“Are you a student?”
“Uh...no. Well...yes, sort of...but not really...”
“So that's work stuff you're working on?”
“Well, no. Yes. But, no. I mean...kind of.”
“okaaay?”
“I have a blog. Right now I'm writing ideas for my blog. So it's kind of like work...but not really.”
“Blog? What's your blog about?”
“Me. Uh..my life...In New York...As an actor.”
“Oh, cool! So you're a student studying acting?”
“No.”
“Oh.”
*deep breath* “See, I'm getting certified in Holistic Nutrition. So it's school, but it's not like I go to college or anything. I did that already. Usually when people ask if you're in school they mean like, NYU or something...but I'm not in school like that...so…see...what I mean...”
“Umm...No...???”
“Well, I'm getting certified in nutrition. To be a Health Coach. So that's school, but I already went to college, see...And I'm an actor...so right now I'm learning lines which is work, but I'm also working on my blog which is kind of work, but not really...”
“Right....”
It was this moment that I looked down at the mess that lay before me at the communal Whole Foods table. Sprawled across the space, like I owned the place, was two highlighted scripts, a health magazine, a notebook, random pages of scribble, an Iphone, an Ipod touch, headphones, a bottle of lemon water, and a container of kale and quinoa salad-my dinner.
Holy. Hot. Messiness.
I started cracking up and cut the awkward in the air with the acknowledgment that there was awkward in the air, “This is awkward...hahaha” (it's a tactic that usually works in my head way better than it does in practice). I'm pretty sure the man thought I was crazy (though turns out he has a thing for crazy chicks, cuz he asked for my number), but it was at this moment that I realized that my life is just an undiagnosed and (sometimes) socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.
I jumped from role to role this week/weekend trying to hold onto my sanity with white knuckles.
Let's start with the role of Health Coach:
DO news! The first DO is being done! The program has commenced (though it's not too late to sign up http://eepurl.com/imW5g :). I've gotten great feedback! It's so exciting!
People are doing the DO all over the country! New York, Georgia, Maryland, DC!! I'm a little east coast heavy, so keep up the viral spread. Tweet the DO, Facebook the DO, email the DO, drop the DO in conversation (you know what I mean...). I so appreciate any help you can offer!
Now for the role of Actress:
I had that weird show in BK. Lot's of artsy Brooklyn folk drinking beer and twirling their mustaches (facial hair is on the Hipster must-have list this season). It was probably the worst conditions to do theater I've ever experienced. We had rehearsed it as a subtly acted piece with intimate moments. And the performance ended up being in the middle of a crowd of a few hundred people in an open warehouse space. We had to scream at each other to be heard, at the same time trying not to over-act. The work sort of seemed to lose the relevance it had in rehearsals. Learn and move on. I did meet some awesome people!
At tech rehearsal. That's me in the scarf looking pissed.
Now picture this space with a mass of hipsters surrounding us.
I also began rehearsals for the upcoming show, “Jose Antigo”. We're still getting re-writes so it's hard to chomp down on the script with real fervor just yet. I do love my character, though. She's a sad product of her environment. Sassy, loud mouthed, back talking waitress with a chip on her shoulder. Somehow I find her endearing. ;)
I also shot a short film, “Especially by Fire” with some lovely people. In it I play a binging alcoholic. I spent three nights bawling my eyes out, chugging watered down coke, with my head in a toilet (that I made them bleach first. DIVA moment! ;). Moaning, gagging, yelling, deep breathing. Talk about draining!
Screenshot from "Especially by Fire"
I am no lady in this one, my friends. Boogers, tears, matted hair. I'm pretty sure I got some good ugly-cries in there. You know, the kind with the scrunched face and the snot dribbling down the upper lip...won't be taking home Miss Photogenic for this one, folks.
Another screenshot from "Especially by Fire"
I drank all that Jameson during the shoot. ...I'm method. ;)
(Now, permit me to get all actory for a quick sec: I've had a few non-actor people (read normal) after I've explained why I'm so tired from this weekend, say to me, “That's cool, but I mean, It's not real. You're pretending.” And to that, I say this- The idea is that you go to a place in your head that elicits the response of the character. So essentially the emotions are real. The tears are real. The energy is real. If it's not real, you're a liar not an actor. And audiences can spot a liar from a mile away. See? ...and now to dismount my actor-high-horse of obnoxiousness...:)
I also found time Sunday night to get together with two great girlfriends to do our annual New Year's bucket list. On my personal list is getting organized-once and for all. You may not know this about me, but my organizational skills are sub-par. Beyond. Whiff-the-ball, roll-through-the-rough-and-land-in-a-sand-trap twice sub-par. (which, I realize would actually mean above par in golf...but whatever. You get the joke.) ...anyhow can't wait for that to start!
More rehearsals and more insanity in the coming days. A secret: I love it. Insanity looks good on me, it seems. And you better believe I'm gonna work that schizophrenia.
...Work it like I did that sexy robe in those pictures up there. ^
Eat your heart out.
