The Innocent Ignorant Girl

I took this one day class on how to market yourself in the entertainment industry, because I'm bad at the business part of the show! It is not called "show business" for no reason at all, and me and business don't mix! I'm good with doing my gig, and being on the stage or in front of the camera. However, marketing, promoting, and schmoozing is not my thing at all. The class was very interesting, anyway, we got on the topic of type. I started to speak about how being bi-racial could be a drag, and sometimes I don't get cast or looked at for African American parts, because small minded casting people don't think I am black enough! Then the drama began in the class, a very nice looking Caucasian girl said " I can see why, because you don't talk black"! When I tell you every African American in the class almost jumped out of there seats and killed the poor girl. How does a black person speak? You mean to tell me, because I don't speak with Ebonics, slang, or unintelligible does this mean I don't speak black? Racism at it's best was yet again presented to me in the weirdest form. Which I never expected in a liberal acting workshop in New York City. The girl started to cry, because even the other Caucasians in the class jumped down her throat! I spoke with her after class, to explain why it was not the most intelligent thing to say to a African American or any other race. I truly don't think the girl meant any harm, and just didn't know any better. I am sure she learned a huge lesson even more than marketing herself, hopefully she learned about people, and race!

La Mission

I went to see Benjamin Bratt's new film "La Mission", which is a movie written and directed by his brother Peter. It was such an unexpectedly thrilling movie. I spent the movie crying through most of the scenes. I had to blog about this movie, it was so touching, and dealt with so many issues, in the Latino community. I will correct myself, and say it dealt with many issues in ANY community. As this movie is a universal picture, however, it was a little personal for me. It was also nice to see a good piece, done by a mostly Latino cast. It is good to see Latinos finding there place in American cinema. I hope this family team continues to make more films, because it is missing in today's America. The performance where all stellar, although, there was some writing issues, and directing issues. However, I overlooked them because the piece was so good, in many other ways. It made me want to see the movie again, and own it. Go support what I think is a great piece of cinema "La Mission"!

Next Fall

I went to see one of the funniest plays on Broadway, and genius because while yet funny, it touches on some real serious subjects! This play is produced by Sir Elton John, and had me turning in my seats with laughter. The story is about a homosexual boy who is in a coma, and hasn't come out of the closet yet to his family. His partner is in the waiting room, with the boy's religious southern mom and dad , the boy's boss and fag hag, and the boys religious gay best friend. You go back in time to explore the relationship between the lover and the boy. You see the boy is a christian, prays after sex, and believes his homosexuality is a sin. However he loves his partner, but his partner is not a believer at all. The boy continuously trying to save his partners soul. This causes a huge drama in his relationship, not to mention he is not out to his family! Tons of action and drama happens between the family in the waiting room, and the partner not having any rights. With the flashbacks back in the home, dealing with religion and sexuality. I know? This sounds like a drama, but it is not. Don't get me wrong, it has many dramatic under tones, and yet it deals with religion and stereotype at it's best. I won't tell you the whole story, but this highly interesting relationship is brilliant on stage. I highly recommend "Next Fall", you will laugh, and you will cry. Most of all you will have an amazing night at the theater!

Finding Me

I had a great film class this past Monday, it is such a hands on experience type of a class. I absolutely love it, and truly look forward to going to this class! I never mentioned the name of my teacher, his name is Bill Hopkins, and he teaches this same class at Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg School, and Weist Baron. I must admit the hardest part is memorizing the copy you get, as soon as you walk into class. He sits down and "type" casts you, and you uncomfortable watch him as he glares at you for fifteen minutes, going back forth with different scripts. Then you go and do your best to work with your partner swiftly, to come up with, what the hell you think is going on, and get this puppy stuck in your brain somehow! It was amazing watching the people who are re-taking his class, (because they love it so much), they memorize copy so fast, and go and shoot that stuff like a pro would. Us newbies go into the blocking praying the copy is memorized, and hoping the magic happens as he directs you. Watching myself back on Monday was very eye opening for me. WOW, I look so intense, and boy do I have big ass cheeks! I couldn't stop watching my big cheeks move up and down, so I have no idea how my acting was. He kept saying "good J.R.", so I guess I did fine. However, those big fat cheeks flopping in the wind was a little overwhelming. I can't wait until I'm not so self conscious at looking at myself. Will I ever be comfortable? Hmmm, Bill says we will be, but we shall see? Nevertheless it is like getting to play every week. To work on your acting chops, at the same time memorization skills, and yet trying to master the art of film acting. This to me is a dream come true, and I am enjoying every moment of this experience!

The Miracle Worker

On Sunday the revival of "The Miracle Worker" on Broadway closed, way too early! I got a free ticket to the closing night performance, with people like Jay Binder, and Joan Rivers sitting right behind me. I think in times like these (a recession) folks don't want to see a play about a deaf/blind girl! However, this piece on Broadway was so well done, moving, and so beautiful! I wish everyone got a chance to see this classic play revived in such a good manner. The direction was simple, and yet you got carried away to this other world, that was so honest, and natural! I really enjoyed this production of the show, the team of actors in this piece was so extraordinary!

Two people to watch out for and should have Tony nominations in my eyes are actress: Alison Pill and Abigail Breslin. These two performance were the heart of the show! Don't get me wrong the other actors were superb, but by nature of the writing, and the piece, these two characters naturally draw you in. These two amazing talents did more than give justice to the piece. Alison Pill you might recognize from HBO's "In Treatment" or the movie "MIlk"! I have enjoyed her work on t.v. and film, and after seeing her portrayal of Annie Sullivan I am official a fan of the young, mature, actress! This is an actress on the rise, with so much, strength, conviction, passion, and truth in her performance. She has swept me away as an actor, and I want to work with her now! I know you all know Abigail Breslin, best known from the movie "little Miss Sunshine"! This performance is so stellar, it is like a 40 year old veteran actress, is stuck in a little girls body! She was so superb, in it from the beginning to the end! She only says two words in the play, and yet she captivates you, and takes you to places emotionally that some adult actors couldn't even begin to do. This little girl is a star, and we all better watch out for her. She carried the show, and her Helen Keller, should go down in history, as one of the best! Too bad, theater goers, didn't go out and get to see this short lived Broadway show. With so much critical acclaim, and for good reason. I guess that is the nature of the beast, you can do some really good work, be a part of a beautiful new revived project, and it still become a big old flop. Not fair, but this is the business I love so much and chose to be in.

Why Did I Get Married Too

I went to see Tyler Perry's new movie "Why Did I Get Married Too", and had the time of my life at the theater. I am such a movie goer, (as you all know), and love to have a whole experience at the movies. Therefore, many movie theaters I will not go to in New York City, because of the clientele, being loud and noisy. I love to watch a movie and take it all in with silence, and appropriate laughter if it is a comedy! However this time I purposely chose the loudest, most ghetto theater in New York City to go see this movie in (AMC on 42nd Street). This was the best choice I have ever made in my life, to hear folks scream at the film, laugh loud, talk back to the actors, make jokes, hoot and holla in a Tyler Perry movie, is the only way to go! Was the movie predictable at times? yes! Was it shocking and over the top? yes! Like always with Tyler Perry was there a strong beautiful message? Yes! Did I have an amazing time at the movies! YES!!!! This movie did exactly what it was cut out to do, and made you feel the way you were supposed to at all times. BRAVO to Tyler for giving so many African American actors work!!!! I will point out that Janet Jackson's performance in this movie was superb. You can tell she dug deep from her big brother's death, and it must have been a therapeutic experience for Janet! Her acting chops were so strong, and she was so connected, and in it to win it! I honestly feel that all the actors grew from the first movie to the current. Other stand outs in the movie are: Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White, and the amazing Jill Scott! Go have fun, and see Why Did I Get Married Too!

The Man Bag Saga

When I was in Japan, I found this cute leather "man bag", that was calling my name. At first I was uncomfortable with buying a "man bag", I thought to myself is this to effeminate? Is this a purse or a proper "man bag"? Anyway, this bag was calling my name, and not to mention, I didn't want to always carry a big old book bag. When all I needed was a bag that would fit my chap stick, wallet, keys, camera, and maybe my journal. I went inside and purchased my first "man bag"! Which I use all the time on days that I'm not going to an audition or the gym. Those days are amazing to just walk around with a very light bag, and always have my essentials.

I walked into a Guitar Center store with my roommate the other day, and I was asked to check my "man bag"! I didn't mind checking my "man bag", because I love to try and follow the rules. However, I became very upset later, while walking through the store. I looked at my roommate with her big old purse wrapped around her arm. I said "Didn't you have to check your bag", "No" she said, and then I got upset! As I slowly started to realize she could carry that big old purse, with her life inside of it, around the store. I couldn't carry my small little bag with chap stick, camera, wallet, and keys. Now I started to feel like this was unfair, and I was just discriminated against because I had a bag and was a man. I fumed as my blood pressure raced, temper flared, and my mind got a little wonky. Trying to smile as I walked through the store, and be a good co-shopper with my roommate. However, I would look down at her big green bag, and I was ready to waltz back up stairs and say give me my "man bag" back NOW! I tried to relax and took a deep breathe, and like a crazy actor, tried to remember this moment, just in case I had to use it again for some character. LOL! Next time I go into guitar center I'm going to refuse to check my bag! If a girl can walk through with no problems, then so can J.R. Whittington!