I booked the live medical industrial I auditioned for a few weeks ago. There will be a 3 hour rehearsal and then a 6 hour day (the next day), all in the Philadelphia Convention Center. Oddly enough, my skills as a standardized patient actor helped me to get this job, and this job will probably open more doors as a standardized patient!

So, after a surprisingly short rehearsal process, I'm playing Stephen in Line at 13th St. Repertory. It's an odd situation, because it's the longest running play in Off-Off-Broadway history (34 years and going strong), and so of course there's a constantly changing cast. I had expected to play a different character, Dolan, and so it came as something of a shock that I was asked only a week ago to play Stephen, starting last night! I had know that I would EVENTUALLY play Stephen, but had been told to focus on Dolan and put off Stephen for the future. Circumstances changed, and I had a week to memorize more lines than I've ever had before.
Though it was terrifying, when the moment actually came, I felt ready, and the show went beautifully (for a full house as well). Great for my confidence; it's unlikely I'll ever have to go on with less preparation, and now I know it can be done.

So, my good friend Eleonore talked me into submitting my materials for Brecht's "Mother Courage and Her Children" at Theatre of the Seventh Sister. They called me for and appointment, and I had my audition this past Monday night. Well, they jusy called, and they want me to come back in Saturday for a callback! I guess it's good to step out of your comfort zone once in a while. (By the way, Elle got a callback, too.)

Whew! This has been a very busy couple of weeks for me (thankfully). Did a total of 9 QVC shows this month. The staff there is very friendly and accommodating; they really make you feel like part of the team. And what a great professional experience too. Their studio is huge and state of the art all the way, with remotely operated high def cameras and numerous sets to suit just about every conceivable product category. Absolutely phenomenal. Look for me on QVC presenting computers; will be appearing 9/30/07 at 6:00AM and 10:00PM EST.

Also had a "humor consultant" role in a no budget short film for the Angry Video Game Nerd. Haven't heard of him? He's a 20-something guy who reviews some of the really awful video games that used to pass for entertainment in the early days of Nintendo and Atari. He posts his reviews at the gamer website ScrewAttack.com and is a god to the gamer crowd, getting almost 1 million hits per month. His reviews are always shot on tape, have lots of humor and tons of expletives. I got a chance to exercise my improv chops in what promises to be a hilarious send-up of the 1980's Texas Chainsaw Massacre video game. He says it will be posted to the web mid-October 2007. Can't wait to see it. Check it out. Warning - language may be offensive to some folks! Heck, some of it was even offensive to me, but hey - I'm an actor, right?

Also have a small extra gig coming up that'll be shot in a barroom in Doylestown PA on 9/29/07. Some of the other amazing DDA actors will be there too and I'm looking forward to seeing them again.

That's a wrap for September 2007. Hope everyone else is having as much fun as me. Adios!

This is my first time using the blog and I'm very excited about this unique opputunity. So why has it taken me so long to use it? Well- for two reasons, first, I'm still in the Dark Ages of the Computer Age, which means I'm still using a dial-up connection! Second, I'm the mother of a very busy toddler, who has actually unplugged my computer in the middle of work!
Even though I haven't been up on the more technical side of my trade I have managed to practise my craft. I love getting out for a day just to perform. A few months ago I had the oppurtunity to play a frumpy housewife in a local commercial for a pest control company. It was a lot of fun and I hope to get more offers as time goes on!
I'd better sign off- my little tot is heading for the plug again!

Had to pass on the offer to play a recurring role on this series - due to a scheduling conflict. Although I'm disappointed that I wasn't available for both of the days they needed, I'm delighted that I was offered the part!

Today, I've been studying the script for Wednesday's industrial shoot (with lots of copy), and on Thursday I'm scheduled for a call-back at Heery Casting for a different job. This weekend I learned that I've been cast in another commercial that will shoot on October 8th.

Last week I sent out my semi-annual post card mailing to about 60 casting directors, updating them on my recent projects and asking to be kept in mind for projects they're working on. And I updated a couple of websites I'm registered on with new photos and added resume entries. I've also been reading "The Monologue Workshop," a book by Jack Poggi, so I can improve my monologue performances.

I just got a call inviting me to audition for "The World Goes 'Round" at 11th Hour Theatre Company. I would LOVE to work with these guys - very talented. They want to prepare a Kander and Ebb (or K&E-like) song in two different styles. Now I just need to figure out what to sing... and how... any thoughts?

Today I had a callback at Philly Casting for a live medical job at a convention - I felt well-prepared from my work as a standardized patient. The timing on this was great, as I leave for Paris tomorrow! It is my 7th trip, as I'm lucky to have friends to stay with there. I'm planning to check out Sudden Theatre, which has an English series on Monday nights - I would love to bring my solo show there next trip!
I will have access to email while I'm away, so feel free to offer me work after Sept 28th!

It's been one of those crazy audition weeks!

Friday: Hedgerow Theatre for their season (I just got an email for a callback!)

Saturday: Submitted my materials to Heery Casting for "The Lovely Bones" & drove to Lancaster for "Fiddler on the Roof" auditions at the Fulton (one of my best auditions for them - but I think I had too many conflicts with "Warriors")

Sunday: off - amazing :)

Monday: Arden Theatre for their season AND 1812 for their season

Whew!

I've been scheduled for a 1/2 day industrial shoot in Trenton, NJ on Sep 26th. Don't have many details yet, but I'm cast in the role of a patient. I think the client is a pharmaceutical company.

I too attended the workshop by Producer/Media Manager Pete Safran of SAI Global at Mike Lemon Casting in Philly. Met 3 other amazing actors (Andrea, Catherine and Elizabeth) from the DDA talent pool. You guys rock! I am not worthy...I am not worthy!

Anyway it was a great experience and networking opportunity. Here's the abridged version of comments from Casting Director Sandy Stefanowicz - "Steve is such a nice person and really cares about doing a good job. Pleasing voice; is a retired cop; can play doctor, teacher, priest; ...has an honesty about him; overall nice audition."

Great to hear I'm moving in the right direction with this acting thing!

Good afternoon!

This weekend I attended an afternoon seminar at Mike Lemon Casting. This seminar was specifically for Industrial videos and included auditions for two specific scenes.

Here is the feedback I received from Sandy Stefanowicz of Mike Lemon Casting in Philadelphia:

- Really "gets" on camera levels now - used to be too big (stage trained)
- Solid choices for each character
- Strong physical center
- Knows when to bring on the humor and when to be straight and totally professional
- Honest, real person reads
- Wide range from corporate to soccer Mom
- Totally likable person (:

Hi all,
A wonderful actress once told me that you have to know what you want so that the Universe can bless you.
I recently set a goal to go on 3 auditions a week and 1 project per month. A modest yet hopeful aspiration, I think. Just this past week I had three auditions on one day, all in NY. (Almost 4 but I had a scheduling conflict.)
The first was for a play called Doris to Darlene. The role was for a "pretty black girl with white girl hair." I wore a wig to an audtion for the first time. It was......interesting and exciting. Something I have never done before. The next was for a print job. Again, something I have never done. I had to be a sexy bomb shell (a cross between Beyonce and J-Lo). The final audition was for One Life to Live, a mother and wife from New Orleans. Talk about multiple personalities. I have a really good friend who helped me "costume" each character. If every time I went to NY to audition could go as smoothly as this time, man that would be great. The day just flowed and was loaded possibility. I look forward to many more.

Two amazing experiences this week, which have revealed to me more about who I want to be (as an actor and a person)

First, I was playing at a reading event. It was at Dylan's Candy Bar in Manhattan, and also there (well, to be fair, WE were the ones who were ALSO there) was one of the Cheetah Girls and Sean Kingston. After we performed and the stars read Ferdinand to the kids, I got to play "Beautiful Girls" with Sean. It was a surreal experience, playing a hit song with the artist on my guitar for a room full of chocolate crazed 5 year olds. The most bizarre part of it though, was this: SEAN KINGSTON CAN'T SING!!! On his own hit song, he couldn't follow the rhythm, and continually went off-key. If he wasn't richer than me by about 30,000 percent, it might have been quite an ego trip for me.

The second experience was with "Line," an off-broadway show written by Israel Horovitz, and performed continuously for 34 years in a 65-seat theatre in the Village. I was at rehearsal for the show last night, and we got a treat: A workshop with a man who had been in the show during what might be called its heyday. Although he went on to do some serious work (he's probably best known as the father of the ugly baby on Seinfeld), he never really "Made It" as an actor, and now has a PR firm. Here's the thing though: he was perhaps the most inspirational, talented, real person I've ever seen on a stage in front of me. He was so driven, so funny, so true; and not only that, he brought everyone else to a new place in their own acting. Suddenly, after one night's work, the play was light-years beyond what it had been.

Now the question: who do I want to be? The one who makes it and can't sing? Or the one who "fails," but becomes so good that he brings everyone around him up?

Hello everyone,

So lately, my life has taken a different turn. I have been awarded a sales job in the exciting world of IT Staffing. I am currently working for a very popular firm in center city Philadelphia doing recruiting and sales. It is amazing how much energy is required for sales. Everyday I have to bring my best game in order to have a stellar day. I am learning how to interact with professionals of all levels. Including, candidates, managers, all the way up to CTO's. I feel that this is just another aspect of "real" life that will enable me to become a better actress. I have always been a firm believer that various, real life experiences help increase your believability as an actor.

So far everything has been going very well. I love my co-workers and I have been doing a great job thus far. I come to work prepared and with a good attitude everyday.
I'll be sure to keep you all posted......

Best,
Annie

I am doing that workshop also. What class are you in?

Hi...
Just had a few questions to pose to the board. Was wondering first who out there has agents in Philly they are happy with. Im looking for some new representation and was hoping for some insight. Secondly I know that Explicit Ills is filming in Philly at the moment was wondering if anyone knew anything about it...if they are looking for any background or crew....

Just returned from a stock photo "go see" at Veer in NYC, which offers the possibility of a two-day shoot next week. I should find out tomorrow whether or not I've been chosen.

Still haven't heard from the Constitution Center, and the little inner monologue of wonder has started - "well, they probably didn't make any calls Tuesday after the holiday, and maybe there were other pressing work items Wednesday....but wouldn't I have heard by now?!" The fact is, one never knows! And the trick is to forget about it and be pleasantly surprised when that call (or email) does come! How to do it? Go to other auditions! Or work on one's own projects - I'll report on those later...

Let's start with August 2007, shall we? This was a VERY busy month for me.

Week 1: I did four live-TV shows for Dell Computer at QVC's amazing television studio in West Chester, PA. It's always an adventure there.

Week 2: I worked on a funeral scene in a Kevin Bacon film called "Taking Chance", shot in Glen Ridge, NJ. I have to admit I got a little choked up when director Ross Katz explained the sad but heroic true story during rehearsal. It really set the somber mood necessary for the funeral scene. The good news is I'm now officially within Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon!

Week 3: I worked 3 days on M. Night Shyamalan's next blockbuster called "The Happening", shot in Plymouth and Cheney, PA. It's scheduled for release in June 2008. Can't say too much about the film due to confidentiality issues, but look for me in a train conductor uniform. The third day was cut short due to a sudden thunder/hail storm. Very odd!

Week 4: I worked as a principal actor in a small, independent, low budget movie called "The Israelites", shot not too far from my home in South Jersey. I played a political science teacher. Had a monologue of about 5-6 minutes, then several pages of dialog. Thought my head would explode; didn't flub my lines (too much),and met some really nice people!

Week 5: I worked one day in Baltimore on the final episode of HBO's "The Wire", which stars Dominic West and a great ensemble cast. This was a great experience, and I wish all films were as well organized and professionally run as this one. Kudos to the cast and crew for their warmth and professionalism. Once again, I met some really fantastic people, and the catering was SUPERB! Our scene was shot in a smoky barroom in downtown Baltimore, and we sang an Irish drinking song by the Pogues. Should be a fitting end to a great series. By the way, if you've never been to Baltimore, go there sometime. It's a really nice city with a great inner harbor and lots to do and eat (sadly, a passion of mine). Don't miss the aquarium. Even if you hate fish, it's an amazing place.

That's a wrap for August 2007. Wheh!!

Eden Productions (Baltimore) invited me to audition for a role in a half-hour mock-reality show/documentary series called The Healing Project, but I had already made a commitment for the October dates this project would be shooting. Sometimes I wish I could figure out how to be in two places at once!

The cancellation from last week was rescheduled and I got to work 2 days on the M Night movie, "The Happening". The days were long but the scenes shot will wow everyone who goes to see the movie. I'm told by the producers that I'll be further needed later this month so I'm excited to hear what they have in store for me. I'll post it when I find out for myself.