January Update!

Hello all!

I know I promised to update more, but I've just been so darn busy!  So here's what's been going on with me...

As some of you may know, I performed in a short run of a show with Simpatico Theatre Project rightfully called "The Meep Project".  We performed at the Walnut St. Theatre in their 5th floor performance space.  The show was initially conceptualized by my boyfriend Ed Swidey when he was working with theatre camps with young kids.  While working with the kids he wanted to create a movement piece for their final presentations and the kids begged him for lines.  He said alright you get one word: meep.  That's all they could say throughout.  And it turns out the piece was wildly successful with those kids.  The show was also successful this past summer when we did the piece with our summer camp kids.

 

 

 

Meep set and meep kids!

Ed had the idea of proposing it to a theatre company in Philly to see how the show would go with adult actors, since he had never tried it.  After getting together a seriously sick cast of adult actors in Philadelphia to do it we jumped into a short term rehearsal process and before we knew it we were in tech!  And then we opened!  Lo and behold we were a hit, receiving stellar reviews and overselling our last weekend, people getting turned away at the door!  And to boot some of our original meepers made the journey from Westport Mass. to Philadelphia to come and see the show.  I've never felt more honored.

Read our fantastic review!

With Sara Howard in The Meep Project

Well, I can't say too much more in detail but since that extraordinary experience we've been asked about what the next step is for Meep.  There might be a remount...or some other things are in the works.  Once I get the go ahead on disclosure, I'll make sure to keep you posted.

So that brings us to a little update about my movie.  First off let me just say that making this movie was an incredible experience.  I just fell in love with everyone on set, I was able to work with remarkable actors, and the director and I were like two peas in a pod.  When we wrapped this Sunday, I cried saying goodbye to everyone, especially Steve, the director.  Sitting here at my desk in my apartment I'm reminiscing about the experience and I find myself speechless.  There are no words for how joyous I was when I reached set, and how excited I was to try new things with the actors.

I believe I've stated on here that I haven't ever done film work before.  Working on this has been a true testament to how adaptable you have to be as an actor.  Film work is a complete 180 from on stage work.  It's compressed, it's focused in a different way.  The fundamentals are the same, in a "what-I-want-and-how-I'm-going-to-get-it" sort of way, but film is not shot in a linear fashion.  Meaning you film different parts of the movie while on set. 

For example, if there is a bedroom set that shows up 4 times in the script, most likely you are going to shoot those scenes in one day, or in several days in a row.  The editor takes all of the shots and pieces together the story the way it is in the script.  Not going to lie, when I realized this I felt like I went through an existential crisis: "So does that mean that's how they shoot The Office?", and "That feels disingenuous!", and "Theatre just makes more SENSE to me!?". 

The experience of acting on screen was most enjoyable because it was just so different to me.  There were times that I did feel nervous because I simply felt like I didn't know what the hell I was doing.  But I confided in the director and other people on set and I felt sated.  Honestly, if you're doing a film for the first time don't fret, just take a deep breath, remind yourself why you're there, and just do it fully. 

As far as the timeline for when it premiers, I'll let you know.  Steve is hoping to have it ready for a premier in September.  And yeah, I'm going to let the world know.

In terms of trying to further my career, all I can say is never stop submitting.  I went from ZERO auditions to FOUR in two days.  Also, I bit the bullet and signed up for a personal trainer at LA Fitness, just a few blocks from me and let me tell you I'm already seeing results (there was some turmoil with the guy who signed me up got reassigned and they had to reorganize and blah blah blah...I won't go into it).  What's nice is...it's a tax write-off.  Seriously!  It's a business expense.  I am a business.  I get all types of advice and it's good to have a support system there while I work out. 

My advice: it's a good investment if you invest in yourself.

The brings us up to date.  I actually should get going because I need to start looking over my audition materials and get it in my skin. 

Here's hopin'

-Cindy

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