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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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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See you at the finish line...

Some people may misconstrue confidence with arrogance. There is a huge difference. When Coca-Cola airs a commercial and says our cola is better than the other brands it's not because they are arrogant it's because they are confident that once you buy their cola you will not want another cola for the rest of your life.

Well, in my business, it's not so different. I am a product. I don't care how you look at it but I have branded myself with the help of my career coach, Doug, and I am now on a quest to sell my product. ME!

So I have a branding statement that says who I am and what I can offer. And I know I can bring it. In recent phone call, Doug reminded me to ask myself three questions before I accept or deny a role:

1. DOES IT PAY? (A very important question when you are running your own business)
2. Am I dying to play this role?
3. Will it help advance my career?

Now, you must answer at least 2 and preferably all 3. But, by placing value on my talents, it sets a precedent that you are worth the money and that you are great business owner. Do you think Coca-Cola would still be in business today if all they did was give away their product for free? I think not!

Look, it has taken me a long time to even be able to say I'm good. You should hire me. And, ok, maybe I don't say those exact words, but I've come pretty close.

"I have passion and guts, I want this and it shows!" - Scott Alan (I'm a Star)

I have been afraid to sing that song in my Spotlight Cabaret just because of the title. But the truth is in order to have a successful business you have to believe in your product (yourself) before you are going to convince an agent, director, choreographer, casting director to believe in you. Believing you are a star doesn't mean you are arrogant or conceited. It means you are confident in the talent you possess and that you value yourself. When you value yourself, others see the value in you.

Since I started running with the C25K program (WEEK THREE COMPLETE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I have had alot of time to think while I run. I think about how much I dislike my part-time job in the kitchen. I love the place and the people...I just don't love the job. Because I'm not doing what God placed me on this earth to do! I do it because right now I have to and because it's going to give me the freedom to do so much more with my acting career in the future. I think about how awesome it would be to be on Broadway. To join the greats that have graced the Great White Way. I think about how amazing it will be to star in a movie, a sitcom, a national commercial. Then I think...WHY AM I JUST THINKING THIS???? I SHOULD BE DOING DOING DOING!!!

This next week is a dark week at the dinner theater before they open their next show. I'll be heading into NYC for a few auditions...get some of the rust off...and I'm making a point to set up appointments with other people in the business to stay connected while I am on this short break.

Running has afforded me alone time to get back on track in my life, my health, my relationship with my husband and with God, and it allows me a chance to be selfish. I'm a people pleaser. Anyone reading this that knows me knows this is true. I always want to make sure I have time for people and when I don't or I can't follow through on a promise, I beat myself up over it. I always want people to like me but in three short weeks of running and having these great conversations with myself I realize I don't even like myself 100%.

So, going forward, I hope everyone can understand that in order to achieve my goals and see my dreams become a reality, I have to make my acting career a priority. It may seem like I'm going to fall off the face of the earth but I have to do this. For me. I'm not going to make it on Broadway by working in the kitchen of a restaurant. I know many of my friends will understand that this is the career I have chosen and will also support and embrace the choices I make even if they are not necessarily the choices you would have chosen for yourself. Michael and I often talk about me having to get a full-time desk job again but then we both realize that I'm so close with all the progress I've made in two short years, that I need to keep going. I can't give up.

Like my new found love of running...I'm not giving it up. Why on God's great earth would he give me these talents and not have a purpose for them. In time I'll find out that purpose. Until then, I can only keep running and chasing after my dreams. See you all at the finish line.



Updates.....

• Had a blast in Lancaster, PA with Kelly, Amanda, and Kelly's cousin Christina. There were clowns. SCARY clowns. And they threw suds at me. Not cool!
  
• Completed Week 3 of the C25K program.
• Tried a new veggie: parsnip. Not a fan...yet.
• Started arranging my first medley for my one-woman show.
  
• I was contacted by a director to audition for an upcoming show ... A VERY GOOD THING
• The house is STILL CLEAN.
• Bronchitis is almost gone...shortest bout ever!
  
• Hit a snafoo with the website...working on getting that fixed so I can get it up and running. I'm learning all sorts of things about webpages. Grrrr
  

Quote of the week: "So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key." ~ The Eagles

Recipe of the week:
Meatless Shepherd's Pie with Horseradish-Cheddar Potatoes (Rachel Ray recipe)

Serves 4-6

A variety of veggies rich in vitamins and nutrients are in this meatless shepherd's pie.

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Ingredients

• 4 medium-large starchy Idaho potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into thick slices
• Salt
• 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
• 3/4 cup milk
• 3-4 tablespoons chopped chives
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups super-sharp white Cheddar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 6 medium portobello mushroom caps, wiped clean, gills scraped, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves finely chopped
• 1 medium-large onion, chopped ( I use leeks)
  
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 small bundle Dinosaur, Tuscan or black kale, stemmed and thinly sliced
• A few grates nutmeg
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 3 cups mushroom stock* or vegetable stock
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

* available in soup aisle of the supermarket

Preparation

Pre-heat the broiler and put a rack in the middle of the oven. Arrange individual casseroles or a large casserole dish on a baking sheet and set near the stove.

Put the potatoes and the parsnips in a medium pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, over high heat, then salt the water and cook until the potatoes and parsnips are tender, 15 minutes or so. Drain and return the potatoes and parsnips to the hot pot. Add the horseradish, milk, chives, salt and pepper, to taste, and mash to desired consistency. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese and the egg.

Meanwhile, heat a Dutch oven or large skillet over high heat with EVOO (4 turns of the pan). Add the mushrooms, and the rosemary leaves and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the carrot and onion and season liberally with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook for 5 minutes more, then stir in the garlic and the kale and season with nutmeg. Cook until the kale wilts, about 2 minutes. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and the stock and bring to a boil. In a small skillet, over low heat, melt the butter, whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, then stir it into the sauce to thicken. Transfer the vegetable mixture to the individual dishes or large casserole. Top with the mashed potatoes, sprinkle with the remaining cheese, and brown under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.

Video of the week: I really fell in love with this new video. With everything going on, the more we support it the more those who choose to be ignorant won't be able to ignore it. It sends a message not only for the Trevor Project but anyone who has ever felt like they're trapped in darkness with no hint of light. Believe me, there is light and it does get better.





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.

Audio Samples

Musical Theater Demo

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 5K.' 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 thinking '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 the 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 what 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 accountability. 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.