Well I definitely got serious since my last blog... in June. Seriously BUSY!
This month has been INSANE. And it’s not even over yet! I have surprised myself at how much I took on, and even more so that I actually DID it all! So what’s been up?
Job #1: ADJUNCT PROFESSOR!
You’re looking at (the words of) the newest Adjunct Professor for Beginning Suzuki at Long Island University! Thanks to a serendipitous meeting at the URT/As in January (where I assisted my USC Professors Steve and Robyn), we ran into their colleague who teaches at LIU. I emailed her about my interest in potential teaching opportunities directly after (in February), and in mid-July, I received a magical email with an offer to interview. And I got it. I am now in charge of five graduate and one undergrad at the beautiful Post Campus on Long Island. The commute is less than desirable, but upon arrival, I feel like I’ve stepped into a storybook! And I’m teaching SUZUKI -- something I’ve loved since first learning about it in my own graduate studies, and have spent the last two years training and preparing for, though I didn’t realize why... I’m truly grateful for this opportunity, and am so glad to be teaching again! I started September 8.
Job #2: DIRECTOR!
Sometimes I have friends that write plays and enter them into contests in Manhattan, but he’s in California, and needs someone to run the show. Enter: ME. Thanks to my dear friend, Sean Patrick Nill (playwright, actor, goofball), I got my first directing opportunity for his 10-minute play Hair of the Dog. The contest could only use non-union actors, and since I’m Equity now (ahem), the next possible job available was Director. So I said yes. (Though I was also stage manager, and lights/sound/props/costume designer, too!) I gathered a cast of former Californians from my past who all moved to New York in the last 9 months (like me!) This was not intentional... just a lovely coincidence. It featured Rob August (“Spike” from Pac Rep’s Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike), Jessi Noel (Class of 2013 from USC), and Kirsten Dwyer (former DVC student of my boyfriend, Will). And they were AWESOME! We did not win the contest, but the “winners” were determined by audience vote. More friends in the audience = more votes. So I guess I need more friends... :) It was a two-week commitment from September 7-22.
Job #3: STUDENT!
Guys, in case you didn’t know, I really want to act. And sometimes you have to go back into the classroom (not as a teacher), and work your muscles. So I signed up for a five-week scene class with the Casting Director of a top NY regional theater, and have been loving the work! She first gave us a cold read to “get to know us,” and then assigned us a scene to work on for the remainder of the course. She, of course, cast us brilliantly. We will be presenting the scenes to a three-person panel in our fourth class (this week!) Not only am I getting a good “workout,” but I also have the opportunity to be seen by some important casting folks and network my butt off! This class started September 6.
Job #4: ACTOR!
This is technically my number one job, the one I most love. I am definitely still auditioning in between all of this busy-ness. You know, because I really want to act. AND I get to! I have another gig with Shotz next month! If you’ll recall from my May blog of this year, Shotz is a monthly short play series with a theme and three requirements. This month’s theme is SHOTZ, MARRY, KILL, based on a party game of sorts... Should be lots of fun! We have two shows, one-night-only on Monday, October 3. Rehearsals for Shotz began September 18.
Job #5: TEMP WORK!
In my last blog I mentioned I would be working at Scholastic’s Alliance for Young Artists & Writers as their Office Assistant for the month. One month turned into the whole summer! I will be training my full-time replacement and moving onto a new part-time Office Manager position starting in October, because I still have to pay rent... But also teach and audition!
Bonus Job #6: VOICE OVER ARTIST!
While I was on vacation in August to see my sister in Maryland, I took a detour to the cute town of Rockville to record a voiceover for one of the ongoing projects I’ve had in the Bay Area. I previously did the voice for a plush panda toy, and this time they wanted an elephant. (For variety, I guess.) I’m also proud to announce that the HATCHIMALS toys that I voiced earlier this year are officially due out on October 7! They are available for pre-order now!
Extra Curricular Activity: RUNNER
Just this morning I ran the Bronx 10-Mile race, which finished just outside of Yankee Stadium. It was a good “warm-up” for my upcoming half marathon: the Brooklyn Rock ‘n Roll Half on October 8!
And speaking of baseball, with only six home games remaining for my San Francisco Giants, you know that I’m still beliEVEN that we will make the playoffs, beat the Mets in the Wildcard (which I will hopefully get to attend if they play in New York!), and go all the way to the World Series. Just like they did in 2014. It’s been that kind of year...
Extra Curricular Activity 2: “HOME-MAKER”
I’ve had some visitors to New York since my last blog!
Late June: Val & Kenny (Oahu, HAWAII) -- OK, I didn’t actually host them, but it was so fun to spend time with one of my bestest friends and her husband!
August - Chelsea (Los Angeles, CA) -- Chelsea paved the way for my move to New York, and then she decided to move back to California... Nuts! But she’s a badass singer and you should definitely check out her band LATESLIP and their new album “Other Men!”
August/September: Mom, my sister Patty, and cousin Christine (San Francisco/Maryland) -- I got two fun weekends with these gals! One with just Mama Debie, and then Labor Day Weekend with all three ladies! We played tourist and ate lots of delicious desserts!
And on top of all of this, I am also in the process of selling my former home... See, in 2008 when I moved to SC for grad school, I bought this condo. And then I rented it out to the four most terrible renters ever. It is beyond time to sell, and so I’m in the process of “making the home” live-able again... If you know anyone in the market of Columbia, SC, let me know!
What a full summer, huh? And hey, I survived my first summer in New York! (An individual AC unit was necessary...) I took on new projects that I’ve never done and did/am doing them well! I continue to challenge myself and grow and learn, and I think I’m doing those things well, too. The business doesn’t get any easier, but I keep trying. I’m looking forward to the Fall Season, my favorite month of the year (playoff baseball! my birthday! leaves!), and a quick trip home to San Francisco. Because I need it! This tiger is going to roar!
LIU Post Campus (told ya it was like a story-book!)
Theatre building where I teach
Me and the cast of Hair of the Dog!