A good audition ...

I mean, a SERIOUSLY kick-ass audition, almost - almost - makes the job itself irrelevant.

When I first moved to LA, I was really into auditioning. Just the experience of each audition. Preparation, and execution, and learning as I go. I soaked it all up like a sponge.

Then for a while I embraced the "consider each audition your performance" concept (which I still like, a lot). (As a side note, I was discussing this with friends once, and the dancer in the group said, "Oh yeah, I like to think of each audition as a free dance class.")

And then I got tired. And jaded. And frustrated.

And I took time "off" for a while. Time spent planning the wedding. Then having the wedding. Honeymoon. Hometown disaster. Oh, and that pesky weight problem.

Finally, I'm ready ... slowly ... to dip a toe back into the waters.

So it's nice, really early back into this process, to really feel so GOOD about one. It's really nice to make everyone in the room laugh - repeatedly - and even the second time around. It's really nice to be told how funny you are, point blank, by the director. It's really nice to be told, "I'm looking for these three things, and you NAILED the first two, so let's try it again and get that third one too."

It felt good to remember ... that yeah. I CAN do this.

The odds of my getting cast are astronomical. And I'm OK with that. Because in this cae, I know that I did my best. And that's all I can do. The rest is up to them.

A Change of Scenery

Five stories.
Five cliffhangers.
Only three can continue.
YOU decide.

Each week, three continuing stories face off against two new tales.

At the end of the show, you vote for the three stories that you would like to see continue on to next Saturday night, where their subsequent episodes will then be pitted against two completely new storylines.

Each week's serials could live on for weeks... or be quietly smothered in their sleep – it's up to you. But whichever pieces you vote for, one thing is for certain - by the end of the evening, you will be a Serial killer.

On Saturday night, October 28th 11:00 PM

"Inside Pieanoxity"- Episode 1

"Inside Pieanoxity" ..Is it a cult, a faith or just a great place to eat pie? Investivative reporter Nick Atherton is about to find out, as he goes undercover to search for his missing brother (and maybe second cousin too).Will he break the secret world of Pieanoxity wide open, or himself become part of the group that "Together, has but one mind between them"?

Directed by JJ Mayes

Written by Steven Korbar

And featuring:

Jeremy Aldridge
Charlie Bates
Tracy Eliott
Daryl Hogue
Jennifer Ruckman
Annie Vest
Patrick Vest
Joseph Woods

Come vote for us...or we'll hate you forever!!

Tickets are only $5.00, but there are no reservations and

it's first come, first serve; so try to be there at least fifteen minutes early!

660 N. Heliotrope Dr. - Los Angeles, CA 90004

Heliotrope is between Normandie and Vermont, and the
theater is located less than 1/2 block south of Melrose.
Use the Normandie/Melrose exit on the 101.

When living in LA is cool

Last night, Dick and I went to this benefit that was put together by his boss. She's a philanthropist, so there are three events each year that she throws that we get to go to, plus there are occasionally others she buys tickets to and gives to us.

It's always fun to pretend we're people who can afford to go to these things.

Two of the events each years that his boss puts together are by and for the Professional Dancers Society, so at both the Fall Ball and the spring luncheon, someone is being honored for their accomplishments in dance.

Some years are more interesting than others.

The evening started out not boding well. First the heavens opened up and started flooding our neighborhood, so that the only way to get to our car was to wade. In heels, this was not a happy experience. Of course, with this kind of rain, traffic blew.

We arrive to find out that we're the only table not being given wine (I think they just forgot?); the rolls brought out are actually *stale*, and then the meal that follows wasn't a whole lot better than the Lean Cuisine meals I buy for lunch.

But then ... it all turned.

The show opened with Mitzi Gaynor, the president of PDS, and if you've never watched her in front of a live audience, she is a hoot. Her speech was short and sweet, and then they did the requisite video footage of dance films through the year.

Then there was the requsite comedian. This year, Max Alexander. Only .. this year ... the comedian was actually FUNNY. Seriously funny. Laughing so hard I could hardly breathe funny. (Trust me, at these events, if they make you smile, it's a good night.)

This year's honoree was Joe Tremaine, a man I admit I knew little about but instantly felt a kinship to when I found out he was born in Louisiana. As a tribute, some of his faculty, students & past students put together a performance, which was absolutely positively mind-blowing. These dancers were awe-inspiring. (I leaned over to Dick and said, "Can we get them to perform every year?") This was, hands-down, the best entertainment at one of these events, ever.

To introduce Joe was Chita Rivera. She is so lovely, and gracious, and funny ... it was definitely one of the best introduction speeches. (Last year's introduction speech given by this woman here went on for days, I think. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.)

Joe gets up, and proceeds to give the best acceptance speech ever, as well.

It's all fun, everyone's having a great time, and we leave thinking "gosh, is it over already?" (Last year we were at the table thinking "Dear God, we're never leaving, are we ...")

But wait. Now we're REALLY getting to the cool part.

We're in line to get our car. Ahead of us is a Deluise. We can't remember which one. I mean, we know which one - he's the one on GILMORE GIRLS - but we can't remember his name. (His parents are big fans of dance and supporters of the PDS - actually Dom was honored one year, which was a hoot.)

We get close to the window to turn in our tickets. And I missed exactly what happened, but he started looking kind of perplexed about the system (which, to be fair, at an event of several hundred people all trying to leave at one time is almost always a little chaotic). Finally he turns, he happens to catch my eye, and says, "You'd think I've done this before." I started laughing, and he continues, "I think we need a choreographer." I laugh more.

He extends his hand. "Hi, I'm Michael," he says.
"I'm Tracy," I say, shaking his hand.
"So did you have a good time tonight?"
"I did. It was fabulous."
"Yes, it was."
"It makes me wish I could dance."
"Me, too."
"Whatcha gonna do?"
"Sit in the audience and clap a lot."
"Good solution. I like it."

... and then his keys were given to him, and off he went in search of his car.

But my mind was totally blown, because even though I've been near met celebs of various levels, this was the first time that someone has just decided to introduce themselves to me, in a very genuine way.

Michael Deluise. Very cool.

Silly Quiz Time

Stolen from Sterling, and I think Bon after that.

Q: WHAT MADE YOU SMILE YESTERDAY?
A: My husband. And my dog. And my dinner date. Not necessarily in that order.

Q: WHAT WERE YOU DOING AT 8 THIS MORNING?
A: Trying to get ready to leave for work. Not succeeding.

Q: WHAT WERE YOU DOING 15 MINUTES AGO?
A: Surfing the net.

Q: SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN 1995?
A: Huh. 1995. I was partners with one of my best friends in a theatre company. Thus starting a long, rich history of running tiny, scrambling-for-money theatre companies.

Q: HOW MANY THINGS DID YOU DRINK TODAY?
A: Morning coffee. Water. More water. Still more water.

Q: WHERE DO YOU KEEP YOUR CHANGE?
A: Supposedly in my wallet. It usually, somehow, ends up in the bottom of my purse.

Q: BEST ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
A: That really depends on my mood. Usually, though, chocolate chip cookie dough.

Q: SOMETHING YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT?
A: That depends on my mood too, LOL. You know, I am my father's child. There are many things I feel quiet joy about, but *excitement* ... I'll let you know.

Q: WHAT SIZE SHOE DO YOU WEAR?
A: 6.

Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY SISTERS?
A: Nope.

Q: ARE YOU VERY RANDOM?
A: Not in my own mind, no. Perhaps to others. :)

Q: DO YOU WANT TO CUT YOUR HAIR?
A: Yes. But not length, just shape.

Q: ARE YOU OVER THE AGE OF 25?
A: Yes.

Q: DO YOU TALK A LOT?
A: Depends on how well I know you. Depends on my level of anxiety.

Q: DO YOU MAKE UP YOUR OWN WORDS?
A: Hell yeah.

Q: ARE YOU TICKLISH?
A: Yes.

Q: ARE YOU TYPICALLY A JEALOUS PERSON?
A: Yes but at my ripe old age I've learned to laugh at it.

Q: NAME A FRIEND WHOSE NAME STARTS WITH THE LETTER "J":
A: John Jack.

Q: WHAT DID THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECEIVED SAY?:
A: I text message so infreqeuently, it's scrolled off my phone. I have no idea.

Q: DO YOU CHEW ON YOUR STRAWS?
A: Not unless I'm really stressed.

Q: DO YOU HAVE CURLY HAIR?
A: No. Unless it's humid.

Q: WHAT IS THE NEXT CONCERT YOU'RE GOING TO?
A: Not a clue.

Q: WHO IS THE COOLEST PERSON IN YOUR LIFE?
A: Wow. I don't think I can answer that. Most of my friends are either excessively cool or cool in their uncoolness. I have awesome friends. But the coolest?

Q: WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
A: Chocolate covered raisins. I meant for them to go to the theatre. But they're here. So I had some.

Q: WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU SAID TO SOMEONE, AND WHO WAS IT?
A: "I love you," to my husband.

Q: DO YOU WATCH TV?
A: That would be the understatement of the century.

Q: HAVE YOU SEEN THE MOVIE DONNIE DARKO?
A: Yes. Is there a follow up question, "Did you understand it?"

Q: DO YOU HAVE WORK TOMORROW?
A: Sigh. Yes.

Q: EVER BEEN HUNTING?
A: No.

Q: IS MARRIAGE IN YOUR FUTURE?
A: No, it's in my present. :)

Q: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAID "I LOVE YOU" AND MEANT IT?
A: See above. It was about two hours ago, or so.

Q: WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING RIGHT NOW?
A: Pretty much anything other than what I'm doing.

Q: DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME?
A: Yes. A few.

Q: DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?
A: Not really. I believe in gut feelings at first sight. But love, no.

Q: YOUNGEST PERSON IN YOUR FAMILY?
A: My immediate family? Me.

Q: IS DRUG FREE THE WAY TO BE?
A: There are probably many interpretations to this, but given the amount of money I spend each year at the pharmacy, I probably HAVE to say "no".