December Update...

Hey folks!

Sorry I haven't had a chance to update this until now.  December turned out to be quite a busy month.  I was rehearsing, auditioning, scheduling, shooting, seeing shows, standardized-patienting, etc...

So how has it been going?  Well December turned out to be so busy that I actually didn't have time for a day job.  That's right!  For the first time since graduating in 2008, I don't have a regular part-time "money" gig...I make the money with my art! (and SP work...).  At first, I felt conflicted about it, since I was raised by people who live 9-5, Mon-Fri, I had always accepted that as the norm.  In fact, when I first graduated that's the type of job that I had because I thought that's just what you did.

Boy, could I not be more wrong.  For me, not only was having a full-time job monotonous and boring, but I didn't have time to actually commit myself to finding decent acting work.  I was constantly weighing "to go to work or not to go to work" every morning and after one particular incident with a company (the owner called me a little witch by the way, if you care to know whom, ask me.  It's a delightful story) I decided my relationship with crappy, low-paying, high stress jobs was over, and I decided to take my skills elsewhere.

Who's Hiring?

Thus started the beginnings of my relationship with the American unemployment compensation program, as well as my familiarity with hustling to agents and open calls in NYC (because why not?).  It took some time, but I finally was able to balance several jobs (whilst keeping a very tight schedule at hand at all times) including theatre work that I was able to make ends meet.  I found that having a schedule where I had something new each day made me happier, plain and simple.  I taught this summer (that is...started a theatre camp!  A successful summer camp, how about that?), I did costumes at one point, SP work, Gymboree, NCC...it was an eclectic year, to say the least, but I feel freer and more flexible.  I don't get bored, I have to keep on my toes.  I also found that balancing multiple jobs has helped me become more responsible, and take more responsibility.

And I suppose that brings us up to date.  Just about a month or two ago I left my incredibly part-time-not-worth-it job because I kind of didn't have time, I had moved on to another actual part-time job and it turns out I literally didn't have time for it.  No hard feelings, no bridges burned.  It was just one of those things.

Maybe this is a good time to update on the film I've been shooting.  Since the end of November, I've been working on a film called "Bodies" with a screenwriting professor from University of the Arts named Steve Saylor.  Steve has directed a few films and asked me about 6 months ago if I'd be interested in making a movie in the fall/winter.  Now here we are and I think, despite some technical hiccups, the movie has been going really well.  The character is complex, and so is the story.  But I think that because the film has a really intelligent and talented cast and crew, we are able to tell the story in a really beautiful and touching way.  At least I feel confident in that.  I also feel confident in the director.

Oh crap!

This is my first movie.  Despite one web-commercial stint, I have never been on camera, and I must say I was always daunted by it.  The more I do it though, the better I feel about my work.  I would honestly like to re-shoot some scenes that we filmed a month ago.  However, without a doubt, I'm going to have a hard time watching the final product.  Imagine this: You are the lead actor in a movie, you sit inside a sold-out movie theatre, and watch a 1.5 hour movie with your big face on a 23 foot movie screen in front of all of them.....

Nerve-wracking.

But I'll have to get through it somehow.  The ultimate question is, how could I miss my first premier ever?

We are approaching the new year and it's a lot to look back on.  It started with sorrow when my friend Melissa Lynch passed away, the day before the new year.  There was a cold dent in our theatre world here, and I often find myself thinking about her, and mourning the loss of such a beautiful, bright young woman.

I believe that people leave behind energies.  When I was in college, my acting professor, Mark Wade, sat on the edge of the stage in the first class of the semester and told us about why we need to respect our theatre.  He said, "There are spirits.  Energies are left behind here.  Have you ever stood on the stage of a theatre by yourself?  You'll feel it".  And it's true.  An empty stage just has something about it.  I especially felt it when I went to see "Midsummer Night's Dream" at The Lantern, where Melissa had just played Sonya in Uncle Vanya a few months prior.  Melissa's uncanny presence remained.  Her performance is there forever, and it will live forever with those who saw it.  I suppose that can be reassuring. 

With it's lows, there were highs.  Summer On Stage was created and I learned so much from these incredible children.  I couldn't believe how willing they were to jump in and create something new.  They took a risk with us.  Visit the website: www.summeronstage.com.  Ed and I couldn't have had a better summer. 

This year I feel really good about the shows I was in and the work I did.  I felt pride for all of the shows.

Oh hi

hi!

Why hellooooo

I am proud of the decisions I've made in 2011.  My first resolution in 2012?  Stay true to me.  That's the only way to get through.

Other resolution?  I'll update more. (:

Peace and love in the new year,

-Cindy