The 2015 Stars & Strikes for Autism bowling event raised $14,000 and I surprisingly got my groove back! Each strike elicited squeals from not only me, but from the fans who actually still remember all of us and were lined up watching. The event, spearheaded by Jerry VerDorn and Liz Keifer, also served as a reunion for my Guiding Light peers, many of whom I didn’t even have story with, however, because we shared the same studio, the same “stardust,” they are and will forever be, my friends for life.
Amazing the power of television. Real life vs reel life. Focus on the work; not false idols.
The Guiding Light changed my life. Was I too young to really understand what was going on? National recognition? OMG! That’s really kinda scary and I was always grateful the public soap circle was considered “small.” I could still go into a subway and not really be recognized except by a devoted few. My mom in Texas felt she could keep an eye on me as I came into her living room each week; the dad I never knew actually wanted to meet me; and, my character, “Katie,” was well-loved so public encounters were more fun than freaky.
Taking responsibility is a grown-up thing. Only the hind sight of maturity illuminates how random choices have played such a powerful role in shaping one’s destiny. However, random always worked for me — especially if the proposed action felt right at the time. Is this the man of my dreams? I didn’t really know at the time, but everything felt right and after 40 years? Yeah. I was lucky. Did I choose to be a soap star? No. I got sent in by a commercial agent on a TV audition and booked the job. I was as shocked as everyone else that my character, “Katie,” stuck around so long. And it felt right.
Then this Alice fell down the rabbit hole.
How does one handle getting tripped up; or pushed back; or “shelved?” Interesting podcast from “The Work” by Bonnie Gillespie: http://podcastingthework.com/feed/ep0313.mp3
My advice? Keep doing the work. Dancer discipline.
And if you, too, are interested in doing the work, I suggest you visit Bonnie Gillespie’s “The Work” podcasts more often: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-work/id420337807
Episode o609 “One More Time” resonates rather loud right now.
Keep doing the work. Dancer discipline.
Episode 0607 “Age Range” – still figuring that one out.
Keep doing the work.
Episode 0606 “The Revolution” – Yeah, I actually consider myself a pioneer these days. Social media. Blogs. Putting myself on a new kinda (chorus?) line to chart the results. I’ve already discovered the rabbit hole isn’t as dark as I once thought. Embrace the change . . .
Episode 0601 “What If vs What Is” – Being aware with the ability to dream . . .
OMG! Just went to see Gigi on Broadway — wow what a cast; what a score; what wonderful characters to play on that stage! I’d give eye teeth to be Dee Hoty right now who’s played almost every role I’ve longed to play — even “Phyllis” in Follies! I used to watch Alexis Smith, the original Follies’ “Phyllis,” from the wings singing Leave You every night — again, waaaay too young at the time to even think about doing that role. Now? Grrrrrr
Keep doing the work.
Recently, I met a young, new composer, Mark York, who just happened to have written a wonderful new song, “My Life’s Not Over.” One lyric read “don’t listen when they say you’re not right; stand up for who you are and take the spotlight.” Mark worked with me on his original song and was soooo very supportive that the “Kristine” character in A Chorus Line is sooo “not me” anymore. I totally CAN sing. Maybe not like Maria Callas, but . . .
Keep doing the work – and keep reading Actors Access. Bonnie Gillespie has another podcast #0608 that actually champions why she puts breakdowns there and, I gotta say, I just might start paying more attention, Bonnie.
God has a plan, I know that much. I haven’t had a “divine calling” from Him, but I do have faith that if I — if all of us — remain open to the Universe, the next right path will reveal itself.
Deepak Chopra: “Having an inner certainty that there is something — whether it’s a god, a religion, whatever you believe in — behind the events in our lives takes the pressure off us to try to figure everything out. I don’t need to have all the answers because that certainty makes me feel less unsure.”
OUTSIDE by Dan Albergotti
Out of view, more galaxies. Our of time, more light.
Out of sand, the turtle’s head. Out of day, the night.
Out of sight, a loving God. Out of love, a son.
Out of song, the nightingale. Out of void, the sun.
Out of running water, life. Out of stagnant, death.
Out of ages past, a poem, pulled up out of breath.
Out of method, futile search. Out of myths untrue.
Out of other worlds, some hope. Out of this one, you.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!