What a year it was...

My first full year as a true resident of Washington, DC was quite eventful. I trained for and ran my first marathon, went back to trombone and played a few shows at Toby's Dinner Theater, became a vegan, met many amazing people, and worked more than a dozen different jobs (both on and off-stage/screen).

Lessons learned? 1.) Life on the road is WAY cheaper than living in a big city. 2.) It is okay if some people do not like or care for me; I must continue to treat them with respect. 3.) With discipline, and support of friends and family, I can accomplish anything. 4.) I work too much!

The year began with Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse (Adventure Theater), where I played a mouse mommy in a talented cast that introduced me to some great friends and colleagues. I worked as an extra for a few industrials, and had a supporting role in a short film. In the spring, I got my tap on as a hotbox dancer in Guys & Dolls at American Music Stage. I also understudied and went on as the mom in New Kid (Imagination Stage). During the summer I worked on three projects: Operation Spy at the Spy Museum, Lysistration for the Capital Fringe Festival, and Night Visitor at the Writer's Center. This fall, I performed in several readings as part of Washington Shakespeare Company's Divine Drama Series, a festival of Classical Sanskrit. Oh, yea, I also spent a night filming Step Up 2 in Baltimore. How could I forget that, seriously?

The highlight performance of the year was in mid-March a reading of Gwydion Suelibhan's Faithkiller with Theater of the First Amendment. I was honored to be performing with a mostly equity cast. It was both a challenging and exhilirating workshop/performance that also introduced me to an amazing director and playwright!

I took a couple classes too; one at the Shakespeare Theatre, and one with Signature-- both awakening experiences. After having vocal issues for a few years, my voice is healed, and I look forward to studying with a highly recommended teacher in the new year. In a few months, I should be ready to hit those musical theater auditions!

My side jobs, have also been fulfilling: substitute teaching, temping, babysitting, standardized patient work at GWU, and currently, work at Synetic Theater and Busboys & Poets.

Tonight, I'll ring in the new year playing Hermione from The Winter's Tale in a benefit showcase for WSC (Wash. Shakes. Comp.), a role I love!

In 2008, I look forward to playing the cello (an instrument from early childhood that I've recently gone back to), running a few charity events, and discovering the next phase of my career. I will play cello for a March 1st performance of john & jen at Atlas Performing Arts Center and act in Discovery Theater's Seasons of Life. I look forward to becoming an aunt (my oldest brother and his wife are expecting), and a bridesmaid for my third brother's wedding!

Best wishes for happiness and success in the new year! Please stay in touch :)

Something Fun!

Enjoy....

A Time of Change

"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."

So, unfortunately, I have nodules on my throat once again. I haven't had them checked out, but I feel exactly as I did at the end of the summer last year when I was diagnosed. I successfully beat them, but I guess I wasn't careful enough. I know, I know, I need a voice teacher. Easier said than done... Anyway, lots of vocal rest in the next 2 months and no more singing.... I'm bummed, I missed a few great musical theatre audition opportunities these past couple of weeks. I'm putting my chips into drama these next few months, hope to gain some film/tv experience.

A time for change means, no more credit cards, pursuing an MFA in acting, and becoming a Vegan... Yea, I've had lots of time for pondering my future these past few weeks. Actually ever since my birthday in September, I've realized, life is zooming by... no more "waiting until I'm ready"... it's time to get ready and go!

MARINE CORPS MARATHON is less than 3 weeks away. I have not trained as hard as I wanted to, so am not going to kill myself for a good time. My goal is to finish the race. Although a 4:00 or 4:15 finish would be excellent, there's no pressure! Please come out and support, OCTOBER 28th. The map of the race is on the website... I would love to see you on the route, especially mile 15 and beyond.

More in the weeks ahead about my transition and reasons for going VEGAN, as well as an update on grad school applications.

Good news! I was cast in Discovery Theatre's spring show (April), "Seasons of Life." It's nice to have something lined up, even if it is a few months away.

"Operation Spy" --- Up and Running

As many of you know, I began working for the International Spy Museum this summer. I was hired to perform in their new interactive experience OPERATION SPY.... After months and months of preparation and de-bugging, we are finally OPEN!

Last week (on my birthday actually!), the Washington Post came through OP SPY with me and a group of guests. Check out the article. It was also featured in the San Francisco Chronicle... my first bi-coastal review!

Midsummer Reflections

It was refreshing to wake up late this morning and bike to the local coffeehouse, Saxby's. Wireless is temporarily out at my house, and it's good to go someplace else for lunch and internet time. I have the day off of work, as technicalities are still being worked out at the Spy Museum's "Operation Spy".

I am procrastinating my 10-mile run, but am definitely starting it at 3pm (waiting for the mid-day sun to cool). My goal is to join a running group in the next week or two... So if you know of a good one, please let me know! I've been finding it difficult to motivate long runs in the humid summer heat. Marathon is in October, so it's time to start building the mileage. It'd also be a good opportunity to meet new people--- I guess I am okay with meeting a few non-theater people (though I love my friends more than they know :) ) !

The DC Fringe Festival has taken over downtown for the past week. What an exciting place to be! I didn't realize how involved I am in the theater community until I went to fringe shows and found I knew people on stage, in the audience, and on the street. So much fun! Great converstations with other actors have motivated me to stretch myself in the coming year, and prep myself to truly be as competitive as possible.

Monday morning I had an audition with a theater I had auditioned for exactly a year ago. Same director, same place, improved talent! A year ago, I was brand new to the market. This time, I had names to drop, a postcard advertising my current show, and a knowledge of what this theater was looking for, as well as my personal way of marketing that to them. I have several important auditions in the next few weeks, and I look forward to the future. However, looking back on the past year, I have learned not to take a project just to take a project.... Oh, the lessons I have learned!

I look forward to this weekend, when I'll head down to New Orleans! I'm joining some family to help with Habitat for Humanity... I'll try to take some pictures :)

If you have the chance, turn on the TODAY show tomorrow, Thursday morning at 9:00am. I will be on a segment advertising the Spy Museum's new "Operation Spy".

Upcoming Performance: "Lysistration"- Fringe Festival

I'm keeping busy, acting full time!! Day job performing at Spy Museum (more details to follow), and rehearsing for two plays. One play opens next week, hope to see you in the audience!

Capital Fringe Festival presents

Venus Theatre's world premiere of

"Lysistration", a feminist rock opera... rattling Athenian bones of Aristophanes

Where: The Warehouse Arts- Mainstage- 1021 7th Street, NW (a few blocks from Mt. Vernon Metro Station)

When: Fri, July 20 - 9pm
Sun, July 22 - 4:30pm
Thurs, July 26 - 11pm
Fri, July 27 - MIDNIGHT!!!
Sat, July 28 - 2pm

Who: words by Deborah Randall
music by Alan Scott, Deborah Randall, and Monalisa Arias
directed by Deborah Randall
performed by Alan Scott, Deborah Randall, Monalisa Arias, Shelby Sours, Michelle Urcuryo, Ellie Nicoll, Elise Arsenault, Jeni Simas, Timothy King, and Linden Tailor.

Running time 75 minutes
for mature audiences only due to sexual content and language

Tickets: $15, call (866) 811-4111. I believe there may be passes you can purchase to see several shows at the Cap Fringe Fest.

I was in the Washington Post yesterday! If you have a hard copy of yesterday, look on the back page (and front page lower left corner) of the STYLE section. It's a picture of me in the December show I performed in at Venus Theatre. I will work with them on their Fringe Festival show, "Lysistration".

You can check out the article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/29/AR2007052902041.html

The Understudy Experience

So, today I went on for one of the actors in a show that I have been understudying at Imagination Stage, the premier children's theatre in DC. It was a great kick in the butt, and while stressful, it was a super experience!

For those of you who heave an audible sigh when you are in the audience of a Broadway show and hear "In this evening's performance of WICKED, the role of Elphaba will be played by [Idina Menzel's] understudy .... ", please realize the discipline required of an understudy. Yes, I understand you have paid your $100 to see Idina, but give the other woman a chance, it's likely she's just as phenomenal, if not better (though I am in no way stating that I was today)! While the permanent cast has weeks to rehearse their parts, understudies have just a couple rehearsals (and I mean one or two, one in my case!), before they are expected to deliver.

It was a strange feeling being on stage today. The cast for this show is tight, and I have a great respect for all of them as talented performers. I hated that I was running all the technical aspects (stage directions, lines, moving set pieces, and keeping up the pace) in my head for the entire performance. I guess that's how it goes the first time, but I keep reminding myself that I can always be more prepared. If I had been, I would have been able to relax more and really act and react, rather than only making sure the other actors received what they needed, technically, from me. More fun next time!

Lesson learned...

Wow, it has been awhile since I have updated you all!

March and April were full of auditions, stage readings, and rehearsals at various theatres.

I ran my half marathon on May 6th, and made my goal time of 1:57. I will cross train for the next month or so, and then gear up for the Marine Corps Marathon in late October.

I am currently performing as a hotbox dancer, in a production of "Guys and Dolls". It has been fun putting my little experience in tapping to use... I have come far from where I started in early March. Please come check us out this weekend!
(below: me w/ Zehra (who plays Sergeant Sarah) and Jessica (who plays Adelaide))

My summer schedule is still up in the air, but it will most likely include performing as a Senior Operations Officer at the International Spy Museum. I am cast in two shows for the summer, and am still trying to work out details on another production. More details to follow as to dates, times, and places.

This week, I am also shooting an independent film called "Let It Be". I will be playing the part of Heather, a DC actress, well cast I think! I just received a copy of the short film I worked on over the summer. It's fun to finally see my face on screen :)

Be well!
Elise

A Good Week

My spirits are high this week as I prepare my body, mind, and soul for SETC (South Eastern Theatre Conference) auditions in Atlanta. I received my picture postcards early and the week, and have sent them to the theatres represented whose seasons most interest me.

Work on the short film was fun last week. Working on a film is like tech week in theatre. Alot of "Hurry up, and wait"-ing. At one point, a hot light was accidentally dropped on my head, that was a good time, NOT. .... the reaction to this was awesome, they had a doctor on call to make sure there was no damage, and that I hadn't passed out. The overall experience was rewarding, and of course it's always fun to have someone else do my hair and make-up... Kya was a pro! The film is called "The Exaltation of Mr. Pratt" and it is being submitted for the national 168 Hour Film Festival.

Onto STAGE NEWS: I have been cast in the company of "Guys & Dolls" at American Music Stage, and am looking forward to working with old friendss and making new ones. I haven't been in a musical chorus for several years, should be fun! Also, I was cast in Theater of the First Amendment's FIRST LIGHT FESTIVAL. I will play "Tess" (a 1940s radio actress) and "Leader" (a strong, modern woman) in a new play called Faithkillers. The reading will be directed by Jeremy Skidmore, psyched to have the opportunity to work with such a renowned DC area director!

A Film!

I was once told that every ten or twenty auditions, an actor lands a role. What a truth I have found this to be. I have been auditioning as often as I can since moving to DC. This past weekend, I had two auditions and I told myself I was going to land one of them, and sure enough it happened-- not just by itself, my preparation was there. The job is a short film for the 168 Hour Film festival, that will be shot over a few days this coming week.

Also ahead of me this week, I have been called to audition for an Indy film in the Baltimore area, and a principle role for a play being produced in Alexandria. Time to keep the positive thinking and focus up! All the while, I should be prepping for a major audition at the South Eastern Theatre Conference (SETCs) in Atlanta, where I will audition for approximately 100 theatres all over the country. I'm psyched to head to Atlanta for the first time, where I'll also be able to meet up with some friends.

I ran my first 8 mile run yesterday in 1:17.40. I'm well on my way to running the Cherry Blossom Ten-Miler under an hour and a half!

Radio Debut!

This afternoon, I will be on the air at WAMU radio 88.5FM in DC and streaming at www.wamu.org at approximately 1:50pm. A few members of the cast of "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse" were invited to accompany the play review with a brief dialogue from the show. Enjoy!

It's been a busy January, and although I don't have a show directly lined up following my stint at Adventure Theatre, I have been auditioning at several agencies, and am prepping for the South Eastern Theatre Conference (SETC) auditions in March.

A New Year, New Opportunities

Nothing like starting off the New Year with a seven mile run. That's how I began my Monday morning off work... time to think, time to dwell, time to begin chiselling away at the five pounds I gained over Christmas!

I have so much to celebrate with a year of accomplishments, and my first full year as a working performing artist behind me! Eight months on a national tour, three months in my new place here in DC--- making contacts, performing in movies, shows, taking classes, and auditioning! New headshots will arrive any day now!

My goals for the future continue to play in my mind, and as I attend a performance at Arena Stage or Studio, I see that my own bio isn't too far off from those performing and starring in the mainstage regional productions.