Actors Equity Turns 100

Another centennial today with the Actors Equity Association!

I became a member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA thorough my work on All My Children, and As the World Turns. I have always been so thankful for the great working conditions these Actor's Unions have given us over many many years and for being a part of this fabulous actor's community in New York City.

Happy birthday AEA!!

My sassy centennial gold card and commemorative pin

Tip for Actors

Recently I have been exploring the world of casting more, and the joys (sometimes pains ;)) of viewing the industry from the other side of the table.  I cannot tell you what an eye-opening experience this has always been for me.  Every time I help a casting agent I learn so much that I could never learn from a class or audition. I receive weekly tips from this wonderful studio and I thought this weeks article summed up my experiences perfectly.  Check out the studio at:

www.scottpowers.com

WEEKLY TIP FOR 2.22.13

AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED APPROACH TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER

It is vital that performers know not only how to act and market themselves, but how the business works from all sides.  Nothing is more distressing than meeting someone for the first time, have an initial interest and then discover that they are clueless about the industry.

One of the approaches that we have recommended with great results to abolish this situation is - ready? - go for an internship or be a reader.  At a talent agency, casting company, or a personal manager.  Internships are basically unpaid or low-paid or transportation/meal stipend paid positions.  They can be a few hours a week, on a daily basis or for a specified period of time.  Interns open the morning mail and email, field phone calls, assist in castings, file headshots, watch the actors/models coming in and out of the office, interface with the industry, discover what problems the business has to grapple with day in and day out, maybe even sit in on the decision making process.  You will have a great first-hand to generally/specifically observe how the industry - the "other side" - REALLY works.  What a great opportunity you created for yourself!  And if you know THAT, your pursuits of your acting career will absolutely benefit.

Being a reader for auditions at a casting company gives an actor first-hand experience on how the casting process works.  What works and what doesn't.  Talk about an eye-opening experience!

The old excuse that being an intern or reader will make "them" look down on you or that you're not an actor anymore doesn't hold true.  You will be respected for being enterprising and your seriousness and maturity in setting up a situation for you to gain a full understanding of the industry.

Are interns all really young?  No.  If you're, say, over 30++, don't worry about it.  You bring to the position certain life experiences and approaches that someone younger hasn't had yet.

Be pro-active.  You contact them.  Most offices have a continuous need for interns.  You can approach a company in general or target a specific person.  Want to get in good with an agent?  Offer to intern for them.  Want to get in good with a casting director?  Offer to intern; be a reader for them.  Send them your headshot via email or snail mail and on the outside, mark "INTERN APPLICATION" or "READER APPLICATION" (or on the Subject line if email) and inside have a brief cover note. Tell them what qualities you can bring to an internship or being a reader.  Tell them what times/days of the week you are available and how long you can be available.  Follow up in a few days with a phone call - stating you sent your headshot because you're interested in interning with them.  Your call WILL be welcomed.

Your internship or being a reader will change your outlook forever.  Not only will you have a much better understanding of the business, but you will have a much better appreciation of it as well (and there would be a lot less moaning and groaning out there!)

Of course, if we could only get the agents and casting directors out on a few auditions and go-sees to see what the actor/model goes through, we might have a nearly perfect world....

Scott Powers
Scott Powers Studios
www.scottpowers.com

The Oscars 2013

Well we all know how I feel about 

The Oscars.

So I don't really need to repeat my over the top, dramatic, exclamations again over the most glamorous night of the year (right behind cinco de mayo, naturally) but I DO have to post some of my favorite pictures from the best annual night celebrating film.

This has always been one of my faves...wouldn't you like to be a fly on that wall listening in on two of the most glamorous legends of all time? (have I used the word glamorous enough yet?)

A compilation of backstage pictures from celebrity photographer Art Streiber:

 Miss Scarlett herself - Vivien Leigh

 Jimmy Stewart and Ginger Rogers

The glamorous Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood making their arrival

The nominated films I saw this year were Les Miserables, Argo,  Life of Pi and Silver Linings Playbook.  They were all outstanding, but Silver Linings was the most surprising to me. I really really enjoyed it, but Jason seems to think it was because we got to hear a talkback with Bradley Cooper after the movie.

I have no idea what he is talking about.

Cooper, DiNiro, and moderator.

I am not sure how I feel about Seth MacFarlane hosting, as is the rest of Hollywood apparently, but hopefully we will see some entertaining moments and lots and lots of...you guessed it....GLAMOUR!

Who were your favorite hosts of the Oscars?

Sophisticated Sunday at the Oscars

I love the Oscars.  I don't care that they are probably fixed, under-rehearsed, and as political as a presidential campaign, I love them for this.

and this:

and this!

You got it. The most sophisticated, stunning designers and dresses in the world come out this night. I really don't think I would have to win an Oscar to be happily in heaven with Badgley Mischka, Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton teams fussing over me. Well, maybe the statue would be a nice accessory in the end.

That, and Cirque du Soleil! WHAT WAS THAT?!?! I need to book my trip to Vegas NOW. Amazing amazing amazing.

A bit shocked as to how fast this week went by. I feel like I don't even know what happened. Ok it's coming back to me. I re-did my webpage a little bit...www.adrianalomysh.com...still needs a total overhaul reno but I simplified (sensing a theme here?), switched out new pictures and changed my recording clips. Got my new business cards, new thank you cards and new headshots printed...

Which leads me to my quote of the week. As actors we focus on business business business, but in the meantime we also must focus on making art and connecting with our maker to connect with our audiences. After watching the Oscars tonight one can see where that is a fairly clear distinction. Art juxtaposed with big publicity stunt. So I end with a quote from the legendary actress to win two Oscars and was first actress to be nominated for ten Academy Awards.

Without wonder and insight, acting is just a business. With it, it becomes creation.
~ Bette Davis

And The Envelope Please...

Tonight's show... The Envelope Please. A smorgasbord of award winning Film, TV and musical theater music. I sing everything from Judy Garland to Celene Dion and back again. It's one of those shows that with the costume changes you feel like you are being shot out of a cannon from the minute you step onto the stage. But they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I concur.

Sooner or Later from Dick Tracy

Danger Zone

The Man that Got Away-A tribute to Judy Garland

Anything Goes-understudies are Delovely

I have put off seeing Anything Goes on the Broadway throughout my entire vacation so I could see it with Mama Mo for the following reasons.  
A. We are pretty much obsessed with Cole Porter.  
B. She has seen me in Anything Goes playing both Reno Sweeney and Hope Harcourt (not to worry it was not in the same production) And...
C. We saw Sutton Foster in her star is born musical moment, Thoroughly Modern Millie before she even won her first Tony award. We were revved UP.

Wellllll...as the little white paper understudy inserts fell out of our playbills we realized that neither she nor Joel Grey were performing that night. It's always a bummer to not see the original cast (we are spoiled) but I was SO happy to see a friend of mine and respected fellow Firesider take on the title role.  The Fireside legend Tari Kelly was FABULOUS and I was in awe of her and the whole cast of this wonderful, true classic musical. (The Fireside was my first equity theater job-great place...I will always have a soft spot in my heart for it.) I saw people returning their tickets before the show started and I could not help but think...is this not what happened to Sutton? plucked from the chorus and into stardom? New Yorkers are spoiled!!!
Main note: Go understudies.  Support them. They are overworked, underpaid and most of the time have to fill very big shoes.
Side note. BRING BACK TAPPING!!! That was a belted side note I apologize, but very necessary.

Follies and Room Service

Uh. My. GERSH. Remember how I saw Miss Bernadette in "A Little Night Music" last spring and fell in love with her even more than I already am? I am officially deeper in love after seeing her in Follies today.

I know it looks like we get paid just to prance about the stage having a good ol time as actors but let me tell you she deserves every comma in her paycheck because that woman has a complete nervous breakdown whilst having to carry a tune on stage 8 times a week. Brilliance though a belted breakdown. She and Sondheim are the reason I do theater, so when I see her do Sondheim I am totally and utterly inspired.

After the show we ate at a shabby chic Asian inspired Thai restaurant called Room Service.

 They don't have a web page I can find but here is the Yelp page.  So good, so affordable and the ambiance was a cross between a Buddhist temple and a trendy lounge with a giant Phantom of the Opera chandelier just chillin in the middle of the space. Apparently Buddha loves the bling. I love a blingy Buddha who giveth me coconut tempura calamari.

"All My Children"

It's the end of an era. I have vivid memories of my mom watching AMC growing up-she definitely most definitely had a crush on "Tad" as did all women of the 80's.  I then had the pleasure of working on the show for many years when it was still in New York. I totally bawled watching the last episode which either makes me a drama queen or a theater nerd who cries at the final curtain of any show. Let's go with both. Sad to have to say goodbye to a great workplace and New York City staple for many actors over it's 41 year reign.  Here are some of my memories on set...everyone there was so kind and so professional...it really was like a family!

With David Canary

With Jill Larson (If you look closely I am enjoying the sweet relief of pink slippers in between takes.)

With my Mom's crush- TAD! Played by the darling Michael Knight and flanked by actress Julia Tobey

With Cameron Mathison

With Colin Egglesfield

Taking Mama Mo Backstage

The show must go on even without a voice (what you can't see I didn't have in these pictures) and Mama Mo wanted to see the show going on backstage too. The shows are challenging onstage, but it's what happens behind the scenes that takes it to a whole new level. Here we are with the Kents after their full of crazy quick changes guest entertainer program.

Mama Barbie

I have no idea what we are laughing at here, but I swear I'm not trying to claw anyone.

The massive boots I wear under this massive skirt:

So onstage I look like this:

Then out of the hat it's that big first night!

I hope eveyone is getting my lyrics references...if not, you may want to check out my sports entries instead. ;)
Backstage pics of opening night:

Another openin, another show!

AN ODE TO COLE PORTER:
Four weeks you rehearse and rehearse...(more like six but who's counting)

Three weeks and it couldn't be worse...

One week will it ever be right...

Send in the Clowns

I did my full costume fitting today and it was one of those moments again  (when you are totally exhausted and beyond your wits) that make it all worth the "drama".  I am wearing, by far, the most beautiful costumes I ever have worn in my life in this production!

I feel like I'm playing out one of my fantasies as a little girl. I am wearing the most amazing ballgowns that fit like a second skin, I was handed a tiara to go with which costume? who knows, who cares! I'm playing Barbie in the biggest pink hoop-skirt you have ever seen (the tiara might possibly go with that one), and I am a eight foot Avatar tree. Well the Avatar thing may not have been part of my dreams but singing Send in the Clowns in this gorgeous traditional period piece definitely was! Ok that might be an adult dream, but point being, adult fairy tales do come true!

I tried to make an average backstage pic look "Vintage". Might be blurry but hopefully it does the trick.