Yoga

So, who would have thought that taking an acting workshop would change my lifestyle in such a dramatic way (pardon the pun). I'll start at the beginning.

Several years ago, I hurt my back playing tennis, which was my stress-reliever from the corporate world. I was playing four times a week. It seems that the fact that my right leg is 3/8" shorter than the other and/or the fact that I once carried a very heavy briefcase when I was selling insurance (for a very brief period of time) could have caused my back trouble. In any event, it did threaten to ruin several annual trips to the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, as well as interfere with my entering tournaments at the Sunny Hills Racquet Club.

First day out, warming up, my back would go out and I was out for the count...the whole week.
The pro at LJBTC, I remember, recommended yoga, (an ancient practice from India, which unites body, mind and spirit). Instead, I made weekly treks to my chiropractor, who did help ease the pain.

Fast forward to an acting workshop with casting director, Linda Phillips-Palo, on "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron . As a requisite to taking the class, everyone had to join a yoga class.
By this time, yoga classes were springing up everywhere, so it was easy for me to join one close to home.

It was the best advice I ever took. After five years of practice now, I haven't had a single back episode that kept me out of any activity. Of course, I do my stretching morning and night, bend from the knees while lifting, and take regular walks as added precaution.

I bless Linda for insisting on this life-enhancing change. It's not only the physical aspect of yoga that I love, but it makes me feel more centered, more balanced. It rejuvenates the body and mind. And it purports to keep one young. "Stay Young with Yoga from WebMD." That always gets my attention.

Nameste (I honor the light in you.)

Smile

Remember, "Smile, you're on Candid Camera." Well, I don't like those kind of surprises, but I believe my motto is: "Never underestimate the power of a smile."

I think my face just naturally wants to smile for whatever reason; but not too long ago, after yet another clerk in a store went out of his way for me, either throwing in an extra bagel (although I try to avoid them) or a stranger out of the blue doing me a favor, I tried to analyze why people seem to be especially nice to me.

I decided it's because I usually approach people with a smile. Maybe it's all those years of my dad, Eddie Teener, a career jazz guitarist, telling me to "smile for the camera," the shutter bug that he was. Whatever the reason, I hope it's not bad luck to write about it, because I appreciate the help!

So, if you aren't prone to smiling, the next time you go into a store, try entering with a smile, and see if you don't encounter special kindness for doing so. But, if you see me walking around the lake in the morning, and you've already smiled and said, "Good morning," please don't say it again the second time around. That's annoying. On the other hand, maybe I should be more compassionate (with a smile).

Menopause the Musical

The first time I heard of Menopause the Musical was when the bass player on my demo, Vince Tividad, told me he was playing for it in L.A. a few years ago. Shortly thereafter, my good friend, Linda, saw it and said, "Cami, you should be in this!" I finally got to see it this past weekend at the Laguna Playhouse, almost seven years after its first run.

This hilarious musical deals with life after age 40, specifically targeting the 38 million baby boomer females. The leads represent four contrasting women, the Soap Star, played by Juliet Hicks;Roberta Wall as Earth Mother (I think she played Ethel Mertz at Loving Lucy 2000 and just finished the new Alan Menken musical, "Sister Act" at the Pasadena Playhouse); Iowa Housewife, Marsha Waterbury (a long resume of broadway roles, TV, commercials, etc.); and Professional Woman, Fredena J. Williams (what a voice...many recordings and notable appearances, Boston POPS among them). Oh my, what a wealth of talent! All excellent singers, dancers, and comediennes.

Jeanie Linders, the writer/producer, has done such a clever job of providing appropriate lyrics to the hits of the 60's and 70's in particular. There are too many to note here, but one of several show stoppers was Fredena tackling Tina Turner's hit, "What's Love Got to Do with It." Hysterical! The audience went wild. Oh, and Marsha Waterbury's trying on of lingerie was worth the price of admission.

Considering the fact that as many as 17 productions have been playing simultaneously around the world, from South Korea to Malaysia, Israel to Italy, perhaps one day I'll get a chance to be the "diva princess." And what a kick that would be!

Headshots

So....why am I procrastinating from getting new headshots. I definitely need new headshots. When a casting director says to you, "You're prettier than this. We expect people to look worse than their headshot when they come in." Gee, in some weird way when I knew the latest headshot didn't capture the best me, I thought, "Maybe it will be a pleasant surprise that I look better than my headshot." Wait a minute, I won't even get called in if I don't look good in my headshot. Duh!

One of the reasons, I've been dragging my feet is I was waiting for my hairdresser to get back from Puerta Vallarta. Oh yes, and I'm not sure about the color of my hair...not auburn enough? Maybe I should lose a few pounds before I get them. Should I wear the lavender jean jacket again or something in cerulean (a color I had never heard of until I did a scene from The Devil Wears Prada...the Meryl Streep role). Yes, I've had recommendations for a photographer. It's important to feel comfortable with whomever I use. I've been told, "It's all in the eyes."

I went a step further and sent for a CD-ROM, entitled, "Headshot Secrets Revealed," an excellent guide with wonderful advice. I'd recommend it before your next session if you've been less than enchanted with past photos.

Well, today, a dear actress friend, who is a spiritual wonderful being, said to me, "Cami, let your inner light shine through. Don't worry so much about the outer self." Wow! Thank you, Wendy! I can't wait to get my new headshots.

The Marriage of Bette & Boo

What an amazing experience! A wonderful cast, a brilliant director and an awesome crew!

Wrap party...

Front row: l-r Pamela Morgan, Light & Sound Board;

Cami Black, (Soot Hudlocke); Rachel Kanouse, (Joan Brennan); Kasey Wilson, (Bette Brennan); Amie Donegan, (Emily Brennan); Channing Chase, (Margaret Brennan); Second row: l-r Lauren Leonelli, Stage Manager; Ping Pizzo, Scenery Design; Maz Siam, (Karl Hudlocke); Tim Halling, (stand-in for Kevin McCorkle as Fr. Donnally); Stephen Peace, (Boo Hudlocke); Ron Michaud, (Matt Hudlocke); Jamie Bozian, (Paul Brennan); Staci Lawrence, Director.