January/February 2012 Updates


2012 is here & I've gotten off to a GREAT start!  To find out all that I've been up to, click HERE.



"The Average-Sized Mermaid"



Also in July 2011 I was cast in "The Average-Sized Mermaid" as Nettie De'Leau which will premiere in the 15th Annual NY International Fringe Festival.  I've been wanting to participate in the Fringe festival for a few years now.  It takes place during the summer which traditionally is a slow down period for the entertainment industry.  And because it is theater, it is a great opportunity to hone your craft in an actual role.  Not just a scene or two in class.  In the past I've auditioned for a few roles in the festival but never booked.  Well this year I got called back for a role in another show but ultimately booked the role of Nettie!  This role was a much better fit for me and I'm so glad that I got to work on this project.


"The Average-Sized Mermaid" is a comedic, contemporary take on the children's book "The Little Mermaid."  Think "Splash" but much more funny.  My character, Nettie, is a fashion designer and best friends with the lead character Miriam Moselle.  When Miriam finds herself transformed into a mermaid, her close friends rally to find a way to undo "the tail" and all kinds of hijinks ensue.  
www.avgmermaid.blogspot.com  
VENUE #7: Connelly Theater   
Sat 13 @ 3:15  Mon 15 @ 9:30  Thu 25 @ 6  Fri 26 @ 9:15  Sat 27 @ 1  *All performance dates are in August.


Verizon First Person Retail Sales Video




The second shoot for July 2011 was for a Verizon Wireless industrial.  We shot on location in a Verizon Wireless store in NJ.  The industrial details a day in the life of a new Verizon Wireless employee.  I played a co-worker that shows the new employee the ropes.  This was an interesting shoot because the camera WAS the new employee.  In other words, I had to break the golden rule that when acting, you are never to look at the camera.  Here, the camera was the other "actor" that I had to interact with.  The camera and I had some great scenes and it didn't have any dialogue so it made for a quick and easy production day : ).

Merck Pharmaceutical Print Shoot


July 2011 was a HUGE month!  Lots of auditions, a number of callbacks, and a few BOOKINGS.  One of which was my first on location print shoot.  Traditionally I've had trouble booking print work.  The auditions are a bit intimidating.  Lots of actors are seen at "go sees" but you only get two or three shots to impress the client.  Somehow, I did that!  The pictures  will be used in brochures advertising a new medication.  We shot in a fabulous home about 20 miles outside of the city.  I had a great time and learned a lot about print work which I'm sure will come in handy in the future. 

Black Peet on the Eve of Emancipation Reading


I am happy to work again with director Lori Payne on one of her newest plays.  I performed in my first lead theater role in a play written and directed by her several years ago.  We are reuniting again for her new work Black Peet on the Eve of Emancipation.  Come join us and the The Red Harlem Readers at the Indian Cafe.  All information is found on the flyer above.  Its FREE and you get a complimentary spiced tea.  You can't beat FREE!

Newsday Commercial


My first booking of 2011 is a commercial for Newsday!  Actually there were a few firsts here.  This was my first broadcast commercial, my first time leaving the city for a production shoot (hellllooooo Philly!), and my first time traveling on Amtrak.  Which, as my dear friend brought to my attention, is not the same as NJ transit (yeah, they were right lol).  I had a great time on set and LOVED the wardrobe choice for the shoot.  The commercial will begin airing in Mid-February so for those of you in the NYC metro area, be on the lookout.  And for those of you not in the NYC metro area, I'll do my best to get my hands on a copy to post later so you too can check it out!

"12 Steps to Recovery" is coming cable!



When dir. Tony Clomax approached me about a role in the project in January, I knew that he had something special. Since then the series has been a hit on YouTube, won the UrbanMediamakers Festival for best web series, and has now gone on to attract the attention of the Black Broadcasting Network (BBN) which will carry the series on FIOS. I am extremely proud to be a part of this amazing series and can't wait to share it with other audiences!

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

On Set with ep.4 dir. Peter Leto 

On August 27, 2010 I completed production in my first primetime television role on Law & Order:  Special Victims Unit.  It was an amazing experience from beginning to end.  This was my first SAG principal role so there was much to learn about SAG productions along the way.  Thankfully, the SVU family welcomed me with open arms!

The episode, "Merchandise" is set to air on October 6th and I can't wait to see it.  The role is small but my scene will appear in the first few minutes of the episode (they call this the teaser).  If you have a smaller role, this is where you want to be.  We shot on location near Chinatown and the scene included stunt work from the SVU team and about 150 extras!  

I am so grateful for this career elevating experience and I can't wait to work on my next SAG production.  Many thanks to casting director Jonathan Strauss for providing me with this awesome opportunity!




12-Steps To Recovery - Episode 4: Chicken and Biscuits




Episode Four Synopsis: Coming off two unsuccessful blind dates, Parrish Diaz is encouraged by his friend Dani to attend his 3rd blind date which was set up by his buddy Blue.

Starring Kaleber Soze as Parrish Diaz, Erika Myers as Dani Ulmer and Malikha Mallette as Bernadette aka "Bernie".

Written & Directed by Tony Clomax. Produced by Tony Clomax of Maximeyes Productions and Emelyn Stuart of Stuart Films.

Watch all episodes
here on the youtube channel. 




"Therapeutic"

I recently finished production on "Therapeutic"... my first horror film! The short film was shot in 1 day in Brooklyn, NY and submitted to the "Rob Zombie Halloween Horror Film Competition".

The film stars Misty Easler as Mis. Lina, a relationship therapist who kills her patients who come to her for counseling. I play Michelle Rice, a patient who seeks counseling with her husband.

The film was written and directed by Evelyn Oliver and produced by Sapphire Productions.




12 Steps to Dating Recovery



Episode One stars Kaleber Soze as Parrish Diaz, Stephen Hill as Blue Garner and Erika Myers as Dani Ulmer.

Blue and Dani arrive at Parrish's place to help him get out of his funk after his bad breakup.

Written & Directed by Tony Clomax. Produced by Tony Clomax of Maximeyes Productions and Emelyn Stuart of Stuart Films.

EPISODE ONE CREW:
DP: Hilarion Banks. Gaffer/Co-Producer: Danny Weiss. AC: Hisayuki Sato. Sound: Eric Perez. Music: Gregory Vilfranc. Sound Design/Mixer: James Hicken. Editor / Colorist: Tony Clomax.

The site www.12stepswebseries.com will be under construction for the next few weeks, so watch the next few episodes here on the youtube channel.

The Nightwatcher



I was recently invited to attend a performance of "The Night Watcher" by fellow actress Joressa Blount. Joressa had seen the show before and got together a group to see it again with her because she had enjoyed it so much. The one woman show stars Charlayne Woodard (dir. Daniel Sullivan) and weaves together several stories about how Charlayne, although childless herself, has at times been a surrogate mother, mentor, and friend to the many children in her life. This is a great show that challenges the definition of the role "parent" and shows that the old adage "It takes a village to raise a child" is still prevalent today. The show runs through October 31 at Primary Stages 59th Street theater. Go check it out!


One Million Women, One Voice

To help encourage 1 million women to participate in research about the causes and prevention of breast cancer, The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation asked film students to create short Public Service Announcements about the cause. I was cast in "One Million Women, One Voice" as Sharon (director Felix Thompson). Our PSA made it to the final four and Glamour magazine loved the idea so much that they aired the four finalists PSA's on Glamour.com. This was a really fun shoot for a great cause. We also shot on the Red Camera which I was so excited to work with! Check out our PSA below.




PS22 Chorus "JUST DANCE" by Lady Gaga

I love watching the PS22 Chorus. Every time I see them perform, it melts my heart. We need more teachers to keep our youth smiling and inspired.


Celeb Locale Interview with Ephraim Fetti Benton

Check out this interview with Celeb Locale. In her web series, fellow actor Joressa Blount interviews local talent to talk about their journey in the industry. First up, Ephraim Fetti Benton star of "Inside a Change", winner of the 2009 HBO International Latino Festival.

I recently had the pleasure of viewing this film. It is definitely a must see so if you have the opportunity to see it, go!




WEtv's Cinematherapy


Just filmed an episode for WEtv's "Cinematherapy" hosted by Chuck Nice for City Lights Media. Fun shoot with lots of laughs!




Old vs. New

I love this pic! Took this in Negril, Jamaica. We passed the gas station and just had to stop to get the pic.


Ruined


I saw Ruined again this weekend for the 2nd time and it was just as good as the first. I first became familiar with Lynn Nottage after performing another one of her plays Crumbs from the Table of Joy. After seeing Ruined, it is no wonder why this play recently received the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The acting is absolutely superb and I was so glad that I was able to see Saidah Arrika Ekulona before her last performance (the show has been extended several times). The play gives a narrative on the ongoing War in the Congo and "the resilience of the human spirit during times of war." Here's hoping that this wonderful play continues its extension and moves to larger venues.