Welp.  It is almost august and it is hot as 1) hell 2) balls 3) balls in hell here in SWFL.  This week has been super busy with us beginning our rehearsals, meetings about ongoing and newly developing projects and taxes.  Yep.  Taxes in July.  Not Christmas in July but taxes. I will just leave it at that.  Every working professional actor knows the sad lament..."1099's, W-2's, unemployment, oh Christ."  One word of advice...use the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program our union, Actors Equity Association, so graciously provides.  Thank you AEA!!!  We LOVE you!  Orlando office rocks! Well, I am running off to study my words...and drink a nice big iced coffee.  

On July 11, I turned well -- let's be real, I am not going to reveal that to the world.  As I think we all know, we need all the help we can get out here in the wild world of theatre, film and casting...Like I want another reason for Casting Directors to think twice..."um no, I just don't see you as 30-35 any more. " Ugh. 

I had a lovely celebration filled with all my favorite things this year.  Some things good for me, some things not so good for me...Come on!  It's my birthday!  And on 7-11 you get free slurpies from 7-11!  The Gods' must be crazy... So of course I got a Coke Slurpie!  I mean it was free!  It was by far the worst thing I have ingested in months...And was strangely delicious.  I received lots of calls and cards and a couple of very sweet care packages from home filled with lots of wonderful goodies from people I love.  And Brendan of course made the day very special -- even giving me a hand-made Birthday card.  Oh to be married to a fellow artist!  Life is so sweet.  We aren't in rehearsals yet and are not running a show -- ie, we are out of work.  Soooo, always looking on the bright side of life-- we had the whole day to share together by doing lots of things we love!  Free birthday lunch with mild humiliation wearing a sombrero -- see pic here (Ha!  Lucky for all us their site is down)!  We had a beautiful dinner eating one of my favorite foods (sauteed blue crab claws!) and enjoyed G&T's and a fabulous sunset!  And the best part of it was sharing the day with my man!  

Time to get to work!!!! Ok so we are about to start rehearsals for a funny funny series of One Acts at Theatre Conspiracy here in Fort Myers.  We have never done a show with them are really looking forward to this quirky show.  We are in Act 2 and Act 3!  So suckas, I better go get them words down because this process is fast and furious...SUMMERTIME in the theatre!  Stay healthy!  Can't wait to share my dressing table with you!   #healthyactor #whatsonourdressingtable

Life's a beach, what can I say? Yep.  It is mid-June, we are out of work, summer stock is in full swing, we are here at the river house and grocery shopping at Big Lots.  BUT as luck would have it, I got a message on FB last night that gave a little encouragement.  Isn't that the way, fellow actors?  You are in the weeds and then out of the clear blue sky, an Artistic Director sends a note and the world is beautiful again.  Ah, the life of an artist.  Relax.  Nothing is under control.  So today we are reading the play that was sent -- oh it is a project for both me and Bren!  Another plus!  And it is in August!  And it is in town!  So win, win, win...win!  This evening we are having sunset cocktails on the dock with an old friend and AD of a regional theatre we have a very close relationship with.   So as we ease into summer, the theatre season for 14-15 (how the hell?) is beginning to take shape.  Do other regional theatre actors have this experience?  I have been thinking a lot lately about the path that I chose -- or did it truly choose me?  I never went the "traditional" route of getting a theatrical agent.  Even when I was in NYC.  I always wanted control over my career. Ha!  What a  freakin' joke!  Hindsight is 20/20 on that one.  I didn't want an agent trying to push and pull me in directions I might not want to go.  So I trekked out in my own way, made relationships with organizations, worked hard and am amazed sometimes that I have been able to piece together a life in this cra-cra-crazy theatre world.  All the while I wait for my TV/Commercial agent to call.  I swear...  The phone has been dead silent since my last audition on the 10th for a NetFlix thing.  DEAD silent.  We joked yesterday saying we needed to make travel plans so the phone would ring.  That ALWAYS happens.  Nothing, nothing, nothing.  We will be packing the suitcases the night before.  It will be 9:47 at night and I get a text message.  "Can you be in Miami tomorrow at 10:00 for something?  Sides have been sent to your email."  Soooo are there any sweet deals on Travel Zoo this week?  Here's to an awesome 14-15 Season!