POTAHTO OR POTATO. TOMAHTO OR TOMATO. ACTOR OR ACTRESS.

I am back in sunny LA. Except there’s one problem, it hasn’t been all that sunny! Do you suppose the sun ran and hid on me since I tend to be more of a fan of NYC? Maybe it thought doing so would provide more of an east coast feel and was LA’s unique way of welcoming me back to the City of Angels.

However, seeing that my theory is fairly far fetched and that this is the rainy season, I highly doubt it. Either way, I shall excuse it, this once, and freely admit that it does give the city a crisper bite, which is no doubt like that of the Big Apple, or any good apple for that matter.

In my debut blog I mentioned that I would explain why I call myself an actor, not actress. I figure what better time than the present, right? For me it is actually quite simple. I’m afraid I don’t have some ample, in-depth or even insightful explanation for you, but I promised to be open and honest with each of you, and I intend to be just that!

Since I can remember, I have referred to myself as an actor. This all stems from when I began taking weekend acting and musical theatre classes, while in high school, at the renowned HB studio in New York City. HB is the school started in 1945 by Herbert Berghof, later joined by the legendary Uta Hagan, which had the intention of offering “professional theatre training and practice for aspiring and accomplished actors of all ages.”

To me, though some feel differently, we are all actors. Just as there are doctors, lawyers, and teachers, despite whether you are male or female. In addition, our union is the Screen Actor’s Guild, “the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors,” and has been since it began, 75 years ago, in 1933. The union also holds the SAG Awards each year, where the highly respected award happens to be an actor that is given to actors by actors.

So, there you have it, fairly simple isn’t it?

That said, most of my female friends, in this industry, consider themselves actresses. This is not, despite what some might suspect, odd to me in the least. There is no denying that there have always been actors and actresses and will continue to be; just as there are some awards given for Best Actor and Best Actress. For me however, I find the most comfort in being simply called, an actor.

With that, and before I leave you for this week, I would like to report that my ruby red heels have been put to good use, hitting the pavement frequently, as promised, despite the sun on my yellow brick road having gone into hiding. Till next time, I am off to seek sunshine, and whatever else I may find along the way, so wish me luck…or as we actors, yes actors, like to say, Break-A-Leg!

“An actress can only play a woman. I’m an actor, I can play anything.” – Whoopi Goldberg

FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD?

While in NYC during the WGA strike I started thinking about the affect it was having on many in the industry, but especially those further down on the totem pole, as they say. It may have caused some to see it as a sign to give up and move on to something else, which brings me to this week’s blog.

I suppose, if we were to turn to the popular 1939 film entitled “The Wizard of Oz” staring Miss Judy Garland, for any advice in life, we might start to think that following the yellow brick road, while wearing a pair of ruby slippers, would bring us exactly where we want to go.

Except, what exactly is the yellow brick road, and where might one find it?

In this case, I believe the yellow brick road simply represents the road of life, something we are all on during our lifetime and can relate to in some form. While the ruby slippers are perhaps just a sparkling reminder that there is light at the end of the tunnel when things look dim, and we can in fact get there. Let’s face it we all like pretty things from time to time.

For some, life might be about becoming an award winning writer, life saving doctor, loving mother, ambitious secretary, adventurous flight attendant, loyal husband, attentive waiter, well respected employee or even a successful actor among countless other jobs out there for us to momentarily grasp or ultimately capture.

My personal yellow brick road towards becoming an actor has been filled with expected disappointments, incredible highs, pesky frustrations, ongoing questions, useful lessons and certain uncertainties to name a few. I’m only a fraction of the way there, but again, it’s all about baby steps. So, even if I “make it,” I’m going to keep taking those “baby steps” because we never stop learning and should continue becoming the best person we can.

No matter the dream, striving for it exists in each of us, and can quite possibly be found along the yellow brick road, symbolizing life. Like the attractive pot of gold at the end of a colorful rainbow, remember, “somewhere over the rainbow dreams come true.” Regardless, if we keep moving forward and don’t give up we can and will get there, in time. I truly believe that persistence is the key to unlocking your dreams.

This film analogy may also remind us that just as Dorothy encountered bumps along the way and faced obstacles, if we stay true to ourselves while following our hearts, we will end up exactly where we’re supposed to be. Just as morning awakens us from dreams, these obstacles might rightfully wake us up to reality. Learn from them and allow each to make you stronger. We all get knocked down, if we didn’t, we wouldn’t know how wonderful it feels when we finally reach our dream at the end of the road. As I’ve said before, it is what makes the make in “making it” that much sweeter!

Especially in times when the destination is somewhat colorless during our unpredictable adventure, it is important to at least have a dream to pursue. While realizing that the dream may change, just as dreams do when we’re sleeping, don’t let a few upsets cause you to give up on your ultimate desire forever.

I recently went through a phase where I began questioning things in my life, as did many of my friends. Our mid 20’s tend to be a time when we naturally try to figure out where we’re going, what we want, and if what we thought we wanted is still true or has evolved; just as we do growing up. This I am sure happens throughout our lifetime, but might be more prevalent during this particular time, because we’re bridging the gap between being a carefree young adult and being a true adult, planning more seriously for the future.

That said, I have come to realize that where I am in my life and career is indeed the place I’m supposed to be. Now that the WGA strike, which was in the grand scheme of things just a tiny pebble in the road, is happily over, I’m heading back to LA. I am ready to hit the ground running, in ruby red heels, of course, and continue exploring what life has in store for me as I follow the yellow brick road.

“Sometimes you have to get off the path to see you were on the right one to begin with.” – John Ehardt III (My Extraordinary Dad)

AN ACTOR’S LIFE FOR ME

Perhaps it all started at 11:31PM on August 17th when I made my dazzling debut in front of an eager Connecticut audience anxiously awaiting my arrival.  Not on a stage, TV or film screen near you, which you may have suspected, but at a place where many get to momentarily shine in the spotlight.  Be it a harsh, somewhat blinding, florescent light, but a light nonetheless, at Norwalk Hospital, where I was born.

Whether we are born actors or not is arguable.  However, we all acquire the full attention, all eyes on you moment, many entertainers thrive on when we enter this world, whether we welcome it or not.  Recognition most like to receive from time to time displayed before those they know, but attention few wish to maintain throughout the future in front of, what could be considered, the brightly opinionated eyes of the world.

Regardless, I was attracted to the bright lights and forever turned on by them and all they had to offer.  Maybe my parents, who are supportive beyond belief, had an innate sense that I would end up in entertainment when naming me after Liesl from “The Sound of Music.”  Undeniably setting up my 17th Birthday to be a “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” singing extravaganza before I’d even turned one. That said, I love my name and embrace any extravaganza, especially when it’s happy, upbeat and, above all, genuine.

Shortly after landing amongst the bright lights here on earth, my family moved to London, England before heading to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, in the Middle East.  There I spent some of the most memorable years of my childhood sliding down sand dunes, watching “Sesame Street” in Arabic, learning the basics of that language, and most important to me gaining an appreciation of diverse cultures, with an open-minded view of the world and those in it, and forming valuable friendships.  Each was unique and important in my life while I made my way down the unmarked, yet exciting, road to one day, hopefully, becoming a successful actor.

After life whisked me overseas to live and around the world on fascinating vacations to movie-worthy locations, I ended up back in the one of a kind country where my life began, the United States.  Specifically, New Jersey, whose state slogan recently became “Come see for yourself.”  Exactly what I, unintentionally, did years ago and is where, I believe, my true interest and love for the arts was realized…at Exit 33.

I welcome you to follow my journey as I continue to take steps, no matter how tiny, towards achieving a career in the industry.  In hopes of ultimately having the means and platform on which to open and have an active part in my own children’s charity foundation, to give back and continue to help others while staying positive, grateful and true to my morals, with my feet firmly planted on, what is often in this business, unstable ground.

For those of you trying to accomplish what I am, here is something my mother always says that I think is important to remember, “It’s all about baby steps.  She would rather work really hard for something and have it pay off in the end than be handed it overnight.”  When you think about it, she’s right and not because mothers always are, but because hard work, with disappointments along the way, allow the make in “making it” that much sweeter.

So, what can you expect in my upcoming blogs?

I plan to include stories about my connection to a notable 1930’s actor, earning my SAG card, why I call myself an actor not actress, the ins and outs of auditions, working with Julia Roberts, Katie Holmes, John Ritter, Eve and more.  I promise to be open and honest about the highs and lows encompassing trying to “make it” in this business known as show and the uncertainty surrounding it while encouraging you to let me know your interests or questions pertaining to acting.

I’m thrilled to be joining FIB and am excited to be challenging myself to learn more about the industry, those in it and most important, myself.  I hope you will meet me here weekly and hop on board my blogging excursions to places I promise will be filled with ups, downs, twists, turns and maybe even a few surprises.

Let the adventure begin!

“Acting is a question of absorbing other people’s personalities and adding some of your own experience.” – Jean-Paul Sartre