Memorizing Lines=In the Moment

My good friend, Virginia Kull (look for her on HBO's Boardwalk Empire), gave me some great advice. That whole "be in the moment" thing can seem so elusive. What is the key to being in the moment when your every move is being watched by an audience or a camera?

I asked Virginia about this, and she told me to "uber-memorize the lines." Know them better than you think you need to know them. Roz Coleman (the on-set coach for HBO's In Treatment) told our on-camera acting class that you should know the lines so well that they come "trippingly off the tongue."

I kept these two phrases in my head as I prepared for my current show, Something Outrageous. You would find me walking to the subway, saying the lines as fast as I possibly could under my breath, going over and over the parts where my mind would "blank out". And it worked!

I feel so much more freedom performing these monologues. I realized that lines are an actor's task; thoughts are a person's task. When your lines come trippingly off the tongue, they seem to come from the same part of your brain as normal speech. So you are no longer an actor, but rather a person having a conversation. You are in the moment.

Ba-da-bing, ba-da-boom! Thanks, Virginia and Roz.

Show Details: Something Outrageous

When: July 24 & July 31, 7:30pm
Cost: $25, which includes open bar!
Where: 45th Street Theatre, 354 W45th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenue)

Tickets available on www.smarttix.com or with cash at the door.
45-minute to 1-hour show.

I Got the Part: Julius Caesar

I have been offered the role of Metellus Cimber in The Queens Players' Julius Caesar, to go on at The Secret Theatre in Long Island City in August and September.

More details coming soon.

I Got the Part: Something Outrageous

I was cast in the play Something Outrageous to be performed at either the 45th Street Theatre or The Producer's Club in midtown Manhattan on July 24 and July 31. The play is a combination of monologues and improv, and deals with romantic relationships.

Come out and see it! More details coming soon.

Audition: New Original Play

I have an audition tomorrow in the city for a new original play (as yet untitled), which is a comedy set in New York City. According to the description, "the play is a collection of funny sketches and antidotes from every day life experiences of people living in New York." They will be casting 10 men and 10 women, and I am excited about this project because, well, life in New York is worth writing endless plays and movies about--really. I don't see it as overdone. There is that much material. Also, it looks like this would be an ensemble piece, and I love that kind of thing.

Looking forward to it!

Another Great Seminar from Lisa Gold!

Last night, I attended yet another great seminar led by Lisa Gold of Acting Outside the Box. It was called "Networking Know How" and was expertly timed to be 2 days before her monthly networking party at B. Smiths in midtown. (You can go for just $5--check it out at http://actoutsidethebox.com/). What I appreciate most about Lisa--and her lovely assistant Tracy Costa--is that she teaches artsy fartsy actors to be in the business of show, showering us with wisdom like candy from a pinata, wisdom that could help us end the "starving actor" syndrome and make actors into savvy business people who know their product (themselves) and can market it in a way that offers something of real value to the industry.

Haven't gone to one of these seminars? I highly recommend them. Seriously. I tend to walk away from every one going, "Okay, I CAN make it in this business, AND I know how to get there." She's helping us turn our dreams into plans. Wonderful stuff.

Thanks, Lisa and Tracy!

Mingle, Mingle, Mingle

I am getting out and networking it up! Here's a peek inside my little black book, in case you want to catch me around town:

Last Friday:

Party it up at ACEFest's Film Industry Bash at The Luxe Lounge (hot date--my husband, Chris)

Tonight:

Take "Networking Know How" seminar by Lisa Gold of Act Outside the Box

This Thursday:

First Thursdays Networking Party at B. Smiths in midtown

Thursday, July 15:

Freelancers Union Film & Television Networking Party at Deity in Brooklyn

I hope to see you while I'm out and about!