Sometimes I feel so uninspired.....

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

Times they are a changing!

Photo courtesy of APL Photography LLC

This photo was taken at a Breast Cancer benefit produced by my company Star of the Day Event Productions on Thursday, October 6th at the Allentown Brew Works. Also in the photo is the amazing Christine Hunt-Hjorth.

Robert Frost is one of my all-time favorite poets ever since I saw the movie 'The Outsiders" back in the 80s. I used to rush home from school to catch the 3pm HBO showing of the movie and just scream and hoot for the star-studded (and I do mean STUDS) cast of Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruie, C. Thomas Howell, Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, Leif Garrett, and so many others. There is a point in the movie where Ponyboy Curtis played by C. Thomas Howell recites 'Nothing Gold Can Stay' by Robert Frost. I loved it. I loved it so much I did an English assignment later on in life using that poem. When researching the poem I became a huge fan of Frost. His work spoke to me. I came across this poem in my research and was very excited because in high school the Concert Chorale I sang with performed the musical version of this poem. I recognized instantly and many times in my life I have thought of this poem. This is something we all encounter at least once in life, if not more.

As a professional performer, I find myself at a crossroads several times a year.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

~Robert Frost

As I continue my journey as a professional performer, I'm faced with hard decisions all the time. My passion for what I do is strong and it fills my heart with such joy. But then I find myself thinking about my non-artistic life and remember the responsibilities that come along with being married, being responsible for two cute kitteh catties, having a home, cars, bills, etc. When gigs aren't line up and I'm left to my part-time work as a prep chef at a dinner theatre and a part-time theater educator and barely making ends meet, my mind retreats to the 'old me' that made a really great steady paycheck and the bills were always paid on time and I never worried about money at all. I'm human, what can I say...I feel like whenever I don't have a gig I'm letting everyone in my life down.

One reason I started 'Star of the Day Event Productions' was to help alleviate some of that financial burden and lift some stress off of me so I can remain healthy in my quest for artistic domination. But, the confident, sassy person I am falls victim to societal pressures that I'm not being responsible and maybe after almost 4 years, it's time to get a 'real' job. There it is again, folks. The argument that the path I've chosen, the hard one, is not a 'REAL' career path. Granted, it's hard and it's not for the weak...but in the past year, I'm beginning to realize that I'm good at what I do. Onstage, offstage, teaching, etc....I'm good at it. I receive emails from parents and students about how I changed their lives, helped their child's shyness or how my work with them on an audition got them a callback...I've shared tears with my students while coaching them one on one with monologues....I've seen my work improve...I was praised by an award-winning international filmmaker regarding my acting in a student film. The short was picked out of a screening as the 'Judges Pick' for both acting and content. So why do I continue to feel like I don't belong in this business? I think I'm beginning to finally see the light.....and it shines like the top of the Chrysler Building folks....I'm here in PA for another 8 months and then I'm getting out of here. I've made some really wonderful friends here but I have to get into NYC. I have to be surrounded by people who are just as serious about this business as I am...who will support my choices to stay the course and who will be willing to throw me a life jacket should my boat spring a leak. Here in PA...I can count on one hand the amount of people who truly want me to succeed at my dreams....everyone else, and I realize this now (Although I've had friends try and convince me of this for months, years), wants to hold me back for their own selfish reasons because if they lose me what the hell will they do? God gave me a voice and a heart and the passion for the arts to share those gifts with the world...and it's about time I get back on that road and follow it to the end. No more detours...no more excuses. I can't share with the world all that I love if I'm stuck in a kitchen chopping tomatoes and scooping ice cream. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking prep chefs at all....it's just not where God intended me to be. I think all you have to do is look at the first picture in this blog to see the love and passion I have for what I do. A picture is worth a thousand words!

Eh~maybe I'm over sensitive...but no matter what, I've wanted to move to NYC or closer to it for over a year now. So I think it's time to go! And I think I'll take the advice I've been getting about surrounding myself with only positive people. This business is hard enough. I can't surround myself with wishy-washy people, weak-minded people, or jealous people who are set on seeing me fail.

For the wishy-washy: "Choose your friends with caution; plan your future with purpose, and frame your life with faith. " ~Thomas S. Monson

For the weak-minded: “Oh, you weak, beautiful people who give up with such grace. What you need is someone to take hold of you -- gently, with love, and hand your life back to you.”~Tennessee Williams

For the jealous: "The jealous know nothing, suspect much, and fear everything." ~ Curt Goetz

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: (courtesy of Grete Miller)

Gotta Get a Gimmick

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Zero Point "Pumpkin Pie"

1/2 cup Canned Pumpkin - 0 pts
Splenda(2 or 3 T) - 0 pts
Pumpkin Pie Spice - 0 pts
2 T Cool Whip Free - 0 pts

Combine first 3 ingredients in a bowl, microwave about a minute, top with Cool Whip!

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 grades 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.

She is also the Founder and CEO of 'Star of the Day' Event Productions'. A one-of-a-kind full service entertainment experience. Educate * Encourage * Entertain. Star of the Day operates the monthly Spotlight Cabaret at Allentown Brew Works.

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Putting it together....bit by bit

Hi there folk! I'm back with an all-new blog and soooo much going on it's crazy.

HAPPY DAYS at the Pines Dinner Theatre has opened. We have some really wonderful audiences and will continue to have them. The show, based on the popular television show, has been selling like hot cakes. So, if you want to come see me in the show (which is playing through the end of August) you better hop to and make your reservations now because I can't guarantee you'll be able to get them come July.

The review was recently posted. It got mixed reviews but I got a nice little nod from the reviewer. After second guessing my playing Mrs. C it was nice to see the reviewer thought I did an honest job with the role.

This coming week (June 20-24) I've been asked by the Allentown Arts Community to teach an acting camp to Allentown, PA elementary students. I'm honored that I was thought of for this position. It's only 1 week but I'm hoping it attracts future private students and acting students at Civic this summer.

Starting July 11th I have a TON of stuff going on. I start my series of professional theater workshops in Bethlehem, PA.

Also on July 11th I start my 4 week acting class at the Civic Theatre of Allentown. I teach both acting and dance to grades 1 & 2.

Starting July 19th I'll be teaching a 4 week musical theater intensive in Chester, NJ for only $125. This intensive is for ages 10-18. We will cover everything related to musical theater and host a 1/2 hour showcase on the last day for the parents.

My company, Star of the Day Event Productions, is working tirelessly on presenting a reading of 'Poppy and the Magic Tutu' in NJ and PA. We are rescheduling our NJ reading to late July. We are still seeking a venue for our reading of Poppy in PA also scheduled for late July. The music is just about done and I'm looking forward to introducing it to the world. We are all very excited.

Star of the Day is also launching its birthday party program. We offer a large selection of birthday party themes complete with dramatic fun and play, favors, and gifts all at affordable prices.

I'll be performing on July 7th at the Allentown Public Theatre SPotlight Cabaret. The Cabarets perform at Allentown Brew Works on Hamilton Street in Allentown, PA. It's $5 plus 2 drinks! Come one, come all!

This next project isn't yet a confirmed project but I'm hoping to get it. I have had a phone interview and submitted all my materials for it. Just as I was starting rehearsals for Happy Days I was contacted by the ACTeen program at Weist Barron in NYC to teach an 8 week musical theater intensive class there. Well, I'm very close to making that happen. I would teach the class twice a week in NYC. I'm very excited about it and I really hope it works out. Musical Theater is my thang!!! So, any positive vibes you want to send my way, please do!

I have promised to include a VLOG and it's coming just not this week. Sorry! I'm super excited to get all the footage together and edited so I can share it all with you.

The other thing I wanted to mention is my voice studio is officially OPEN! I am accepting new voice students ages 12 +. I'm extremely affordable and have a very gentle approach to teaching voice to new and experienced singers. If you would like voice coaching or know someone looking for a vocal coach, please send them my way! THANKS!!

Also please check out these performers' websites.

Mim Paquin-Robinette
Jason Robinette
Sean Patrick Gibbons
Marshall Gunter


Thanks for reading this week! Stay tuned.....

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps - we must step up the stairs. ~ Vance Havne"

VIDEO OF THE WEEK:

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: GREEN BEANS WITH APRICOTS AND SERRANO HAM

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 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. 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.

She is also the owner and operator of 'Star of the Day' Event Productions. A one-of-a-kind full service entertainment experience.

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Sometimes happiness comes in the form of a big purple hippo....with a tutu!

In the summer of 2010 I was holding my beautiful Godson, Zephyr, while Mommy (BFF Mim) was getting some well needed rest. He was only a few months old and I started telling him this silly story I created for my 1st and 2nd grade theater school students. It was about a bunch of animals that perform in a circus. And the lead character was a ballerina....a hippo ballerina. To my surprise Mim had woken up but stayed in bed in the other room and listened to my silly little story. When I was done she came out and urged me to write it down. I didn't.

Months had gone by and I continued to teach at the theater school, audition in NYC, perform and try to make ends meet. I went away in Nov/December to do a show in Westchester, NY and when I returned I had no paycheck, work, nothing....the bills piled up. I quickly got an Off-Off Broadway show in NYC where I was lucky enough to stay with Mim and Jay in Queens during the rehearsal/shows. Mim and I got to talking about my students who I was still teaching on Saturday mornings. I would tell her stories about my kids and the stuff they came up with in the story-telling portion of my class. Again, Mim urged me to write down my hippo story. Again...I didn't do it. I'm lazy! :)

Well, my show in NYC ended and I immediately started rehearsals for Nunsense - the show I'm currently performing. Then, my best friend, Beth, passed away and my world was turned upside down. I wasn't able to go home for her services, which still haunts me, but Mim and I traveled to our hometown of New Bedford, MA for a much needed family visit right after Nunsense opened. In the car ride up to Massachusetts I kept questioning whether or not I was supposed to be performing. But I always question why I would be given the gifts I've been given if I wasn't supposed to use them. Then, Mim asked God to send us a sign as well as asked Beth for her guidance to show us both if we were on the correct paths in life. I can't tell you the amount of signs we both received while home in New Bedford, on the car ride back to NY and since then. It's been 2 months since Beth's passing and I still receive signs that she is here with me still cheering me on. I am reminded through these signs that I'm supposed to be where I am today. And that ALL things have a way of working themselves out.

Oh and I FINALLY sat down and wrote my hippo story. POPPY AND THE MAGIC TUTU It has gone through three rewrites, and I've recruited a new friend, Greta Kleckner, who I met at the dinner theater I'm performing at. Greta and I have the same energy for performing and both believe we were put here on earth and graced with gifts that only God can grant and to use those gifts for good.

This had my brain working double time. And so the small birthday party business I started after Christmas - STAR OF THE DAY EVENT PRODUCTIONS - has now blown up to be a full scale entertainment company that will specialize in providing entertainment for special events, theater arts workshops, and original children's musical with fun music, colorful characters and wonderful moral lessons.

The script is receiving a lot of interest and we are hoping to have the show finished and ready to go for a fall tour around PA, NY,NJ and my hometown of New Bedford, MA. Ever since I was a little girl and I was introduced to the arts I wished I could go to a school like FAME. Well, I didn't get to go to FAME, but even better I attended New Bedford High School. Approximately 5,000 students and a theater and music program that would make any Performing Arts High blush! The sad thing is that my hometown, like most big cities, has taken a hit in the arts within the education system. The once booming marching band is finally starting to rebuild but has a mere 40 members. The music teachers and drama instructors are doing what they can to make sure these city kids get a great arts education but I feel its not enough. I was blessed to have received the arts education I did in a public school system which led me to the successful career I currently have. I want to give back. It is my goal to receive a grant to do a New Bedford Elementary School tour. To provide our show to more than 1,000 pre-K - 2nd graders at no cost to the schools. It takes money...and lots of it. But, it WILL happen. Mark my words!

I want to create a company where the employees as well as the audience have fun. That they are treated with honesty and integrity. That the performers will keep coming back over and over and over again! That we can continue to create original shows that will keep actors working and that our company can continue to educate and enlighten.

I will also be looking for sponsorships for the show. I'm talking to Carters, Toys R Us, Gap, Hasbro, and many others. Their partnership will allow Star of the Day Event Productions to perform nationwide and maybe allow a child to see their first live performance. I never want to take for granted what I've been given and I want to encourage our youth to strive to be more, take risks, and to follow their dreams. If I didn't do any of that I'd probably be sitting at a desk complaining about hating my job, single with 50 cats, and watching others do what I am meant to do.

IN OTHER NEWS....

• May 7, 2011 - OPEN HOUSE Accents Modeling and Talent Agency - Bethlehem, PA
  
• May 9, 2011 - Cat in the Hat - Allentown, PA
  
• May 13, 2011 - I will speak at Nazareth High School's Career Day about being a professional performing artist - Nazareth, PA
• May 29, 2011 - NUNSENSE CLOSES; HAPPY DAYS rehearsals begin
  
• May 30, 2011 - Cat in the Hat - Allentown, PA
• June 3-9, 2011 - The movie I was in last fall will be showing at the Hoboken Film Festival - Hoboken, NJ
• June 10, 2011 - HAPPY DAYS OPENS at the Pines Dinner Theatre - Allentown, PA
• Sometime in June 2011 - Table Reads for Poppy and the Magic Tutu.

Quote of the Week: "By striving to do the impossible, man has always achieved what is possible. Those who have cautiously done no more than they believed possible have never taken a single step forward." Mikhail Bakunin

Video of the Week: There is something about this commercial that just touches me deeply. I saw it for the first time during the airing of American Idol on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 and I just was so deeply moved by it. Enjoy!



Recipe of the Week: Lime Cilantro Saffron RiceOne box of yellow spanish rice
one bunch of fresh cilantro
1 lime

Make the rice according to the directions. Chop cilantro finely and add to the rice WHEN IT IS DONE!!! Zest the lime and add with cilantro and juice of 1/2 lime. ENJOY! It's soooo yummy. Chipotle grill makes a white sticky rice like this but I like using the spanish saffron rice. Knock yourselves out!

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 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. 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.

She is also the owner and operator of 'Star of the Day' Event Productions. A one-of-a-kind full service entertainment experience.
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Giving Back and not Giving Up

Thanks to everyone for an amazing benefit on Monday April 11th. Please check out the article about the event. I had no idea the event was even being covered. All of a sudden I'm being interviewed. It was crazy. The event made $1,000. It was slightly less than I had hoped for but it still raised more than some people expected. The overall feeling of the evening was that not enough is being done for these families and many of the guests hope to see more fundraisers continue to pop up. As a matter of fact, my husband's new boss at STAPLES is looking for a local community charity to support and Michael suggested the Allentown Family Fund. So, now I am trying to think of new and creative ways for my husbands store to raise money.

At Monday night's event, there was a lot going on. In one room there was a Tricky Tray set up with 20 prizes. We made over $200 on the Tricky Tray. We had great prizes like 6 course dinner for 2 with wine pairing, tickets to 2 different theaters, salon and spa gifts, jewelry, and all sorts of amazing stuff. Many people went home happy! Some not so much but it was all in good fun and for a great cause.

In another room there was entertainment with local singers and musicians from the Lehigh Valley. There were local celebrity bartenders selling their own cocktail creations and donating all their tips back to charity. There was some amazing foods like oysters on the half shell, scallop ceviche, pork pate, tabouli, sushi, and lots more. We had a collection for the Second Harvest food bank as well. All in all it was a successful event!

Check out one of my songs: Dance Ten, Looks Three








IN OTHER NEWS....

• I will be playing Mrs. C in Happy Days The Musical at Pines Dinner Theatre from June 10 - August 21.
• I am working on my next children's musical and will hopefully touring this new children's musical in the Lehigh Valley area in the late summer early fall and then hopefully along the eastern seaboard. And who knows..maybe nationally!
• I will be forming my own non-profit theater company. Recent events have proved that I need to form my own company. Too many issues have been coming up that disrupt my ability to live my life. Poor business practices have been getting under my skin and it's now time that I set my feet firmly on the ground and put my non-profit experience and performance experience to the test. I have so many supportive friends that have already agreed to lend their expertise and advice to help me to get this going. I'm so excited!
• Don't forget to check out my new website.
• I'll be starting a new cooking VLOG on YouTube. There is no title right now, but a lot of people ask me for my recipes and how I get a month's worth of groceries for hardly any money and so I'm going to start a VLOG. My first blog will come out in May and I hope you'll all check it out!
  

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.” ~ Lucille Ball

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: This is some insanity that Mim and Jay introduced me to a couple of years ago. INSANITY!



RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo with Grilled Chicken over Pasta.

Ingredients:
1 lb chicken tenderloins
1 lb pasta ( I use penne or tricolor rotini)
1 jar Alfredo sauce
3-4 sun-dried tomatoes
Olive Oil
salt and pepper
Garlic
crushed red pepper

First boil water for the pasta. Next, salt & pepper the chicken and grill. In a saute pan add the alfredo sauce and heat. In a blender add sun-dried tomatoes and about 1/4 c. olive oil. When full blended add to alfredo sauce. Add 1 t garlic, s&p to taste, crushed red pepper to taste. When it comes to temp, add the grilled chicken to the sauce. Finish cooking the pasta. Drain well and pile the pasta in a bowl and top with the sauce and chicken. I sometimes top it with parmesan cheese. Enjoy! It's yummy!

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 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. 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.

She is also the owner and operator of 'Star of the Day' Event Productions. A one-of-a-kind full service birthday experience.


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NYC...what is it about you?

Hello!!!

Well, I'm excited to announce my website www.KirstenAlmeida.com has received a face lift. I love everything about it. It represents me to a 'T'. Please check it out!!

I'm so excited to be back to my regularly scheduled blogs! So much has happened this past month that I hope I can fill you in without rambling on...but then again, it wouldn't be ME if I wasn't rambling, right?

So first and foremost, I just completed a very successful run of the new rock musical 'The Legend of Johnny 15' at the Parkside Lounge in downtown NYC with the Serious Theatre Collective. I worked with this group in 2009 on 'Professor Von Awesome's Traveling Caravan of Cautionary Warnings' and had a blast.

When I was first approached by STC I was reluctant to take a role in a show about fetishes because, well, it's just not me and I live in PA. I wasn't sure if it would be possible for me to handle the schedule and commute but like I always say if it's meant to be it'll take care of itself.

Well, it certainly took care of itself. I got a chance to rock it out and get some R&B singin' in. As an artist, I love being challenged (even if it means a freak out and lack of confidence in the beginning, right, Mim?) Now, I'm so proud of this show. It is quite clever and really needs the attention of industry professionals to help it go further. I can see this show becoming a late night cult classic. It's fun and quirky but intelligently written. I'm honored I was sought out for this role.







Here I am with the band: Ari, Ricardo, and Andrew



The cast of The Legend of Johnny 15










I met up with this spectacular group of people for our cast party after my showcase at DON'T TELL MAMA'S in NYC. I'm very excited to have worked with the talented Seth Bisen-Hersh. I've already been asked by Seth to return in April to sing some of Seth's original compositions in celebration of his 150th Showcase. How exciting is that? I'll keep you updated on the date for that! I hope you all can make it.




Now to get to work on Nunsense. I'm so happy it's finally here. I've been looking forward to this gig for months now. I've already started learning my lines and I have the first act memorized. I'm hoping to be 90% off book once rehearsals start so I can concentrate on the music and dance. I've always played Sister Leo in the Nunsense productions I've done. Now, I have to learn new music for Sister Hubert. I'm excited about it but I figured getting off book will be the smart thing to do so I don't have to tackle too much during a 2 week rehearsal process.


Theater school also starts back up this weekend. I'm starting a musical theater component with my classes since I know how talented they are. With my grades 1-4 I'm teaching them an entire scene from Stuart Little: The Musical. I have actually played the small little mouse four or five times in my life. I just love the show. It's cute and has great scenes for this age group.

Now, for my high school class I have no idea what to do with them. They all want to do American Idiot, Rent, In The Heights, etc....I wish I could convince them that musical theater existed before 10 years ago. Now, don't get me wrong, I like all of these shows...they are high energy and fun but I want them to appreciate ALL musical theater. And maybe I'm asking too much of myself since I only have 3 more classes with them, but in the end I know that the musical theater component for all my students will be a success.

I have some news that is exciting that isn't theater related...I have recently been asked by a few local christian music artists to join forces. I haven't made any concrete plans to work with these folks exclusively since it's all so new to me, but I will be meeting with them once Nunsense opens. I'm excited to finally get some of my music I've been working on with my vocal coach and dear friend, Khy, heard by people in the christian music industry. For those of you who don't know, the vibe I'm going for is a cross between rock gospel and Kelly Clarkson. LOL! Sounds weird but I'll tell you, some of the stuff Khy and I have come up with is great! I can't wait to finally share it with all of you. Stay tuned for that....

The other big news I have is this:

LEHIGH VALLEY PERFORMERS UNITE TO RAISE MONEY FOR VICTIMS OF A NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION in ALLENTOWN.

I read about this devastating event while staying with Mim & Jay in NYC. I said "I'll have to go through my closet and donate some stuff" and Mim said "You should do a concert" SO that's what I'm doing. I've reached out to a ton of Lehigh Valley social networks to help me get the word out and have had a great response when asking professional performers to donate their talents to raise money. Also, the biggest shock I got was one of Bethlehem's finest restaurants The Starfish Brasserie offered to open his restaurant and provide Hors D'oeuvres for the event. How amazing is that? I spent almost 12 years as a fundraiser including special event fundraising so this comes quite naturally to me. If you are interested in attending the event here are the details:







Benefit for Allentown Explosion Victims
Monday, March 28, 2011
7pm
The Starfish Brasserie
Broad Street
Bethlehem, PA

$15 cash donation at the door (all proceeds to go to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley)
Bar will be run by the restaurant.

Performers include: Bob Cohen, Kirsten Rani Almeida, Ryan Kelly, John Monahan, Allie G. Wertheim, Christine Hjorth, Brian McKay, and many many others. All in all, we have about twenty local professional singer, musicians, and comedians. We hope you will all come out and support this very worthy cause. For more information about the blast CLICK HERE.


On the horizon.....

• more music writing
• a new children's musical in the works...written by ME!
  
• waiting to hear about a few gigs (fingers crossed)
• a trip to Richmond to meet my Abby
• MY THIRD WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!!!

Quote of the week: Where hope grows, miracles blossom. ~Elna Rae

Recipe of the Week:

Mickey's Spicy Broccoli

Ingredients:
One package frozen broccoli florets
crushed red pepper
minced garlic
S&P
Olive Oil


First rinse the frozen broccoli and let it drain completely. Meanwhile, heat a saute pan on medium and coat the bottom with EVOO and toss in the garlic. As the garlic starts to brown toss in the broccoli. Be careful for splatter. Coat the broccoli in the oil and garlic and add a couple shakes of the crushed red pepper. Reduce the heat and let the broccoli start to soften. When it gets to your preferred softness remove from heat. Add S&P to taste. Serve.


No picture available. It's really simple and SUPER tasty. You can also adjust the crushed red pepper according to your tolerance for spicy food. My husband usually adds a little and serves mine and then adds more before he serves himself. :)

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.

She is also the owner and operator of 'Star of the Day' Event Productions. A one-of-a-kind full service birthday experience.


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