What if.....?

Do you want to play a game (said in the voice from 'War Games' starring Matthew Broderick.)

It's called What if? A friend recently sent me this list of questions and I guess I got so worked up over some I wanted to share my answers.

What if there was an actual money tree? There is a reason why there is no money tree. I know I'm supposed to answer it as if there WAS one but come on. We destroy our lakes and rivers.....our forests....people get pissed because they dent their fender because they hit a deer.....a deer that wouldn't be in the road if we didn't have to chop every friggan tree (that makes up their forest home) down to build another useless housing development that is built like crap and overpriced. Money trees would also end up gone....every last one. Every read the Lorax. Greed is the worst kind of pollution out there. The very worst!

What if bee's produced butter? mmmm...sweet butter. Would it be honey butter? That would be AWESOME! I'd probably eat it with a frakken spoon, dude. Craziness.

What if the walls could talk? Seriously? Ok....I'd love that. Do you know how often I feel like I'm talking to walls? If they answered me I finally would feel like someone was listening!

What if Christians didn't hate homosexuals? I resent this question. But depending on who you chat with Roman Catholics aren't real christians and we're all going to hell anyway....so it's no wonder I would resent this question. Some of dearest and closest friends are homosexual. I love them. That is the opposite of hate. Wanna know why I love them? Because my God is a loving God and I was taught to love. Not hate. I choose love over everything. The love I have in me is bigger than any kind of hate. I believe HATE is a product of the devil. I believe Christ died because of the love he had for his people. LOVE....not hate. Oh this question really got my blood boiling!

What if you were rich? This question I love. Because I wouldn't have a house in every continent...I wouldn't go out and have a shopping spree for Jimmy Choo shoes (Although 1 pair would be nice) and I wouldn't gamble it for more or spend it on worthless shit....I'd build a school, I'd donate it to charity, I'd take my family on vacation, and I'd set up a trust fund for my nieces and nephews. I'd get lasik surgery on my eyes, get my teeth fixed and whitened, have a professional color my hair for once....and I'd eat a lobster dinner. I'd live my life the same because I happen to like my life.

What if sweat smelled like cotton candy? Well that would be awesome.

What if your memory was wiped and you could start all over again? Holy cucka balls this is a crazy question. Hmmmmm.....let's see. OK. I guess since I wouldn't know what I would be missing I'd start with an education. I'd go to school to be a veterinarian. I love animals. But wait, if my memory is wiped do I still love animals. Damn! I guess I would just search for love and light and try to live my life the best way I knew how. I'd work and hopefully have a family. I'd volunteer...I hope the new me is also a philanthropic soul. No matter what I believe what is inherently good about me would remain intact and I could just build on that. Goodness and faith isn't something you remember, it's something you just are. Right? Soooooo.......................
This question is giving me a migraine. bye now

What if? Is there where I ask the questions? Or am I supposed to get all philosophical? Or am I supposed to use this open-ended What If? as a way to vent? I supposed with everything going on in my life...all the emotions surfacing over the course of the last six months and everything that has happened in between, I supposed I could ask What If God chose someone other than Beth? What if Mike had more time with his Dad? What if my sister had courage six years ago? What if people weren't sick in the head? What if people could be accountable for their actions? What if people weren't in denial? What if people could just truly learn to love one another? What if I were taller? Thinner? Prettier? Richer? Smarter? WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF?
Look, it's always fun, in theory, to wonder WHAT IF? BUT....we are who we are for a reason. My question is....What if you could embrace the beauty within you? What if you could trust in the love in your heart? What if could have your cake and eat it to? I have cake in the fridge...I'm going to have a piece with a nice tall glass of cold milk.

Now it's your turn! What if?

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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My Happy Days!

Hey everyone! I'm Mrs. C in the Pines Dinner Theatre production of Happy Days this summer. It opens this Friday, June 10th. The cast is awesome. I can't wait for you all to come out and see it. Don't forget there are show only tickets for those of you on a budget. You can even make a day of it. Come hang at Dorney Park int he morning and head over for some fun at the Pines at night. See you there!

Goodbye gray skies, hello blue! Happy days are here again with Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph and the unforgettable "king of cool" Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli. Based on the hit Paramount Pictures television series, Happy Days, A New Musical reintroduces one of America's best loved families, the Cunninghams, and the days of 1959 Milwaukee complete with varsity sweaters, hula hoops, and jukebox sock-hoppin'. The famed drive-in malt shop and number one hang-out, Arnold's, is in danger of demolition, so the gang teams up to save it with a dance contest and tv-worthy wrestling match. This perfectly family-friendly musical will have you rockin' and rollin' all week long!

HAPPY DAYS

plays from June 10 through August 21.

Matinee performances

• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Sunday

Evening performances

• Friday
• Saturday

I also have some exciting things going on outside of Happy Days!

1. I'll be teaching a workshop series in Bethlehem, PA through my new company Star of the Day Event Productions. The series in PA will touch on subjects like picking great audition songs, how to master a monologue, cold readings, how to audition properly, and more. The workshop staff consists of me, a professional in the entertainment industry, and other professional artists from PA and NYC. To check out the full details check out our workshop page on our website.
2. I've been asked to teach a four-week musical theater intensive in Chester, NJ at Wings Conservatory. It will be a collaboration between Star of the Day and Ballet Forte at Wings Conservatory. This four week intensive is for students age 10-18 and will cover many topics related to musical theater and we will be learning original Broadway choreography, songs from current Broadway shows, and even visits from Broadway performers. To learn more about this intensive and sign up online click here.
3. I'm teaching a super acting intensive for Accents Model and Talent Center starting Saturday, June 18th and going every other Saturday from 10-4:30pm. The class is $795 for 50 hours of class PLUS a 2 day intensive with two SAG/AFTRA actors from NYC. If you are interested in learning more about this program check out Accents Model and Talent Center.
4. My new company Star of the Day Event Productions will be doing a FREE reading of our new children's musical 'Poppy and the Magic Tutu' on Thursday, June 30th at 7:15PM in Chester, NJ at Wings Conservatory. If you'd like to reserve your spot you do so by filling out a RSVP form on our website.

In other news....

My Godson, Zephyr, is ONE! I can't believe the little muffin is one. He's celebrating in California with Mom, Mim, and Dad, Jason, at Jason's sister's wedding. I can't wait to see them when they return. I hope they are having a great time and that they have safe travels on their way back to the east coast.

Congrats to Ericka Osswald and all her dancers at their recital. And I'd like to personally thank her for raising $250 for Relay for Life at the recital in loving memory of Beth Pacheco Brum, my dear friend who lost her life to melanoma three months ago. Beth was also a dancer and instructor at Ericka's dance studio, Center Stage in New Bedford, MA. Ericka also shared a story about the lights acting wonky all week during their rehearsals for the recital and she asked Beth before the actual performance to give her a sign that the recital would run smoothly. Right in the beginning of the show the lights dimmer and flickered for about 10 seconds and then everything was perfect for the rest of the show. I guess that was the sign Ericka was looking for...and Beth was there getting her dance on. After all, Ericka and her dancers dedicated the finale of the show to Beth.

Michael and I celebrated our three year wedding anniversary. We headed to Barnegat,NJ to spend time with his parents and they treated us to a very lovely anniversary dinner at a great restaurant Octopus's Garden. If you happen to be in that area, check the place out. It's absolutely delightful!

Well, folks...after being in rehearsals all day every day for the past week, not much else has been going on. So, enjoy the blog this week and I'll have more to report in the coming weeks.

As always, thanks for following.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."" ~Erma Bombeck

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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The Business that Keeps Getting Busier!

Welcome back!

Have you ever woke up and almost three months has passed? No, really, have you? Because that's pretty much what I'm going through right now. It's an odd feeling, but I kind of like it!

In this issue of I Own My Own Business...The Business of Me I'll be talking with a few industry professionals about how they manage to stay busy and sane at the same time.

First up is one of my best friends and one of the most talented people you'll ever meet!

Mim Paquin. To learn more about Mim, please check out her website www.mimpaquin.com

Q: When did you make the decision to concentrate fully on a classical and opera career?

Growing up in a home with an audiophile classical music audio-engineer father meant that I was constantly being exposed to classical orchestral music. Both of my parents are trained vocalists and actors. After getting in to the Boston Conservatory on a full-scholarship and listening and hearing the classical vocal performance majors, I made a promise to myself: If I hadn't succeeded in being an original singer/songwriter by age 30, I'd make the transition to classical voice. 30 came and went. I realized I was successful as a singer/songwriter, so I kept working at that. Then I literally woke up one day and had the desire to sing in church again. I made this known to a few friends and a couple of months later found myself music director of a youth rock mass at a local Long Island Catholic Church. While there, I joined National Pastoral Musicians and went to a Liturgy Institute. I think God had something to do with this decision. Did as much as I was going to do vocally in all other styles of music. I ultimately made the decision to focus on opera because I wanted to challenge myself. Best part about it is, UNLIKE singing other styles of music - I don't have to give up singing other styles of music, since most of opera is healthy singing. It was a win/win! I made that decision a very long time ago, but followed through with it in 2005 upon returning from the Liturgy Institute.

Q: What changes did you have to make to your lifestyle to make these dreams a reality?

I needed to bring myself back vocally to my classical voice. If that was possible, all plans were a go! It was possible, so go we went. I didn't make any changes to my lifestyle since as a musician and singer from a very young age I would practice anywhere from 2 to 4 hours a day singing and playing piano. -In this case I just had to budget my time between translating arias, learning the scenes and characters and ultimately learning the actual music. Nothing has changed except the sounds coming from my apartment are no longer only r&b, Broadway, jazz and gospel or crazy character voices.

Q: How does the opera world differ from, say, musical theater and what are some of the extra steps you have to take to build up a career in classical music and opera?

That's a loaded question and the answer you get, really depends on the person you ask. Those at the top of the game will tell you that the process to get to perform opera is no different from musical theater. The main difference is the singing, the vocal development that goes on beyond just singing through and rehearsing rep. My life experience has taught me that the more artistic singers typically heard in a rehearsal studio will produce snippets of arias, scales and hitting the area of their voice that is the weakest part in relation to which ever role for which is being prepared. In musical theater, one relies predominantly on coaches and music directors and singing through the rep. In opera, one relies on multiple coaches, a primary teacher or two - the conductor for the production and singing through the rep and repeating weak phrases over and over again. -Everyone wants and expects something different and because the expectations are so incredibly high, this constant constructive criticism is necessary. I've worked and trained in musical theater, aside from doing more physically demanding choreography, musical theater, for me, is easier. Then again, a colleague of mine currently assistant conducting at the MET said, that there is no longer a difference between musical theater and opera, because opera has been bringing in Broadway theater directors and choreographers. So not only do we have to sing at the top of the game - we have to package ourselves with the same amount of deliberate intensity musical theater singer/dancer/actors actor/singer/dancer dancer/singer/actors do! All of the steps are the same.

Q: Now you own your own business, Silver Voice NYC. On average, how many hours do you dedicate to your business?

It varies from week to week. In reality, truly running a service business without a storefront is actually not time consuming until I record and do post-production for a client. To quantify the hours dedicated would be misleading. Truly.

Q: When you are preparing for a concert, recital, or other performance, how many hours do you practice?

I practice every day - even when I am not preparing for a performance. I think the difference between me and many in my field, is that I do not require an instant gratification of presenting my hard work to an audience in order for the work to have meaning the same amount of time still applies to this: 1 to 4 hours a day, more when production rehearsals are involved. There is a reason why singing r&b, jazz and character voices are simple for me, even though I "sing opera" I never stopped practicing, ever.

Q: Ok. With all those hours put into your voice and business, I am curious about something. I know there has been an addition to your family. Has the added responsibility of being a Mom made you better at time management?

I was always crap with time management, but one thing I have always had is a great sense of humor and extremely easy going attitude. I do not think everyone can do what I do. I thank my temperament and technical mind that enables me to focus on what is ultimately important: my health and the health of my family. If I fret and worry about time - I'm stealing away the happiness from my time with them. So no, I suck at time management, but I'm never late for anything, get projects done well before deadline, memorize arias in foreign languages in a matter of hours (even with a baby requiring attention - which most people can't even learn one in English in a quiet room alone!!) -I really think it all depends on the person. I make singing a fun goofy activity for my son, so he watches and learns and reminds me to smile even when the aria I am singing is from a scene where my character is about to die. The message from my comedic mind is: Time management is a load of crap. Forget about labeling yourself and the amount of time you demand of yourself to be deemed worthy of those labels. Instead, spend time enjoying what you are doing, find the fun in the PROCESS of doing whatever it is that needs to be done and leave the labels and requirements to acquire those labels alone. I call myself Mim Paquin. That is sufficient enough. Mim Paquin, mother, soprano, audio-engineer... -that's all perception. To demystify it further, we stop putting expectations on ourselves is when we can finally bring into focus who we really are.

Q: How has motherhood impacted you as a performer?

Yes. I no longer put so much emphasis on the business of what I'm doing. I place the emphasis on people and relationships. The lesson my son will hopefully learn is that whatever he decides to do, he'd better enjoy what he does and like his colleagues and peer-group. I spend time with friends who care about love and life and who respect me as an artist. Everyone else, I've placed at a distance. That is how my son's presence in my life has impacted me as a "performer." I've created my own set of guidelines as far as the kinds of projects I involve myself in that I do not think everyone could or would agree to follow. He will learn integrity and honor outweigh financial gain, multiple vacations and residences. He will be taught the true road to having a presence of mind is to live in the present.

Q: What advice would you offer to individuals who think they have to give up their lives as performers when they have children?

Each person is different. Decide what you feel is right for you. But if you are going to be a parent and performer, lower your expectations and learn to laugh at the high-strung non-parents out there who place energy and emphasis in the wrong areas of life. You can do it, if you really want to, if you don't want to perform anymore. I wouldn't judge you. Just remember, you want to have a well-rounded life for you so that your child(ren) can watch and learn about life through your example. If you are going to be miserable without performing, then do your family a favor, and don't give up. No one likes a wet blanket whining about should have, would have, could have - your child(ren) is/are not any different. Give them the lesson of what it means to follow your dream and finding your happiness. That lesson is lost on so many and sadly, doesn't see the light of day in most homes in this world. Just by being a light of positive energy and love can be a worthy existence, a legacy in itself and one worth lifting up long after you are gone. Truly live your legacy so you can leave something of true value behind for your child(ren).

Now I'd like you to meet Seth Bisen-Hersh. My first interaction with Seth was on Twitter. He started following me and after looking him up and making sure he wasn't some kind of psychotic malcontent I started following him back. Then I auditioned for his weekly showcase at Don't Tell Mama's in NYC and I had a blast working with him. He's hysterically funny and extremely talented. After the first showcase, Seth invited me back to sing in a showcase for his 150th Showcase Celebration where I would sing an original tune by Seth. Turns out Seth chose the perfect song for me to sing.


SETH BISEN-HERSH (Composer/ Lyricist): is a prolific, versatile composer/lyricist and performer. His musicals include What If...?, Love Quirks, Stanley's Party (Manhattan Children's Theatre), More to Love, The Spickner Spin (FringeNYC Audience Favorite Award) and Meaningless Sex (FringeNYC Audience Favorite Award). He also produces two annual charity concerts of his work featuring Broadway performers: Broadway Meows and Broadway Can!, and writes/ stars in the web series Every Day a Little Seth. He has two Bachelors from MIT and a Masters from NYU. Visit: www.sethbh.com;

Q: I know you are always busy with your showcase at Don't Tell Mama's and writing original music. What other projects are you working on to keep you busy?

At the moment besides the weekly showcases, audition playing and private coaching, I have 7 musicals I am juggling, plus the web series. We are doing a presentation of Love Quirks on Monday, June 27^th, so most of my energy is going there, but also this summer Season 2 of Every Day a Little Seth premieres on Sunday, June 19^th. Episodes will be uploaded 6 weeks in a row, Sundays at 11:59PM. And if that wasn’t enough we are doing the 3^rd Annual Broadway Meows charity concert for the Humane Society of NY on Monday, July 18^th.

Q: Do you take time for yourself to let your brain unwind? Like taking yoga or spending time at museums?

I haven’t the flexibility for yoga, nor the attention span for museums. I try to read, but lately I’ve been having trouble focusing, so the only way I can really unwind is by turning the brain to mush… ie watching TV. I follow a lot of TV shows, which leads to esoteric references in my series, so it’s sort of productive… in a way.

Q: Can you give me an example of a week in the life of Seth?

Yes.

Oh, you wanted an actual example?

I usually arise around noon, and I catch up on correspondence and my daily webpages I read for the first 2 hours of the day, if I don’t have a gig. There are definitely weeks where I have a lot of coaching clients and audition gigs, especially in the spring, but as summer arrives, that’s waning. If I have no gigs at all, then I dedicate the time to showcase maintenance, website maintenance, email correspondence, and, most prominently, writing. I always need a zillion stimuli at once, however, so I usually have an awful lot open on my desktop and on my desk while rotating through the day’s to do list until everything gets complete.

Q: I have two cats and I know when I am out and about day in and day out they can certainly hold a grudge. I know you have a cat, do you get the silent treatment when you can't spend as much time as you'd like?

Smee never gives me the silent treatment. It’s the opposite. He is constantly whining for food because he’s on a very strict diet with specific portions after almost dying from a bladder blockage. He ALWAYS wants food, and if I’ve been gone, he’s more adamant. However, I spend an awful lot of time at home, and living in midtown I can pop back in short breaks, so at least he doesn’t have to feel lonely too often.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you do get some time just for YOU?

Cryptic (and regular) crossword puzzles and playing chess and Scrabble.

Q: What advice would you like to share with performers out there that are in need of a little balance in their life?

I wouldn’t know a thing about balance. I work most of the hours of the day, and the hours I’m not working I’m usually still mulling things over in the back of my head. Plus, occasionally I write songs in my sleep. I think if one chooses this kind of career, it is essential to go whole hog, with everything you’re doing aimed towards the ultimate goal because a good portion of it is timing and luck. So while you’re waiting for timing and luck, all you can do is persist and improve your craft tirelessly!

UPCOMING FOR SETH:

Love Quirks Presentation: Monday, June 27^th lovequirks.com

Every Day a Little Seth Season 2 Premiere: Sunday, June 19^th – catch up on Season 1: youtube.com/EveryDayaLittleSeth

Start with the first episode!

3^rd Annual Broadway Meows: Monday, July 18^th sethbh.com/broadwaymeows

Last but certainly not least is my friend KATHY DEITCH.

Q: Kathy I know your career started right out of college and has pretty much soared since then. Was there ever a time that you didn't think you'd be able to handle the demands of being a professional actress and keeping up with your personal day-to-day business? Well, my first job after graduation was directing at Shakespeare in the Park in Hoboken. In the middle of that, I saw the audition for the European Tour of HAIR and thought, "I can do this!" and I got it. Touring in Europe was a dream come true but after 11 months, I was ready to head back to the States. I put in my notice even though they wanted me to extend my contract (people always did HAIR for yeeears). But I knew it wasn’t the path I wanted to be on forever and I knew being back in NYC was where I needed to be. When I returned, I worked 5 part-time jobs to make ends meet. Coat checker, catering, and 3 others including a retail chain…but I did that on purpose. I had so many jobs because I wanted to be able to walk away from any of them at any time if theater work became available. And that’s exactly what happened. I walked away from a retail job because I was offered a chance to sing on the demo for Frank Wildhorn’s ‘Civil War.’ The retail job told me I couldn’t take the time to do the project and I said yes I can and I left. But that’s ok. Things worked out. You do what you have to do.

Q: Do you have a relaxation technique you use when you feel the stress building? Uh no. I wouldn't call it a technique. I tend to think too much and always have things swimming around in my head, getting overwhelmed by the future. In my head I think about all these future projects and plans and that gets overwhelming. I like the idea of 'stepping into my greatness' and doing what I am called to do on this crazy planet but its always a challenge. I try to stay in the process and answer the questions: ‘Where are you right now?’ 'What exactly are you doing?’ and ‘Why are you doing this?’ After being brutally honest with myself, if Ego or Fear are big reasons, I check myself before I wreck myself.

Q: I know you have lived in NYC and now you are in Los Angeles, two very fast-paced cities. What do you do when you get a moment to relax? In NYC, I would use the fast pace as a drug. I would feed off of it and make my life as crazy as possible. I would thrive in it. Here in LA, there is a ton of time. You have oodles and oodles of time on your hands. I was sort of like a lion pacing the cage a bit for the first three months. Then my friend Rosa told me ‘Kathy, there is Grace in the slower pace. You will have time and space to investigate yourself. It’s amazing.’ And when I embraced that idea it changed everything. When I need a pick-me-up, I go to NY to get plugged in (I'll be there the first week in June-can't wait!) and then I come back charged.

Q: What's a day in the life of Kathy like? Nothing is typical. I do wake up earlier out here (in L.A.). I'm a 12 Stepper, so I hit up meetings 3-4 times a week. Once a week I have hypnotherapy which has changed my life. My full, 5 week Audition Boot Camp hasn't caught on out here. Seems to be more of a trend toward instant gratification: "I have and audition, so let me coach for it once." I have an entire family that I give voice lessons to. It started out with the son who is 16, then the Mom and now the 13 year old daughter (I kinda want to make her a Disney star). A couple days a week, I work on Rosa’s food truck, Rosa’s Bella Cucina. It’s interesting and totally fun. It’s me and my two roommates, who went to school w Rosa & we've all been in hit Bway shows working on the food truck. There's lots of singing & dancing. It’s so nuts! It’s been like this happy random thing. And then I do get to audition. It’s funny because when I moved out here I was so willing to say goodbye to my acting career. My first month here I had some crazy shit happen: went to network and tested for the TV show Mike and Molly for Molly. Its a very big deal apparently *shrug* I was just thrilled there was a character I understood and seemed a lot like ME. And then, that same week, I booked ‘RENT’ at the Hollywood Bowl. Soon I had a manager and a commercial agent on top of my legit agents. I go in about once a week for stuff. Sometimes more and sometimes less. I don’t have to choose. I can be a slash…actor/producer, actor/director, etc. It’s been really good. I also squeeze in SKYPE coachings and I can't believe it works. All of my high school seniors did brilliantly at their college auditions. And sometime, like today, I have the time to sit and brainstorm the new script I'm thinking of or just journal or update my blog in a coffee place.

Q: How do you handle friends who feel neglected when your career has you super busy? There are people on a daily basis from NY that are always telling me to move back. Its hard. I think there's a fear of success changing the relationship forever.

Truth is, it won't be the same. But I gotta trust that my friendships will be what they're supposed to be. We all grow. But other people’s feelings are not my feelings. In the end, I need to be surrounded by people who want me to be successful and vice versa. Other people’s happiness about me staying where I'm at isn’t going to make me happy. You have to be most concerned with what YOU'RE doing. You have to find your ‘happy.’

Q: For performers who strive to have a packed calendar, what is one piece of advice you'd share about how to balance a busy life and career? A lot of the time people think they have to say YES to everything, especially in the begining; it does help to build up to build up their network. So you start an endless cycle of filling your calendar with so much work that you don’t necessarily care about because you are trying to get yourself out there and it seems harmless since you always make friends when you’re on the job. But there comes a time when you have to get real about what you truly want. Doing readings that are not good is not ok because you are afraid nothing else is out there. It IS ok to say NO. We end up tying ourselves up with jobs where you are treated poorly and auditions you have no interest booking. That is wasted energy. Know what you want and don’t just go to go. It’s a waste of time to fill your day with needless crap. I don’t want just any job. That’s not the artist I want to be. I’d rather have a part time job and coach. You have to be really honest with yourself about who you want to be and what you want to say to the world through your work. When I find myself working for the sake of work and stay way too ong in something because of fear that the next won't come, I check in with my motives as an artist. Work because it’s good and it feels right.

Kathy offers an amazing Audition Bootcamp when she's in NYC and you should definitely follow her Audition Bootcamp Group on Facebook! I took Kathy's Bootcamp back in June 2009 and it was the best thing for me. I was still pretty new to the audition circuit and I got frustrated really fast. I thought I knew myself and what I should be singing. I didn't. Kathy really opened my eyes. I started with one song but after the first class I switched after Kathy spoke about picking songs that reflected who you are and allows you to truly connect. And boy was she right!! It wasn't just a class that teaches you proper audition etiquette...but it was an acting class, a therapy session, a self-help class....and much more. I know you are reading this thinking what the whaaaaaa? But I'm not lying. Each class someone cried. Not because they were emotionally touched by someone's audition performance (Althought that DID happen) but because we let down emotional walls within ourselves in order to connect to our music and lyrics and truly shine as who we really are. And there is nothing more freeing than that. And YES, Kathy's class can really do all that. SO if you are around when she's back in NYC the first week of June her class is a MUST!!!! You won't be sorry! She's also available for private coachings via SKYPE! I'm actually setting one up for myself this summer right before I get back into the audition rat race. She's awesome...and I'm NOT just saying that. You can find her blog at www.coolgirlisdead.blogspot.com .

Side note: Kathy gave me my first callback at Wagner College for 'Godspell.' I didn't get it but it was the first time at Wagner that someone saw and believed in my talent. So, THANKS, Kathy!

I want to thank Mim, Seth, and Kathy for participating in my interviews. I am grateful to them for their help and insight and I know I my readers will be thankful too!

I can certainly attest to the difficult task of maintaining balance in life. As a professional actress I work almost seven days a week and sometimes at very odd hours. I still have to dedicate quality time to my husband and me, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and take care of day to day errands. Now, I have the added stress of starting my own entertainment company. How do I do it? Easy. I have an amazing husband, incredible parents, extremely supportive and understanding friends, and a great sense of humor. I have chosen this busy life...I know it's part of what I must do in order to achieve my dreams and goals. I do, contrary to popular belief, take time for myself and relax. Even if I get an hour to myself a week, I make the most of it. It's easy to become consumed by everything else around you and lose sight of the important things in life, but if you create priorities and remind yourself of those priorities everything works itself out. Now if there were 8 days in a week...that would be wonderful!

Now if you do have people in your life that are constantly interrupting your path to success, you honestly need to question why these people are still in your life. To echo what Kathy said, you have to find your 'happy' and your friends should be a part of that journey. Anyone who sets our to sabotage your happiness has no place in your life. None of us like to be the person to end a relationship but in all honesty is it better to have peace of mind or to always have to defend your dreams and goals to people who clearly don't want you to achieve them. I know there are people reading this that know exactly what I'm talking about. I've had conversations with you about this. Just remember...in life YOU have to take care of YOU. In the words of the great RuPaul "If you can't love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else?"

Thanks for reading this week!

COMING UP....

• Check out my company's new website. STAR OF THE DAY EVENT PRODUCTIONS
  
• June 10-Aug 21 - Happy Days! The Musical - Pines Dinner Theatre, Allentown, PA
  
• June 30 - Reading of 'Poppy and the Magic Tutu' - Wings Conservatory, Chester, NJ
• May 23 & 31 - Cat in the Hat - The Caring Place, Muhlenberg School, Allentown, PA
• June 6 & 13 - Cat in the Hat - The Caring Place, Allentown, PA
• June 18 - Sept 3 - Acting Intensive, Accents Model and Talent Center, Bethlehem, PA
• July 11 - Aug 29 - Theater Arts Workshop Series, Star of the Day Event Productions, Hellertown, PA
• I'm also working on getting those VLOG's going...so hopefully I'll have it ready to go next month.
  
• and more....STAY TUNED!

Quote of the Week: An artist is a creature driven by demons. He doesn't know why they choose him and he's usually too busy to wonder why." ~William Faulkner

Video of the Week: This video is really important to me. It's 5 minutes long and you should watch every second of it. If you've ever lost someone you love you should watch this.

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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