London Calling

I just returned from London, after a wonderful week! In short, I babysat for great kids, and spent time with my awesome aunt. In more detail, I explored nearly every playground in London, discovered the best chocolate in the world (Candy Buttons), and came home with a beautiful new dress from the same shop where Kate Middleton purchased her engagement dress!

I arrived late in the evening, and Anne picked me up at Paddington Station. It's an interesting feeling to arrive somewhere without a working cell phone. Half of me loved being totally disconnected, and half of me felt really out of control. We went home to Anne's and stayed up all night talking!   

I babysat all day, every other day that week. Highlights included the duck tour, swimming at The Harbour Club, and riding Holland Playground's zip line. I was really blessed to be working with a family I'm very close to in New York. They treat me like part of the family, and do things like insisting I order a glass of wine with lunch. It doesn't get much better than that, folks! The kids all 3 have their own, fun personality, and I got to know them even better in London. Some of my favorite quotes:                                                                                                                           "Emily, I'm going to barbecue your bottom like a basket of boneless chicken wings." -4 year old who was not happy that I told him it was time to clean up.

My man, Henry and me!

Mr. and Mrs. Personality

Little Ruby

"This brush blew over from Buckingham Palace. The queen uses it to clean her horses." -6 year old referring to the scrub brush she found on the terrace of her flat.

The greatest family ever!

In addition to babysitting, I had a so much fun  with Anne, Sebastien and Lily. Seb and Lily are perfection in human form. They are such good kids, and truly a pleasure to be around. Whether it was telling jokes at the dinner table, or showing off hip hop moves (Lily has a fierce coffee grinder), we were always laughing.

My wonderful cousins. Love them so much!

We went to see Matilda the Musical on Wednesday night. The show was SO well done! They had choreographed swing sets, the most colorful stage I've ever seen, and a hilarious actor playing Ms. Trunchbull.  I can't wait for the show to open on Broadway in the US because it is truly a masterpiece. After the musical, I thoroughly embarrassed Seb when I hailed a cab NYC style. Apparently they don't scream or run after taxis in London...oops!

With Anne, I also had a delicious dinner at a French restaurant. 

 tried lots of new food and loved all of it! Anne has the most incredible group of friends. After dinner, we went to the Arts Club (most exclusive private members club in London) to celebrate her friend's birthday.  I met a lovely Swedish boy and enjoyed a dance or two. :) 

Anne and me outside The Arts Club

My dinner at Orrery

The next morning, we went and had amazing luxury pedicures at Beauty Works West, and then I was on my own for the afternoon. I navigated the city solo, only taking one cab all day, and went shopping at all the best places! That evening I cooked lasagna (success!)

I found this awesome, pink car on a Mews! I had to get a picture 

Not only was London and absolute blast that hardly felt like work, but it was also a bit of a vacation. I didn't have to balance day jobs with auditions, and run all over Manhattan like a crazy person trying to fit everything in. It was a slower, childlike pace of life, and just what I needed for "Spring Break."

Audition Tales

In honor of audition season, I thought it only fit to share a few anecdotes from the past weeks.


My friend Kayla said something profound the other day. We were on the 5th hour of auditioning, and had probably hit 3 or 4 that day. She looked at me and said, "You know how sometimes you go to the movies and after all the previews you can't even remember what you originally went to see? That's how I feel about auditions. What are we auditioning for right now?"
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I went in for my favorite casting director, walked to the piano, and set down my binder. When I went to turn the page and open the music I had prepared, I couldn't find it. WHY hadn't I kept my finger in the right place as I walked in the room?! As I shuffled through my music in a completely silent room, I could feel the judgment on the creative team's eyes. (she's so unorganized, what a loser, is this her first audition etc etc). The CD looked at me and said, "EM! What are you trying to find?" I told him, and he proceeded to walk onto the stage and help me look through my book. We found it together, and he then re-introduced me to the room. He's such a class act, but boy was I embarrassed!
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I auditioned for PCLO, one of the top 5 Summer Seasons in the country. I was hoping to sing for my audition, but they announced that they would only see non-union girls for the dance call. Oh goody. Well, I found out it was the opening combo from A Chorus Line. I have learned that one a time or two, so I decided to just go for it. I walked in the room and BAAYORK LEE was there. She wasn't just watching. She was running the audition. I was in awe. They started with "5-6-7-8" and my heart skipped a beat. Before long, everyone in  the room was clapping to the beat,and dancing their hearts out. After we had all learned the combo (10 minutes), they lined is up in groups of two, facing away from the mirror and each pair performed e combo for the creative team. Right before it was my turn, Baayork walked up to me, touched my hand, and said, "You can do this! All you need to remember is to smile your beautiful smile." like a true theatre nerd I started crying. I danced the combo with tears in my eyes. It was the perfect reminder of how blessed I am to be pursuing my dream, and doing what I love.

Kayla and me on a four-audition day.
dance shoes, check! dance clothes, check!
audition dress, check!
rep book, check!

Scorned: Love Kills

Tonight, my first television show aired. My role was tiny, but it was there... on the Discovery Channel.

Here's a link to watch if you're interested...my little scene is within the first ten minutes. Don't blink, or you'll miss it!

http://www.tvrage.com/shows/id-30535/episodes/1065146690

Living by faith, not by sight.

I've been thinking a lot about the future lately.  I feel as if I'm getting closer to booking really great gigs, which only makes the rejections more disappointing. This week I auditioned for eleven jobs in six days... One would have relocated me to Hilton Head, SC for a month this spring, one would have paid thousands of dollars and completely changed my life from a financial standpoint, and most would have just meant getting paid for what I love. I would have been happy to book any of them, but I did not.

Some of my auditions were open calls. For example, on Friday, I was signed up at 7:00 am for an audition, and was #268. At 5:15 pm, I got to sing my 16-bar cut of "A Little Bit in Love" (approximately 30 seconds). Over half of the people that signed up (Everyone after #300) didn't even get to audition. Regardless, I waited ten hours for less than a minute of time in front of the directors...600 actors waited for their minute too! This business is ridiculous. This of course was a bit crazier than a lot of my auditions...Now that I've been here for awhile, I get appointments somewhat frequently. Appointments mean at least one person involved in the production (casting director, music director, producer or someone else) is very interested in having me in the production, and wants me to audition. Of course the appointments boost the ego a bit, but more importantly they mean I get there fifteen minutes before the audition, do my thing, and leave... no long lines at 6:00 am in the cold weather, and no sitting around all day in a holding room that reeks of stinky feet and hairspray. They're a huge time saver.

Friday afternoon, as I sat in Starbucks (I had to get away from the musical theatre girls waiting at the audition studio) next to a 60-year-old looney tune who was still trying for her "big break" and thought I wanted to hear about it, I began to wonder what my goals were. Is my goal Broadway? Sure, I'd get $1600+ a week, and love my life, but I'd also do eight shows a week, rarely get a holiday, and do very little aside from eating, sleeping and performing. I started to feel huge amounts of anxiety as I thought about the ideal situation that would result from all of my hard work... Is it really worth never moving back to the South? Is it worth dealing with the constant rejection for the rest of my life? Is it worth piecing together hourly jobs of tutoring, babysitting, and waitressing to come up with rent each month?

My answer...for now, yes, and that's all that matters. While I definitely had a hard week, I have realized that my passion for the arts is still there. I'm here in my dream city, doing what I want to do, and I'm grateful for that... in the meantime, I'm going to try to not worry about the future as much, and enjoy the present. I'm going to take each audition as it comes.  I'm going to enjoy the awesome things about New York, and not the lack of Southern-ness in my life.

In her book, Jesus Calling, Sarah Young writes (from the perspective of God):
Follow me one step at a time. That is all I require of you. In fact, that is the only way to move through this space/time world. You see huge mountains looming, and you start wondering how you're going to scale those heights. Meanwhile, because you're not looking where you're going, you stumble on the easy path where I am leading you now. As I help you get back on your feet, you tell Me how worried you are about the cliffs up ahead. But you don't know what will happen today, much less tomorrow. Our path may take an abrupt turn, leading you away from those mountains.  There may be an easier way up the mountains than is visible from this distance. If I do lead you up the cliffs, I will equip you thoroughly for that strenuous climb.  I will even give My angels charge over you, to preserve you in all your ways. Keep your mind on the present journey, enjoying My Presence. Walk by faith, not by sight, trusting Me to open up the way before you. 


I am thankful that God has blessed me a passion for acting, and with the perseverance necessary to continue to pursue my dream. I am thankful that God has given me friends and mentors to help me climb the "cliffs" up ahead. Within the last six months especially, I feel like I have gotten to know more and more mentors in the city who believe in me. Some are casting directors, some are vocal coaches, and some are simply older and wiser actors who have been in my shoes years ago. They all bring different joys to my life, but the commonalities are that they are fiercely talented at what they do, they bring me up instead of tear me down, they speak honestly, and they behave with integrity. They are great examples for me, and provide constant encouragement.

One of my wonderful mentors ends her studio class by having us state a positive affirmation.

Tonight, I affirm that I am grateful for the here and now, and that I have been too blessed for the past 24 years to be stressed about the next 10.

Apartment Makeover!

This past weekend, Mom and Dad came up, and brought some decorations for my apartment. After my former roommate moved out, the walls, floors, kitchen etc. were left pretty white and bare. It didn't really feel like a home. So for Christmas, I got some decorations... rugs, tables, lamps etc. It's pretty hard to bring things to New York on an airplane, so Mom and Dad drove up!

Here's a picture of my newly renovated Living Room!

In addition to the decorating (which took up most of the weekend), we did get to see two shows, "Porgy and Bess" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, and Darren Criss were all fantastic. We tried to get lottery tickets for "The Book of Mormon" but as per always, didn't get them. We enjoyed restaurant week lunch at Porterhouse, and a yummy Italian dinner at Lupa. It was so nice to have them here, and to show them my life here...Brother Jimmy's, the neighborhood, Ripley-Grier Studios. Other highlights included a three-hour trip to Target and a beautiful snowfall!

2012!

Ross and me at Angus Barn!

Christmas in NC was absolutely wonderful! Though I was sick for the majority of my time home, it was wonderful to spend time with family, and just relax. I got to catch up with old friends, some of whom I haven't seen in years, and meet some new friends too! Once I started feeling better, I went to Chapel Hill for a voice lesson with my NC Voice teacher, did some apartment shopping with mom (We are decorating my NY apartment this month!), and ate at several of my favorite restaurants.

Fearsome Foursome from
Sanderson HS

Dad and me at Angus Barn for my belated
birthday celebration.

 After Christmas, Michelle flew back to NYC with me! After some stressful packing (well...really just over-packing), Michelle and I combined our luggage so that none of our bags were over 50 pounds. :) We had a blast in NY, and crammed two weeks of activities into 4 days. We saw "Bonnie & Clyde," "Godspell," and "Anything Goes." (More shows than I had seen in the past 6 months!!) They were all wonderful, and we saw all of them for about $100 total. My good friend William has "hook-ups" with his job and was able to help us out with tickets. We had so much fun!

Michelle & Me in front of the Rockefeller Tree!

HAPPY 2012! I had by far the best New Years I've ever had! My friends and I went to Brasserie, where my good friend Bridget is a bar-tender. We enjoyed balloons, great music, unlimited Moscato D'Asti (my favorite wine), and some dancing on the bar. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by such positive people, and true friends. We enjoyed each other's company immensely, and had a blast ringing in the new year!

Sayrah and me!

ADPi Love!

Shimmying with darling Geoff.

I feel like I have a lot to really look forward in 2012. 2011 was okay, but all of the negative aspects of 2011 already seem to be resolving, which makes me so excited about the new year. I keep thinking of the quote, "When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window," from Sound of Music. I auditioned for Sound of Music today, so it's been on my mind, and I just realized how applicable that quote is to my life right now. Some of the doors God closed in 2011, have already directed me to new "windows." Already in the last months of 2011 and the first days of 2012, God has blessed me with wonderful families to babysit, in addition to my fun job at Brother Jimmy's. I am growing so attached to the great children that I get to play with.
My favorite quotes of the week:

2-year-old: "I try to be as silly as Miss Emily!"
4-year-old: "I protect the nice girls from the bad guys at school. That's my job."
4-year-old: "I used to want to be a Daddy when I grow up, but now I think I'll be a cheerleader instead."

The friendships that seem to have drifted apart in 2011 are being supplemented by the new friends I've made, and the deepened relationships that have developed with long-time friends. I have so many positive voice and acting coaches in my life, that I'm really excited to continue to work with in the coming year. Overall, I'm just feeling really positive about 2012. Here are a some of my resolutions... what are yours? :)

1. Be prompt/on-time when it matters.
2. Surround myself with positive people.
3. Be more grateful for daily blessings.
4. Keep my apartment neater. (Haven't started that one yet)
5. 2-3 dance classes per week.
6. Practice voice 4 times per week.
7. Only take taxis when it's a safety issue...not a lazy issue.

Home for the Holidays!

Tour ended nearly a week ago, and after being in New York for the week, I'm back in Raleigh for Christmas!

The tour ended well. One of our cast members had a medical emergency, so we had to call in an understudy for the last two shows. It was a little stressful, but it went well, and the understudy was an absolute delight to have around. Life post-tour has been a whirlwind. I had a great family dinner/early birthday celebration with my cousins on Friday night, and then left for NYC at 6 am on Saturday!

Saturday, Sarah and I spent the day getting ready for our party, cooking, and catching up. We had the best time together! Our Christmas party on Saturday night was a success and so much fun! Friends stayed over until 5:30 am...a new record from last year!

Party Prep!

Some friends at our party!

Singing and Dancing
on furniture at 5am!

Sunday was a wonderful birthday! I woke up and went to the Lessons and Carols Service at St. Thomas with Will. The boychoir is absolutely amazing, and the service was beautiful. Afterward, some friends and I went to brunch at the Boathouse! The Boathouse was decorated for Christmas, and it was a gorgeous day! After a nice afternoon nap, I went to Redeemer for night church with my girlfriends, and out for a delicious dinner at Dos Caminos! It was a great birthday in the city!

Brunch at the Boathouse

Dinner at Dos Caminos!

The rest of the week in New York was spent catching up on some theatre stuff, tying up loose ends before the holidays, and seeing people I hadn't seen in far too long. I had a great voice lesson and class with two of my favorite teachers/mentors, celebrated my friend Ali's birthday, had lunch with Will, and went to the Brother Jimmy's holiday party! I love Christmas time in NYC!

It's great to be home in NC, though I do wish it would cool off a bit to feel like Christmas...it's a balmy 73 degrees here on the first day of winter!