I know I’ve said it before, but the main job of an actor is auditioning, aka trying to get the next job. So I thought I’d use this space to share how I prepare for an audition because I know it is different than most people’s day-to-day. Keep in mind that I am a professional, union actor, and this is my experience.

TV, film, and commercial auditions come in primarily through my agents or my manager. Less often, they come from previous relationships, submitting myself on one of the casting websites, or even occasionally via a social media relationship.

Our union just instituted a rule for TV/Film where we must now have 48 hours to tape and turn our audition in to casting. Thank you union! It used to be that they could send you the sides (audition scenes) in the morning, and the deadline could be that evening. Or even in 2 hours. There were no rules in place. There are still some circumstances where they’ve recast a role, and they have to get it quick ’cause it’s shooting tomorrow or whatever. But for the most part, I’ve got two days, which is great because juggling the unpredictable nature of my work and the rest of life is tough!

A lot of the time, the auditions come in right before I’m doing bedtime or as I’m walking out the door to a writers’ group or something. And I’m pretty wiped by the end of the day, as any parent can attest to. So the boundaries around the deadline help immensely.

When I receive an audition notification, I download and read over the sides. (Sides are actor-speak for “scenes used for a TV/Film audition”) I research the project, research who’s working on it, and try to get an idea of the tone of the project. If it’s something I can watch, like a TV series already on air, I’ll watch it. But sometimes you just gotta research who the producers are, who wrote it, and see if you can get a feeling for the tone.

Next, I break down the script (analyzing it for meaning, plot, character, and changes) and make some choices. After that, I usually walk while I try to memorize, because movement really helps me get things into my brain.

Driving also works – I guess it’s something about the multitasking for me!

I set up my auditions in the studio. I have a gray pull-down background that I use a lot for TV/Film auditions. (Commercials are another beast. Theater too. I can share about that in another blog.)

I’m very lucky because my husband’s willing to be my reader (the person who reads the lines that aren’t mine, off camera). And then, I tape it as if I am in an audition room, doing the scene with my husband off-camera. I’ll usually do 3-5 takes, adjusting lighting, angles, and acting choices as needed.

After I’m satisfied, I edit the take I like best, trimming off any nonsense at the beginning and end. I upload it to the site that they’ve requested it be sent to, and then…

I move on with my life! I’ll often blast some music as I clean up to reset myself into the real world and shake off any nerves.

As an actor, you don’t hear if you didn’t get the role, you just send it out into the abyss, and they will call you if they want you. Then you move on to the next one.

It is an endless exercise in self-trust and faith.

I’m very pleased to share that I’ve signed with NV Talent Agency in Chicago for Midwest theatrical and VO representation.
Chicago is where I went to school, met my hubby, got my SAG-AFTRA card, and made so many formative memories! I’m thrilled to reconnect with my roots.

Social Emotional Learning. You’ve probably heard of it. It’s a major buzzword these days and for good reason. SEL includes learning about our feelings: how to recognize them, how to manage them, and how to notice them in others. A hugely important social and life skill, SEL is finally being recognized and addressed in schools.

In our family, we’ve made sure it’s a big part of our home teaching as well. My kids watched Daniel Tiger, and we fill our bookshelves with books about naming and recognizing feelings.

We talk a great game.

“All feelings are normal. All feelings are human. And all feelings belong and can be worked with.”

But as an adult, I’ve found the hardest part is practicing what we preach. I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to bottle up all “bad” feelings–sadness, anger, embarrassment–until I can be alone.

Crying in the bathroom anyone?

It’s a natural instinct and not necessarily a bad one. Clearly, we don’t want all our anger exploding all over our children. But what if our kids could watch us work through some of these feelings, could actually see their grown-ups process . . . say . . . sadness?

When my daughter was just under two, I broke down crying in front of her one day. It wasn’t anything dramatic that caused it. I was just overwhelmed. She stood close to me, looked at the tears on my face, and said “mama sad.”

Read the rest in the original post here…

Ooh, look!

I was featured on Medium’s ShowBizzBuzz section. Check it out to hear my take on working on Dark Winds, acting, and some interesting facts ala Kate.

Call it typecasting but this new mother got to play a new mother on a new digital series “Maternity Leave” written by Angel Laketa Moore. My character, an absurdly perfectionist mom is part of a breastfeeding support group full of misfits. I had a great time with the cast, working out my scripted comedy and improv chops. I can’t wait to share it with you!