I've been cast in a theatre reading for early July and a new play for mid-October! Can't wait!

I also want to expand my vocabulary. My general lexicon feels too limited for my age and life experience, so I'll work on remedying that. Each blog entry for some time should have at least one new-ish word (for me, that is) in it.

Getting ready for a virtual theatre reading for tonight. I'll post the link when I get it. For now, Major Buttons is letting me know he needs my utmost attention. He is the one who runs things here, you know.

"I didn't become really successful until I was in my thirties. I can still remember sitting on the closet floor of my buddy's house, completely broke. My friends would want to go out to dinner, to get a hamburger, and I couldn't afford to go. They had the money to pay, but I didn't want them to pay. That happened a lot. At one point, I remember my buddy Brad loaning me a hundred dollars. He's now running our production company. I'm still paying that debt off, you know?" - George Clooney

It was Tim's birthday this week! If you haven't wished him Happy Birthday yet, by all means, do so now.

To top the week off, I'm honored and excited to have been accepted to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts summer program. Finalizing the details now, but it feels wonderful to have a future learning from such a stellar school!

"I love it, I'm privileged to do it and I don't know where I'd be without it."
​ - Maggie Smith

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms of all sorts reading this!  

"The happily ever after comes after you've done the work." - Viola Davis

Guess who had another audition and another one coming up this week? I know, I know, me! You didn't see that coming, I'm sure. It just feels good to be doing something creative! With things still being so chaotic in so many different ways, playing a character for even the brief amount of time I get to during an audition helps me find hope in some way. If you're looking for a way to not get lost in the general hopelessness that can swallow us (war, genocide, hatred of whichever marginalized group, inflation, etc), I would recommend finding a creative outlet for you to bask in. For that matter, find ways to surround yourself by more of what makes you happy! I know many of you have one or more adorable critters you care for, or how about a favorite pastime? There's always something that we can do to help ourselves feel a little bit better, a little more sane. I wish for each of you to find a way to find happiness in some way. It can be a bit much to ask at times, I know, but I don't feel it's too much to ask for anyone.

​What makes you happy?
​
"I don't have to be a good person or an evil person; I just need a good script that I can relate to. It's that simple." - Eamonn Walker

Between auditions, interview requests, modeling work, and CPR training, it's been a rather busy past two weeks! Also been booked for a theatre reading, so I'll let all of you know the details when I have them.

"My life is very much in the present today. And that's what theater is all about." - Natasha Lyonne

More fun auditions and I'm enjoying helping Tim with one of his, too!

How are all of you doing? Things are really tough right now, so I hope all of you are feeling okay, or as okay as possible.

I've added ways to help Ukrainian refugees and refugees from other wars/occupations in my past few blog entries, but do you want to help Ukrainians fighting on the front lines, too? Here are some options:

https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate/

https://www.toukrainewithlove.org/

https://www.uwvm.org.ua/?page_id=3031&lang=en

https://vostok-sos.org/donation/


"I still think of myself as a stage actor. When I do film and television, I try to implement what I was taught to do in theatre, to try to stretch into characters that are far from myself." - Tony Shaloub

Got to do a super fun audition yesterday! Been rehearsing for this one for a while, so I'm pleased that this one is complete.

Want to help refugees fleeing not only Ukraine but also, Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan... ? Through Choose Love, you can donate money, goods, volunteer, and fundraise:

http://helprefugees.org/

"When we attach ourselves to national identities, then we enter into a cycle of conflict. I didn't choose where I was born or who to be or what people would call me. I'm a hybrid, from a cultural perspective, but I don't think in these terms. I'm more simple than that." - Ashrof Barhom

I have another audition I'm looking forward to! Also having fun posting footage I've gotten to shoot with super talented colleagues and friends. You can see them on my reels page probably later today.

For more urgent news, if you want to help refugees of Ukraine, Airbnb posted a page where you can host refugees or donate directly:
 
https://www.airbnb.org/help-ukraine

"Stay positive and happy. Work hard and don't give up hope. Be open to criticism and keep learning. Surround yourself with happy, warm and genuine people." - Tina Desae

I've been struggling with writing my weekly blog, as it seems inappropriate considering we are witnessing the beginnings of a war that could turn into World War III. Through this, I am wishing everyone safety and peace. If you'd like to donate to help Ukrainians fighting to protect their country, here are some good options:

Ukraininan Red Cross:
https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ua/donate/~my-donation?_cv=1

Polish Red Cross:
https://pck.pl/wspieraj-nas/

World Central Kitchen:
https://donate.wck.org/give/236738/#!/donation/checkout

Vostok SOS:
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/ukraine-crisis-relief-fund/

Voices of Children:
https://voices.org.ua/en/donat/

Media support:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-ukraines-media-going?fbclid=IwAR2jWrF8nx344X94zBesGMlM1pMEPbV8vMv1N5Dvg5-WGQXcdBzA8QDDGF0

Kyiv School of Economics:
https://kse.ua/support/donation

Humanity & Inclusion:
https://www.hi-us.org/support-ukraine

UNHCR:
https://give.unrefugees.org/220224ukr_emer_d_4983/

Global Empowerment Mission:
https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/mission/ukraine-crisis/

Community Organized Relief Effort:
https://donate.coreresponse.org/give/393950/#!/donation/checkout

International Rescue Committee:
https://help.rescue.org/donate-fr/ukraine-crisis?initialms=ws_modl_fy22_ukraine_mmus&ms=ws_modl_fy22_ukraine_mmus

Maltesser International:
https://www.malteser-international.org/en/donation.html


Do you want a non-war-related distraction? Here is Major Buttons curled up on my backpack while snuggling with his hedgehog toy:

For creative work on my end, I've been having fun auditioning and getting ready for more auditions.

Again, stay safe, everyone.❤️

"You have to laugh at the absurdity of this entire industry and the absurdity of what it is we do. If I didn't, I'd go crazy." - Mila Kunis