Photo Philosophy

How I wish I was able to think about things all the time:

How I wish I looked in dance class (or in movies, or in short hair):

Problematic Tallness & Going to Africa

So I got typed out of a Singing in the Rain audition (clearly because I was at least four inches taller than the other girls in the room) Story of 2012.

Good news is that my mom is here and we are SHOW bound this weekend! Saw Anything Goes last night (it was only so-so, but a pleasure to see Joel Grey live) and we're off to One Man, Two Guvnors tonight! Supposedly hilarious, so I can't wait!

Also, I'm going to Africa in August. Looking forward to seeing buggers like this:

Val Kilmer!

Oh my god, you guys, I met Val Kilmer in the juice bar by Broadway Dance Center.

Bad News about the Batman of my youth.

1. He's gotten chubby chubs.

2. I don't think he's on my side of the rainbow any more!!

In OTHER news,

I'm two "nos" closer to my next yes! Thanks to Nutty Professor and Sweet Charity for helping a girl out on her way to her next performing job!

Cheers,

A Broadway Baby 

Today's Wisdom Words

** Courtesy of blog reader & fellow Columbia alum, via daniellaporter.com **

Why decide to rise? Not for the reasons you might think. In fact, these are the reasons that will make you sick and tired:

Do not rise out of obligation. Do not rise because of feared consequences. Do not rise because you think being tough makes you smarter (it doesn’t.)

Decide to rise because you want to expand — your being, your life, your possibilities.

Decide to rise because super powers are meant to be activated and applied in everyday life.

Decide to rise to explore your place in the universe.

On the other side of deciding to rise is illumination, ecstasy, insight. And the angel of your strength is there waiting, smiling, applauding, with a goblet of endorphins for you. Drink up.

When you transcend circumstances you get special privileges. You get evidence that you are indeed amazing, and irrefutable proof that what your heart and mind choose is what matters. And you get the deep knowing that life wants you to win.

Decide to rise.

Lean in. Listen up. Closely.
It’s your soul speaking and she says,
Get UP! I need you. I want you. I am you. Choose me.
Lean in. Listen up. Closely.

Decide to rise.

I did today. And by all that is good in this world, I swear that deciding to keep going for the right reasons can make all the difference.

Miles to go before I sleep, chums!

Lots of love,

A Broadway Baby

Live Rent Free in New York!?

Who knew?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/21/nyregion/for-caretakers-a-rent-free-life-in-new-yorks-historic-homes.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&nl=nyregion&emc=edit_ur_20120421

Even I'd move to Queens to live in this one:

http://onderdonkhouse.org/default.aspx

End of the Rainbow

I just saw End of the Rainbow, starring Traci Bennett, the new Broadway play about the end of Judy Garland's life.

Lucky me, I went with a friend and theater connoisseur, who had most welcome advice and encouragement.

The actress was INCREDIBLE. I've never seen someone so unafraid of being raw and vulnerable and hideous. It was heart wrenching and so, so real.

The hardest part was that there were times when she reminded me so of my grandmother. Good and bad memories ... I just hadn't seen her in so long. Then I blinked and suddenly she was on stage! I was sad because I missed her and sad for her sorrows, some of which were aligned with Judy's.

And there was that reminder, the thing I've been needing for weeks. That magic that is Broadway, that makes dreams come true, and makes ghosts walk the earth. I love it so much.

Courage Men! GREAT ADVICE for avoiding career blues

Jenna Fischer (of the Office) and her tenacity are a strong model to follow:

http://www.dailyactor.com/2009/03/jenna-fischers-advice-to-actors/

Highlights:

1. Opportunity Meets Readiness
2. Swallow your pride and take every performance opportunity you can
3. This business is not fair, but DO NOT give up
4. Don't stop your personal life for your career
5. There will always be scumbags who try to bring you down. Ignore them. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people.
6. Slow and steady wins the job!

A reminder that everyone gets bummed out by their jobs once and a while

http://www.backstage.com/bso/reviews-movie-tv-reviews/owning-the-downside-of-being-an-actor-1006817362.story

Highlights

1. Own the downside of being an actor/dancer
2. Develop effective methods of coping
3. Actually ride the ups and downs (we have a more extreme and constant form of the career rollercoaster in the performing arts field)
4. Above all else, resist the urge to quit 

Sometimes all it takes is a friend visiting from the opposite coast to remind me how much I love New York, and to make me grateful for all the opportunities and experiences I have had. The exhilarating and the frustrating are equally welcome, because you really can't have one without the other.

I wouldn't give this up for the world.

In other news, I'm always encouraged by the lovey dovey couples on the subway, clearly head over heels for each other after years of marriage. Even in New York. Despite being in New York. Anything that you want can happen here!

Good days and bad

There is nowhere to go but everywhere. Nothing behind me, everything in front of me.