Stirrings....

It's already been quite the year.
2017 is looking good!

Booked my 3rd gig and it's not even May.

- Law and Order:SVU
    Aired last month

- Mr. Robot (in a very exciting role!)
    Shot the episode last week; hard work, but a thrill. Both Sam Esmail and Rami Malek were extremely kind, supportive and collaborative.  What an experience!

- Stella's Last Weekend  a feature film written and directed by Polly Draper (I had quite a crush on her in Thirtysomething - I was quite smitten during the callback).

What's more important is the building and fostering of relationships; making good impressions.

Oh! and I was offered a role on another Network show! outright - NO AUDITION
and had to turn it down because of another gig!

I like this feeling!

Moving forward....Go Get the Ax is progressing beautifully.
Our cast is aaaaaaalllllmost complete.
Our design team is quite amazing.

Check out our progress by "Liking" FIG Productions on our FACEBOOK PAGE

We start rehearsals in a few weeks.
Very exciting.

I like this feeling!

As all this is happening I'm wrapping up another semester of teaching; always a challenge as I always strive to be better in that capacity as well.

Wedding planning continues...October...my 2nd self-produced event.

Auld Lang Syne!

Another year.
While 2011 was not without its challenges, I can't complain. Truly, I cannot complain. The year began with my literally being snowed in, in New Jersey, and it ends with my basking in the sun in Los Angeles. I'm here shooting a short film. It is between 70˚-80˚ here.
As I write this, I am downing a nice coffee in my favorite coffee bar, the Bourgeois Pig, and wondering why the overly-tanned guy across the way from me feels it's OK to take his shoes off and sit on the sofa, barefoot.
LA, baby!

Anyway...It may be cliché, but it is hard to not get reflective around this time of year.


So, to keep up with a new tradition - A wise friend of mine suggested that instead of making a list of New Year’s resolutions (that are likely to be broken), it is better to list your accomplishments from the past year.


So, here goes (chronologically as best I can): 


* Taught 3 courses (both SPRING and FALL Semesters) at 2 Universities
* Co-produced and acted in Us vs. Them, an Off-Off Broadway production
* Started Volunteering at NY Cares
* Performed in a show at the Montréal Fringe Festival
* Got new headshots
* Taught a class during the summer session at Rider University.
* Performed the role of Oberon and Theseus in A Midsummer Night's Dream
* Booked a Co-star on Law & Order: SVU
* Performed in another production of Small Talk in NY (this show crossed an international border, I have no problem listing it twice!)
* Shot a feature film
* Shooting a short film in Los Angeles
* Designed Make-up for 3 plays and 1 short film 
* asked to return to teach at both universities, for the SPRING '12 semester
* My family remained healthy (not an accomplishment, per se - but I'm grateful as hell for it!)


I made some new friends, lost some old ones. 
Endured loss, and overcame setbacks.
I have been very fortunate and am grateful for every opportunity that has come my way - despite the obstacles that '11 brought with it.
While I feel good about the past year's accomplishments, I cannot use the word, "satisfied." There is still a sense of unrealized potential, or success that I cannot help shake. Maybe that feeling is what some call "drive" or "persistence."
I don't know.
Maybe the coming year will bring some greater sense of ease...?


May the best of 2011 be the worst of 2012!

Winding down...

My several month run is winding down.
This stretch of work for this length of time is what we actors dream of.
But alas, all good things come to an end.
Small Talk has closed. The houses not only grew, but just got better and better throughout the run. As did the run itself - getting deeper and deeper into these eloquent, short plays.
Many came more than once, and complimented the growth of the show.

I'm 2/3's finished my role in A Guy Named Rick. My last and final day of shooting will be in November: a boxing scene - so I'll need to get in shape for that.

Law and Order: SVU is in the can. Airs Wednesday, October 19th. 10/9c

So for right now, it's just teaching. Which is great. My classes seem to be going well; good students, and I'm getting better at it, it feels.

Another ray of hope is that Small Talk is very likely to have another incarnation in the new year. This is a project that is just getting better and better as we work it more. Response was terrific, and we're hoping to find some $$ to make it a full production. I'm hopeful.

on set...

Loving the busy-ness.

Shot my Law and Order: SVU the other day - went well.
Whenever a co-star, it's good to NOT be a problem: know your lines, get your blocking, do your job.
My scene was with Kelly Giddish and Ice-T (very cool, very chill, crackin jokes the whole time). Apparently, it is also a bit of comic relief. Yes, it furthers the plot, but it should garner a laugh or two - at my character's expense, nonetheless. It takes place in a bar, at a halloween party, and my outfit? ooh - tune in and see.
It's a whole scene, just me and the two cops.
NBC - Wednesday, October 19th.
Tune in!

Today, I'm on set for A Guy Named Rick, an Indie I am now working on. I'm playing an interesting part. Not a normal role for me - but fun. More credits, more footage.
And, I still have Small Talk continuing this weekend and through the next.

It's so cool to be working this steadily. I hope it continues...

On another note, my dear Aunt Joan (my mother's youngest sister) passed away from Pancreatic Cancer last week. The funeral is tomorrow. I will head to PA early in the AM, go to the funeral, spend time with the family (extended), then head up to Rider to teach in the evening.
While it will be nice to see the family, it is sad that it surrounds such an occasion.
She is at peace, and is no longer suffering.

It's Deja vu all over again.

What a difference a week makes!

I closed one show last week, opened another yesterday, and...
I booked my first Law & Order:SVU! I feel like an official New York Actor, now.

I've gotten into the groove of teaching this semester (3 classes!), and I've been auditioning like crazy lately.

I cannot complain - at all. I am very fortunate

It amazes me how things can change in a moment. One week ago, I was completing a very challenging show within a challenging environment; and this week, I opened a show allowing me to work again with my good friend and mentor, Eric Michael Gillett. I am so excited to be a part of Small Talk, the show I did earlier this summer in Montréal.

Aside from myself and one other actor, it's a new cast, with two added pieces, and more in tune with Eric Michael's vision. We opened last night and the reception was tremendous. 

There is even hope of this show having a life beyond this run. That would be just fine by me! I am fortunate enough to be in four of the eight pieces (3 of which I did in Montréal). The cast is great; we have a terrific ensemble. 

Come and check it out! I am proud of this show.

I shoot Law & Order this friday...so excited!