So a lot has happened since I last wrote. Or maybe it just feels like a lot these days. Don't know if there's must theatre related stuff to write about, but a lot in life has happened....or so it feels like. Per usual, I have been working a whole heck of a lot and of course, days turn into nights and next thing you know 2 weeks have gone by. Earlier in the month, I, along with the rest of the nation, voted and I must say, was very pleased with the outcome. I only hope great things happen now....this nation could use some sort of miracle. I am continuing with my weekly voice lessons with Julia and each week I feel myself becoming vocally stronger and my range getting better....what a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. I did do something a bit on the crazy side a few weeks ago. There was an open call for "Wicked" on a Saturday morning....perhaps some of you went to that. I did but the story I have is a bit...well, it's probably not the story you have under your belt. Usually for a big audition like that, I would have taken off of work but since it was a Friday night (typically a good money maker night) I decided to work...until 4am. So yes, got done at 4am but did I go to sleep...of course not!!! I went home, I showered and grabbed my pre-packed bag and headed on out at 5am to Telsey & Co. for the audition. I got there at 5:45am and was number 18 in line. There were people in sleeping bags which I thought was a bit over the top. So I sat on cold, hard concrete with my legs still aching from the night of work and nodding off here and there against I pipe I was leaning on. I was pretty miserable but tried to keep positive thoughts in my head and say to myself that this is important and who knows how often this will happen....maybe more then I realize but hey, I had to do something to keep myself going. So people who were part of handling the audition process started to arrive and handed us a bright green (how appropriate ) piece of paper explaining what would be happening that day. I found out a few things: 1) we weren't allowed in the building prior to our audition to change, put our makeup on or to even use the restroom. 2) our song was to be done a cappella 3) some other stuff that I can't remember but there was more. I have to give them credit for starting BEFORE the scheduled start time (10am) which was nice. So they bring us up in groups of 20 (10 per elevator) and of course, being number 18, I was in the first group. Oh wait, you must be wondering how I changed. No worries. Years of playing sports and what not helped me change over my clothes....which is what I did...on the sidewalk......I have no shame. So anyway, get up there, get my last minute things done, and am in line. As the first girl walks in, I feel a wave of exhaustion come on but somehow kept myself going since I was about to enter the room. When the first auditionee came out, a few people asked who she auditioned for. She didn't know and asked the monitor outside the door. Come to find out, I was in line to audition for "the man himself"...Bernie Telsey. I knew ever since watching that "Legally Blonde" reality series (yes, I watched it....in the beginning it was to see what Bernie Telsey was like but then I got hooked and wasn't just watching it for him but....ok....the drama....whatever....guilty pleasure...we all have them) I knew I was going to audition for him. Couldn't tell you how or why I thought that, but I just knew. And here I am in line at an open call waiting to audition for him. So that woke me up a bit. I'm right outside the room, trying to focus, making sure my throat is warmed up, my body as awake as possible and then......it's my turn. Bernie Telsey was very nice and made the room very welcoming and warm...which is a nice change from some audition rooms you walk into and while the heat may be on....it's cold as ice. So I introduce myself, let him know what I'll be doing and I start. My voice sounded.....OK...just OK considering I had yet to sleep and had been up for almost 24 hours. I kept listening to myself, pushing myself to get through this. Then my big belt note was approaching...I told myself, "Get ready" and as I take my deep breathe to get to that note, I let out the flattest, most pathetic note I have ever sung. As soon as I heard what was coming out of my mouth, all I could think of was, "You've got to be kidding me." I was so bummed and disappointed in what I just did. I KNOW I can do better then that...I HAVE done better then that for smaller companies. UGH!!!! And in front of Bernie Telsey so less. I can only hope that fate and destiny give me another chance and if that chance does happen again, I will be taking the night off of work and getting a good night's sleep that's for sure.

I've had a couple auditions since then where I've had to sing and my voice sounded good....at least I thought so. I went to another seminar with The Network a couple weeks ago and met a very nice woman by the name of Ashley Williams. For the particular seminar, we could prepare either a monologue, a short song or a short monologue and 16 bars. I feel that I'm not the strongest monologuer.....is that a word????....so I opted for the short song. I went in and did my piece and afterwards, Ashley gave me a few things to think about and some direction and I did it over. While I never looked right at her, during my song I caught glimpses of her moving and you could tell that she was into the song...she was responding to things I did which made the song even more exciting for me. I have a few more seminars coming up in the next couple of weeks so hopefully something positive will come out of them. Thank goodness I have my dear friend, Jackie, to keep me going and motivated. I don't know if she knows this, but she's like my rock in this business. Don't know what I'd do if I didn't have her with me on this crazy ride.

Well, like I said, I may not have reported on much but it sure does feel like a lot has happened since I last wrote. Maybe part of it has to do with the fact that Jon and I just found out that we can't afford to take over the lease for the apartment we live in and have until December 31st to find something affordable and not a million miles away. So if you live in the NYC area and know of anything, please let us know. We'd appreciate it.

Until next time.....HAPPY THANKSGIVING.............................