American Soldiers, and Happy New Year!!!

Hello!

Again, I apologize for my absence. I'm in a brand new show, premiering at Theater for the New City on Jan 14 called AMERICAN SOLDIERS. Details can be found at kadm.com and http://theaterforthenewcity.net/americansoldiers.htm AND in the New York (freakin') Times: http://theater.nytimes.com/show/24392/American-Soldiers/overview .

It's about a young woman who returns to Long Island from Iraq and attempts to bring her boyfriend and sister (me!) along with her to a new and un-bullshitty life in Colorado. Without revealing too much of the plot, it's heartbreaking, compelling, and real family drama that will make you rethink what it means to be a soldier, an American, a member of a family. It's good. And yes, it's funny too. It's probably the most experienced and professional group of people I've worked with, and it probably shouldn't be a surprise that I'm the youngest person involved. I'm learning more every day and just being in such an intimidating and hallowed space as TNC is overwhelming. Confession: I listened to Matchbox Twenty's "Bright Lights" (about a girl who moves to NYC....yes I am lame) while walking down 9th St which is draped in holiday lights sipping my Peppermint Mocha and heading to rehearsal--and I believe that feeling of belonging and content and success and giddiness was what I've been trying to accomplish ever since I decided as a child that I wanted to be a professional actor. Whew, that was a run on sentence if I've ever seen one!

Bonus: I am dressed kinda slutty for some of it. Not sure whether that would deter or encourage you, but there it is. Needless to say I have stopped eating entirely.

That isn't true. I literally just had McDonald's for dinner. But I didn't Super Size! Baby steps.

Aaaanyways you can get tickets on Smarttix. And while you're at it you can vote for me on the NY Innovative Theatre Awards website! Not till it opens obviously, but I'm in a plugging mood so!: http://www.nyitawards.com/oobshows/show.asp?showID=1566

Oy! So much to go over. My Charger boys are the #2 seed which means I am a happy happy lady. I got to scream at them when I was home for the Bengals game, and the crowd caused 3 penalties!!! Awesome. And for Xmas, I raked in some serious loot including a Chargers sideline beanie, Chargers earrings, a Chargers sweatshirt, and that's just football stuff! I'm lucky my family knows the only thing on my mind in December are the Bolts.

Also, news flash: it's cold over here. Really cold. So cold I need Baxter the dog as a body warmer. Thank goodness he is a willing participant. And it sure is a bitch to get up when you can feel the cold seeping through the window and you're cuddled under the cover, sheet, and blanket in pj's and fuzzy socks with Baxter snuggled also under the covers with his head curled around your elbow. Oof!

But seriously, 2009 has blessed me with jobs on movies, TV shows, and principal roles in 6 shows! I was so busy but so so happy and can only hope that 2010 makes me busier, happier, and richer! This decade has been kind to me, guiding me from braces-clad, awkward 13 through my first love, first heartbreak, first kiss, marching band competitions, San Diego Junior Theatre, college, New York, parties, old friends and new friends, my first apartment, second apartment, first dog, a fairly healthy 5 year relationship, watching my sister grow up and my parents become actual cool people--through right here, right now, as a 23 year old actor in her Manhattan flat. My biggest dilemma is what to do on New Year's Eve. Which is tomorrow. Times Square is out. Any last-minute thoughts or ideas for next year???

Happy New Year blog readers...I hope your decade was as lovely and eventful as mine and hope the 2000-teens will both entertain and teach you. But most importantly, let's all remember that tomorrow is for drinking, and I mean drinking a lot. Cheers.