Work Begets Work

While I haven't heard anything (which most likely means I did not book the role), I was called in for my first "big" audition on Sunday - a non-speaking co-star role on "MEDIUM". I also had a callback on Monday afternoon with Mark Saks, the Casting Director, and several other people. Both auditions went well, and I felt solid when I left the callback, having bravely "cried, pleaded, and choked to death", which was what the part called for. And when I walked into the room for my callback, Mark Saks took my headshot and resume, then turned to his colleague and said, "Chelsea's another one from Carnegie Mellon. We like to get 'em first, before their rates go up." That made me smile.

This audition was also a breath of fresh air, because I was lucky enough to run into two of my classmates. As I got into the elevator, I bumped into Hunter, and I saw Frank once I got up to the second floor. Seeing two people who went through the same rigorous, exhausting program as me for four years all dressed up and out auditioning, trying to scrape by a living, and just going back to it day after day made me realize that we have all been going through the same thing since we graduated in May. I was so grateful to see familiar smiles from my talented, hardworking colleagues. I hope to see those same smiles gracing the Oscars in ten years. One can dream!

On Tuesday, I worked my first job as an AFTRA extra. I drove out to Valencia for a 10am call for the new NBC show "OUTLAW", and I waited until around 9:15pm to shoot my scene as a featured extra! If you watch (I believe) the third episode in September, you will see me as the girl in the hotel nightclub scene who Eddie (Jesse Bradford, Cliff from "Bring It On") points out as "the type of girl he would like to date." The set of "OUTLAW" was a lot of fun. The hair and makeup women were lovely, especially Honor, who styled my hair and reminded me to, "play the game, but be yourself." I chatted with a couple of really nice guys, including a personal trainer, an aspiring actor from Dublin, and a funny guy who made me laugh on set (which was needed for my take, so a good thing). I met three wonderful girls - Deanna, Meghan, and Amber - whom I hung out with and giggled with for a good part of the day. It felt great to laugh, be silly, and munch with other girls, and I'm hoping to plan some sort of girly sleepover, if that's at all possible without being overly creepy or invasive. I was also impressed by how friendly Jesse, Jimmy Smits, and Carly Pope seemed. They all smiled and said thank-you to the extras after we wrapped, and Carly was just straight-up funny (as in, I would love to hang out and go bar-hopping with her). Maybe someday when I am actually a credible actress, meaning I have good credits under my name, we will do just that.

I am also now teaching three weekly yoga classes, which is a refreshing return for me. I thoroughly enjoy sharing yoga with others, and if I can get a paycheck doing something I love, even better. On Mondays and Fridays, I teach yoga at a company about forty minutes away. On Mondays, I teach the two CEOs from 7-8am, and on Fridays, I teach the two CEOs again from 6:30-7:30am, and then some of the employees from 7:30-8:30am. While it is still hard to drag myself out of bed before six in the morning, when I get back home to West Hollywood at 9am, I feel more grounded and optimistic for the day than when I left. The company is going to also consider having me come in to teach a weekly cardio class (I'm thinking a kickboxing/ boot camp blend), so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Someday, should I ever find myself in a situation where I have the luxury of surplus money, I would love to get officially certified to teach kickboxing, spinning, boot camp, and maybe personal training, even nutrition and raw cooking. I love helping people find happiness through health.

These were my wins for the week. :)

My losses? A rumor that the restaurant I work in may not be open for September, and the fact that I had to get a new card after there were several fraudulent charges on my card yesterday. While the charges were minor, I am still confused as to how someone got hold of my information, and irritated as well. I find it hard to fathom that people have no guilt about stealing everything from someone who works hard to save, penny by penny. Yet at the same time, whomever got my information must have been thoroughly let down when they realized there really isn't much to steal. As far as the job situation goes, we'll see where we're at come the first of September.

Tomorrow morning, I have my first casting director workshop, so I need to get some shut-eye. :)

And also, I would like to send a thank-you to whomever anonymously mailed me a copy of the book Mama's Bank Account. I came home from work tonight to find the mysterious package, mailed all the way from Missouri, yet I have a sneaking suspicion that the book was actually sent from a very stealthy, very kind woman in Houston. You know who you are. And I love you very much. :) I'm proud of you.