{"id":254,"date":"2015-08-13T08:44:24","date_gmt":"2015-08-13T12:44:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/denisepence.com\/blog\/?p=254"},"modified":"2015-08-13T08:44:24","modified_gmt":"2015-08-13T12:44:24","slug":"balance-rhythm-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/denisepence.com\/blog\/theater-life\/balance-rhythm-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Balance, Rhythm, Power"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"ReachHigh\"<\/a><\/em><\/div>\n
“First comes thought; then organization of that thought into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Napoleon Hill<\/strong><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n
“They are all discoverers that think there is no land when they can see nothing but sea.”<\/i> \u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b>Francis Bacon<\/b><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n
“The Possible’s slow fuse is lit by the imagination.” \u00a0<\/em>Emily Dickinson<\/strong><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n
Why can’t we imagine having it all? \u00a0We can. \u00a0Just not all at the same time.<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n
How does Meryl Streep do it? \u00a0Well, I did notice she chose to make some really lousy movies just so she could stay closer to home. \u00a0I wonder if her children appreciate those choices? \u00a0And Madonna? \u00a0Business woman, Rock Star . . . and mother? \u00a0But can she cook? \u00a0No. \u00a0“Not one of my talents,” she told Entertainment Weekly recently. \u00a0And yet she promises her son, “just as soon as this tour is over, I’ll cook for you.” \u00a0How many compromises are made each day Balance, Rhythm, Power<\/a>\u00a0as we organize our thoughts into ideas, formulate a plan and begin to turn those plans into reality?<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Mark Ruffalo recently talked about what he’s discovered as the key happiness in Hollywood (and anywhere else, I would think): \u00a0BALANCE<\/strong>\u00a0 “What is happiness other than a negotiation between reality and your dreams?<\/em>“<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Have you ever noticed a certain RHYTHM<\/strong> to the universe? \u00a0We can feel the energy and electricity of a full moon (there’s a “new” moon tonight as I \u00a0launch this blog – traditionally a good time to start something new — or get your hair cut); we notice the synchronicity of timing (attributing it to “luck”) when something (or someone) seemingly “falls in your lap;” and we frustratingly also notice when whatever we try to accomplish gets hit with continual roadblocks. \u00a0My personal mantra? \u00a0Relax. \u00a0Let go. \u00a0Stay healthy, flexible, find the laughter in the moment . . . and keep moving forward. \u00a0There’s POWER<\/strong> in that feeling of freedom.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Amy Jo Berman<\/a>, former HBO Casting Director, lays out a game plan for actors to accomplish what she terms, “level-jumping.” \u00a0I did it when I left Pippin to pursue “straight acting,” and I find myself doing it again as I continually strive to “expand my skill set” by carving out new areas of expertise. \u00a0All the while dancing on Broadway, I was studying acting with Wynn Handman. \u00a0Now, while technically unemployed, I find myself creating my own work (and helping others create theirs) sometimes as a producer, sometimes writing (mostly blogs) and all the while refining my broadcast and audiobook skills (watch for a fun title by Olyve Hallmark, one of our Rehearsal Club women, who penned a fun mystery\u00a0TV – Live or Dead<\/em>). \u00a0I also just started recording young adult novels for Learning Ally. \u00a0You have a good book you’d like me to record? \u00a0Find me.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Amy Jo lays out her 3-step plan to the process of level-jumping:<\/div>\n
1. \u00a0CREATE A NETWORK<\/strong> – social media is an amazingly powerful tool (finding former fans of GL has been especially surprising and gratifying<\/em>), but one to be used judiciously, cautions Amy. \u00a0“Offer something of value, make someone laugh”<\/em> and don’t waste precious time w\/BS. \u00a0SAG-AFTRA’s recent newsletter encourages its members to “Educate, Engage and Empower.<\/strong>” \u00a0How do we do that? \u00a0Join groups of like-minded peers in person and through the internet. \u00a0A wealth of information is right at all our fingertips. \u00a0All we have to \u00a0do is fearlessly “educate”<\/em> ourselves; “engage<\/em>” proactively to inspire; and “empower”<\/em> yourself to attract your heart’s desire. \u00a0Looking forward to making The Articulate Theatre Company<\/a> my home base for working with playwrights. \u00a0Watch for our upcoming evening, Circling Back<\/a>, honoring Circle Rep’s “rippling effect,” having inspired other groups to\u00a0work as an ensemble, bringing playwrights and actors together to build art.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
2. \u00a0EXPAND YOUR SKILL SET<\/strong> – \u00a0I happen to LOVE\u00a0learning new. \u00a0One of the reasons Guiding Light<\/em> was so exciting for me was because I’d never worked in TV. \u00a0I knew how to make a scene work on stage, but creating character over time, being able to focus attention away from all the distractions on a set, that was a whole new skill set. \u00a0Later, when theatrical unemployment got the best of me, it was actually exciting to find a whole new arena in corporate law. \u00a0I was again constantly learning new skills and unconsciously applying theater skills to creating a whole new character — without a camera recording my every move. \u00a0How do those reality shows, do it? \u00a0Beyond my skill set, that’s for sure. \u00a0Today, as a senior, I continue to learn new and have been asked to share what I’ve learned along the way about social media at the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory<\/a> this Fall. \u00a0As it turns out, I was the only “twit that tweets” in a room full of union performers of a certain age. \u00a0You looking to learn? \u00a0Find me. \u00a0I’ll be glad to help you.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
3. \u00a0CREATE AN EXPANSIVE, ABUNDANT MINDSET:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0I’ve always been a glass half full kinda gal. \u00a0“Abundance” in my mind, comes with family; it comes with friends; it comes with gratefully being vested in order to draw pension plus social security — allowing more freedom of choice. \u00a0It comes with trusting the universe that opportunity will once again knock and you will be prepared to walk thru the door — without fear — knowing you’ve taken the time to continually adjust and adapt to the changing world around you. \u00a0My life’s goal is to create health and harmony for my family and the world around me. \u00a0In between, I hustle to make $$ to continue playing the game called life and pray to attract projects and people who will serve my greatest good.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
So, we’re moving forward in faith to continue playing the long game . . . staying in the moment, trying not to determine where it’s going. \u00a0 In\u00a0Dustin Hoffman, The Master Class, 2015<\/a>, he drops a few\u00a0gems for those of us curious enough to join in:<\/div>\n
“Keep your eyes on the road;” and\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
“Allow failure to be part of your experience.<\/em>“<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
He continues to use Brando and deNiro as touchstones to “brilliance” in acting. \u00a0Being in the moment; allowing the lines to live and inhabit your very being in take after take until “the one” perfect moment evolves. \u00a0“Take after take?” \u00a0Really? \u00a0He never worked in daytime obviously and you would think the industry would have more respect for the actors who achieve that same “perfect moment” in one take. \u00a0Part of the tools of that trade (and yes, it produces easy “go to” habits, but still . . .). \u00a0I will forever be proud to be in the trenches with such talented actors — for however short that time might have been . . . daytime drama actors and dancers everywhere are equally disciplined and able to produce the goods because of their strong foundation in training. \u00a0I am forever in admiration and gratitude to have been singled out to perform in both those arenas.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
What is it that makes us act?<\/strong><\/div>\n
Laurence Olivier<\/strong>: \u00a0“Look at me. \u00a0 Look at me. \u00a0Look at me.”<\/div>\n
Dustin Hoffman<\/strong>: \u00a0“It’s a bitch to be in this game.”<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/code> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“First comes thought; then organization of that thought into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Napoleon Hill \u00a0\u00a0 “They are all discoverers that think there is no land when they can see nothing but sea.” \u00a0\u00a0Francis Bacon \u00a0\u00a0 “The Possible’s slow fuse is lit by the imagination.” \u00a0Emily Dickinson \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Why can’t we imagine having it all? \u00a0We can. \u00a0Just not all at the same time. \u00a0\u00a0 How does Meryl Streep do it? \u00a0Well, I did notice she chose to make some really \u2026<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16],"tags":[14,9,7,13,11,17,12,8,10,15],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/denisepence.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/254"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/denisepence.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/denisepence.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/denisepence.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/denisepence.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=254"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/denisepence.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/254\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":283,"href":"https:\/\/denisepence.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/254\/revisions\/283"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/denisepence.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=254"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/denisepence.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=254"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/denisepence.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}