes are key-they reveal the human moments.
Don’t ever whine, beg, plead…it undermines your argument: Demand! (Catherine Doherty)
If doing more then one monologue, do your BEST ONE FIRST! They make up their mind in the first ten seconds sometimes, so help yourself out: put your best foot first!
When speaking; speak to the end of the line! The last word or last 3 words in every sentence are your power words. Use them to build! Set up, Set up, Punch. 1+1=2 (John Basil)
Stay on voice. They won’t cast you if they can’t hear you.
Be honest.
Don’t have expectations for yourself. Don’t “try to cry”. Try NOT to cry. Be in the moment as they happen: Be every moment, let each moment happen naturally how it wants to happen, and the emotion will come from a real place, not a made up ending!
Don’t expect your monologue to be the same every time. Let it be, what it is, and Enjoy it.
Technique and rehearsal will help you find the tools you need to discover the monologue naturally each and every time, this will help you get over a case of nerves or a bad mood, bad day etc.
Last line is your sharpest, have a button. End it. (that way you never have to say—um, yeah I am done: they will know!)

Know who and what you are auditioning for
DO YOUR RESEARCH. If they ask you, “do you have any questions for us” you can ask a serious enlightened question not…”so, what are you guys all about?” or “what’s the play about?”
What is this play? READ it! (if you can, if not do a google search on line and get a quick idea.
What is the character you are auditioning for? What monologue do you have prepared that best fits that personae? Is there another character in the play you’d like to ask to be considered for? Most people I talk to say it is OK to ask, they will tell you: Yes or No. But if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t ask.
What is this Theater Company? WHERE is this company located? What kind of Theater Company are they? What types of shows do they produce? How long have they been around? Who is their audience? What are they known for? What is their mission statement?
Who is this director? What has this director done? Have you seen any of their work before? What are they casting? What types of actors do they usually cast?
Try to match your audition piece to the type of show you audition for, audition with something that will help them imagine YOU in their play. Hint: If you are auditioning for children’s theater, don’t do a piece with curse words (try to avoid those pieces in general-you never want to offend someone you just met in this business).
If this is for graduate school. You HAVE to do your homework first. They want people, who want them. Feel free to go so far as to call the schools registrars office, before the audition, and politely ask if you can have the email/contact info to students currently enrolled in the program. Speak to at least one person from each year at the school, this is a good way to get an idea of the program first hand. (NTC)

Film/TV auditions versus Theater auditions
This is not as easy as you think. FILM and TV is a very finicky market. With film you have to strike a delicate balance between your self and your character. You can’t over act or be too “theatrical”, you can’t under act or else it “isn’t truthful”. You can’t be big and boisterous. You need to be real. That is the key. You need to be so real, that they want you in their living room talking to them. Sure, they give you the lines, and you get to bring your sides in with you to the audition--but you have to know your lines 100% and I mean: word for word. You are auditioning for writers most of the time, so if you don’t get the words right-- they don’t want you. You are also auditioning for producers who have to deal with a million other things, they don’t want someone they have to direct…they want someone who is perfect right out of the box: with no direction. Film picks every thing up, and they EYES are KEY…so that means you have to be even more prepared. You have to KNOW those lines, because every time you look down to see your lines you loose the producers interest, the writer’s interest and you loose the job. Remember they want perfection—they want to say: Yes! Like that, exactly like that…We’ll cast you! If you have never been on film, and you are only trained for theater…take a class, it takes practice.
Oh, and here is a little trick I learned: If you get called back and you are meeting producers and the whole crew, be nice, say hello, but don’t try to engage them…they want you to be EXACTLY like you were the first time (don’t change a THING. And remember this: don’t shake their hands unless they offer their hand first. Keep in mind that if they want to talk to you, they’ll start the conversation. If they start the conversation: Talk it UP!

What to wear
Dress simple, elegant, where cloths you can work in and be comfortable.
§ Avoid flashy jewelry: it distracts them from watching you.
§ Avoid high heels. First of all, because they make you look taller then you really are (remember: never lie about who you are). Secondly , high heels effect your breath and support: make it as easy for yourself as possible!
§ Don’t wear black pants and a white shirt, it makes you look like a waiter/waitress.
§ Avoid flashy cloths: bright colors, long scarfs, weird hats etc.
§ If you are well built-show it off—respectfully. If you’ve got great arms, wear a short sleeve shirt, if you have nice legs: show them—you can wear a skirt--- but not one that is too long, or one that is too short!
§ Simple hair that frames your face and doesn’t plop in your face or hide your eyes.
§ For film/TV: if you are called back, (and in general) try to wear the same outfit or at least one that is similar. That way they will remember you easier.

At the audition and what to do
ALWAYS BE ON TIME
Remember that you are “on” the minute you get there. That monitor in front of the door, has a lot more say then you think they do. They will have the inside scoop. Was she late? Was she prepared? Was he friendly to others? What did he talk to others about? Was he respectful? Was she rood or impatient?
Be READY to do your audition piece the minute you set foot in that building. WARM UP AT HOME.
Never ask to do make-up, change etc before you go in to audition, in my opinion: it is tacky. Go to the bathroom before you get there. If you need to go, ask how long the wait is, and go quick!
YOU KNOW YOUR LINES, so RELAX.
BE PREPARED. Headshot and Resumes (and extras) ready to go.
Write down and keep track of WHO you are auditioning for & who is in the room at the time you go in.
If you are nervous, it is OK to be nervous! Accept the fact that YES you are nervous. Acknowledge it. Welcome the jitters and pre-show excitement. Then release it: forget about it and have fun!

Walking into the audition room/meeting and greeting
Don’t shake their hand unless they extend their hand first. Germs are no fun, and directors see a lot of germy people--who all want to shake their hand. If they don’t shake your hand, don’t be offended…think of it as… they like you so much they don’t want you to get sick!
Never apologize. Be positive. Be Neutral. Be clear.
Walk into the audition room with attitude, a positive attitude! There is absolutely, no other place you’d rather be. You have to tell this story right away. You know something they don’t know: how good you are, and how badly they want to work with you—compel them to be involved in your story.
As you are walking in, look around and check the space for echoes and sound quality.
When you go into the room try to get a feel for where you will start and be careful here. You don’t want to end up to close to the auditor or start to far away. You want to give them enough space so that they have their own personal space, but not so far away that they can ignore you. Start Talking and getting acquainted with the room as you are setting up.
Introduce the piece or both pieces before you start. Take a breath or a beat and GO. Make sure you take a literal beat, not three-five beats, and ever “warm up”, do jumping jacks or any of that nonsence… you should have done that LONG ago!
You don’t have to wait for them to say Go. Don’t worry if they aren’t looking at you. AND NEVER act with that person. They will resent you for making them act with you. They want to silently observe you and hide in their own private audience and enjoy the show. If there is a panel you might be able to get away with talking to the group…but be prepared (remember the points of focus you rehearsed?). Look to the left or right of the auditor or navigate between them with different marks of focus.
Before you start your audition-- try to pin point exact spots in the room that you will focus. If you want to look straight ahead…go just over the auditior’s head (but not too far up, they will think you are talking to aliens hovering over their head and they will become more interested in figuring out what is up there?!)
Keep in mind: if you are doing 2 monologues, they actually are seeing 3 characters. 1) YOU 2) Your first piece 3) Second Piece. What makes these three different characters? How is your energy different from the monologues?
Always be prepared to take adjustments (notes). If you can take a note, it shows your potential, if you are not clear: ask.
Never apologize after you audition. Never ask to start over. Keep going. It is a performance. You don’t stop on stage and say “sorry audience, I know you paid money to be here, but I just plum forgot my lines”. You cover, and move on as seamless as you can! Be professional. Even if you lost your lines and made up the ending…never tell them or show them you messed up…they might just think it was a fantastic audition until you made a face and said “eeck, sorry”. Funny story: I once forgot the end to my monologue made the whole thing up, finished strong, smiled and left strong…and I still got called back!

What to do with Cold reads/sides
Get to know that script as best you can, and as fast as you can.
Look for clues the playwright has given you in the punctuation.
What are obvious choices in that script, is there any way you can do something different that still keeps with character and language?
Find the humor.
Look for the grear shift or A-HA moment, and figure out how you can punctuate that moment.
Become familiar with the lines. Try to know your Ques.
Rehearse it if you can
When you are in there stay focused on the other actor while they talk—LISTEN. When it is your turn, look down get your line and they look back up and say it to them.
You can hold your script out in front of you so that you can see the actor and your lines, avoid looking down at the script.
If you are acting with a “reader” it is Ok to ask the reader if they will be reading or if they will be interacting with you. If they are just reading, it is your choice to either act with them or to set the character out in the distance, which ever one works best for you.
If you get sides ahead of time: KNOW YOUR LINES.
Do your best. Take your time. Have FUN.

Interviews
This is where doing your research comes in handy. Have questions ready and on the top of your head, the last thing they want to do is what while you sift through your binder for your printed out generic grad school questions 101.
Don’t ask open-ended questions. Be specific.
Engage in conversation about their program. It is perfectly acceptable to say, I have done a lot of research. I have spoken to these students and I feel like your school is a perfect match for me. You might want to show examples of what draws you to their program and what makes you nervous.
Give them space to know you are prepared and knowledgeable of their program so that they can ask you the questions they want to.
Praise but don’t suck up.
Don’t waste their time. Don’t extend a conversation longer then it needs to be. They are busy people, don’t hog their time for silly reasons. Don’t push it. This is a professional exchange.
Leave promptly, politely and with a confident smile. Leave them wanting more. Remember: Don’t shake their hand, unless they extend first!

Call backs
Yippeeee! Congrats. Have fun! Relax. They like your work. Don’t over think it.
Be on time.
Wear something similar or wear the same outfit…unless it is stinky, if it is. Wash it. It is not a big deal (just try to do something to make it easier for them to remember you from last time).
Don’t waste their time.
Don’t shake their hand, unless they extend first.
Don’t engage in unnecessary conversation, but always be polite and friendly. (never say something like: I am now in character, so please don’t talk to me, just let me go ahead and do it now. Sounds silly but it has happened! You need to be able to turn it on and off on a dime.)
Be polite and courteous.
If it is film, do the SAME thing you did last time. If it is theater, do the same monologue unless they give sides. If it is sides, see above.
Don’t waste their time, when they say thank you, you say thank you and leave.
Again, as you leave….Don’t shake their hand, unless they extend first!

Following up/keeping in touch/keeping track/Mailings
Keep track of who you have auditioned for and how it went. Did you get called back, Did you get the part?
Do you want to audition for them again? You will find that there are companies out there, that you will seek out and other that you will avoid…if someone at an audition is rude to you…always be professional but be aware of who they are and who you do and do not want to work with in the future!
Soon you will be able to say: I have done this monologue 10 times and never gotten called back, and yet I have luck with other pieces! Why? Do you want to re-work it, get a new one, or maybe avoid doing that monologue at certain types of auditions!
Did they give you any feedback on your piece, keep the notes and work on what you think is worth adjusting.
If you WANT to work with this company in the future, Mail them a THANK YOU post card or put them on your mailing list, and keep in touch. They’ll call you in again, if you keep in touch!
Mass mailings are tricky, and I personally hate them.
(my numbers no facts here just my opinion)
40% of your headshots will not be opened by the right person.
30% will be thrown out.
5% will get sent back or never get to where they need to go.
10% will collect dust on someone’s desk.
5 % will keep you in mid for a later project.
5% will call you in for an audition/interview.
2% will say no thank you.
Another 2% will ask you to take a class with them or to put you on their mailing list and,
1% will cast you.
But all it takes is that 1%!
Target your mailing lists, and narrow down whom you submit to. The more you collect dust on that same persons desk, the better chance you have of getting a call in.

Networking
You are your own small business. If your business fails…well, you know.
Who you meet and how you present yourself is the difference between getting work and creating a buzz about who you are and what you do in this business and working as a waitress all your life.
Today’s secretary is tomorrows agent.
If you meet people at auditions you like or want to keep in touch with, exchange business card or email.
Have an email list of contacts to send “news flash” emails and updates/show invitations to.
If you support other actors/artists: they will support you! THAT is networking!
If you say you will do something…YOU DO IT, bailing on your word is fatal in this business.

Keep in mind all this info, is just little bits of wisdom and advice other people having given me be it in classes, workshops, or other actors. Everything and every final say is up to you…As Joseph Campbell says: “Follow your bliss” and as I would say “Fuck everybody else and enjoy yourself”.

Tips on how to be an organized and prepared actor...

2007-11-04T17:43:00.000-08:00

Headshot/Resume Organizer
a) Be Organized
I think it is so important to have everything you might need in a pinch with you at all times. Always be ready, just in case. It is always the days you aren’t prepared that someone asks for a headshot. Don’t let it happen. Think ahead. Always have at least a business card with you, but if possible have it all—Directors, Monitors and CD’s don’t want an annoying actor saying whoops “I forgot to bring my headshot” or asking to borrow their scissors or stapler as the actor tries to cut and staple a H&R in the office. If you need to staple your resume to your headshot and cut the edges, do it elsewhere. Don’t t let them see you unprepared; remember this is their first impression of you.
What should be in an actor’s tool kit at all times and on tour/travel/study abroad
ALWAYS have—extra Headshots and resumes prepped and ready to hand in, monologue scrap book and field guide, mini scissors, mini stapler, glue stick, tape, scan stick or disc with your H& R on file, business cards, post cards, extra sheet music (at least one ballad and one up-tempo), a CD with music accompaniment pre-recorded and a water bottle:

IF ON TOUR bring all of the above plus add these to your Pack List:
Photocopy of license/passport, insurance cards, medical history and all Credit cards that you are bringing with you (kept somewhere other then in your wallet-keep it hidden), Phone card, cell phone, and extra address book with important phone numbers, Throw/Lap Blanket , Yoga mat, eye cover/room darkener, air plane pillow for sleeping sitting up with head/neck support, Sun-block, chap stick, band-aids, Peroxide, Q tips, Neosporin, Ace- bandages, Cold ice pack/hot pack, Aspirin, Tylenol, ear plugs, bug spray, allergy medication like Benadryl (in case of allergic reaction), Pepto-bismal (tablets are best), gas-X, Rolaids, Tylenol/Sudafed AM and PM, throat and cough drops, rehearsal skirt/rehearsal outfit, extra sweater (even if you are going somewhere warm AC can be freezing!), extra socks/underwear, gloves, knee pads, Workout/dance cloths, Character shoes, Sneakers, Slippers, Sandals and dress shoes, extra Towel, Tape Recorder, a warm up tape with recorded vocal scales, make-up, hair pins, eye drops, feminine products if a woman, condoms, flash-light, matches, lighter, mini map of area, batteries, etc,
b) Headshots
Here is some advice a teacher once gave me: Find a headshot that says YES. I had no idea what she meant at the time. But, as I get older it makes a little more sense. No two headshots are alike, because no two actors are alike. So don’t try to get a headshot just like your friends. Find one that is just like you. It needs to look like YOU first and foremost, don’t bother air brushing the flaws, those make you: YOU and you want them to hire YOU not a glossy perfect version of you! There needs to be something in it that picture that sets you apart from every body else just like you. You know you are different and better then them…so think about what you have that others don’t and what makes you uniquely you…then let your headshot tell that story for you.

My teacher also gave me this same advice: Once you find the photographer you want to work with, go into that studio with an action of letting them know the unique YOU--just like you are playing a role. The role is YOU are the best-kept secret since sliced bread. Between every shot, think of something you want to tell the casting director or producer who is looking at your headshot then look up into the camera and tell them—engage in the moment, don’t just smile pretty. With every picture have an action/emotion. You’ll be amazed at how those pictures really tell a story. It’s not just face—there will be a sparkle in the eyes that is all YOU. That photo will say YES. It will ooze open receptivity. The picture will have a story that catch’s the casting director or producers eyes as they go through 100’s of pictures just like yours and if they like, the story you are telling them: they’ll call you in! Oh, and if you print your picture off your computer (which you shouldn’t) make sure it is 8X10. Once you have the headshot you want: Make Lots of copies of your headshot. Attach resume. Go to a reproduction company and have your prints made, it is a good idea to have them print your name underneath your headshot as well. Ask other actors who they use for headshot reprocuctions or do search on line. Backstage.com is a great source for info like that. You can also have that same reproduction company make postcards and business cards for you as well, or you can go to an online printing company like uprint.com or printsmadeeasy.com where you can upload images and design your own postcards and business cards. Just make sure it looks professional.

c) Advice on what to put on acting resume:
Well first of all, never lie. I have heard this a million times. Never lie. Never even twist a truth.
Always Make sure your head shot and your resume are the same size 8X10 (Paper is 8.5X11—so you need to trim resume to fit the standard 8X10 size: if it doesn’t fit in the file cabinet or in the pile neatly it will get thrown away. Staple your resume on all four corners, and make sure the staples are flat on the photo side: it just looks better.
Have a different headshot and different resume for Film/TV and one for Theater. On the Film/TV resume put Film/TV credits first. For Theater resume put theatre credits first. You want to catch their eye with the stuff they want to see first. And, If you don’t have any credits, or a lot of credits don’t worry about it, put what you have…we all start somewhere!
Look at other actors resumes, you can search the website for actors websites and actor resumes, or a little trick of mine… pretend you are a casting director and search websites like nycastings.com or actorsaccess.com for talent and see how they arranged their resume and print ones you like and use them as models!
Have your photo somewhere on the resume that way they can see you and your work all in one glance—it also helps incase your resume falls off or rips off the headshot!
Make your resume easy to read. Be picky on what you put on it… it’s better to put your best foot forward and have a few great credits that are easy to read versus a squished resume crammed with tiny unreadable fonts overflowing with everything you’ve ever done. Helpful hint: Keep a life long resume that has all of your credits on it from every show, but only keep it for yourself so you can reference later on if need be.
I think it is a good idea to have a service number and a PO box for your resume. You are going to send your resume out all over the country. At some point, more often then you’d think, your picture will wind up in a trashcan. And be wary of having personal contact info on it. When I first moved to NYC I sent my H&R and cover letter out all over the city. One my cover letter, I explained who I was and where I just moved from and that I was new to the city. It had a phone number, address, everything right on it. About a month passed after the first of many mass mailings and I got a message on my phone. “Hey my name is Juan and I saw your picture and think you’re cute and I know your new to the city, so I thought I’d take you out and show you ‘round the city, give me a call at…” Needless to say, I never called. But I did get a service number and a PO box and think it is worth every penny. Now, I give out my service number, check messages from my cell phone and if I want them to have my cell number I call back and give it to them.
Never hand write anything on the resume, type-up a new version with the new info or credits you want on it.
Put your email on your resume only if you check your email often. Sometimes you’ll get emails asking you to show up the next day, or that day and you need to be ready! Oh, and put your website on your resume, if you have one. Helpful hint: Make a website. Now a day you kind of have to, even if it is simple, you should have one. I purchased my URL and made my own site with an Internet downloadable web-site builder (yahoo site builder for example). It was easy!
*There are different opinions: On whether to include your height, weight, size, age, etc. …I say…. it’s up to you, but I wouldn’t put an age. They don’t need to know your real age, as long as your head shot truly looks like you, they think what they want. They might want to think you are older or younger then you are and, let them think whatever they want-- it might get you cast!
Special Skills section…only put it down if you really have those skills and if you are REALLY good at them. List things like languages, and accents, and true skills/talents. Just because you’ve been on a unicycle once in your life, doesn’t mean you should list it as a skill. You have to be proficient at this skill, and don’t worry about clarifying it with “intermediate/advanced”. If they want to know more they can ask, and you can clarify then. Just remember they might want to see it. Do you really want to do the “alien on crack” impersonation your friends think is so funny at an audition—if so, go ahead…they might just need a laugh! You have to be willing to do it! And keep in mind--You are the judge! I once heard of a girl who got cast on a soap opera because her special skills said “changing diapers”. You never know, what will get you that job…but keep in mind, she had to change diapers on the show!And finally… Check for spelling errors a million and two times before you send it to any one. I once had a director call out a FEW of my spelling typos at an audition. I didn’t get cast, and I still blame my utter humiliation over misspelled words--or who knows maybe I was too tall. (ha)

Acting and Auditioning 101

2007-11-04T17:13:00.000-08:00

Hi, My name is Paige, and like you I am an actor. And, I am sure you have heard it before but: it ain’t easy. I hope you like being a small business owner, because, really that is what you are. You may have to work odd jobs on the side, but all of your spare energy needs to be placed into marketing and growing your business: YOU. Every small company needs tools for their trade; actor’s tools consist of training, talent, and material. But, it won’t matter how brilliant you are, or how brilliant you could be unless you can audition well. Auditioning is something most actors hate. I used to. Then I changed my outlook, and started organizing my audition material. Pretty soon, I started to love auditioning. I started a scrapbook journal where I made photocopies of all my monologues. They were all in the same place together. I took this journal and added notes from directors that I trusted on my material. I added little bits of advice and wisdom I had gained from these directors or from books I had bought on the art of auditioning. I added quotes to keep me inspired. I added tricks I’d learned from classes and workshops on audition sills. I started to keep track of my auditions, which ones worked, which ones didn’t and for what. Pretty soon, I had taught my self: This monologue works best for children’s theater, and this one for comedy, and this one for Shakespeare leading ladies and Queens, while this one for classical clowns/lower class maids. And so on. I have an arsenal of monologues and audition skills in my back pocket ready to go at any time. And now, with your own monologue scrapbook and audition field guide, you’ll be ready too.
Your monologue scrapbook and audition field guide is there to help you. It is good to keep all of your audition material ready and on hand to work on. Keep adding to it all the time. I try new monologues but I always keep my old ones, and I keep them together: ready to go at any time. Over the years, some monologues will get replaced: they might not work for you, or they might be overdone, or it just might not be the right time for and the piece to work together-- you might need to grow into it in a few years. Always be on the look out for great monologues to work on now or someday. Always read plays and look for new monologues. Take the monologues you like out of monologue books, and if you have the pleasure of watching over people audition and you like their piece, you could ask them what it is and start working on it yourself.

Use this journal to create your very own personal monologue book, with all the perfect monologues in it just for you and only you! Being this prepared takes all the fear out of auditioning and pretty soon, auditions will seem like an adventure you can’t wait to go on every day. And let’s face it; if you want to be an actor--you are auditioning every day or maybe more! Since we need to do it so much, we need to love doing it!

My first bit of advice: start doing mantras and affirmations right now. I LOVE AUDITIONING, I LOVE AUDITIONING, I LOVE AUDITIONING. I know it feels like a lie, but keep saying it over and over. Fake it until you make it. Soon enough you will start to love auditions. I once had an acting coach tell me that auditions were like a private showing of my own one-woman show! What great advice! Think of auditions as acting and performing. Those casting directors are in the room with a ticket to witness, first hand, 2-5 minutes of the ________(insert your name here) show! If you think of auditioning as a one-person show starring you--it is easier to focus on the story you want to tell and why you want to be there-- have fun with it. ENJOY it!

Keep in mind that auditions are first impressions. First impressions are always the most important. They are watching you from the minute you walk in and say Hello to the minute you leave. When you walk in, they are seeing who YOU are. What side of YOU do you want them to see? When you start your monologue you are showing them a new YOU, a transformation, and after the monologue you transform back into YOU. Wow, that is better then a magic show! Your audition is your calling card; it is how casting directors get to know you and your work. Here is a secret someone told me once: They want you to succeed! All you have to do is prove them right! They want those 2-5 minutes of the _________ show to be the best thing they’ve ever sat through. Help them out, prove them right, and make your show one they won’t want to forget. Even if you don’t get cast they might remember how wonderful the _______show was and keep you in mind for next time! Let them see YOU and let them want more of YOU. Be ready to wow that audience… after all, they did get front row seats!

And, I know. It is not easy, trust me, I have cried and been depressed over auditions before… but always try to stay positive. Never get discouraged about not getting a part: there a million ZILLION reasons why someone else might have been cast. It might be you are not the right type, shape or size, you might not fit the costume. You never know why! For example, I am 5’1” and I once had a director tell me: I was too tall to get cast. Ha! Just always remember that you need to love what you do, because if you love it, it won’t matter what others think! If you loved performing your 2-5 minute _______show and as long as you had fun--- well then, that is all that matters! Give someone else the pleasure of seeing your one-man/one-woman 2-5 minute ______ show!

When you are out there auditioning you need to be prepared to audition and be ready for EVERYTHING. If they like you they might want to see you do your monologue with a different voice or character or with a different objective. You have to be ready, willing and open to listen to their notes and give it your all. If they ask this, they want to see how you take direction and if they can work with you. They might ask to see another monologue or sample of your work, and another, and another, and another. They might ask you to sing (even if you are not a singer you have to be ready just in case). They might ask you to do character improvisation (with or without another actor) or heck they might even ask you to an Improvised dance! Whatever it is, you’ve got to be ready!
*When you go to auditions you MUST be prepared!
*ALWAYS have extra headshot and resumes!
They might want to pass your photo along to another director or maybe there is a guest helping with the casting and they need a copy of your H&R as well, you never know.
*ALWAYS BE ON TIME or early.
You have to be ready and prepared to audition the second you walk in, never ask for time to warm up, you should be warm before you get there!
Be willing and ready to do everything, or anything. Have your acting arsenal and tool kit ready to go!

This blog is just that:
An acting arsenal of advice I have gotten and can give....think of it as a tool kit designed to help you get organized and inspired for every audition ---
From now on: you are always prepared, prepped and ready to nail every audition at a moments notice!
LET’S GET STARTED...
Repeat after me "I Love Auditioning"

Now just go....audition and audition often....you will only get better!

My introduction into the Blog world

2007-11-04T16:21:00.000-08:00

I used to make fun of blogs as a random rant that wasted webspace. However as I get older and wiser I learn way to much about life not to make a note of it, if only for my own reference.
About me?
27 year old woman, aspiring actress and artist.
BA in Theater.
Double Minor in Psych and women's studies.
I was raised in Willimantic Connecticut (the part of CT that roots for the Sox)
I went to College at Keene State College, in Keene NH.
I dropped out for a year moving to Boston then moved back to finish my degree.
I studied abroad at Oxford Brookes University in UK.
I graduated from KSC in 2002, magna cum laude, as the youngest of 4 kids and the first to go to and graduate from college.
I moved to New York, November 2002. I had been here once before and had no idea what I was getting myself into.
I got a job working in house management and Box Office for Playwrights Horizons. I was lucky.
I got into grad school at the New School University and did not go due to financial restrictions.
My college sweetheart moved to New York, and we got married in 2005.

Now....a lot has happened in between these bullet points but you get the point.

In this Blog I will comment about my life, yes, but mainly I will keep track of what I think makes an artists life worth while--namely mine.

Someone told me once, that life is like being on a school bus, someone else is driving, but you better be damn sure you get a window seat....

This is my view....