RAZZLE DAZZLE ‘EM!

Picture hundreds of hyper cheerleaders, plenty of proud parents, upbeat pop music, loud dance beats, noisemakers, energetic cheer and dance routines, a rainbow of bright colors and glitter galore. Have that pictured yet? Well, if so, then you are in the midst of what I like to refer to as cheerleader central, and you can now imagine my last weekend.

Previously, I mentioned some of the creative jobs I do on the side while making my way as an actor. One of them was working for my good friend who has various successful make-up lines. This past weekend I did just that at The American Showcase National Cheer & Dance Competition at the Anaheim Convention Center. It’s a yearly event where I helped represent Razzle Dazzle Cosmetics (RazzleDazzleCosmetics.com), a vibrant glitter and sparkle-filled make-up line, geared towards cheer and dance teams.

Along side the stage, where the competitions are taking place, there are many booths set up for selling a variety of items. From animal print luggage and giant sparkle signs to jewelry, sunglasses, and, in our case, glitter make-up. Despite the 14 plus hours per day on your feet and moments of craziness, I must say it is all well worth it and tons of fun as well! I am also a big people watcher and there are plenty of opportunities for that at these types of events. You get to meet so many interesting people with different personalities and be around what truly is the youth of America.

Plus, actors learn through observation and soaking up bits from all their surroundings, to possibly use at a later time. Just as Jean-Paul Sartre said, “Acting is a question of absorbing other people’s personalities and adding some of your own experience.” Therefore, working events likes these can be beneficial and relevant to an actor, even though it is not an audition or acting job. It relates in some form and is also all about “show time,” after all.

The teams come from all over to perform, and, in a way, this event is somewhat of an audition for them. All in hopes of placing and winning an award at the end to show for their hard work. It is a time and place for people to be supportive of one another, and, at the end of the day, we all need that, whether for doing stunts or making it as an actor.

All in all, I was able to sport my daily smile in a place where I think it was truly appreciated and became very good at making glitter stars, starting with a pink one for myself, of course. I created so many of them for numerous girls that I think I might be able to make them with my eyes closed! Regardless, a glitter star never hurt anyone and who doesn’t like a little sparkle…so I say, no matter who they are, why not Razzle Dazzle ‘em!

“Personality is the glitter that sends your little gleam across the footlights and the orchestra pit into that big black space where the audience is.” – Mae West