I think we can all agree it has been a very tough year in America. We have experienced numerous attacks of terror by our own, to our own, on our own soil. We have watched helplessly as shootings and bombings have taken place in Colorado, Sandy Hook, and most recently, Boston. I am not in favor of news for distraction, ie, Kim Kardashian’s baby weight, or how Khloe Kardashian is now the hot sister. Gag me. However, sometimes downright, smiling idiocracy makes me remember, we still have a lot to smile about.

Nothing like a true blooded American Olympian showing America we still have something to believe in. THIS IS A MUST WATCH.

Ryan Lochte. You have Loc-To-Be-Kidding-Me.

Enjoy.

http://popgoestheweek.com/2013/04/watch-news-crew-cant-stop-laughing-after-ryan-lochte-interview/

I am not always 100% comfortable with identifying myself with just one word. After reading this article I have found my word.

Creative. I am a creative.

All of the above words help to describe me and my passions but they have always seemed rather ,well, limited.

Like all creatives, I sometimes struggle with my own creative process. This article made me feel like proud to identify myself as a creative and also reminded me I am not alone. If you haven’t read it yet, take a gander. You won’t regret it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-barry-kaufman/creative-people_b_829563.html

    Casey Whitaker found me at the exact time I too, was looking for her. It was Fall of 2009 and I was at a stand still. I had just completed The Second City Conservatory Program and  unfortunately had not yet found a group of people who I vibed with offstage, let alone onstage.

    I can’t remember whether she approached me or sent me an email – the story has been told so many times, I am not sure we actually remember how it really went down – alas, she found me; and together, along with 7 others we found WILDCARD. I am forever grateful to the early days of WILDCARD and Casey for where I am now.

    Check out her interview on the comedy blog, Life Is A Funny Scene. I couldn’t be more proud to perform with Casey and even better, have her as a best friend. Happy Reading! 

http://www.lifeisafunnyscene.com/interview-casey-whitaker/

Mary Scruggs was a profound influence on my life. She influenced me as a writer, a woman, as a woman in comedy. The best part is, no matter the amount of stories and anecdotes I could tell you about how Mary allowed me to nussle myself under her wing and just ride for awhile – EVERYONE who ever had the privilege of spending time with her, whether inside or outside her classroom has similar stories. Everyone else’s stories do not take away from my own experiences with Mary. They are a reminder of how wonderfully talented and loving Mary was.

Go see these shows, support Mary, support the memory and most importantly, support young female writers finding their voice!

GO SEE THIS.

http://upcomedyclub.com/show_right.cfm?id=164978&cart

Thank me later.

xo.

I love solo work.

For me, it has made me more aware of my own sense of humor and characters I enjoy playing. With solo work, you arn’t being asked to broaden your range of characters or play against type. You are purposefully putting out exactly what YOU like. What YOU think is funny. That is what makes solo work here in the city so strong. It also pushes you.  The first time I did solo work, which was only about 4 months ago mind you, I thought I was going to blackout. ‘What if what I think is funny no one else thinks is funny?’ – 80% of time, they do think it’s funny.  And then there is that 20% when you buck up and push through your bit even though no one is laughing and it couldn’t be more obvious to anyone more than you.

Failure teaches you that you arn’t going to die. Loren Michaels isn’t going to come out of the backlot of The Playground and deem you unworthy for show business. And the walls arn’t going to cave in. But yes, you may blackout. You will more than likely blackout.

I was talking with Carmen Christopher, #eavesdropping on his conversation with Anthony Oberbeck about failure in solo work last night. As Carmen put it, (ps: Carmen is not only an amazing perfomer, I am lucky enough to play with him and call him a great friend – so if you haven’t seen him play, go see him) failure is good. It teaches you the ultimate form of commitment: how to commit to something that is dying as you’re doing it. It teaches you process, it teaches you that sometimes bits just arn’t going to work and or how to rework them. There is a lot of knowledge in failure.

I also love watching solo work because I am always blown away from the talent in this city, in my friends. Watching solo work reminds me of the endless possibilities for bits, characters and ideas to come alive.

Sometimes I think we all get a little lost in what we want to accomplish here in Chicago or what we feel pressure to accomplish. Or that if we arn’t being seen at certain theaters, we arn’t doing enough. Solo work allows you to ground yourself. Find your voice again and discover what who you are as an actor/comedian.

Alright, enough of artistic theory.

If you wanna see some kick ass solo work of some of the best talent in the city check out !Solo Ole! at The Annoyance. I went last night and was blown away by Carmen Christopher, Anthony Oberbeck and John Hartman. All 3 sets were very different but each performer’s voice was so strong. The best part? It is only $5!?! Footlongs arn’t even a clean 5 anymore.

Do yourself a favor and check it out!

http://www.annoyanceproductions.com/soloole/index.shtml

Wednesday | 8:00PM | $5

September 5 – Carmen Christopher, Anthony Oberbeck, John Hartman

September 12 and 19 – Andrew Tisher, Sarah Fineout, Christina Boucher

October 3 and 10 – John Reynolds, Adam Cole, Jo Scott

Check it out! My friend Abbey Londer is producing an annual event sure to bring the house down in LA. This year is the maiden voyage for this weekend long comedy festival. If you are in the LA area, check it out FOR SURE. Riot is going to crush.

September 21sr, 22nd and 23rd!!!

One of my personal goals for the year is to Share more. So, in the spirit. I Share with you. Enjoy!

http://www.sequinsandstripes.com/

http://dillydallas.blogspot.com/

http://apieceoftoastblog.com/

http://thatkindofwoman.tumblr.com/

http://littlebitsoflovely.blogspot.com/

http://www.100layercake.com/blog/

http://www.thepeakoftreschic.com/

http://www.mimiandmegblog.com/

http://luellajune.com/

http://www.pennyweightonline.com/

http://awelltraveledwoman.tumblr.com/

https://www.facebook.com/events/208402465927159/