I'm so excited to be home for a few days to celebrate Christmas with my husband, Michael. We got to spend a few days together last week when he came to NYC to see my show 'A Sleepy Hollow Christmas Carol' (which plays its final two performances on December 26th). He took the bus in from PA a few hours early so we could do Christmas in New York in a New York minute. We managed to cram in all the popular attractions in a very short amount of time. We did it all (I think): Rockerfeller Plaza, St. Patrick's Cathedral, FAO Schwartz, Herald Square, and the craziness that is Times Square. Here is a photo story of our day together!
This is what you see when you come up from the PATH train in Herald Square. This is Macy's theme this year. And it's beautiful and I couldn't agree with it more. In a year where so many people are going through such trying times, Macy's reminds us to believe. I do. Do you?
From Herald Square we walked a few blocks to Times Square. We definitely had our priorities straight too...first stop in Times Square? Why, the Charmin restrooms, of course!
I'm telling you, you will never have more fun going to the bathroom. They pride themselves on offering the public clean restrooms all the time. It's a promotion Charmin has been doing for the past few years. Last year, Mike and I enjoyed the go with our friends, Mim and Jason. It was so much fun we just had to return this year.
Each bathroom stall, this year, was decorated to represent different U.S. landmarks. I 'enjoyed the go' in the Grand Canyon. LOL! After 'going' you can even snap a holiday picture while sitting on Charmin's golden throne. We are big goofballs so of course we took the pic! They also have a dance video to an original Charmin pop song this year. Thankfully, I do not remember it. I'm pretty sure I don't want a song about going to the bathroom stuck in my head. There is also a stage to get up and dance, too. They'll record you dancing to the Charmin song and email it to you. If you've never been to the Charmin restrooms at Christmastime, make sure you add it to your list next year. I'm pretty sure it's going to keep getting bigger and better!
After 'taking care of business' at Charmin we headed to the top of the TKTS steps to check out the madness in Times Square. This is the part I enjoyed the least. There were just so many people that you resort to becoming physical to get through the crowds. I know it's the holidays and all but at some point you do need to cross the street or get into that one store and well....dropping a shoulder and pushing through the crowd becomes a part of your very survival. Michael did remind me that I am only 5'1 and could easily end up with 2 black eyes if someone decides to raise their elbows to stop me. So true!
In just a matter of minutes you can see the crowd multiply. It was insane! While in Times Square we also checked out the new HUGE Disney store. Ummm, we also waited online to get in. It's not a ride people...just a store. But that should paint a picture of just how many people are in NYC this time of year. Here is a picture of Mike and I in front of the castle in the store. It was like our honeymoon all over again. Yay!
And of course, I couldn't leave the Disney Store without giving Tnker Bell a hug. Ever since I was a little girl, I just LOVED Tinker Bell. I had this little plastic purse that had Tinker Bell lotion, spray, and bubble bath. I carried it everywhere until of course I dropped it and perfume broke and leaked all over everything. It was a devastating moment in my life. But, I still have a special place in my heart for Tinker Bell.
Now, leaving the Disney Store took longer than waiting in the line to get in. Why, you ask? Well, because we couldn't get through the wall of people between us and the street. It took us a good 10 minutes to get through the crowd and cross the street to the Roxy. All we wanted was lunch. Haha. Michael had never had Pastrami before so we split a Pastrami on rye and he loved it. Here's the proof! ---->
He wasn't sure he'd like it but I was sure he would. I was right... as usual. :) It was delish!What would Christmas in NYC be if we didn't hit up Rockefeller Plaza? That's where we headed next. Here
are
a few pics of our time there. Enjoy!We found a nice couple to snap out pic in front of the famous Christmas tree. Because we went during the day, there were less people crowding the railings that overlook the skating rink so I was finally able to get a nice picture of the rink. I also made Mike take a picture in front of the rink as well.
I've always loved the angels that line the path to the skating rink. So, naturally, I took a picture of them. And then I had 
Michael take a pic of me in front of a pile of red balls modeling my beautiful Purty Girl bag.After grabbing a quick truffle at Godiva we headed up a few more blocks to unleash our inner child at F.A.O. Schwartz.
Michael wouldn't take his picture with the toy soldier outside the store so It's just me. Look how excited I am...HAHA! This man was so tall, too. He's bending down a good foot.
I haven't been to this amazing toy store in about eight years. But we had a lot of fun. There is an entire section set up like diagon alley from Harry Potter. So, naturally, I tried on a quiddich cap...because I'm a total dork. We also tried to play the big piano that was featured in the movie 'Big' but they no longer let the public play it. It's roped off and they now hire actors/dancers to put on a show. I was bummed because I was looking forward to playing on it. So was Michael. We were both a little disappointed but we got over it really quickly since there was so much stuff to be excited about. Like NEON FROGS!!! :)
While on 5th Avenue we checked out some of the window displays in the uber high end stores like Saks 5th Avenue, Cartier, Tiffany's, DeBeers, Bergdorf's, and Harry Winston. It's amazing in this economy that anyone can afford to shop in these places. But God bless them if they can. We also stopped into St. Patrick's Cathedral to light a candle for a dear friend's mom who passed just last week and to offer up some thanks and praise for my family and friends. Again, it was during the day and not quite peak time for tourists so we were able to find a seat, say a few prayers, and sit in astonishment at the beauty of that cathedral. They just don't make them like they used to.
After our whirlwind tour, we headed to catch the shuttle that transports all the actors in my show between NYC and Westchester. Michael had the honor of experiencing that ride. He watched the show and seemed to like it. He's my #1 fan and I love him. Here is a pic of us backstage after the show. He's so tall!
Like I said earlier in this blog, 'A Sleepy Hollow Christmas Carol' closes December 26th. We have two performances that day. If you are feeling adventurous and want to come see the show click here.
UPCOMING....
- new website (coming soon)
- Educational video filming
- Theater classes at Civic Theatre of Allentown
- Nunsense (Tickets)
- Allentown Public Theatre's Spotlight Cabaret
- One Woman Show
- AUDITIONS AUDITIONS AUDITIONS
I wanted to share the trailer for the movie I filmed this fall. I don't appear in the video but I'm still proud of the project. So check the trailer out!
I know 2011 will be a good year. There will be a lot of changes happening - all good- and I will embrace them. They will all help me build a stronger 'business of me.'
During my short break I'll be organizing a mailing to agents. The mailing was started back in the summer of 2010 through Send Out Cards. I hit a brick wall when my unemployment ran out and I couldn't find a job. But, it's all good. So far 2011 looks amazing and I'll be able to pick up where I left off and I have good feelings about it. By the end of the mailing process I'm confident I will be interviewing with several agents. I'm very excited about this.
I have already started loading my calendar with auditions. In January alone, I already have a few dozen auditions on the books. I'm very excited about it and it's not even January.
I've been submitting through Actors Access alot too. I have received a few bites through that service but not having a demo reel definitely hurts. That is one of my goals for 2011. Once I have a demo reel up on Actors Access it will definitely enhance my submissions.
I have also started to pencil in workshops and seminars I would like to take in the city. It's all part of the networking I must do in this business. It'll also help me with on camera work since I don't have a ton of experience there.
I'm also learning how to be my own cheerleader. I've never been good at it. The more networking I do and seminars and workshops I take with leaders in the industry, the better I will get at it. There is no harm to giving yourself credit for you hard work.
So that's what I've been doing and what I'm looking forward to in the coming year. Thanks for stopping by to read my blog each week. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season.
With sass and class,
Kirsten Rani Almeida
Quote of the Week: "I'm learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma." ~Eartha Kitt
Video of the Week: Meet Fiyero! Fiyero is an adorable black German Shepherd that I've been staying with the past month during my stay in Jersey City. His Mom, Amy Bladen showed me a trick Fiyero does. HE SINGS!!!!! Here is a short video of Fiyero singing along with me. Enjoy!
Recipe of the Week:
Caramel Marshmallow Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 cups crisp rice cereal, coarsely crushed
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 package (14 ounces) caramels
- 1 cup butter, cubed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 package (16 ounces) large marshmallows
Directions
- Line two baking sheets with waxed paper; set aside. Place cereal in a shallow bowl. In a large saucepan, cook and stir the milk, caramels and butter over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in the cinnamon and vanilla.
- With a toothpick, dip each marshmallow into warm caramel mixture; turn to coat. Press marshmallow bottoms in cereal; place on prepared pans. Let stand until set. Yield: 5 dozen.
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' by Mary Lynn Dobson (Fringe Festival winner 2009) 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.
This week has been a whirlwind. I had 2 days in PA with my husband which was
