A little about me.

I've known about Frank Garrish's acting class for years but have always been hesitant to enroll. He's scary- or so I've been told. He'll make you cry. He doesn't hold back. It's not that I can't take the criticism but I'm hardest on myself so when I hear from someone else that I'm not measuring up, I double that criticism and get discouraged. The last thing you want to be in acting is discouraged.
I've been at it for as long as I could control my own life. My parents refused to drive me to auditions or pick me up from play rehearsals so I had to wait. I combined my ability to write with my interests in media and - no- I did not become a screenwriter but a broadcast journalist. You know those people you see on TV telling you the news every night? I did that.- at KSPN in Aspen, Colo. and at KUTV in Salt Lake City. Then I was laid off. So I addressed another passion. Skiing. I joined Deer Valley's Ski School and taught skiing to all ages and abilities. I have been skiing all my life- including a stint as a racer in college at UCLA. Came in 7th in slalom out of 36th. Not bad but my dad says if I don't win, it's not anything. See where I'm going with this? He poo poos acting too- If you don't get a role, it's not anything.
I absolutely love acting and the training of an actor. I have studied with practically everyone in Utah- Anne Sward, Geoff Hansen, Jeff Johnson, Catrine, Kate, Judy, Molly Benson and anyone else who sounds like they have something to offer. Not because I think they're going to win me a roll but because I can practice with my peers, grow as an actor and 'disappear' for moments into others' skin. If I make it past the audition and into a callback, bonus!
I'm SAG eligible. Got my card after five days as a featured extra on Doctor Quinn Medicine Woman. I had spent the summer in LA working for a talent agent at ICM (who's now president of Warner Bros.) and did the stint on the Dr. Quinn set. I moved back to Utah and scored more roles - Promised Land, Touched, I was the soccer coach in Return to the Secret Garden and have three national infomercials to be (not so) proud of. I've done a handful of short films and if you asked what I dream of when it comes to acting it would be to star in a (good) independent that wins raves at Sundance. I have no desire to move back to LA. Ick. I have a strong freelance writing career, an adorable 3yo, a hot, loving boyfriend (her daddy), a great home in Park City and I ski 70 days a season. Why would I want to give that up?
To be honest, I want to nail more callbacks. I'm hoping Frank's class will advance that goal. Please, Frank, don't make me cry too much.
Update: Frank's not so scary at all! We did some Meisnerish type things that got you out of your head, talked about acting technique and started to work a short scene we'll do next week. As I was leaving he told me "You did good! And you listen, that's important." It felt like my dad had just told me he was proud of me.

Meeting Your Tiger Beat Heartthrob

I have to gush; I spent the entire weekend with one of my childhood crushes. Richard Hatch aka Apollo from the original Battlestar Galactica. The actor was in town to teach a two-day acting workshop. I signed up for two reasons, I like acting workshops and I had to meet Richard. After all, how often does one get this kind of opportunity?

When I was ten I devoured my Tiger Beat magazines looking for secrets as to what he likes in a woman. He was 33! Hustler of Muscle Beach, Deadman's Curve, and Battlestar. Hatch was hot. With dark, feathered hair, light eyes and strong demeanor, I was hooked. Then I became a teen and gave up on star crushes, turning my sights on the boy down the street named Brad Luff. I might as well have pined for Richard. Brad had the cheerleader babe girlfriend and they were like the dream couple. Sigh.

But back to Richard. Who would have thought he would be such a sweet guy? He's actually dating a woman here in Utah whom he met during a science fiction convention last winter. It gives him an excuse to teach a workshop every few months.

The class consisted of about eight Utah actors and we spent eight hours a day listening to stories of the 'Biz', tips on auditioning, on how acting affects who you are and how you live your life and working scenes with partners. Richard looked and sounded great. He may have been a bit too nice in his feedback, though. I got a lot of praise and I would have liked to hear more criticism. I can't be that good. Maybe he was worried that I couldn't take it?

He was nice to everyone- telling this 12 yr old kid who could cry at the drop of a hat how he was born to act (personally, I thought the boy was great at making himself cry but he seemed to sob a bit too easily (it got old) and without understanding the character he was playing. But he's young and who am I to judge? I cried too in my scenes but it usually took connecting with my partner and the words before that happened.

It was fun to bond with the other classmates in this intensive weekend and to have the honor of Richard's wisdom. He's been in the industry for a long time (currently acting in the new Battlestar Galactica on the Sci Fi Channel and producing his own projects), has written books, does public speaking seminars and workshops in L.A. and has hosted a relationship radio show. He's a sensitive, deep man with a lot to give.

It felt good to hear that he is surprised by the talent in Utah. I hope that means he'll look to us when there's a project to cast. Since Everwood's cancellation, there's been a dearth of acting gigs. The weekend ended with big hugs and promises to come back in the Fall. Richard even autographed my 1978 copy of Tiger Beat! I'd take the class again, for sure.

So now there's just one more crush left. I met Donny Osmond while doing my morning show on Rock99, now Richard and, since Elvis is dead, only Shaun Cassidy remains. I don't know when or how but it feels like the odds are good.