Working working working...

WOW I have so any things to share!

I'll get the muck out of the way, grad school 2013 is a no go.  But it's okay.  I've learned so much from that experience that I couldn't have learned otherwise.  Going through it all was essential for the reawakening of my artistry.  And I am a better actor and person for it.  Go me.

This reminds me of when I was in high school and we went to see Thoroughly Modern Millie on Broadway with my theatre class (yes I had a theatre AND theatre II class in high school).  We met the actress who at the time was basically the perpetual understudy for Sutton Foster.  Not only had this woman understudied her in TMM, but also Little Women and....there was another show that was Off-Broadway that of course now I can't recall what it was.  Anyway, we did a workshop with this woman and she said, and I'll never forget it, "You have to be your own cheerleader at times".  So true.  Other people will bring you up and give you great feedback and make you feel great, but it's YOU who carries on.  No one can do that for you.

Since grad school "shopping" as I'll call it, SO many wonderful things have happened in my life.  I've been making money (YAY!) doing a lot of SP work which is great because the hours aren't all that hellish and I can pay my bills and even save a little money.

About a month ago I was in a bad place.  Very pessimistic, I did not like what I was becoming.  So I decided to help myself.  I went on Backstage.com and looked up studios that hold classes, workshops, whatever.  I looked for about two solid hours at different studios, a lot of which piqued my interest.  But there was one, The John DeSotelle studio that was holding a "Biz of the Biz" workshop with a woman named Mari Lyn Henry who wrote the book "How To Be A Working Actor".  The workshop, which was totally affordable, covered simple things like the cover letter, resume organizing, headshots, budgeting, interviews, clothing, etc.  I decided that was the best way to get back into it.  Some refreshing needed to be done.  So I signed up.

Then it was serendipity because I also wound up getting two auditions that weekend as well.  Then with the free time I had I rented a studio at Ripley Grier for two hours and worked on pieces and my Brat Shit Crazy piece (I'll get into that in a minute).  It was a wonderful NYC experience.

So the workshop.  First off let me just say that Mari Lyn Henry is a lovely person.  Her criticisms come from love.  She wants people to succeed.  Never was she nasty, but she was honest.  She holds herself in high regard and I felt that I should begin doing the same.  The workshop also wasn't a "BUY MY BOOK" type of thing, it was her trying to help poor young actors at John's studio find a way.  Oh, but I am buying her book.

Mari Lyn worked at ABC in casting for close to 15 years and she's done casting, image and career counseling for close to 25 years.  So I trusted what she had to say.  While I thought some of her ideas sounded old fashioned, she wouldn't say them unless they were tried and true.  Which they are.  So I stand corrected.

Mari Lyn's Website

I think my favorite part of the workshop was having our outfit critiqued.  While it felt like the 7th circle of hell standing in front of everyone and having them look at me, I am forever grateful to her for waking me up and getting me to realize what my body shape truly is and how I can better dress it.  She believes in simplicity.

We did color testing with colored fabric and I realized what my ideal colors are for dresses and shirts.  What an eye opening experience that was!  I think I've always been a little self conscious about my body so I've always worn black.  Well not anymore, sister!  This girl is wearing colors from here on out!  Pinks, blues, greens, jewel tones.  I can't wait to get myself a new little wardrobe.

Basically, I needed a career and image overhaul and I got one.  I also made new connections with Mari Lyn and also John DeSotelle who is a teacher of Meisner Technique and seemed interested in having me check out his classes.  Now the next step is figuring out how to move forward.

John DeSotelle Studio

The auditions went very well.  I found out I didn't get one of them but something interesting happened when I found out: I didn't cry or feel horrible about myself.  Because I was doing other things to help my career and I was forward thinking, while it sucks to not get a job I didn't feel like I was starting from zero.  It was like an existential experience for me.

I also just finished working on Brat. Shit. Crazy. II at the Trestle Inn.  Basically it's a night of raw, new work and after it's presented the audience gets asked for feedback in between each act.  Tonight was the second night and for some reason I was more nervous than last night.  It may have been because two of my best friends, Sarah Schol and Jeremy Gable were in the audience.  But the performance was really great and I definitely think that now it has a life ahead of it.  I will draw upon some of my greatest inspirations: People and experiences that I love.

Let's see, what else.  Oh!  I've been asked to participate in a workshop at a theatre company here in town (I don't know if I am able to post details about it until afterwards) but it's a vocal workshop with some very important people and I am just thrilled and cannot wait to dive in.  I'm also doing a play workshop out in the 'burbs (again not sure about sharing at this point), but I'll keep you updated.  Possible play reading casting on the horizon as well.

 The gym and I are still friends, Eddy and I are getting ready to go away for a bit in April (cross country!  what WHAT!), and I've been cooking more.  So all wonderful things going on in my life.

I love you all and I'll update soon.

xo

-C

What's In A Name?

Really quick update before I go to work...

So I've been stuck in this no cast zone for a while now, sometimes I find it hard to get a callback.  Recently I've received what feels like a gazillion rejection emails (...really it's been about 6) and it's gotten me thinking...

What qualifies me as a "working actor"?

For the longest time, as long as I can remember since deciding to go for this business, I threw off the idea of classes, readings, auditions for the sake of auditions, coaching, creating my own work, writing, reading...

WHY!?  How dumb can a twenty-something BE!?

Well, I've learned my lesson the hard way.  I'm rusty and not as connected as I'd like to be.  I'm going to change my mantra.  It's about the craft, my art.  It's not about getting cast (though that certainly is a nice feeling when it happens) it's about the work, the creation, the imagination.  So now I ask the question, how do I become the artist that I want to be?

First, I am going to create my own work.  I am presenting a small piece with Brat Shit Crazy II in two weeks and we'll see what happens from there.  I'll be posting more information about that on my website (www.cindyspitko.com)

I think I've been afraid, scared to truly put myself out there.  I had someone tell me once that I was afraid of my own power.  It's time to own my power, put on my thinking cap and dancing shoes, and let's get to work.  I am open and available for new classes, new ideas, and new ways of thinking.

Let's go.

-Cindy