Monday, September 27, 2010

Take it on the run...

Oh, I just love cheesy 80s music! Can you name the song and artist of the cheesy 80s song referenced in the title of this week's blog?

Moving right along...(awesome song from an awesome childhood movie! NAME IT!)

A few months ago I discovered a program called 'Couch to 5
K.' For months I've been saying 'Oh I'm going to start that 'Couch to 5K' thingy tomorrow.' But did I? NOooooooooo

Well, lately, I've been de-cluttering my life and my house, organizing, and prioritizing. I'm becoming more accountable for my actions. And in the midst of it all what did I do?

*************DRUM ROLL PLEASE*********************

I completed week 1 of the 'Couch to 5K' program. And I feel great. I'm not sure why I didn't do this months ago. Several high school friends shared stories of their running experiences and how it has changed their lives (Magda, Marjorie, Erin, Abrah) and I kept t
hinking 'I can't do that, I can't run!' Boy, was I wrong! This program is awesome. And thanks to Heidi letting me in on the iPod app secret it's even easier. In just one week, I'm running and I feel great. The app is really cool too. You use music from your iPod and there is a voice that tells you when to switch from running to walking. For me...the music I have on shuffle each workout is a bizarre mix of cheesy 80s songs like 'Eye of the Tiger' and 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' to Linkin' Park, Kelly Clarkson, and Pink.

The funniest part is the day I started, I left my house quite early (well, early for me!) and took off through my development and up behind me where th
e retirement village is. They have nicer (clay) walkways. There were tons of little old ladies out for their morning walk. I had my headphones on listening to the program and of course the first song that comes on is 'Eye of the Tiger.' Not seeing the group of ladies at first I started punching an imaginary punching bag because, well, what else am I supposed to do listening to that song? I don't live anywhere near the Philly Art Museum, and besides, I'm doing 'Couch to 5K' not 'Couch to Stair Master on Crack.' I digress.... I didn't see the group of ladies as I start punching the air and have this big grin plastered on my face. I rounded the corner and there they were. Without missing a beat I tilted my head and said 'Mornin' and continued on. They probably thought I was a drug addict. But I don't care because I felt great!

Along with the C25K I'm also determined to cook lighter for me and the hubster. Michael and I came to an agreement. We'll have fish once to twice a week AND one vegetarian meal a week. We are also cutting out red meat. I'm also making sure we have healthy portion sizes. The only day we are allowed to 'cheat' is Football Sunday. Since we both enjoy watching all the games neither of us want to spend a ton of time in the kitchen preparing.

Oh, wait! I bet you are wondering wha
t the heck any of this has to do with 'the Business of ME!'?
Glad you asked.

A big part of any successful business is organization and acc
ountability. Right now, I'm taking a few months to regroup and take care of personal business. As part of this regrouping, I'm doing what I can to keep me healthy, active, and accountable in my acting career. I am still submitting to agents and casting directors but have cut back on my trips to the city to save some money. So, I'm working on the aspects of my business I can work on while I take the time off like:

  • Getting fit
  • Getting organized
  • Prioritizing
  • Working ($$$)
  • Apartment searching (Thank you, Doug, for sending me the list of sublets)
When the holidays have come and gone, I want to hit the ground running again in NYC. I'm going to look and feel great and be so prepared that I will be an unstoppable force. There. I said it. Now you can all hold me accountable too!

Thank you for following along and for your support.

Upcoming Performances:
Spotlight Cabaret

Thursday, October 7, 2010
8 PM
Allentown Brew Works
Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA
$5

My set this month:

We Deserve Each Other (Me & Juliet)
The Portrait (A My Name is Alice)
Summer in Ohio (Last Five Years)
Shine (Spitfire Grill)

Don't forget to bring your books.....after the cabaret there is an open mic!!



Quote of the week:

"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare." - - Juma Ikangaa, Tanzania

Recipe of the week:

Pan Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
zest of 1/2 lemon

1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 onion powder
1 tsp seasoning salt
4 T panko bread crumbs
EVOO

Dressing:
2T EVOO
1T Lemon Juice
1 T White Wine Vinegar
Salt & Pepper
2 T Chives
2 T Parsley
1 T garlic

Combine in a bowl and mix well. Microwave for 1 minute until warm.

wash, pat dry, and butterfly chicken breasts
lightly coat the chicken breasts with EVOO. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Sprinkle on top of the chicken breast only. Leave bottom plain. Once you have each breast lightly coated get the non-stick skillet nice and hot with some EVOO in the bottom.

Place the breasts coating side down and DO NOT TOUCH for 2 minutes. A nice crust will form. Turn them over turn the heat down to med-lo cover and let them slowly pan roast for 15-18 minutes. Internal temp should be 170.


Remove from heat and let rest while you make dressing. Plate and drizzle dressing over the top.
Low cal....low fat....full flavor!

Kirsten Rani Almeida received her B.A. in Theater and Speech from Wagner College. For twelve years, Kirsten doubled as a professional fundraiser for a large non-profit arts organization and an actor, director, choreographer, and playwright. She has performed in more than forty shows all over the U.S. She spent four months touring the country with the Omaha Theater Company's production of 'The Little Engine that Could' as the Red Dress Doll. She performed nearly 80 performances in 36 states. In New York City, Kirsten was part of the cast for the award-winning 'Skin Deep' which has won top honors from the 2010 Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival and originated the role of Lavender Blue in the eerily funny 'Professor Von Awesome's Traveling Caravan of Cautionary Warnings.' Kirsten appeared in the U.S. premiere of 'Scandalous! A new musical based on the life of D.H. Lawrence' in New Orleans and appeared at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in the World Premiere musical 'The Butterfly Project' which raised money for children's cancer research. Other credits include Children of Eden (Mama Noah), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat(Narrator), Hello Dolly!(Minnie Fay), Beauty and the Beast(Silly Girl & Madame de la Grande Bouche), The Sound of Music(Mother Abbess), Annie(Star-to-Be), Oliver!(Widow Corney), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying(Rosemary), My Fair Lady(Featured Dancer), Promises, Promises!(Featured Dancer), Nunsense I & II(Sister Leo), Gypsy(Tessie Tura), Guys & Dolls(Featured Dancer), Back to the 80s(Debbie Cox), Seussical the Musical(Gertrude), Snoopy!(Sally Brown), Pippin(Featured dancer), Carousel, Godspell, Little Shop of Horrors(Chiffon), and many more.

In film/tv, Kirsten has appeared in the upcoming comedy 'Big Guns', 'Three Chris'', and filmed the independent short 'Westfield' with Clocktower Productions. She has also appeared in two episodes of 'The World's Most Astonishing News'.

She has also appeared as a guest artist with the Newark Boys Chorus and Triad Ensemble and the Spotlight Cabaret with Allentown Public Theater. She was a founding member of the Boonton Parks & Recreation Theatre Company for young performers where she not only directed and choreographed the shows for the company but also acted as lead fundraiser, costumer, lighting designer, marketing director as well as scenic and props designer. Kirsten also taught dance for the recreation department to children ages 7-12. Kirsten has also dabbled in play writing for children's theater. Her twisted version of "The Three Little Pigs" (a musical from the Big Bad Wolf's perspective) was produced at Playhouse 22 in East Brunswick, NJ.

Kirsten teaches drama classes at the Civic Theater in Allentown, PA to grades Pre-K through 4. Kirsten also offers an audition class to high school students which helps students audition confidently. Her effective teaching style is requested by groups in PA and NJ and NY.


Monday, September 20, 2010

Why don't you get a 'real' job?
















Does this sound familiar?

Friend: Hey! What are you up to?
Artist: Not much. It's really slow right now. Gotta find something quick, I have bills to pay.
Friend: Why don't you just get a real job?

This is the difference between a 9-5er and a professional performing artist. And for me, I understand the question from both sides. I WAS a 9-5er. And now, I understand what it's like to be scrambling for that next gig or next temp job to pay the bills. I'm there right now. And don't think for one moment I haven't contemplated going on a hiatus for a year to become debt free because I have...at least once a week. But what good would that do?

Would I get seen by casting directors and agents while I bag groceries at the Piggly Wiggly? NO!
Would I spend 9 hours at a callback making directors, producers, and choreographers go 'hmmm, who is this chic?" NO!
Would I be getting one step closer to achieving my dream? NO!

Look, I mean no offense if you are a bagger at the Piggly Wiggly....but I just can't do that anymore. I have been there, done that!

I currently work part-time at a cute little dinner theater in Allentown, PA that puts on super high quality shows but when ticket sales slack off what happens to the servers? You are not needed. When a server isn't needed, what do you think happens? RIGHT! We make no money.

I'm also an independent jeweler for Premier Designs Jewelry! I have been doing that for almost five years. It's a little slow right now but I know things will pick up...WHY? Our new promotion....that's why. Since receiving the info on this promotion, my calendar is starting to fill...so PLEASE CONTACT ME RIGHT AWAY to get me on your calendar! It's a fun night for everyone...and if you are the hostess you get LOADS AND LOADS of free jewelry!



But when I am not getting gigs, tips, or jewelry shows, I don't let it get me down. Why? Because I know I have services to offer the world that can help me out financially, help the business of ME grow, and continue to enrich my life.
What are they? I'm glad you asked!

Some of you know me very well and know that I've spent the last 10-12 years working with and teaching children ages 4-high school all about the world of theater. I help children dance, sing, and act. I get really frustrated at the lack of respect for the arts in our schools. So my soap box is starting children's theaters, teaching at youth theater schools, writing children's plays, performing for 10s of thousands of children across the country. I believe in the arts.

With all the inquiries I've been getting from parents of current and former students asking if I offer private acting & singing lessons. Guess what? I DO! I offer private coachings to children ages 7 - 12, teens ages 13-18, and adults ages 19+ in the Lehigh Valley PA area, Central and Western NJ, and NYC.

When I was in NYC during my tour visiting Mim and Jay, Mim sat me down and said "It's a no brainer, Kirsten." She was right. I have so much to offer our those who are interested in learning about the arts, are involved in the arts but want to take it to the next level, those wishing to audition for college for a degree in the arts, and especially those looking to break into the industry but don't know where to start. I can help!

I can also help with:

  • special skill enhancement.
  • auditioning prep for a show that requires special dance skills but they've never taken a dance class? I have 32 years dance experience in tap, jazz, ballet, modern, lyrical, pointe, ballroom, hip-hop, and musical theater dance.
  • repertoire building for musical theater performers
  • college audition prep (including songs & monologues)
  • style makeovers
  • hair and make-up consulting
  • interview skills
  • resources that every actor should have
  • and most importantly how to make the most of your career

Please contact me at KirstenAlmeida@aol.com for pricing. I'm looking forward to creating a professional working relationship with you.



Kirsten Rani Almeida received her B.A. in Theater and Speech from Wagner College. For twelve years, Kirsten doubled as a professional fundraiser for a large non-profit arts organization and an actor, director, choreographer, and playwright. She has performed in more than forty shows all over the U.S. She spent four months touring the country with the Omaha Theater Company's production of 'The Little Engine that Could' as the Red Dress Doll. She performed nearly 80 performances in 36 states. In New York City, Kirsten was part of the cast for the award-winning 'Skin Deep' which has won top honors from the 2010 Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival and originated the role of Lavender Blue in the eerily funny 'Professor Von Awesome's Traveling Caravan of Cautionary Warnings.' Kirsten appeared in the U.S. premiere of 'Scandalous! A new musical based on the life of D.H. Lawrence' in New Orleans and appeared at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in the World Premiere musical 'The Butterfly Project' which raised money for children's cancer research. Other credits include Children of Eden (Mama Noah), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat(Narrator), Hello Dolly!(Minnie Fay), Beauty and the Beast(Silly Girl & Madame de la Grande Bouche), The Sound of Music(Mother Abbess), Annie(Star-to-Be), Oliver!(Widow Corney), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying(Rosemary), My Fair Lady(Featured Dancer), Promises, Promises!(Featured Dancer), Nunsense I & II(Sister Leo), Gypsy(Tessie Tura), Guys & Dolls(Featured Dancer), Back to the 80s(Debbie Cox), Seussical the Musical(Gertrude), Snoopy!(Sally Brown), Pippin(Featured dancer), Carousel, Godspell, Little Shop of Horrors(Chiffon), and many more. She has also appeared as a guest artist with the Newark Boys Chorus and Triad Ensemble and the Spotlight Cabaret with Allentown Public Theater. She was a founding member of the Boonton Parks & Recreation Theatre Company for young performers where she not only directed and choreographed the shows for the company but also acted as lead fundraiser, costumer, lighting designer, marketing director as well as scenic and props designer. Kirsten also taught dance for the recreation department to children ages 7-12. Kirsten has also dabbled in play writing for children's theater. Her twisted version of "The Three Little Pigs" (a musical from the Big Bad Wolf's perspective) was produced at Playhouse 22 in East Brunswick, NJ. Kirsten teaches drama classes at the Civic Theater in Allentown, PA to grades Pre-K through 4. Kirsten also offers an audition class to high school students which helps students audition confidently. Her effective teaching style is requested by groups in PA and NJ and NY.

Quote of the week: "He who has hope has everything."~Arabian Proverb

Friday, September 17, 2010

The business of me!

For almost twelve years I worked at a desk five days a week and received a regular paycheck. That paycheck allowed me to pay my bills, go out with the girls or my husband, travel home to Massachusetts to visit my family more often....but at what price?

When I was let go from my job in July 2008, and some of you already know all this, I didn't know what I was going to do. I consulted with my husband and we both decided that I should go for my dreams. And so here I am.

When I entered this industry professionally, I received some much needed guidance of my friend and colleague, Mim Paquin-Robinette (a professional opera vocalist and musician in NYC), by hooking me up with The Savvy Actor. Thank God for that. With the help of The Savvy Actor and my coach, Doug Shapiro, they showed me how to create the business of me...turning my craft into my career. I met with them and learned how to create my brand unique to me and my talents, how to target talent agencies, and how to market myself. Well, I may not be Julie Roberts (yet) but I have worked consistently over the last two years. I am very proud of my accomplishments and extremely thankful the the amazing minds at The Savvy Actor (Jodie Bentley, Kevin Urban, and Doug Shapiro).

In 2008 when I was first unemployed I was cast in Beauty and the Beast as Madame de la Grande Bouche and then basically did nothing. It was right after the new year that I was approached by Jodie to start coaching with Doug Shapiro. I learned really quickly why I didn't work after Beauty and the Beast ended. I was going about things ALL WRONG!

After a few coachings I started to notice a difference in how I carried myself as an actor and also how I approached auditions and submissions for film and tv. Immediately I was cast in a brand new musical with the Broadway actor Bart Shatto down in New Orleans titled 'Scandalous' about the life and works of D.H. Lawrence. It was an amazing experience and I earned my EMC card. EMC is a program through Actors Equity where I can earn points that will lead to my union card.
Right before I left for New Orleans I was cast in another original musical titled 'The Butterfly Project' that was going up in June of that year at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. I was able to originate a role and be a part of an amazing experience. I then was cast in a film in Philadelphia titled 'Westfield' which I filmed the weekend after 'The Butterfly Project' ended. ALL WITHIN SIX MONTHS and I got paid for it all. So, all the doubt and insecurity I had about going pro was put to rest.

Do I still get nervous? Um...yea! For many reasons. When you are not booked on a gig, you are not making money. That is extremely nerve wracking. Luckily for me, I have a great support system and I've done some solid networking.

Speaking of support and networking...As I wrapped production of the film in Philly I started a five week class on audition technique with the uber talented Kathy Deitch. I went to Wagner College with Kathy and followed her successful career in the Footloose and Wicked on bway as well as many other accomplishments that are too long to list here.

In Kathy's class we fine tuned our talents and wrapped them up in a neat little package of power that allows me to walk into every audition room prepared and ready to Wow! I have had more callbacks since taking that class than ever before. I also booked a show Off Off Broadway. I made some great friends and connections.

Basically, I am thrilled to have you believe in me and support me in my decision to go the distance with my acting career, especially Mim and Jason Robinette (also a NYC opera vocalist).

I hope you will subscribe and follow my adventures.