This week is just a teaser about my next play- Caryl Churchill’s The Skriker. For those of you not familiar with her work, it is abstract yet heartbreaking, obtuse but real. In the show I will be playing a pregnant teen, Lily, who is trying to juggle her best friend and the mystical Skriker.
Stay tuned. It opens October 19th at the Erickson Theater in Seattle. It is going to be something really special.
Xoxo,
Jess
This year has been an interesting one. I’m sure they always are, but this one especially. You see, I am a list-maker. A goal-setter. A hurdle-jumper. I had a list of many things I was going to achieve and dates for when I was going to have achieved them.
But these many things have taken much longer to do. For example, my film For Patrick was supposed to be on the interwebs in May. It is actually going to be mid August when that goal is achieved. The film Revelations was supposed to be live this summer. We are now looking at an October release. These are just a couple of examples of things that seem to have been slowing me down.
I have felt like, had these projects been done, I would have achieved even more. Though I don’t know what, exactly. But just, MORE. Though it has been a struggle to wait these projects out, I have had time to think and process my frustration and anxiety. I have had time and space to be with my family during a difficult time. There have been other things that have popped up that have benefited from my “slow” period. I have seemingly adjusted to this speed.
Then just this week I was presented with the opportunity to go to LA to the Hollyshorts Film Fest where In the Pines will be screening. I haven’t gone to any of the other festivals where it has screened (SXSW, Palm Springs), and only briefly thought about going to this one. But my sister texted me and said, “You should go”. She believed in me and this opportunity. With less than a month I needed to book airfare, rental cars, get a festival pass, and find housing. Stressful. FAST. But somehow airfare was super cheap, my best friend needed a house sitter, and the acting coach of my dreams had an open appointment.
I guess what I am saying is sometimes things are SLOW and sometimes they are FAST. You have to be prepared to accept life and any speed. It may be uncomfortable, but when opportunity knocks you have to open the door, you never know what is going to be on the other side. And sometimes it is worth the wait.
xoxox,
Jess
This week I would like to bring your attention to a great cause that the Metroid community has come together to support.
Members will play through all of the Metroid cannon in an effort to raise money for a foundation called Child’s Play. It is a charity that provides games to children in hospitals to help them through their ordeals and still let’s them be kids. The marathon will start this Friday and go into next week- or as long as it takes them to finish!
You can visit the fundraising effort at Metroid Headquarters. Tell them I sent you!
If you are a fan of the games, this is a fun way to connect with other fans and support a great charity.
xoxox,
Jess
Ok, I know I have talked about healthy eating and getting in shape, but I really want to hammer home how important it is as an actor.
Your job is to play a myriad of different people. They may be a cop, adventurer, paraplegic, or a fairy princess. All of these roles require their own set of physical characteristics and thus physical skills of the actor. Just as you have the flexibility to play all of these different parts mentally and emotionally, you need the flexibility physically to play them as well.
Naturally, a regular exercise routine is recommended as well as a healthy diet. Basically, the most important aspects I can say are to have good core strength, cardiovascular health, and basic flexibility. Now, I am not adept at all of these things. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I don’t like to run unless I’m being chased by a bear. However, I had enough endurance that I could run from Bigfoot take after take doing a full night of shooting on Grimm. (Adrenaline is also a hell of a drug.)
Core strength is so important for a number of reasons. First off, it helps with vocal control and production because you are utilizing your diaphragm- part of your core. It also helps in carrying things. Maybe you have a prop or weapon that is a little unwieldy- engage that core strength and it makes it much easier! And in film you may have to sustain an awkward position to get a certain shot right. In order to maintain that position you need some core strength to get you through and take any stress out of your limbs. And I’m not going to lie, a trim torso sells (see Magic Mike).
Also, look at your type. This will tell you a lot about the type of physicality you specialize in and can expect to play in future characters. Do you play a lot of blue collar workers? You may want to do some weight training. Play snarky office workers? Make sure to stretch properly as sitting can cause lower back pain. Play young mothers? Work on that core strength and some resistance training because moms frequently tend to be carrying things (groceries, children, laundry.)
Above all, you need to be HEALTHY. You cannot work a 12 hour day if you aren’t feeling your best. Yes, Dr. Footlight works miracles (I performed every night even with swine flu because we didn’t have understudies), but he isn’t always there when you need him. Stay hydrated, and for goodness sakes people, SLEEP. One of the best things you can do. Acting takes a lot of energy so make sure to eat enough and rest enough to recover or prepare.
Take care of yourselves, people. Because, trust me, you don’t know the value of your health until you don’t have it.
xoxo,
Jess
PS. I might also recommend Lyam White as a personal trainer. I have been working with him for a few weeks now and really love the workouts! Warning: he will kick your ass. Disclaimer: You will enjoy it.
