Lydia's Journey BEYOND Hollywood

The past couple of weeks have been pretty slow for me. I went to a book signing party for my acting coach's new book Fine on Acting , written by Howard Fine. That was fun! I got to see a lot of my classmates from my first class at the studio. I have seen a few screenings through SAG lately. I saw Up in the Air a couple of weeks ago - GREAT MOVIE! And I also saw The Hurt Locker - another great film. I worked on that industrial last week, which shot really fast. I was in and out of the set in about three hours. I've been coaching some of my students for their auditions lately, which has been keeping me busy since my own auditions have slowed down. I did find out that my episode of Better Off Ted is airing sooner than I thought. Looks like it will be on Jan 1st on ABC: check this link I also decided to let go of my long time manager today, after about 6 or 7 years. I just decided i would try the new year with just my agent. I think they are working pretty well for m...

I had an audition today for Lie to Me . I went in for a guest star role of a Lawyer. It went ok, I've just haven't had a great morning this morning. I'm just sorry that my morning resulted in me not doing my best in there. Oh well - hopefully I did well enough to get a callback. :( Awesome news today!!!! Just found out that the film I shot earlier this year, Sympathy for Delicious , directed by Mark Ruffalo will get its world premiere at Sundance 2010! YAY!!! That's very cool! Congrats Mark!

When I stop and think about the many people who support me in pursuit of my dreams, it warms my heart. I get support from not only my family members, but friends and strangers as well. I think everyone should have a dream and not be afraid to pursue it -ever. My uncle, Rudy Blanco, just published his first book. Its titled Summer of Fifty One: Incredible Fifteen Hundred Mile Journey . My uncle has always been supportive of me, so here I am, in support of making his dreams come true. The book is available on Amazon.com. Order you copy HERE . Lets support each other in making our dreams come true! :)

Wow, I look up, and a month has passed! I'm so sorry I have no updated in a long time. I guess it just feels like not a lot has been happening, but when I stop to think about what to write, I realize lots has happened. Its just how the way you look at things! Ok, since my last post, I renewed my contract with my agents at AEF. I renewed for three years! :) I also auditioned for a new show called The L Word at Sony, with the VP of Casting herself: Dawn Steinberg. That day was a hectic day because I ran out of gas (I know, I know) 30 minutes before my appointment! I tell you, never a dull moment! I've been having an amazing time in my class with Howard Fine. I go twice a week, and work one day a week as part of a work/study program. It's pretty awesome! I've been teaching my class at Actorsite for the kids workshops on Wednesday nights and have also started my private coaching with some of the kids. I'm keeping busy in between my auditions which sometimes...

Sorry, I have not updated this blog in over a week. :( No excuse really... ok, now for the update for this week... Sons of Tucson was so much fun! I was only on set for about 4 hours - quick and painless. I forgot to take my camera on set with me, so no pictures. :( But everyone was really nice. I wish I had a bigger role, one where I could come back the following day. Oh well - maybe they'll keep me in mind for future episodes. Later that night I checked out the film Paranormal Activity . It was ok. I felt like I was waiting the entire movie for something to happen. it was creepy - just not really all that scary. Then, the following night, I was really scared - when I went toHalloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. Oh my God - they pop oit from everywhere, and zombies are just roaming the streets - it was very cool! I lost a bit of my voice, but its all good. :) Then, on Sunday I went to the cast and crew screening of the feature film Morning , with Jeanne Tri...

Today I go in for my wardrobe fitting for Sons of Tucson in Santa Clarita. I shoot tomorrow!!! YAY! I love working! Can I please do it everyday??? I had an audition for a nice guest star role on Zeke and Luther on Monday, to play a very overbearing mother. Nice. :) It went well. Then last night I went to see August: Osage County at The Ahmanson . Wow - Estelle Parsons, the mother on Roseanne , was amazing!!! It was a great show and a lesson in great acting! It also looks like my Medium episode, Heads Will Roll, will reair on Friday on Lifetime at noon....Just in case you missed it the first time. =)

Wow - this makes my third theatrical booking in 5 weeks! I booked a small cameo role in the show Sons of Tucson . I had originally got called in for two roles, they added the third role during my preread, so I went to producers for all three. :) I had a great time and everyone was unbelieveably nice in the producer's session! And I ended up getting the role that I wanted most out of the three - so that's cool! I play a customer at a store asking about a running shoe. Very quick and simple - but funny. I work Thursday of this week - on my Dad's birthday. :) And this comes at a good time because I just heard that Southland got cancelled before my season two premiere aired. :( Damn. And it's a great show too! I hear they are taking it to cable networks hopeing someone will pick it up there. Apparently it was too gritty for network tv. Maybe FX will get it - this would be a good replacement for The Shield . Tomorrow I have a guest star audition for a show cal...

I had a really good past few days. :) Friday was really awesome shooting my last day on the set of Better Off Ted . Everyone there is SO nice and I had a great time being very pregnant! They built our home and decorated it to the very smallest detail - it was incredible! I always hate when it's the last day of shooting for me and everyone is getting their prelim callsheet and saying "see you Monday" - except for me! :( I can't wait for the day where I get to come back on Monday, and the day after that....and the day after that... Then, on Saturday, something really awesome happened! I went to check out a show at the Hollywood Bowl with a friend of mine. The stands were full, we were getting to our seats when we noticed three girls sitting in our spots. They checked their tickets, we checked ours and they noticed they were sitting in the row in front of us instead. As they were moving, one girl said I looked familiar and she knows me somehow. Then, she asked...

So today was a busy day. I started off (running late) to my wardrobe fitting for Better Off Ted . I tried on a very pregnant belly, and many maternity dresses. It actually looked really cute on me, if I must say so myself! hehe I start shooting Thursday and I believe my labor scene is on the first day! Fun! Then I headed over to Nickelodeon to audition for the pilot Victorious . I had auditioned for this same role back in February, but I guess they had put it on hold, and now its back on. I thought I did pretty well. I wasn't grinning to myself ear to ear when I left, but it was good. Then I headed over to AFTRA where I had to join in order to work this week. It sucks because I had to plop down $1363 as the initiation fee. Actually, the initiation fee was $1300, the $63 was supposed to be the first 6 months dues, but since they don't prorate it, I had to pay it now, and again in November for the next 6 months. Makes no sense to me. What also doesn't make sense ...

Ok, I finally heard today that I officially booked Better Off Ted ! They had me on "hold" all week while they ironed out dates and storyboard. But I got word just now that I work two days next week, and I'm SOOOO excited! YAY!!! I booked two jobs in one month! Thank God! I needed that!! I haven't booked two jobs in one month since my first year! haha Maybe this will start that "ball" rolling! I play Sarah, the very pregnant wife to Ryan, Ted's co-worker. My water breaks during one scene....Nice! haha

Ok, this is one I really want - mainly because it shoots in my birthplace of Albuquerque New Mexico! :) I got the audition last night around 6pm. Saw that there was an attachment on my email from my agent, but I couldn't open it. I tried calling my manager to see if she could send me the sides for the audition, the office was closed and phones were on service. So, I didn't get my sides for the audition until 10:15am! Two hours before I had my appointment!! Luckily it was pretty easy to work on. I was definately too young for the role (the mom of a 20 something year old! - what??) But I was very happy with the work I did in the room. The Casting Director even referred to my audition as "beautiful"! Awww... :) Well, if not this role, then maybe the next???

I rarely go out commercially, but today I went on the most "commercial" audition ever! It was for Microsoft, and I played a mom cooking dinner with her family. I had a husband and three kids all helping me in the kitchen while I talked about the great appliances. No, I don't know what that had to do with Microsoft. Hmm...Maybe I went to the wrong audition?? haha It went well, I felt good. Afterwards I coached a friend for 4 hours for his principal role audition for Days of Our Lives. Hopefully he books it and gives me a percentage! ;)

So yesterday marked the official last day of my Comprehensive Technique class with Howard Fine . I'm really bummed that I'm not continuing on with the rest of the class in the Rehearsal and Performance class that directly follows. I plan to take that class in a month or so. But let me just say I had an AWESOME last class yesterday! Our assignment was to recreate an actual phone call we had this past week. Our job was to be in our circumstances at the time and day of the actual call, have a clear objective, and be fully alive in the scene. (No blank stares) I recreated a phone call I had with a close friend this week about a recent reconnection with a high school crush. The entire phone call was a jolt of excitement and disbelief mixed in with the 17 year old that was crushing on the guy again! It was so much fun, and I had so much energy during the scene! I really felt like I recreated it pretty accurately. So the awesome part comes when Howard Fine walks onto the stag...

Today was my callback for Better Off Ted . I was not nervous until I saw a bunch of girls there for the callback who weren't there for the pre-read. or at least, not there when I was there. I even met one girl who was actually 7 months pregnant and with my agent! But I went into the producer-filled room and was ready to ROCK IT! I did each scene and got nice polite laughs at the end of them all, then I assume it was the director, who had me do the first scene again. I did, more laughs, and then I was done. I walked out of there feeling pretty good about it - but ready to let it go because you never know. Then I get a call from my manager a couple of hours later letting me know I'm the "Top Choice" and they're waiting to hear back from network about storyboards and dates. So I ask, "Top choice? - So is there someone else they're considering as well?" and she answered no. The role is mine as long as it stays in the script and they lock down s...

I started back teaching the kids classes at Actorsite last week. Right now, I'm just subbing for the other teachers when they have auditions or shoots, but hopefully I'll be teaching more regularly, or audition coaching. I had a long, but awesome day last Thursday with the kids! I was amazed at the talent! So much fun! :) I had an audition for Better Off Ted on Friday of last week. I've seen a few episodes and I really like the show, so it was exciting to go in to read for it! I auditioned for the role of Sarah, who is the pregnant wife to Ted's coworker, Ryan. It was a funny little part! :) I did notice a fellow auditioner who showed up with a fake pregnant belly for the role. I've never been a fan of doing things like that. I get asked that question a lot - usually "should I wear scrubs to my nurse audition?" I always say, wear something that suggests the character without going in wearing a costume. And do well with the acting part, and the...

with Amaury Nolasco and Regina King So, yesterday, on 09/09/09, I got to work on the set of Southland ! YAY!!! First of all, I'm really into this show, so I was excited to hear I had an audition for it - much less booked it! And I am a huge fan of Regina King ! I grew up watching her on everything - from 227 , to Boyz in the Hood , Friday , Jerry Maguire ....that girl works so much! Well, it was nice to see she was very nice in person! And an added treat???? I got to work with Amaury Nolasco - from PRISON BREAK ! I was so excited because as we all know, I am a HUGE fan of that show! Or was, rather. (it has already ended) :( I saw him while I worked on Prison Break , but we didn't work together - until now. And he is such a sweetheart! Not to mention - so very cute in person! ;) Another hottie I met on this set was Kevin Alejandro - who used to be on Ugly Betty . He looks very different on this show - but gorgeous nonetheless! Damn - if I could be a regular on T...

YAY! You have no idea how bad I needed this booking! haha And the best part is, I love this show! It's a new cop show on NBC starring Regina King, C Thomas Howell, and Benjamin McKenzie. I play a bank manager and its guest star billing! WHOOOHOOO!!! That's the best part actually! ;) I have an audition tomorrow for Two and a Half Men, so maybe I will be on a "roll"! We'll see! :)

Well, it's come to that time. For the past 8 1/2 years I have had a safety net called a "day job" while I pursued my acting career. I have been a substitute teacher ever since I got here to LA and it has kept me above water for a while, even been my only source of income when I first moved here. Well, the day I left out of town, July 1st, my teaching credential had expired. I didn't know this until I got back 6 weeks later and read the letter in my mailbox. I tried calling the sub office to see if I can get reinstated and left messages for almost 3 weeks since I've been back. I finally talked to someone on Friday, and they refused to reinstate me, saying too much time has passed since the expiration. I was told I could reapply as a new hire - which is funny because there is a hiring freeze and the school district is NOT hiring any new teachers at all! See, that's been the big problem considering all the lay offs and newly graduated and credentialed teac...

Ok, this week has been a really good week. Found out I was heading straight to producers for Criminal Minds on Tuesday with Scott David and April Webster Casting. YAY! Possible guest star role! The problem was I had Howard's class starting at 2pm until 6pm and the audition was at 4:30pm. So once again, I had to slip out of class, take care of an audition, and make it back in time to get the scene assignments/homework for Friday. I did it! But the audition went just ok. It could've gone better actually. I think I was a little in my head, which is exactly what Howard teaches you NOT to do! I think I was a little distracted by how wordy my scene was and halfway through I was thinking to myself if the producers were still paying attention! Not a good thing when I'm supposed to be "in the moment". Oh well. It was horrible, just was fantastic. Then today I had another "straight to producers" audition - this time for Southland with John Levey Cas...

Just came back from 2 last minute auditions for Castle and Ghost Whisperer. Well, I knew about Castle yesterday afternoon, but the Ghost Whisperer didn't come to me until 20 minutes before I walked out the door for the Castle one. They were calling to reschedule the audition for Monday, and I didn't even know I was scheduled for it to begin with! Luckily, its the same casting office and they agreed to put me on tape for both shows. So, the Ghost Whisperer audition was a very cold read. I actually didn't do bad....Now I'm off to my Howard Fine class. =)

I had two auditions last week. One for a commercial and one for a new show called Modern Family . Both went well, even though I'm not updating my blog with a BOOKING! It's been slow this week. I've been focusing on my time in class. I started class with Howard Fine last week and it's been really great! I work very well with Howard's style and methods. It makes me realize just how much I have stopped doing for my craft. It's easy to become lazy and stop practicing - whether you're busy "working" or not. I needed something to reignite my fire, and Aaseamah's Journey definately did that, and this class is a great way to keep it burning! Now, if I can just become really busy with auditions! =)

My episode of Monk titled Mr. Monk and the Foreign Man is airing tomorrow, Friday August 14th, on USA at 9pm Pacific time. I play Maria Fuentes and I had an amazing time working with Tony and the rest of the cast and crew on one of the episodes of their final season! It was the first time I had a stunt double and a body double and got to play dead!

First of all, my apologies to those who read this blog regularly. I try not to go too long before I update this. I've been wanting to wait until I can post pictures from the film shoot before I updated, but I thought I would write something to hold everyone over until the pics come! :) I can't believe I have been away from California for almost a month now! When I left on July 1st, I was looking forward to my extended "vacation" even though I knew I would be working for the first week and a half of July. I've been back in Corpus Christi for 3 weeks now, visiting my family and friends. It's been nice, but I am SO looking forward to going back home next Monday and getting back to work! Every so often I need a break like this to remind me how great my life and career really are - and I appreciate it much more when I get back! :) The film shoot went AWESOME! I was so lucky to be able to work with such an amazing cast and crew! Everyone was so nice and pr...

So I landed in Iowa Saturday afternoon. I went straight to my hotel room to drop off my bags and freshen up before I joined the rest of the cast and crew at a 4th of July BBQ party. It was the first time I got to meet the executive producer of the film, Tim Anderson , and the rest of the crew. Everyone is so unbelieveably NICE! I'm so excited to be a part of this project, and it just makes it sweeter to know I get to experience this with my good friends Jennifer and Marlo (the writers/producers/star/director of the film). It's so surreal and amazing and I'm just trying to soak up every moment. Today we spent the day shooting the picture props that will be in my character's office at work. My character, Missy, is so self absorbed that she decorates her office in just photos of herself at various times: birthday, with her dog, at work, etc. She is going to be SO MUCH FUN to play! I can't wait! Tomorrow morning I have a wardrobe fitting at 9am and then I'...

I'm packing for my trip to Texas and Iowa right now. I'm heading out tomorrow morning and flying into San Antonio. I'm spending a couple of days in Texas before I head out to Iowa to shoot the film tentatively titled " Who's Your Daddy ". I believe I will shoot for about a week, then head back over to Texas to finish up my vacation with friends and family. Who knows, maybe I can score an audition for Friday Night Lights while I'm in Texas! haha Always looking for work! Ok, back to doing research for my character! :)

What a crazy day it's been today. Well, they always say it happens in 3's. Ed McMahon died a couple of days ago and now today I hear Farrah Fawcett has passed away. Then, just a few hours later, I hear about Michael Jackson passing away as well. It's a sad sad day. Farrah Fawcett actually graduated from my high school so I have always looked up to her in a way, because she showed me that someone from my small town can make a name for herself. She followed her dreams and made it happen, and for that, she will always be an inspiration to me. And Michael Jackson! Are you kidding me?! Such an iconic person! Whatever has been said about him, good or bad, and even all the wacky things he has done - no one can deny the talent that this man had. He will be forever missed, impersonated, and remembered.

My headshot on the poster for The Photoshop on Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks. I've been getting my headshots printed here for a few years now, and I refer everyone I know to this place. I love Norman and he's really helped me out over the years! :) Trying to be productive this week, but kind of hard with no other auditions lined up. Reading play scripts so we can produce something for the stage this year. And also updating my business resume so I can try and get a studio "day job" instead of subbing... We'll see how that goes. I've also had people ask me if I've ever tried to "write" something - like a script. I have in the past, but just figured I wasn't any good at it. I'm thinking I trying my hand at that again and see what I come up with. That's something I can do to kill time before my trip to Texas and Iowa in July! :)

Calling for full length play submissions!!! If you have a great full length play that has yet to be produced, we are looking for you! We are interested in allowing a playwright the opportunity to showcase their talent to an audience! Our preliminary timeline is to open in late September, so we want to begin reading material as soon as possible. If you have something that is important to you, a passion project that just hasn't had a chance to see the light of day, something that will knock the breath right out of the audience's lungs, send it over. We aren't limiting genre at this stage. We are open to everything, as long as it is full length. Please email: lydiablanco@hotmail.com

Happy Father's Day to my daddy - the greatest man ever! :) I have another commercial audition tomorrow! YAY! This is the most I have gone out commercially - ever. I wonder why the change? Anyway, tomorrow I'm going in for "hero woman" on a Glade commercial - which just means the main girl. We'll see how that goes. I'm also getting together with a small group of people to produce original plays on the stage here in LA, so we are looking for scripts. Maybe this will lead to that theater company I've always wanted to open. Gearing up for my trip back to Texas to see the familia Juky 1st - then off to Iowa to shoot the film! Not a bad summer so far! :)

I had two commercial auditions on Tuesday of this week. The first one was for a Geico commercial. I really wish this one went better than it did. I had one line and for some reason it never came out right. :( I went in with a partner and I was the one that was getting all the notes. Just seemed like I couldn't get it right - take after take. :( Then I rushed over to my second audition of the day for Time Warner Cable. This one went better. I got to use my comedic abilities and play the demanding wife. Nice. Didn't go PERFECT, but it did go better! I'm meeting a friend tomorrow afternoon to discuss the possibilities of producing theater together. Both of us have been wrapped up with shooting film and TV that we haven't had much time for the stage. And we both really miss it. So hopefully something can come of this. I'm realy liking the idea of taking on the producer's role. In theater, TV and film. I may have found a new road for me to explore... ...

I'm shooting in Iowa this July! My good friend Jennifer Fontaine , who is INCREDIBLY talented by the way, has written and is producing yet another fabulous project and has graciously included me in it! Her producing partner and my friend, Marlo Bernier , will be directing. Tentatively titled " Who's Your Daddy ", Jennifer is adding another hat to the many she wears, and is starring in this feature as well. I play Missy, the "antagonist" to her character, who is a news anchor, and - well...let's just say she's a very interesting character, without the best intentions sometimes.... hehehe I am SO excited to be a part of this project, but more importantly, to have a front seat in this journey that will enhance the careers of Jennifer and Marlo!! So very exciting! :) I have no idea when in July I am shooting, but I plan to squeeze in a trip to Texas to visit the family before I get to work on this project. This year started off slow, but thankful...

Orlando Bloom in character in Sympathy for Delicious . I was invited by a friend of mine, Al Coronel , who is also with my manager to see an advanced screening of Sympathy for Delicious , the Mark Ruffalo directed film I shot just a couple of months ago. I walked through the doors of William Morris Endeavor for the first time ever, to see the film in their private screening room. It was a very rough cut, meaning Mark still had a lot to do to the film before it's completely finished and ready to be seen by the public. But let me just tell you, Orlando Bloom was really good, and completely different from what people have seen him do so far. Christopher Thorton and Mark Ruffalo both gave really good performances and Juliette Lewis was as powerful as ever. But damn it, I love Laura Linney, and I wish there was more of her in this film! :( But all in all, I'm excited to see what he does in post production and I can't wait for everyone to check out his directorial debut. ...

I had a really great day shooting Monk yesterday. As soon as I got to set I sat in the make up chair for 2 hours while they made me into a corpse that has been rotting for 12 days. That was fun! Then we headed to the location, which happened to be the same house I shot Desperate Housewives ! My first scene to shoot was where I had to play dead. I have never done that before, and let me tell you, it's hard work laying down on a HARD hardwood floor take after take while trying not to show your breathing! I would try to hold my breath, but then get nervous and have to breathe - then I would take too big of a breath which made me paranoid that my chest was moving too much in the scene. It's hard work. But no one told me I was moving or breathing too much so I guess I did a good enough job! Then finally I changed out of my dead makeup into my normal alive makeup and shot the flashback scenes which will be in black and white, I believe. Cool! I had a stunt double, for when ...

Just found out today I booked Monk ! Yay! Randy kept his promise! haha Too bad he's not directing this episode! He was so nice to work with! I am scheduled for a wardrobe fitting tomorrow and I shoot Friday. I'm kind of burning out from subbing. I'm thinking of taking a break and finding work on a studio lot somewhere and learning another aspect of the business. I'm searching for any opportunities out there.... :)

Today I had an audition for Monk . It was another challenging stretch for me: a maid named Maria with an accent. haha I was looking forward to this audition mainly because I had worked with the executive producer Randy Zisk when he directed me in the Lifetime pilot in Vancouver The Virgin of Akron Ohio , and he was SO nice to work with! And his brother Craig directed me on Weeds and was also a joy to work with! :) As soon as I walked in, I wondered if Randy would remember me, but as soon as I entered he greeted me with a huge smile and said "Hi Lydia! Good to see you!" :) That was a relief! The audition went by quick and painless and I headed home. We'll see.... But he did promise me a job on Monk THREE years ago...haha I'm waiting....

Ok, almost 2 weeks have passed since I have posted anything. So sorry! Let's get everyone up to date. Last week I had a callback for the Bank of America commercial. It went really well. They paired us up and gave us a scenario. Mine was being proposed to. So I had this complete stranger tell me he loved me, then got on bended knee and proposed to me. I accepted, and this complete stranger hugged and kissed me on my neck. Sounds weird, right? Just another day at the office! Then, after he proposed, we had to improvise a scene where we are now in a birthing class and I'm pregnant. Life moves fast! haha Last weekend I went to Vegas for an early birthday celebration with some friends. And yesterday was my official birthday, and I spent it auditioning for a play in Long Beach called In Arabia We'd All Be Kings . Actually, I had another play audition earlier this week for a show called El Verde at Casa 0101. I would love to do a play this summer. I feel so out of ...

This week has been interesting. My first week off from subbing, and I bought a new car! :) I love it, but now that I have a new car payment I have to keep working! Soooo.... I had two auditions on Wednesday. One for Nip/Tuck and one for Bank of America. Then my agent called for another bank of America audition on Thursday morning, which ended up being the same spot - so I didn't re-audition. Tonight I'm going to a screening of La Carretera, the short film I shot 2 years ago. That's about all that's happening... I have a birthday coming up - May 27th. Yikes! Another year gone! Where is the time going??

Today is my last day of subbing in this 3rd grade class. Then I'm back to finding work everyday. There are pluses and minuses to that! Yesterday I had my audition for Raising the Bar . It was for another maid role, on the stand in court. I thought I did fairly well. I went in and did my thing with my accent and the producers and director seemed to like it and then I was out. I have to say I was the youngest actress there for this role, so I may not be what they are looking for - but you never know... So far, no other auditions lined up. I may watch a production of Jesus Christ Superstar this weekend and possibly take some workshops next week, just to stay busy doing something . Next Friday I am finally watching the final cut of a short film I shot almost 2 years ago: La Carretera (formally known as The Graveyard Shift ). I'm excited to see everyone I worked with on that production! Summer is always SO SLOW!

Last night I saw the production of LYDIA at The Mark Taper Theater, and OH MY GOD, was it amazing! I absolutely LOVED it! :) The acting, the writing, the direction - it was all great! Very inspiring! (And it made me feel like I have tons of work to do!) I especially loved how fearless the whole production was with the subject matter. The writing "went tehre" the actors "went there" - and they were not afraid! It was awesome! I highly recommend this show! I'm taking the day off of subbing tomorrow because I have an audition in Santa Monica in the morning. It's for Raising the Bar on TNT. Wish me luck! :)

Jada Pinkett Smith, star of Hawthorne . It's been kind of busy lately for me, which is good. The bad part of that is juggling my schedule and trying to find a way to go to my auditions while I'm still subbing! I have one more week left in this class and the committment is over! :) But they gave been a really great class - the best actually - so I can't complain... So I had an audition yesterday for The Closer , playing a neighbor in a neighborhood meeting. It was a one line role and I was thinking of ways to cancel. I didn't, and I showed up on time for the audition, and I saw Carla Jimenez there. She is the woman I was up against for the pilot last fall. You know, the one who got my role in the Wilmer Valderamma pilot for FOX? Yeah - her. She's very sweet and we communicate from time to time on myspace/facebook/email/etc. Well, it was surprising to see her there, but it did solidify my decision to start auditioning again for co-star roles. Times are s...

Friday I had my audition for the feature film WWJD . I saw Jack Deveraux from Days of Our Lives , Matthew Ashford , auditioning as well. Can you believe I kept it together and didn't approach him? haha If you knew what a DAYS fan I was for many years, you would be very surprised! I felt like my audition went well. I was auditioning for a maid named Maria, with an accent, so how bad could I have done, really? Afterwards, I headed to Santa Ana to see a friend perform in the play When Nature Calls with the Breath of Fire Latina Theater Company. It was a series of monologues written by Josefina Lopez . Afterwards I spent the night with my friend Shayla in Long Beach. I really like heading down there because its so pretty! I really want to live closer to the beach! So we went condo hunting and found some really great deals! I just don't know if Long Beach would be too long of a commute when I have auditions. Sunday I had my audition for the play Anna in the Tropics at the...

Last night I attended the Cricket Feet Showcase at The Colony Theater in Burbank held by Bonnie Gillespie . There were lots of people there! It was packed! We had a good night of 24 scenes, drinks, food, red carpet, and mingling. It was a fun night! :) Today I have an audition for an independent film called WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) and tonight I am heading to Santa Ana to see my friend in her play When Nature Calls . I also have a play audition on Sunday for Anna in the Tropics at the Frida Khalo Theater. Trying to stay as busy as I can!

Last night I audited another acting coach. I was invited through email to check out Lynette McNeill's class that she has on Monday and Thursday nights. I have audited a few coaches in my quest to find a new home to study with. I've seen Ivanna Chubbuck , Howard Fine , John Kirby , and I've taken a comedy intensive with Scott Sedita , and I have Larry Moss on the list. So far, I'm pretty set on Howard Fine. But since I can't enroll until August (when the new cycle of classes begin), I decided to see what else was out there to consider, just in case I find someone even more suitable for me. Lynette's class was small, 16 students. And she had only one class, unlike the different levels that other schools offered: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master Class, which I prefer. Her class began with an hour of improv, then onto prepared scenes. The students seemed to have fun and Lynette really seemed involved in their progression. I just didn't feel...

I just got a call for a last minute audition for a commercial in Santa Monica, right after work! I have to zoom right over and hopefully make it in time. I'm pretty excited because it's a strong comedic role, so hopefully I can step up to the plate! :) The wedding I stood in this weekend was beautiful! And so much fun :)

Well, I had another audition today! Today I went in for a feature film called Fred & Vinnie . Two auditions in one week! WhoooHooo!!! I saw a lot of familiar faces. Luckily I was able to run in and out to make it back to work on time. The audition went well, and the casting director, Brad Gilmore, was very sweet. Still trying to figure out a way to take Howard Fine's class any earlier than August - don't think there is one. :( I'm auditing a class on Monday, so we'll see how that goes. Also, I was asked to make an appearance at a red carpet arrival for an actor's showcase next week. Me? I don't know why, but since a good friend asked so nicely, I plan to be there.... :) I'm very flattered though. I am in a wedding this weekend so I will be very busy starting tonight with the wedding festivities! :) Busy busy busy

YAY! So happy just to have an audition today! That could lead to a possible BOOKING, which equals WORK, which means something for me to DO! So happy! Even though it is "only a co-star" role, it's actually a decent role. I'm auditioning for The Bill Engvall Show on TBS. Should be fun... :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! I didn't get to spend easter with my family this year - I rarely do now that I've been living here in LA for the past 8 years! I spent it with a friend of mine in Bakersfield California. Had a great time and even help fly her dad's Cessna airplane for about 2 seconds while I screamed the entire time! haha Sorry I didn't know ahead of time, but last night my episode of Desperate Housewives reaired on ABC. But I did check to see if anything else is coming up and I saw that The Holiday is reairing this weekend on TBS - so check your local listings! :) Kind of slow right now. Waiting for something to bite - a play, a commercial, a movie, anything! Just want to work! I keep getting these invites to audit these acting classes, so I plan to do that sometime next week. And of course, gotta start keeping busy with workshops or something...

YAY! Just got the call that I have a last minute audition today for a guest star role on the new Amy Poehler series on NBC: Parks and Recreation . I'm subbing today and the role calls for business-like and professional. So here I am, rushing home during lunch to change into my suit, then rushing back! Then, the bell rings today at 2:30pm and I have to make it into Hollywood by 3pm! Yikes! Very hectic! But I'm so excited that it's a nice guest star role and it would start work tomorrow! :)

This economic crisis has affected both my jobs. First off, LAUSD handed out 6,000 pink slips to permanent and non permanent teachers, which means that lots of them will be out of a job next school year if they don't get placed somewhere else (Thanks Gov. Arnold!). Which means many would probably go into the subbing cycle, which means I could get called for work much less. Great. Then, the entertainment industry is feeling it also. Aside from the fact that SAG still hasn't finalized a new thearical contract for us, studios are making less and less films right now. Which means that big stars who normally do films are doing television just to get work. Which trickles down to me, because they are taking those guest star spots on shows that I need to work on. So I've been doing some thinking, and I figured this is not the time to stand my ground on the whole "guest star/series regular only" jobs. I really can't even say "no more maid roles" or no ...

Well, I was gone for almost two weeks to Dallas, which means I had to turn down a couple of audition opportunities (The Closer and a commercial). :( But, I was gone for a great reason, I was witnessing the birth of my neice's baby girl: Ava Rose! Wow, let me just say I commend you mothers out there! I dont know how you did it and survived that whole ordeal of giving birth! It was crazy! Just like the movie Alien! haha Well, I was anxious to get back home and get back to work! I had planned to sign up and begin to take Howard Fine's acting class next week for the next 3 months but they had cancelled the one I wanted...so now I have to wait until August!! I'm so bummed about that! I did see my small clip on Dollhouse . I looked puffy. Hitting the gym today. :)

I had an audition for Gustavo , a USC grad film today. That's huge since I don't really do student films anymore. That goes to show you just how slow these auditions are getting for me. I just need to be busy doing something. Some kind of work. I wasn't even going to show up to this audition today. By the time I got out of work, and got on the freeway, I saw how crazy traffic was. I was about to turn around and just go home. Apparently President Obama was in town so freeways were shut down for some reason. I got to my audition 20 minutes late. :( I met the producer and director and had a very nice chat/interview before my read. I was a little nervous because the script was in Spanish and we all know that Spanish is not my strong suit. I stumbled a bit through my first couple of reads, then I started to feel more comfortable. They were both very sweet and I felt good about it. As I was walking out, I had to smile because I didn't blow this audition off. Whe...

I had an audition for tomorrow that I had to cancel. :( I'm going out of town on Friday for a week because my neice is having a baby and I told her I would be there for her. Well, today my agent called me with a guest star audition on The Closer which would work the week I am gone. :( Damn it. Family first right? haha Ugh.... Well, good news... I will be on DOLLHOUSE this Friday, on FOX at 9pm. Don't blink because it will be fast. Then, Saturday evening my film THE HOLIDAY, with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, will air on TBS at 9pm and again on Sunday at 5:30pm. Again, don't blink.

Today I had an audition for a feature film at Betty Mae Casting. The role called for me to resemble Frida Kahlo. I never really ever go in full costume, but I like to suggest the character as much as I can whenever I go in. So I went with my eyebrows darkened just a bit (with a touch of shadow in between them) and my hair pulled back. I was surprised to see that I was probably one of the only ones who even went through that effort. Most of the other girls looked like their normal everyday selves. I went into the office and saw my good friend JC Cantu there. He has risen up the ranks over the years and I have seen him progress in his casting career. It was so good to sit and catch up with him. Then I went in and did a pretty damn good job in the audition room, if I do say so myself. :) We'll see what happens... This evening I had a production meeting for a short film I am working on called Pawnbroker, dircted by my friend Alex Castillo . This is my first venture as a co/...

with the director and star of the film, Leland and Jeanne. Not the most flattering pic of me, but it was the only one I took. Well, I had an amazing time shooting Morning this week. Let me first start by saying that Leland Orser and Jeanne Tripplehorn were two of the nicest people! Very sweet! I was only on set for three hours and then I was wrapped! It was a fast and easy day! We were shooting in the mall in Torrance so afterwards I just drove down to Long Beach and had lunch with a friend. It wasn't a bad day at all! I play a sales clerk that runs out of a department store looking for Jeanne's character and hands her a bagshe left in the store. Its a very short - but sweet -scene. I was really impressed to see he had a young (and thin) woman (from Mexico City) as his cinematographer, holding that huge steadicam for my scene! That was awesome! Girl Power!

Ok, things like this never happen to me - well, actually yes, it has happened once before (The Office) - but its still pretty awesome nonetheless. Last week my agent called to tell me I was offered a small role in a film, no audition necessary . Wow. Nice. Debra Zane , who cast me in The Terminal with Tom Hanks , called my agent about me for this SAG modified low budget film called Morning . They had wanted to set up a meeting with me but my agent just sent over my reel and they called back to offer me the role. Just like that. The film is written and directed by Leland Orser from ER and stars his wife Jeanne Tripplehorn as well as Laura Linney and Jason Ritter . I'll be playing a store salesclerk in one of the scenes. I shoot on Tuesday. Pretty exciting stuff! And I'm very flattered and humbled that Debra thought of me for this project! She's very sweet! :)

I went to the wrap party for the film Sympathy for Delicious last night. I was very happy to receive an invite. It was at a club in Los Angeles and the band that performed included one of the make up/hair people. It was fun. I didn't stay long since I didn't really know anyone on the crew very well. I only worked that one day and I slept in my trailer for a bit after I was done shooting my scene, so I didn't get to mingle much. But I did see the director, Mark Ruffalo there, across the crowded club, so no chance at speaking with him again. Oh well. It was fun to hang out with my friend Allie who also worked on the shoot. :)

My friend Allie with her "movie husband" on the set of Sympathy for Delicious A very big congratulations to my friend Allie Smith , who just got bumped up to a speaking role on the set of Sympathy for Delicious ! I've known Allie since she was a itty bitty teenager in Texas, and she had moved to Chicago to pursue her career in acting. She's been out here for just a few years, trying to find her way. She was doing a pretty nice featured extra role on this movie and I got to see her on set when I was shooting on Thursday. Well, she just told me today that Mark Ruffalo, the director, gave her a line! Her first big movie job out here in LA! She so deserves it! She was so excited - and so was I! See folks, it can happen, just like that! She was showing up everyday as an extra, trying to soak up as much as she could while on set, and because she is just so darn likeable and professional, they found a way to upgrade her! And in an insant, they moved her from a chair...

Above: with The very sexy Esai Morales, and below with equally sexy, Wilmer Valderamma ;) So Saturday night I performed with Casa 0101 at a benefit gala organized by my friend Yennifer Beherns to raise money for the charter school that her kids go to. One of the award recipients that night was Wilmer Valderamma. When he arrived, I approached him and we chatted about meeting during testing for his pilot. He said that The Emancipation of Ernesto is still being reworked, so I'm not sure when the show will air. Either way, I'm not on it! :( haha He was very gracious and he gave a meaningful and inspiring acceptance speech. Then, I could hardly contain my excitment, because one of my Hollywood crushes entered the room: Esai Morales! I just LOVE him! That man table-hopped and said hello to everyone in the room, he took pictures with everyone, and even stayed later to dance the night away with the kids and ladies who circled him on the dance floor! He has such a positive...

Yesterday I was on set working on Sympathy For Delicious , the directorial debut of Mark Ruffalo ! I was so excited to be on this set! The moment I met Mark and he approved my wardrobe, he was so sweet to me, thanking me for being there and telling me what a great job I had done. I guess he meant in my audition. Then I went to set and we worked on the chaotic scene where the lead character, played by Christopher Thornton (who is also the writer) healed my "son" in leg braces. I think we did maybe two takes and we were done. In fact, my audition consisted of improv, which I realized later that I didn't even do in my scene on set! So I doubt I will be heard - much less seen in this movie! But the plus side is...I did get to meet and talk to Mark and learn what a very nurturing and sweet director he is! :) We chatted again later where he again said what a great job I did and even went as far as to call me an amazing and talented actress. Hmmm...Maybe he was still ...

Victoria Justice, the star of the pilot I auditioned for, and whose mother I would play. So, the weirdest thing happened.... I was out last night with a friend of mine visiting from the East Coast and I get a message from someone I know who works for a different talent agency than who I'm with, letting me know there is an audition for a series regular on a new Nickelodeon show and they were seeing people the very next day. He felt I was perfect for this mom role and wasn't sure if I had gone in for it yet. No I hadn't, actually. He sent me the information and sides and was "passing on the info" for me so I could check it out. Apparently the casting director gave him the green light to send all his hispanic actresses in that age range - so he thought of me - which was nice, considering he doesn't represent me. There were about 6 of us being seen for the role today. One of the actresses, Rosa Blasi , recognized my face as soon as she walked in. She and I h...