Late to the Party...But Still Gonna Dance!

It's been a little minute since I last wrote a blog post.  Why...because I was HUSTLING my brown behind off.  Lets see, I was in Pittsburgh giving what I feel has been some of my best theatrical work yet.  I was auditioning for (and booked) an Equity (the Actor's Equity Association...the Broadway Union for those unfamiliar) musical that I'm a lead in at the White Plains Performing Arts Center. I was also "almost" booking (lol) some network work.  Meaning they auditioned me a few times, then called my rep to check my availability but have not said yay or neigh yet lol. I didn't get to write to you all because I was busy interviewing for the DGA (Director's Guild of America) Trainee Program that I applied to back in the winter. I was chosen to take the exam, passed, then was one of the 75 chosen for prelim interviews out of the 300 of us that passed the test.  No word on that either, but hey, whatever happens, I did my best.  I have also been working on getting my television pilot "I Talk to Myself" shopped, as I've recently optioned it to a very connected person in the TV space.  And ironically, I've now optioned and signed on to produce an amazing dark narrative feature by a new screenwriter. I've been working on developing an Urban Shakespeare Theatrical Drama that I'm Producing and Casting, yet still finding time to submit all over the place to various Producer's workshops, writing competitions, etc., etc., etc. 

I hope that this doesn't sound like I'm bragging or being obnoxious by saying all that stuff that I've been up to in just this first quarter of the year.  I am not trying to do that.  But my point in all of this is, I have been climbing up this steep hill for MANY YEARS.  In 2006 I took my first step to be a professional adult actor and solo performer. In this last decade I've seen some highs and experienced some gut wrenching lows.  However, now in 2016, I'm truly seeing things manifest.  Getting into the SAG/AFTRA union, getting my EMC status started, creating more and more work, being recognized on panels and in various documentaries for my work as a female creative of color who is looking to tell the stories of other such beings... It's all slowly but surely working in my favor.  Completing my cert with NYU in Producing, becoming a Certified Community Producer for BRIC Media, getting a pilot green-lit for BRIC TV that I'm producing AND hosting! The progress is ever moving!

But the thing is, I thought I'd be here in my 20's!  Now, closing in on 40...it's like whoa.  Thankfully my biological parents have seemingly amazing genes and I don't look my age, but as a result I'm out here fighting for roles as a 20-something, with ACTUAL 20-somethings.  And whereas I'm almost 40 just getting into the Equity pool, I know teens that are years into the union.  So there have been MANY times where I've felt "sheesh, I'm finally invited to the party, but boy am I late!"  However, better late than not at all, right? And in retrospect, had I accomplished any of these things even five years ago, I would have known nothing in comparison to what I know now, and I would not have been able to likely maintain the success gracefully or possibly even emotionally.  

My past is littered with very tragic events and many things that may have broken some folks.  Sh*t...some of it broke me down many times over.  But I always knew I wanted this. So with support of many of you, my friends and my family, I am now here. Living my dreams.  To wake up in the morning, work out, make breakfast, head to rehearsals, come home, work some more, work out again and go to bed.  That is truly my perfect day.  It's tough, it's tiring, but it's so rewarding. 

Shining Starrs, I beg you!  If there is something, ANYTHING that you want to do, accomplish, inquire about, investigate, try...just DO IT! Now I encourage you to ensure that you've done your due diligence, but research it, learn what you need to in order to start out on a good foot, and then just go for it! It doesn't matter how old you are, or how old you THINK that you are.  It doesn't matter who doesn't get it.  It doesn't matter who may not support your decisions or the dreams you chase.  Be your own cheerleader and the battery in your own back and do the damn thing.  Because if you don't, you will live in wonder and possibly regret.  All while your spot is now taken by someone willing to jump off of the ledge and allow God (or whomever you believe is your higher power) the opportunity to catch them and help them to fly.

So I say...put on your dancing shoes, fake the tango or the cha-cha slide 'til you know it...and DANCE.  The party isn't over until you decide to pack up your stuff and go home.  But you can't go home, if you never even made it out of the house in the first place.  

Tell us how you are shining starrs! What party are you planning to attend?  Or what are you already working on?  Let us know how we at MOOREthanEnuff can support your efforts and/or shout out someone else who is making it happen!

Yours in God's Time & With a Two-Step

~ Miss O 

Photo credit: CrossCurrents