Confessions of a Single Parent (Actress)

The importance of bringing the character to life in a musical is just as vital as bringing one to fruition in a straight play with no music. The problem is that the book at times can get lost when one is learning music and choreography. If you can only comment on the movement, music, set design, and great costumes when you walk away from a musical, then the book/story has been lost in translation. I have literally scored a role after several callbacks as a result of bringing a character to life through the lyrics and lines, as opposed to just simply being an amazing singer. In other words if you want to experience longevity and take the audience on a journey, you must find the arc of your character. Even when the musical has a two-dimensional script and a repetitive score, there is richness to mine and that makes all the difference. I love musicals. I love the sweep and beauty that they bring, but I also like the unpleasantness that exists when you are able to peel back and se...

I want to live my life as an artist. This decision comes with some difficult choices. For example, as I continue to find more and more success as an actress/singer, I still grow weary of supplementing my income with other non-artistic work. Of course, I seldom complain because what good does it do. But it can be exhausting and that is what I want to share with you. Just because I am able to earn money from doing a show 7-8 times per week and twice on Sunday and Wednesday does not mean that it is not exhausting. Just because I love being on stage and in front of the camera does not mean that I do not get tired like anyone else who works a job they love or hate. Because despite the make up and the pretty costumes and the accolades, this is a job. It is even more exhausting when others assume that you are having such a great time with no struggles or trauma, simply because you are doing what you love. Well when what you love pays as inconsistent as this work does, it can make you...

I am currently in rehearsal for Lysistrata Jones at Meadow Brook Theatre in Rochester, Michigan with an amazingly talented cast. But, this is not about what a great time I am having playing the role of Heteira, this is about the horrible panic attack I had a few evenings ago about money. Yes, I love my life as a performer, but I have a confession to make. At times I am often reminded of how stretched my finances can become. And then I begin to panic! I quickly begin to think, I should forgo joy so that I can have a healthy bank account with an actual savings. Not just simply some funds I saved thanks to an awesome opportunity to simply use when I fall short paying bills in the next few months. Or even better, I stacked enough cash to treat myself and my daughter to a wonderful staycation (that's right we stay in the city, LOL). Either way, I find that these panic attacks creep on me in the middle of the night and literally eat away at my artistic spirit. Fuck me! And fuck those...

I am once again in rehearsal for an amazing show. And something ocurred to me. The last few musicals I have been in, with the exception of new work, there has been no table read. Day 1 of rehersal begins with learning music and Day 2 is movement or dance, and Day 3 begins staging. The only problem is the characters are being developed on the fly. The words and lyrics are coming together, but at the start they are missing some depth because the actors did not bond through a table read. For those who are not in the business, a table read is when the actors sit around with the creative team and read through the lines and lyrics without music or commentary. It allows for individuals to hear what is being said and begin to create cerebral relationships. This is imperative in a musical because actors are given the responsibility to tell a story through words, lyrics, and dance. Some light and funny scripts create 2-dimensional characters on the page. But, the table read and a conversation ...

The last 2 days have reminded me of the beauty of storytelling that can be found in the pages of scripts and lyrics. I have been surrounded by fresh stories that are not related to budget cuts, poor decisions at the School District of Philadelphia, or the creativity that is being ripped from our classrooms as a result of standardized testing. I have been reminded in a beautiful home filled with textile and visual art that creative energy is the best energy to be around. I had almost forgot about emotional arcs and finding personal connections with spoken word. The ability to make sweet harmonies with a variety of amazing voices. And the inherent beauty in lyrics expressing the silence between scenes. Yes! I have missed this for the past few months and I am excited to be back and I cannot wait until tomorrow. As an aside, imagine if all of our children and more adults experienced more moments like this for the rest of their lives.

As artists, we are always improving and reinventing what we want our artistic life to look like. At times we are faced with obstacles that may appear overwhelming or we lose confidence that we are on the right path. The power of being an artist is that we are very accustomed to keeping it moving no matter what. This is what makes us working artists. There are those that claim to be artists but they are really dreamers who continue to be afraid to get up off of the coach or afraid to face any of their weaknesses and turn them into strengths. Or even worse, they sit there attempting to invite you to their personal pity party with insults and negative comments. This 2014 message is not for them. This is for those of us that are always working towards making each year better than the last. The select few who at times make $15,000 per year look and feel like $100,000. I plan on attending even more auditions, creating more artistic opportunities locally and regionally, and living my dream ...

As many of you know, I have the honored privilege of being a substitute teacher during my down time. This is just a sarcastic way of saying, "Thank goodness I still have my state teaching certificate. My rent thanks you.LOL!" Each time I strike up a real conversation with a student that is not related to a subject, an assignment, or behavior, I always hear that the boys have aspirations to play for the NFL or the NBA. And many of the girls want to be a nurse, singer, or model. No one has fully realized or even begun to ponder the idea of rejection or failure. And there are many that simply have no dreams whatsoever. Now I know that this sounds depressing. But, when I ask Student A what steps has he or she taken to be in the NBA or a model. I get this response: "Ummm, well I am playing on the team here." (How often do you practice outside of school?) "Well, I don't have to because we have practice here (Have you been in any fashion shows?) "Not really...