5 Pieces of Gratitude and 5 Stills from a Film Noir Project

1. Action steps.  2013 was my most successful year to date as an actor.  I think a couple of things aided in this.  A) I started calling myself a professional actor and referring to myself as one. B) I made a timeline of milestones and goals for myself so I knew where I was along the way. What does this look like? i wrote out what I wanted the end of the year to look like for 2013. Then I wrote out where I was currently. Divided the year in half - what would it look like to be halfway to my year end vision? And then divided that again.  What would it look like to be half way to my half way point.  And what action steps would I need to get there?  It helped to have action to continue moving forward.  It may not have happened the way I planned it, but a ton of things I wrote out happened!!!!

The Thriving Artist Circle helped me out a ton in my thinking and my planning and Dallas Travers!!!

2.  The Night of the Iguana.  This was a huge production.  I learned so much about putting up a big show.  Having an extension.  Working with a large cast. How to show up every night and bring it. The friendships. The rehearsal process. I was cast in the beginning of January and our last show was at the end of May.  Wow! That is a long time.  I am just so grateful to have been part of this show!

3.  Short Films.  I was making jokes that I needed to open an office on Wabash near Columbia College because it felt that i was down there every other week for auditions for short films.  But it was worth it.  That corridor netted me being cast in three short films.  Scotty Works Out, Self-Deportation, and Some Are All White (working title).  And the experience I have gained from shooting these films is incredible.  

4.  Tracy Letts and Michael Shannon.  Every time I see them, i am reminded that I have to keep raising the bar here in Chicago to do them proud.  I really look up to both of these men as Actors and Writers. As artists!!  And want to make them proud of the art that is coming out of Chicago! Chicago Actors - time to step it up!!

5. You! I am grateful for you.  The reader of this blog. The audience member. The supporter of love and joy. Thank you for being here. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for letting me be human in front of you. Thank you for letting me rant, brag and boost about my achievements. If you were not here there would be no here. You are amazing!! And You are here! And i am grateful!

2014!!!!
I am ready for you! I am excited for you! Surprise me! Surprise me! I am ready to be big! I am ready for what you got!!