The Play Has Played

(written 7/12/11)

Hey Bloggers!

So it has been a long three weeks or so since I last wrote to you all. I wish I had more to tell you than normal, but there really is not much to report other than the results of my play....

#ShakespeareIsDead has finally had its debut in Hollywood this past weekend! We had over 125 people show up for the play, and we sold out 2 of the 3 nights. How great is that? I was totally surprised by the support of the local theater community towards our show. I really did not think more than ten or so people would show, but I was dead wrong. Thanks to all whom came out this weekend! I appreciate it.

Of the three nights, the last night was our best performance night, and the night i made all of the lighting Q's. I was the stage manager, and in charge of the Q's for the show. It was not as easy as it looked. Once I got the hang of it though, I was able to do well. The first night, I missed one or two cues which made one actress go to black while she was in the middle of a monologue and another was during the scene transition, where I raised the lights way too early. Oops!

The second night, Saturday, there was an audience work light that was on for the first 9 scenes of the show. I could not figure out how to turn it off! I was panicking because it was ruining every scene and transition. Finally, I figured it out, but I was sweating!!

Then the third and final night, I finally made and hit all my Q's! YAY! I was so proud of myself!

It seems crazy that the play is now over, when it feels like we just debuted! One audience member, and family member to one of the actors, wants to take this play to Shakespeare festivals and hopefully get a production team behind it, and bring it to off broadway (??!!). I will believe it when I see it! But it is amazing to have touched someone with a local project and has an even greater vision for it. Who knows what will happen.

Thank you, Kyle, my brother, for designing the amazing program and banner! It looked wonderful. Thank you, again, for your amazing support! You would be glad to know that was hung on Santa Monica Boulevard for three days at the beginning of Theater Row. Woo Hoo!

So, yep. Good last three weeks, especially the last week and a half. We had rehearsal everyday, plus an overnight rehearsal in the space, tech night, then three straight performances. Not too shabby for a first production.

I will admit I am proud of myself. We created our own original play, made our own project, and performed it in Hollywood to several people. Not many people can say they did that. Yay!

Who knows what will happen from here. Until then.... good night!

Normal vs. Extraordinary

(written on Tuesday 10/13/10)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have superpowers? Or to have influence like Oprah to accomplish things? Have you ever wanted a "super" job? I have to all of the above.

I have been thinking a lot this week about success as most people do, and it has occurred to me, I do not want to be normal or average. I want to excel in all that I apply myself too; I want to achieve. No, I am not seeking fame or celebrity, but I am seeking the ability to influence others on a large scale. I seek the opportunity to be important to my family, community, and others beyond our boundaries. I wish for an extraordinary career.

Now, this may seem a bit cocky, and I assure you it is not. I am just putting my confidence out there for I want to be heard. There is nothing wrong with being normal in this world. It's just I want to stand out. I want to go beyond what is expected of myself. Maybe I am an overambitious girl, but I feel like all this ambition has no outlet. It has been kept inside for years, and no way out since I have not had the opportunity to apply it elsewhere but my imagination.

The other day, I was walking in a really nice Hollywood house. I drive by them a lot as well. It gets me thinking... is this at all possible for me? Will I ever be that successful to live the way I have dreamed? Is it in the cards for me?

That is why I love meeting and learning about those who are. I love talking to executives for that reason. I want to learn their journey to success. If they can do it, how am I any different? Just because I want something so badly does not mean I will ever get it.

When people ask me what my dream career is, I think of people like Jerry Bruckheimer, Don Hahn, Julie Andrews, and more. I know I will not be the next Jerry Bruckheimer, but I want to strive for a sliver of the amount of success he has had. I do not just want to be content with my own bubble. I want to inspire others, to lead them, to make them believe that they are better than they think, that we all have untapped potential to go anywhere in life. I want inspiration to be my superpower (aside from being invisible or flying of course).

To me, I want to become a successful television executive that has an eye for talent and powerful messages in my programming. I want to start a new idea that family entertainment is the strongest form of entertainment around. I want to push for political and social issues I believe in. I hope to one day make a public speech at a college or university for women or other students. I mean, I ran for student council President every single year since sixth grade and never won. I want to lead.

I am so driven by my idea of helping others and being successful in my career, that I have even started a "Future Wall" in my room. I want to visualize my future. Yes, I have some superficial things on there like Ralph Lauren clothing and a castle to own in France, but it also has strong women leaders, public speeches, a large family in a nice home, and donation to a charity taped on my wall.

Maybe I will never get here, but I at least want to say I tried to get there. I dreamt it, and I went for it. In fact, I may never get there. That thought has crossed my mind, and it is a slight reservation, but I am determined to make a life for myself and others. I want a life to look back upon and be proud and say I have done a lot, seen a lot, and meant a lot to others. It is not A-list celebrity I seek, but the financial means to contribute to all of my passions, interests and issues at heart. I want an extraordinary career in hopes that one day an intern will want to ask me, "How did you make it?"

I wonder what my explanation will be?