Confessions of a Single Parent (Actress)

Yes, the other day I woke from a nap to find a dead squirrel in my bedroom. Confession: I hate rodents! Even when they are dead it takes me a moment to get the courage to dispose of them. Thankfully, my 13 year old daughter fears only frogs so she usually takes care of them. And I feel no shame. She will be prepared to cook and fearlessly get rid of rodents once she becomes an adult. That makes her ready to live in any urban city. The death of Rocky just made me even more grateful for my amazing first experience on a television set. And despite his feet up in the air and his stiff fluffy tail, I was still on an adrenaline high from Friday. I got to film a sitcom that will air on NBC in 2015. The quick pace of television reminds me of sketch comedy, improv, and theatre all wrapped in one. Lines are written, rewritten, and direction is given at light speed. It served as a great high five confirmation of my acting abilities. And that being funny is not as easy as it looks. That dead s...

Moments remind us that we have to follow our path without regret or hesitation. We will always have those who love to tell us how we could do so much better if only. "If only you went back to school you could blah blah blah." "If only you hooked up with so and so your life could be blah blah blah" "If only you went to more open mics folks would blah blah blah" "If only you met this casting director things would blah blah blah" "If only you were not so threatening to my own unfulfilled dreams I would stop telling you if only" Well let me share my two cents. I am not here to serve as a reminder of what you should be doing. I am here to remind myself always of what I can do.  I am here and on this path because I chose it and it unequivocally chose me. So since I did not ask for your advice and your "if only" suggestions, I am going to continue down this road until I exhaust all of its possibilities, moments, and lessons. I am...

A few of my friends have decided to throw in the towel, make some changes, or simply leave this actor life. It has made me ponder just when is it time to exit stage left for good. I believe it has to do with the reason that brought you to this life in the first place. I did not seek it out, it found me. And ever since, I have been on this road for better or for worse. Many have asked if I seek some great reward or a major payday. I have to honestly say no. I am always seeking the next role that will allow me the privelege of inhabiting a new life for a few moments. Something that will stretch me as an artist. And I have to admit, I love it! It makes me crazy at times when work is not flowing in but it is a rush. But there are moments that this life is little challenging or makes me frustrated. And those moments remind me to dig deeper and not focus on the negative, which is easier said than done. Exercise or a half pitcher of sangria or both make it all better. There is an ebb an...

Over the last few days, I have been working with other educators, parents, and activists who want to see positive change in public education. Each time that I enter the space I am questioned about how I came to be involved in this work in the first place and how does that segue with my work as an artist. First, a brief history when I graduated from high school I pursued a degree in musical theater. After two years of nearly having my joy diminished and being pushed further away from performing, I decided to transfer.   During the transition, my faith in theater departments was in flux so I majored in secondary education at my new school, but fully participated in theater and dance studies without the constraints of being an actual theater student.   It was an amazing experience that rekindled my faith in my abilities and goals as an aspiring actress. The interconnection of my studies between education, English, theater, music and dance further enhanced my passion ...

On August 18, 2013 I started Confessions of a Single Parent Actress after a long train ride from Philadelphia to Chicago and lots of inspiration. On that day, I remember getting off the train and immediately heading to a local audition and the words, my story, and my need to share the details about this crazy life with others began and the beat continues. This year has brought many of the goals that I spoke of to fruition and I continue to be excited and open to even more. I am encouraged by the present and prepared for the future. Despite the fact that my family is always one step away from being on the street (literally and figuratively) I would not trade this journey for any other. My daughter published her first book and I finally have representation that believes in my plan and is helping me bring it to fruition. I have surrounded myself with like minded friends and have silently moved away from the naysayers and dream killers. This is my time and I look forward to more reco...

“Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.” Hendrix When I was younger my imagination played out in my mind like music videos. Depending on what I was thinking, there was a song to go along with it. When I liked a boy, I always imagined us singing a duet from Grease or Sparkle. When I imagined myself on stage it was always as the lead singer of some amazing video in my mind. When I imagined myself reading in the library that was a video too. At the club, I danced the hardest and longest and I felt every rhythm all the way to my soul. It was like an out of body religious experience. In the car and even on stage, music tells me a story and I want to share it with the world. When I was younger, my grandma would wake me in the middle of the night and we would dance to the Staple Singers all night long until I fell back to sleep. When we got tickets to musicals or operas, I remember sitting at full attent...

After I had my daughter, I took on a new persona. I like to call it, 'I don't give a rats ass!' Yep. At times I would worry about what others thought of me and if my actions mattered and would I be liked. And then I got pregnant and those outside vocal opinions started again.  The business of acting and choosing the riskier path is not always popular or safe. Sample voices: Why aren't you married? What are people going to think? Why do I keep trying to make acting work? You are not getting any younger. Why does she work more than me? Why am I not rich and famous? Why is she so irresponsible? I can't believe she is going to be a mother.What about my bills? And then I gave birth and soon after I found my own voice and it said, 'Fuck all that shit!" And that voice gets stronger and louder everyday. Because my joy cannot and will not be determined by the opinions of others. Fuck that! When I wake and hit the ground running, I am accountable to me, my daught...