Monthly Updates on Adventures in La-La Land
December 2008
Wrapped a short feature called Very Far Away playing Olympia, a British woman whose grown children are leaving home & forcing her to face her loveless marriage. Had a mind-blowing experience in Larry Moss's workshop Dec. 11-14. Portraying Becca in Rabbit Hole was an illuminating experience. I so appreciate the level of excellence Larry demands of his students and am recommitting in 2009 to writing morning pages daily, reading as many plays as I can weekly, and moving ahead with my current screenplay. Happy holidays, everyone!
November 2008
Feeling thankful for each opportunity that comes my way. Shot an ad campaign in San Diego for a casino; did some print work for an L.A. stock photography house; in preparations for Larry Moss's advanced scene study in December -- preparing the role of Becca in David Lindsay-Abaire's Rabbit Hole; the mother of a 4 year-old boy who has recently been killed by a teenage driver. Also in preps for a studio dance performance in December -- ballet, modern and jazz with a great group of dancers at LAVC. So many ways to aspire, to express, to grow. I am truly grateful.
October 2008
Who says Halloween is just for kids? Meow!
Thank you to Eric Dawson for casting me, and to Dirk Craft for directing me, as Patricia O'Brian on Nip/Tuck. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on set with the talented cast and crew of this ground-breaking show. Being on the Paramount Lot in my own dressing room trailer was quite a thrill, too. Will add those scenes to my reel when it airs. Meantime, staying busy as ever - shot some print work this month (gee, I remember modeling - feels like a hundred years ago!) Loving dance, auditioning constantly, remembering to kick some leaves and smile at pumpkin patches.
September 2008
After many months of training and preparation, my voiceover reel was completed this month; voiceover auditions now underway. Thank you to Warren Meyers for mentorship in this field. I have been cast in a short feature; am preparing to shoot an excerpt from "Gosford Park" -- playing Helen Mirren's original role, Mrs. Wilson. She is a wonderfully shrouded character: all British and taciturn. Continuing with on-camera classes weekly, and adding several dance classes a week to my routine. Just enjoying the process, as the industry rallies. Happy birthday to me on the 29th, and happy fall to all of you.
August 2008
Attended a transforming 3-day intensive workshop with Margie Haber, a terrific on-camera acting teacher and all-round awesome dame. She signed a copy of her book How to Get the Part Without Falling Apart to me with the kind inscription "Pamela - You are terrific. Full of life. Never change - trust it!" Working a small role on a short feature, auditioning with frequent callbacks, writing, working out, completing my voiceover reel. Spiritual-retreat vacation later this month -one last gasp of air before the jolly madness ensues!
July 2008
Summer in CA is a great time to reflect. I am working on embracing stillness, both in my acting work and in my life. I celebrate with much gratitude the successes of this first year in L.A. and am presently devoting myself to my writing and voiceover work. Auditions and classes continue, as do dance and pilates. Accepted a job offer to be lead singer in a classic rock band called Rendition and will begin gigging a few times a month July 26 - lots of the same songs I spent 4 years performing with Checkered Past back east. Should be fun! Okay - so maybe I'll embrace stillness when I'm NOT rocking out to Led Zeppelin. {Those who know me realize how funny this is...! Hey, it's a process, people. I never said I was THERE yet!}
June 2008
Savage in Limbo has been very well-received, with generous crowds and much laughter and a few tears as well. Quite a character for me -- I don't think I've ever been as un-done and un-kempt in public! But April is a plum role and it has been my honor to portray her -- alcoholism, mental illness and all. LA Times gave a positive review, as did others, which was great to see. I am busy with commercial auditions and ongoing study -- currently taking an improv class at the Pantages Theatre and working on my voiceover reel with a great director in Burbank. Longing for television work: practicing patience and daily re-committing to the journey.
May 2008
Wrapped Biking with Andrew Scott and was touched to receive several ovations during the run as well as floral bouquets on closing night from my co-star and producer (thanks, guys!) Had a nice review in the Toluca Lake Times for my role as Stephanie: "acting was top notch". Currently knee-deep in preparations for my role of April White in Savage in Limbo at the Two Roads Theatre.
April 2008
Began this month shooting the lead role in a sitcom at USC where I was privileged to work with Steven Zuckerman (best known as director on Friends.) Currently in the middle of performances of Biking with Andrew Scott, which will continue until May 9. Have accepted a role in an upcoming production of John Patrick Shanley's Savage in Limbo being produced in North Hollywood. Rehearsal dates for this new play overlap with performance dates of the current one. A great situation to be in, for someone who loves theatre as much as I do! Five week run of Savage begins May 30.
March 2008
March came in like a lion with many work opportunities -- both on- and off-camera. I shot the lead role of Emma in L.A. Film School's production of Harold Pinter's Betrayal. This ten-page excerpt of a powerful script entailed mastering a British dialect and portraying an upper-class wife who is confronted by her husband about her affair with his best friend. Concurrent with this project, I prepared and presented the demanding one-act Rosemary With Ginger by Edward Allan Baker for the master's acting class at Edgemar led by the incomparable Larry Moss. The dialect on this was New England (Rhode Island) and the role was an impoverished alcoholic who is about to lose custody of her children. My main focus now is on rehearsals for Biking With Andrew Scott. Auditions continue, as do dance, Pilates, and vocal work. Feeling optimistic. Happy Spring!
February 2008
Landed a terrific lead role in a new play: Biking With Andrew Scott is a dark comedy about the effect of suicide. Stephanie is a life-long control-freak trying desperately to hold everyone else's life together as hers falls apart. Biking With Andrew Scott's World Premiere will take place at the Write Act Theatre Company in Hollywood. Previews are April 4 to 5, opening is April 10. The play runs April 10 through May 17, 2008 (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays). Rehearsals starting up soon.
January 2008
Began the new year in rehearsals for the first two weeks, which led into performances of The Shadow Box to full audiences and standing ovations. How humbling and wonderful to have worked with this cast and crew on such a poignant and well-received production. Best of all, the new formation of Zuma Repertory Company will allow me to continue to express myself theatrically with talented peers while pursuing film and television roles. In related news: just booked a role in A Jolly Flash of Red, shooting next month. Playing Agent Tripp, a detective who becomes tangled up in a comedic hunt for Santa. Sounds fun, doesn't it?
December 2007
Just cast in the upcoming music video of one of my favorite bands of all time: The Eagles. The song "Too Busy Being Fabulous" skewers L.A. narcissism and is set at an upscale party on Mulholland Drive. Earlier this month -- shot an episode of "Dirt" for FX-TV. Played a friend of Lucy's (Courtney Cox) character's mother Dorothy (Mariette Hartley) at her funeral. Fun scene - was directed to flirt with the newly available grieving widower (!) Auditions have heated up as well - soaps, commercials, film. Continuing rehearsals for Shadow Box are going great, word is the production will be reviewed by the LA Times and others.
November 2007
How's this for a nice blessing right before Thanksgiving? I have been cast in the dynamic role of Beverly in The Shadow Box at the Malibu Stage Company. Beverly is the ex-wife of a terminally ill man in this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. Thank you to Michelle Danner for recommending me for the role, and to director Rick Johnson for casting me. I am also working on two Tennessee Williams roles: Blanche (Streetcar Named Desire) and Princess Kosmonopolis (Sweet Bird of Youth). When not memorizing reems of text I can generally be seen fighting traffic on the 405 between meetings and auditions. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Thankful, indeed.
In related news: I signed with Independent Artists Agency for commercial representation and am looking forward to beginning that working relationship. Thank you to the IAA triumvirate: Laura Fogelman, Beverly Kline, and Jenine Leigh for catching the vision.
October 2007
Have begun meeting with agents. Bliss: regular dance classes again after a long hiatus - jazz and ballet at the Debbie Reynolds Studio. My background as a competitive skater inclines me toward this form of expression; already the posture is seeping into my physicality in scene work. Hiking/tennis/jogging/gym. Ongoing vocal exercises with Bob Corff. Booked a cable access hosting gig but producers subsequently decided to use non-union talent only. Auditions are heating up.
September 2007
Settling into the new neighborhood. Took Michelle Danner's excellent Advanced Technique workshop and am enjoying her Advanced Scene Study class. Sending out cover letters and pix/resumes to agencies upon recommendation of my manager and other industry contacts. Working out daily, writing, and enjoying the artist's life. Recently read The Secret. Watch out, world!
August 2007
Arrived 8/15 after a 6-day drive across VA, TN, AR, OK, TX, NM, AZ, and CA. Settling into a great new home in the Studio City area. Thank you everyone for your interest in my journeys, both literal and metaphoric.
