Today's Lesson in Acting

So, for weeks, I've been walking around wondering how I could tell my scene partner, that while I really liked what he had written for us, I just couldn't perform it the way it was written. You see, there was a certain word that I just could not say that seemed to be important to the scene. No, not the "f" word, although it's one that is not in my swearing vernacular. Just get in the car with me sometime when someone cuts me off, and you'll hear which ones I do use when I lose all femininity.

Which reminds me...you might as well know now...this is how my mind works. I jump around a lot. (Yes, it drives my special someone crazy.)

Anyway, my first scene in class years ago, my acting coach gives me, "The Graduate." Yes, that scene. My scene partner is a young man...I mean really young...doesn't drive yet. Good little actor, however. Anyway, he asked me to drive him home after class once...and I just naturally swore when someone wouldn't let me change lanes. He thought it was sexy. I laughed. Oh yes, and my acting coach said she gave me that scene as my first to make me comfortable!! Really? What's next? Actually, it never got worse than that!

Getting back to my scene today. It was a good scene and eventually, we worked it out so that he said the "n" word several times, (and being a black man...he said it wasn't a problem). But, what was so interesting to me is...I had rather moped around here for a little while, because I didn't have a clue how I was going to play the scene. We rehearsed the lines, but I still was uneasy. It didn't help that the first two scenes in class were wonderful.

When it came time to do the scene, I thought, "Just go with it." This was the second half of the scene, actually. The first we had done a few weeks ago, where I had a lot of dialog. I feel it's a lot harder to just comment briefly and sit there and react, as my part was written this time around. Well, somewhere in there, I just dropped in. I just got it. The emotion came, the feeling was there. Of course, it didn't hurt that I had a great partner.

Everyone commented on it. Someone told me the focus was on me because of how still I was and my reactions. The lesson here is trifold (1) how little you have to do or say to tell the truth in a scene, and (2) not knowing how to do it is a good thing sometimes and (3) listening is paramount. The scenes I really like and can't wait to do are the ones that usually fall flat.

How lucky I am to be working with all these amazing, supportive, talented beautiful souls.

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.