The Artistic Climb

As the year begins to wind down, I spend much time reflecting on the decisions I have made and the projects I have accomplished this year. I review my list of goals for the year and actively prepare for next year's master plan. Amidst all this pondering and preparing I stop and ask myself, do I know what I am doing?  Now, every artist feels like this. I know because these are the causal conversations that come up in the holding room as you wait patiently for your two minutes to shine in the audition room. As an entertainer you work so hard to achieve your dreams - These grand visions you've had in your brain since childhood. These dreams that everyone tells you is slim to none that you know without a doubt you will achieve. As a child, I would cut out the faces of boxes then sit in them and pretend I was on television. I even drew knobs on the side so I could be on every channel.  Ohhhh, the artistic climb is such a struggle. It's an everyday hustle as you balance building a career and maintaining money for rent and bills.

However, what keeps me going is the belief that one day I will make it. I look at people like Jay Z, Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey,  Patti Labelle and Beyonce and I say if they could achieve so much starting from nothing and work their way to the top, so can I. Most importantly I look at my students. One day I want to teach in college and help young artists find their path.  I want to tell them of my own artistic climb and the zeal it took to achieve my goals. I want to know that the little girl who sat in the"box televisions" actually made it to the real screen.

Like everything else in life one must be willing to sacrifice, remain focus and work hard. This profession is a challenging climb because you have know idea what exact steps to take. However, I suppose that's what makes this life so exciting. As the saying goes, anything worth having is worth fighting for. So, in the words of our dear departed Nelson Mandela, " There is no passion to be found in playing small - in settling for a life that is less than one you are capable of living." I am capable of achieving my goals and living an a amazing life. True it is a hustle and many times I feel like giving up.  Nevertheless, I didn't choose this path, this path chose me. So here is to my success and the success of everyone else struggling through the artistic climb.  We are all meant to shine!.

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/n/nelson_mandela.html#X6CFl0J8sjMeJ5ez.99

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/n/nelson_mandela.html#X6CFl0J8sjMeJ5ez.99

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/n/nelson_mandela.html#X6CFl0J8sjMeJ5ez.99

Sweet and Sour Holiday

December is here! Hooray!  I am so excited. This is my favorite time of year. Everything is so beautiful and happy. That's a musical theatre actors dream! Everywhere there is singing, flashing lights, costumes, gifts, scrumptious foods, delectable sweets, striking colors, bells ringing, real or fake snow falling. Its all so festive and I do love festivities. However, with all that joy and sweetness, there is a sour side. Your heart truly wants to buy wonderful gifts for your love ones and for yourself. However, as a thespian you may or may not have the finances to make those dreams come through. As an entertainer hustling is your life. If you take a break from hustling that means your dinner, rent, head shot copies you desperately need and the next outfit for the audition that you know for sure or rather you hope you will obtain is out the window. Yet still, this is the life we lead. Everyday, you wake up, leap out of bed (if your a musical theatre actor), sing a happy song, put on a happy face and brave the critics as you try, try again.  In between auditions you work the ever exciting survival job which can be an office position or a vital member of a wait staff. Fortunately, I've been blessed to be a teaching artist, which for me works out to be much more delightful than an office clerk or waitress.

During the holiday season we tend to reflect on the things we are thankful for - the sour and the sweet. I recently concluded a movie on Saturday 11/30 to start rehearsals for "Hairspray" on 12/2. I also have to get the students for the three schools I work for ready for their Christmas productions. In all that's about 150 students ranging from ages 3 -15. Festive I know.

On the set of  "Little Galicia"

I am also thankful for recently learning of Chris Guillebeau, the writer of "The $100 Start-up: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future". 

I learned of this book back in early October. I was experiencing one of my moments of confusion as I desperately needed inspiration and answers to motivate my life. Actors go through that sometimes.  Anyway, as I searched Google for self help books, I came across a New York Times article that recommended this book. I researched the book on Amazon and purchased it that night.  Since reading the book, which by the way is a good easy read, I have been on a role. The book is written to sound as if he is speaking directly to you while reading. The points he raises are information we all know, however may have forgotten. He organizes and provides a blueprint to help you begin to reconstruct your business ideas. I love that he includes many case studies of real people who were struggling financially or in jobs they did not like and how they created a new life for themselves.

He continuously reminds throughout the book that nothing comes without planning, hustling and focus.  Then he supports this message with case studies that highlight the struggles of individuals and the success obtained through intense hard work. This book has helped me to centralize and refocus my ideas to achieve my success.  It's not easy but I tell myself if those people can do it in the book, so can Ms. Shuga.  So that's the sweet. Now, come tomorrow there can be a whole lot of sour, but hey that's life.  I say as long as I am healthy, can put on a smile and sing a great song I'm alright.   So here is to my sweet and sour, upside down, entertainers life.