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.

PINK! Praise and other goings-on

So now that PINK! is past, what better time to post other's thoughts on it? Yes, it is backward, but better late than never. Besides, PINK will be back. Oh it will.

"I am the Managing Director of the WorkShop Theater Company where the production of PINK is taking place, and I had the good fortune of seeing the show last night.
Besides the setting (a sleep-a-way camp for 12 year old girls. ), there is NOTHING saccharine about this play.
In fact, I would best describe it as a "God of Carnage" for "tweens."
It is coarse, vulgar, innocent, sweet, deadly dramatic, and most importantly, very, very funny.
It only runs a week more -- but the play and performances are so good, that I just had to write to those of you who were wavering, to check this play out.
It will be 90 minutes very well spent."
--David M. Pincus, Managing Director WorkShop Theater Company
www.workshoptheater.org
Chair, Theater Task Force
Manhattan Community Board 4

And here is Broadway After Dark's Review, which gives such a nice summary of my character I chuckled in agreement:
http://www.broadwayafterdark.com/Durell.htm
Cabaret and Other Wanderings with Sandi Durell
Welcome to Camp “PINK”
Down Payment Productions WorkShop Theater Main Stage
Reviewed by: Sandi Durell
September 20, 2009

"Ah, pubescence, those wonderful years of honesty, no cares, exploration. In this case, however, the girls at Camp “Pink” are the result of a more modern day phenomenon. They are the Me Generation capable of saying and doing anything. They are nasty, vicious and abusive. Five nymphets finding womanhood at sleep-away camp, obsessed with everything sexual as they refer to each other as Vagina and batter each other with brutal honesty, eventually turns into the ultimate horror.

Samantha (Julia Giolzetti), the quiet book reader, sensible and mature is the butt of much battering and ‘odd girl out’; Ashley (Caitlin Mehner) sexually mature, is the leader of the pack, suffering from the dysfunctionality associated with sexual abuse by her father. She is mean, lies and capable of anything as we see at the conclusion. Zoe (Kaela Crawford) is Ashley’s shadow, slave and play toy. Tracy (Alison Scaramella) is good natured, fair and understanding but sometimes caught in the web of being just a 12 year old trying to grow up. Abby (Stephanie Strohm), a bit overweight, would like to have experienced more and finds herself confused much of the time as she is tossed around in the emotional play of the Me Me’s.

The 90 minute ride provokes both laughter and riveting disgust as they tear each other apart with everything from whose Bat Mitzvah they will attend ( 2 of the girls have the same date), the experience of a first menstruation, dealing with parents’ affairs, fashion, cheating, boyfriends, first sexual experiences and all the bitchiness one might imagine.

The final horror occurs as Ashley wants to give Abby the experience of sexuality and, with Zoe’s assistance, Abby is tied up and inadvertently smothered to death. In typical Ashley style, she immediately blames Zoe as she tries to deny who and what she is and has done.

The cast is top rate in their performance abilities, the play disturbing and thought-provoking, and although playwright Stacy Davidowitz assures that the content is entirely fictional and none of the characters and events are based upon real people and events, there remains a BIG question mark in my mind! The run of this play is complete but should it be revived I recommend you see it and decide for yourself."

Whew! Good times!

So rehearsals have begun for T.A.B. (take 2) and I'm really excited to see the play in a new light and go back to work on Kathy. Since this time around we're treating everything much more abstract, I'm going to need a much firmer grip on the character so I can then go crazy with the text. The director, Tracy, is wonderful and has so many great ideas that it almost feels like I'm working on an entirely different, but still awesome play. And it's cool to see new actors playing the other parts; while nobody is necessarily doing it "better", it's fun to see how different people interpret the same characters and dialogue...sometimes the line readings don't change at all, sometimes they're radically different...I love it!

Also PUNCHDRUNK is coming to the USA and I'm in the midst of a field trip planning to go for Halloween! If you're not familiar with the troupe, Google that ish NOW. They are amazing, and I only know that from firsthand accounts.

Aaaaand what else? It's getting colder around here but I am resisting busting out the big jacket because that means winter and winter is poopie.

Well off to rehearsals!

In the Audition Room? Me?

I've always wanted to be in an audition room on the other side of the table. And even though I've been acting for 20 or so years, I never have, save the one time I directed a play my senior year of high school, and all the auditioners were my friends. So I was ecstatic when my bffaeae Erin asked me to help out with auditions for the reincarnation of "T.A.B." I'm not sure if I'm reading with people or not, but I know that seeing an audition from the other side is so valuable to an actor. Since I'm in the spirit of giving, I'll share my thoughts on the experience sometime tomorrow (and no, I won't name names or comment on specific auditions). I'm considering this a free acting class more than anything. How did the ancient actors learn their craft? Mimcry and imitation. How can you be an actor if you can't observe how other people inhabit their bodies and the world? Isn't that kind of the whole point? To get inside someone else's head, to leave your own, is a special kind of bliss I would guess only happens in the most rare and sublime of cases.

In other news, I find when I'm in crisis I desperately find work to do. Anything to keep my mind working...otherwise it shuts down and I turn into a poopy kind of person.

Speaking of, I had an audition Monday that freakin rocked. I worked hard on the material and it paid off as I was told I was called back while still in the room. What a great feeling and a great experience. So that callback is in a few days and they gave me lots of new material to peruse, which I love. Nothing makes me happier than a bunch of sides to go through and a full script to read. I love words. I love plays. I love reading them out loud, much to the chagrin of my neighbors.

So what have I learned this week, friends? When love fails you, go to work. When work fails you, give love another shot. But NOT A Shot of Love With Tila Tequila. I think mentioning Tila Tequila will give my blog 3000 more hits today than normal. Here's hoping.

PINK! is over...for now.

Thanks so much to everyone who came to see us! I've never had such universally gushing responses toward a play before--people of all different kinds loved it, young and old. I was approached by many strangers and asked if the events in the play had ever happened to me as a kid (they haven't, I would never hide my diary in such an obvious place!), or if I really was a lesbian. That was awkward...not that I can convincingly play someone who kisses girls but just awkward in general to declare your love of boys to strangers. I was also told by a lot of people, also some strangers, that they identified with my character the most out of the 5 girls which was the ultimate compliment to me. Granted I wasn't an evil villain, I was a misfit kid, but how awesome that I got people to see through Samantha's eyes. This show also got me really good at crying onstage. Which I think is the hardest thing to fake. Anger, laughter, and fear are all pretty straightforward but actually tricking your body into crying is so damn hard. By repeating the scene over and over and also finding words and actions of other characters that triggered tears helped immensely....and of course all the other girls were so good and the moment was written so well I never had to fake it. Actually last night the tears came so quickly and easily I kind of just sat back and let them happen.

Things haven't been going great on the personal front, but I'd like to think the tears were just frustration, exhaustion, and regret that the show's over. But who knows.

In happier news, I was offered a small part in a new movie from the same company who worked with me on "Last Chance", which is now in post production. I am thrilled to work with them again since I had so much fun on the last shoot. And there are dogs involved! Maybe Baxter will get a cameo. Don't be a diva Baxter.

And in awesome news, remember the show I did back in May for the Downtown Urban Theatre Festival?! It got picked up for the Manhattan Rep Theatre Fall Play Festival! Yes, "T.A.B." returns October 28 at 8pm and the 29-30 at 6:30pm. If you weren't able to catch the first incarnation, I highly recommend coming to the festival. It's a provocative and touching story and much of the old gang is reuniting which gives me joy. Nothing is more awesome than collaborating with actors more than once.

If I find a review of PINK! I'll post, but that's it for now. I have another audition tonight as well, because, well, I don't understand what "take a break" means. Heh.

My true loverly lub.

Too sexy for words!!!! Ewan McGregor is the first and only fella for me. Oh, you say he's married? Alas. Anyway while scrolling through Best Week Ever I found this and it made me squishy inside so I had to repost it. Also www.bestweekever.tv is the funniest blog in the world. For serious. Although today is the Official Day with no Cats (and therefore no LOLz) so maybe check it tomorrow instead.

Also its 9.9.09 which means something to us, but not to people with different ways of counting time, animals, plants, or really the rest of the universe. But it's a cute little coincidence. Where will I be at 9:09 pm on 9.9.09?......rehearsing. As any self-respecting actor would be.

My sore throat lingers, and coughing is an issue, but that shouldn't stop you from seeing PINK! tomorrow at the Workshop Theatre Mainstage (see what I did there?)(it was a plug)(nevermind). People get sick at camp so it's not too much of a stretch.

Can I just say as well....that I am so so SO proud of this production. That's my overwhelming emotion, even though I should be nervous about opening. I am just filled with pride and admiration. When so many people come together on a project and really throw their entire souls into it 1000% for weeks, it shows. It shows in the AMAZING bunk beds constructed by Amanda, Laura's seamless and awesomely edited web videos, Johanna's keen eye and life saving organizational skills, Stephanie's ridiculous, heartbreaking and fabulous costumes, Joel's spooky lights, Kate's sweet smile as she rubs shaving cream off my face. It shows in Stacy's words, words she has invented and collected from these insane children and words she has twisted into a beautiful terrific thing. It shows in Brian's gasps and giggles as he gleefully directs us. And of course, Caitlin and Kaela and Ali and Steph are SO talented. I will truly miss this group. You know that a show's good when you fear the end of it before it even opens!

So I hope you out there will come see it. It's not some half-assed shindig. If I do my part right, you'll leave the theatre thanking the heavens you're no longer twelve years old.

Busy! As a bee!

What a fortuitous weekend! Saturday was spent with the fine folks of Pink! in New Jersey basically staying in character all day and taking many fun photos/videos for promotional/recreational purposes. Oh those girls are funny. They are all such spectacular improvisers I couldn't help but applaud after each unscripted interview was filmed.


Plus the website is up and running (plug plug plug): http://www.pinktheplay.com/ with a handy synopsis and soon, some of the videos we shot. It was such a great time to get out of the city and its unbearable heat and do some actin' in the woods.





Then Sunday Henry V went up in Prospect Park and I was astounded at the response we received. Joggers, bikers, and families literally stopped in their tracks to listen. Kids who I assume had no idea what was going on were pointing, eyes wide, at us prancing around on the pagoda. And as cynical as I get about Shakespeare in the Park being so cliche and lame and doesn't inspire people to keep his words alive....I kind of ate dirt metaphorically and actually, because I die and then fall on the dirt.





That's another thing. Why couldn't the English lackeys die near strategically placed towels? Death disables your ability to keep the ants out of your ear! And then as they sing the sad song and we slowly walk offstage, I feel a mosquito get me in the thigh. And now I have a baseball-sized swollen monstrosity where he drank my blood. But as they say, the show must (itchily) go on. So yes, two more chances to see (for free) Henry V in the Prospect Park Music Pagoda: Sundays August 30 and September 6, 4:30pm. B or Q to Prospect Park. If you're just coming to see me, here's a fair warning that the Boy has very few lines, but a spectacular death scene. If you want to wait for Pink! be my guest. That would be September 10-20.





Did you notice I only have 3 days in which I am not performing for three weeks?! Wahoo.





As far as personal life...Baxter got groomed and looks ever so darling:

See?! I love my pup!

Had a lovely birthday dinner for an old friend last night at Alta, where the tapas flow freely and my taste buds go, "alsdgajdgjhgsdjkfgdsjcmmmmmm". It was good.





Alright, more to come, as always.

Stress/Going Crazy

As my profession requires, I have many vocations going on at once. On any given day, I may be at my temp job, which I've grown strangely attatched to. Or maybe I'm babysitting, shuttling nearly always delightful Manhattan children around and baking cardboard frozen pizzas. Or maybe I'm doing an odd job, either from the temp agency or through some lovely contacts I've made recently who are actually paying me to goof around in the name of Cirque du Soleil. Or maybe, just maybe, you can find me in midtown acting my giant butt off for whomever cares to listen. Sometimes I'm even gifted with a rehearsal process and a performance! Whoda thunk? Kinda the whole point of me being here.

Now don't take this in any way as a complaint. Being busy with ANYTHING is very beneficial to my well-being, as I go a little insane when I have nothing to do. In fact, I look back on weeks such as the one I've just had with a sense of pride and accomplishment, with just a tinge of fatigue. Since last Friday, I worked 4 full days temping, worked on 2 shoots as an extra (1 paid), attended 3 auditions (2 film, 1 theatre), mailed a very very big agent, participated in a reading as Doll Tearsheet in Henry IV Part II (fingers crossed I get cast as that role is dy-no-mite!), AND found some time in there to eat, meet my friends for some much-needed drinkies, make weekend plans, schedule my coming weeks, and cuddle with my boyfriend and my pup on the couch.

It is hard to keep it all straight sometimes. I've double booked myself and had the special mortification of canceling an audition (this happened once and I've been actively trying not to do it ever ever again). But like I said, this is what's required of someone in my position. I learned quickly to not expect anyone to help you in this business--help and career partnerships are earned and cultivated, they don't materialize because they're so desperately needed. If there is a day, even a Saturday or Sunday, where I'm not doing anything about my career and try to relax, I kind of get a twisty worried feeling inside that maybe I don't deserve a day off yet. So that's why tomorrow, a day set aside for a trip upstate to tour my friend's hometown and go to a freaking carnival of all things, I still slipped in an audition in the morning. Sure, I could say, "sorry I'm planning a trip that day and can't make it", but the what ifs would eat me alive, and I wouldn't enjoy the time off anyway. Will this ever change? Will I ever be able to watch a bunch of TV in mah pj's with a big ol tub of ice cream without a care in the world?

I hope so.

I also hope I'll be in 1000 movies and plays that keep me on my feet 24/7 till I die at a comfortably old age.

This post was written, I think, to clear my head before I go home, walk Baxter, grill some burgers, and then watch "The Others" with all the lights off and the rain pounding a determined rhythm on my walls and windows. Sleeping in tomorrow will be a treat. Till next time, consider me de-stressed!

I'm in another thing!

So remember those two awesome auditions I had last week? Well one got me a callback which has yet to take place, and the other one I actually got the part! It's a great role and I am very honored to be working with the playwright in creating the character. The play is called "The Back Line", and it's performing as part of At Hand Theatre's annual fundraiser, so the ticket money goes to things like making good theatre. Something we can all get behind.

I play a teenage girl recently dead who has chosen to relive one special day in her short life--her first day on the cashier job at Jax Roast Beef. Why does she choose this day? Because of the cute but absentminded fry cook. She goes back to this day to tell him something important--but in the off chance you decide to come see, that's all I'm gonna say. There's also a very rapey manager which is always fun (actually he's awesome) so I really can't recommend this play more. It's funny, heartbreaking, sweet, and yes, molesty. What more do you want out of a 15 minute play?

So if you want to come you can get tickets off smarttix or go to athandtheatre.com and look over there. It's this Friday thru Sunday at 8, and tickets are 20 dolla.

Also, May 18th is the OFFICIAL music video premiere. You can listen to the song and learn more at www.myspace.com/justkait.

That's all for now! Support me and these two faaaabulous shows please (remember TAB goes up May 13th). Buh bye.

Revamped Commercial and My Beloved Padres

So I'm leaving an audition yesterday morning and my mother calls to say there's a rumor that the baseball-themed BoA commercial I was in last year is airing once again, but this time the commercial ends with a close-up of my face. While I am stoked to hear this, I don't want to get too excited till I actually see it.

So I go home, and within 5 minutes of me turning the Yankee game on FOX (in that horrific 14 run inning), there indeed is my face all takin up the screen and I AM MAKING A DUMB DUMB FACE. Oh well, I am still very happy and even happier about the checks to follow (it would be nice to pay rent on time for once!) In other sports news, my Padres are kicking major culo right now, in spite of every broadcaster saying that we would be one of the worst teams this year. This is shaping up to be an awesome season and I hope to make it home to San Diego sometime this summer so I can catch a game at beautiful Petco. I am by no means a fair weather fan, my mood is closely related to the day's final score, so if you ever meet me and find me to be not much fun at all, I recommend checking ESPN :)

So that's awesome. And today I auditioned for 2 plays that I equally want to be in, as they both seem to be run by nice, competent people and both plays are extremely well-written...something I have found to not be the norm around these parts. Although it appears I have a streak going of not getting into plays I want to get into :(

But things are still going well! Look for my face during baseball TV breaks and on MTV in that music video, which they tell me will start airing in the next few weeks. Hooraw for these things!