As a professional singer/actress and a private coach to aspiring singers and actors, it is my job to be inspired by life and to inspire those I teach. It's not always easy to be inspired by life when life can so easily get in the way which, in turn, makes it difficult to keep my students inspired. What do you do when life DOES get in the way? How do you make it right?
The past few months have been difficult for me because I live to perform and I haven't had a full contract since August. Now don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to have been a part of an amazing opportunity in New York City in late October titled 'Songs of the Civil War' with Park & Bark Opera and my talented friends Mim Paquin Robinette and Jason Robinette. And I get the opportunity to share my talents the first Thursday of every month at the Spotlight Cabaret in Allentown, PA. I also have an ongoing gig where I play the Cat in the Hat in the Lehigh Valley.
I also had the opportunity to film two movies this fall in between all the auditioning.
After Happy Days ended in August I put together a plan to audition twice a week in NYC whole maintaining my teaching jobs and kitchen job in Allentown, PA to make ends meet. I never intended any of this to be permanent fixtures in my life. I am, first and foremost, an actress. It's what I love and it's all I want to do.
It got frustrating very fast when I would go to auditions and not get seen....or pay the bus fare from PA only to get to the city to receive a text message that the audition was cancelled...or I'd have an appointment for an audition and leave my friends house in Queens with more than enough time to get to the audition and have the buses in Queens not cooperate and completely miss the appointment. This kept happening. This was NOT part of my plan. I quickly became frustrated and discouraged. How does one get over this?
I woke up one day and said I can't let this get me down. I tell my students all the time part of being in this business is being able to handle rejection and disappointment. So I decided to just do everything with love and purpose. If I missed an audition I wouldn't dwell but I'd work twice as hard to find even more auditions to get to. I'd have a coaching with my acting career coach, Doug Shapiro, to help me figure out a plan of action to make things right...to set my feet firmly on the ground. No more trip ups. It's so hard sometimes to stay positive all the time but I try.
Let's see...in 2011 I lost my best friend, Bethany L. Pacheco-Brum to the nasty 'C' word. From the day I spoke with her about her diagnosis to the day she passed it was only one week. ONE WEEK. It has been just over nine months and everyday I cry...everyday I close my eyes and see her there...everyday I miss her. I can't believe when I go home to visit my parents in my hometown I will not be having our special breakfast gathering. But...I cannot bring her back. I can, however, feel my heart grow with the love I have for her and be thankful for knowing her and having her as my very oldest and closest friend...28 years of memories. And that is positive! I take it day by day and have an amazing support system when I feel myself start to crumble.
Financially, it has been a tough year. So what did I do? I started my own business. Some people think I'm crazy. I say I'm crazy! Haha. Look, I know I don't want to sit at a desk. I don't want to work in retail. I already work in a kitchen which I don't love but at least it's in a theater...(that's what I keep telling myself.) I started Star of the Day Event Productions to be creative, stay in the business, help other actors and artists, offer workshops, and help increase the amount of quality entertainment in my neck of the woods. So I went from scared and penniless to penniless and positive...positive that this idea would start to take off and make money. Guess what? IT DID!
We all have the power in us to choose good...to choose love...to choose positivity and happiness. We all suffer loss and we all endure bad luck. We don't have to let this define who we are and what we are to become. If we fall victim to this negativity then we become a breeding ground for excuses to not succeed at anything. I knew starting a new business in this economy was laughable but I'm an idealist...I'm not a millionaire (yet) but I'm slowly building up and I'm proud. So what if opportunity for contracts hasn't been knocking my door down...I'm going to put on my shoes and go out and make opportunities happen. I'm going to network, send out my headshot to casting directors I want to work with, I will work on my website, I will create a New Year plan for my acting career, I will do .... I will love....I will be happy.
Happiness happens when you choose it. So join me. Choose happiness!
www.KirstenAlmeida.com
www.StaroftheDay.org
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
To thine own self be true...
"To thine own self be true" ~ Polonius (Hamlet) - Shakespeare
In this crazy entertainment world so many newbies think they have to invent someone they're not in order to live and thrive within the business. This is a subject matter I know all too well.
Back in 2008 when I was let go from my job I made the hardest and easiest decision I ever had to make: to be an actress. Hard because it's a risky business (and I'm not talking Tom Cruise in his BVDs). Easy because it's been my lifelong dream to be a professional actress. The idea of 'going for it' was like DUH! So I set out on my journey.
In early 2009, with the help of Mim Paquin and her connection with The Savvy Actor I was introduced to my now lifelong friend and career coach, Doug Shapiro. Doug helped me develop a branding statement to represent who I am as a performer. My branding descriptors were: sassy, classy, focused, determined, blunt, and comedic. That was then! Over the years, I received some interest from submissions based on this branding statement but nothing ever really clicked. I never believed the statement fully and therefore it was reflected in my lack of callbacks and inquiries from my online submissions. At an open call audition - in person - I always show my true colors and who I truly am. I'm funny, loving, sassy, outgoing, bubbly, and definitely focused. After 2 years of the old branding statement and trying to 'fit' that person drawn on paper I approached my career coach and said "Look, this isn't working. I need to rebrand. I need to work." And that's exactly what we did.
Doug and I sat on the phone for an hour session and threw ideas around and new descriptors and played with wording. Now, I have a branding statement that is truly 100% me! I love it. I believe it. And since I am the product I'm trying to sell every day I know that I can sell it. And in just one short week after creating this new statement...I have sold it! And I feel good!
**I can sing my face off like Stephanie J. Block, can sass like a pint-sized Kristen Johnston, and get acting kudos without even saying a word.**
In a nutshell...that is me. I have grown up so much since entering this thrilling business in 2008 and I have learned so much. All that I learn I pass on to you through this blog...and I'm happy to do so. With every experience I've had since I started this adventure three years ago, I take bits and pieces away with me. I use those bits and pieces to continue growing as an actor, teacher, friend, and wife...I put the pieces together through song, tears, words, and whatever else I can find to fill out the person I've become. I truly believe all of this is a gift. Finding out who I am and realizing I'm a pretty darn good human being is a blessing. I make mistakes...I curse like a truck driver...I love with all my heart and soul...I care (apparently too much sometimes)...I feel...I encourage...I teach...I laugh...I cry...I am who I am and ain't nobody gonna change that!
I spent years pretending to love everything others loved so I could 'relate' to them...have something in common...in recent years I've learned so much about me and my likes and dislikes that it's almost scary. But then I realized there is nothing scary about being true to who you are. So, I don't like that movie or TV show...I don't like the smell of strong coffee - it smells like stinky feet to me :) In the same respect, I've learned about the hundreds of things I do love. Foreign films, chai tea, avocados, feta cheese, beer (well, ok...only certain ones), running, being (trying to be) a vegetarian, the list goes on and on and on!
Don't get me wrong. I'm the most self conscious person I know. I second guess myself all the time. Up until now I did two things every morning: 1) I thank God I'm alive 2) I have a cup of coffee and recently a friend shared some wise words with me right before I entered an audition room and now this will be the third thing I do everyday - 3) I remind myself that I am enough.
My advice to you as you continue on your own journey...whether it be in the performing arts or anything else...you are who you are for a reason. Figure out your strengths and fall in love with them so that others can fully fall in love with you. And I'm not talking romantically. Just be who you are. Shine the way you were meant to shine. Smile more. People want to know YOU...they want to hire YOU...they want real people with real thoughts and feelings...they want YOU not the someone you thing they want. Trust me on this! YOU ARE ENOUGH!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Spotlight Cabaret & Piano Bar - THROWBACK Music from the Great American Songbook (1900-1950) Thursday, November 3, 2011 8 PM $5
Allentown Brew Works , 812 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, 610-433-7777
Spotlight Cabaret & Piano Bar - A Wacky Holiday Extravaganza
Thursday, December 1, 2011 8 PM $5
Allentown Brew Works ,812 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, 610-433-7777
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 7 PM $12 (plus 2 drink minimum)
343 West 46th Street (Restaurant Row) New York City, 212-757-0788
Spotlight Cabaret & Piano Bar - They Say You Want a Resolution
Thursday, January 5, 2011 8 PM $5
Allentown Brew Works,812 W. Hamilton Street,Allentown, PA 18101,610-433-7777
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
"If you're able to be yourself, then you have no competition. All you have to do is get closer and closer to that essence."~Barbara Cook VIDEO OF THE WEEK: My Old Kentucky Home performed Oct 23 2011 for Park & Bark Opera's "Songs of the Civil War"
RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
1/2 head of cauliflower
1/2 c. shredded white cheddar cheese
1/4 c. red wine
1/2 c. finely chopped baby bella mushrooms
2 T butter
1 T garlic
pinch of paprika
S&P to taste
crushed red pepper to taste
2 Large green peppers
Prep:
First clean out the peppers and set aside.
Next, clean the cauliflower and cut into smaller pieces that will fit in the food processor. Use the grater attachment and send through the processor to make 'rice' size pieces. Set aside.
Filling:
In a skillet on medium flame melt butter and with crushed red pepper and mushrooms. When the mushrooms reduce add the garlic. Constantly stir to prevent burning the garlic. Add S&P and red wine. reduce the wine to about half and add the 'rice'. One the rice has cooked for about 2 minutes add the cheese. Stir in but do not let it melt too much. Spoon into peppers and place on a foil lined baking sheet. Cook on 350 for 30 minutes. I top mine with 'spaghetti cheese' and garlic powder.
Each pepper is under 250 calories. That's a pretty healthy meal!
Kirsten 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 is currently performing for the Pines Dinner Theatre 2011 season as Sister Hubert in 'Nunsense' and Mrs. C in 'Happy Days The Musical.' 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 just wrapped up filming on two short films: 'Stabilized' by Grete Miller, a B&W silent film where her solo performance received highest accolades during screenings from Shimon Dotan, award-winning filmmaker with 13 feature films to his credit; recipient of Jury Prize for Best World Documentary at Sundance (Hot House); Silver Bear at the Berlin FF (The Smile of the Lamb); Best Film at the Newport Beach Film Festival (You Can Thank Me Later); numerous Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Film and Best Director (Repeat Dive; The Smile of the Lamb); films presented on HBO, PBS, CBS, ARTE; has taught filmmaking at Tel Aviv U., Concordia U. in Montreal and is teaching political cinema at NYU and 'Threshold'. She appears in the upcoming comedy 'Big Guns' which has received numerous awards on the film festival circuit in 2011. She was also in 'Three Chris'' and the independent short 'Westfield' with Clocktower Productions. She has also appeared in two episodes of 'The World's Most Astonishing News'.
Kirsten has 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 grad
es Pre-K through 4. She also is the Program Coordinator/Facilitator for the "Reading with Cat in the Hat" literacy promotion program where she tours to at-risk communities and performs as the Cat in the Hat. 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.
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