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Welcome to the B. Blog! What's happening right now with me will ALL be seen here. Upcoming performances, auditions, any and everything to do with my journey as a professional actress.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Canvas.

March 26, 2015- Canvas.

“Looks can be deceiving”

We’ve all heard that saying before. Or this one: Don’t judge a book by its cover. But what do those sayings REALLY mean? What they are saying is don’t judge someone just on how they look or their appearance. Being an artist, our work is often “judged” and evaluated by a mere glance or look. My canvas as an Actor is my body, my appearance. Our works i.e. our “canvas” often doesn’t get any recognition until it’s too late. People cannot see pass our exterior to what makes us the true artist that we are.  Come on… we don’t get any credit until the “right” person declares we are talented or our work is good enough. (Laughs) It is true.
        
I have come to a place that my looks don’t make my skills any better or any worse. Honestly, it is what is inside. What you “paint” out, “sculpt” out, “dance” out or even “perform” out is what matters. The simple fact that it is finally out there… As long as whatever you present truly represents you and has purpose is the key. Remember that. Don’t adjust or alter your “canvas” for anyone or anything but yourself. And even then…reconsider. Stand out and be unique.


Brit

Twitter: @Broadway_B

Friday, March 20, 2015

Focus.

March 20, 2015-Focus.

Whether we like it or not, we will always be affected by the elements of the world. Either physically or emotionally, we are all subjected to the worldly harms of this universe. So that is why we have to be sure to keep our spirits sound and healthy. As an Actress, I sometimes subjugate myself to cruel habits: sleepless nights, obscene diets, mental humiliation (at times) and all the while I have to make sure I have tough skin. You have to learn to focus.

I am so focused right now…it is not even funny. Purposefully, I am assessing every little thing that enters into my life as a necessity or “in the moment”. Sounds so drastic but truthfully what it does is creates a sense of recognition and boundary for yourself. Sometimes, we tend to hold onto things longer than what they were intended for. And no I am not talking about a dream…I am talking about a habit or person that in hindsight you realized wasn’t worth it from the start.

So how does one get to be so focused? How can you differentiate between the two? You have to keep in account the things that make you happy and know what you want. It seems as you get older, it gets harder to lie. (smiles) And that is a good thing. Wait…it doesn’t for you? Well shoot, sorry you haven’t had that epiphany yet, but seriously I am loving how honest I am becoming. You cannot allow yourself to become distracted or unfocused just because the elements are not shifted to your liking. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing an artist be true to themselves and in their element.

My body and mind are both set on: “What’s Next?” status.


Brit

Twitter: @Broadway_B


Wednesday, March 18, 2015

My Dreams Are NOT Deferred... (3)

March 18, 2015- A Raisin in the Sun Recap: The Reflection.

The Reflection.

So this past Monday morning driving into work, I had a sense of peace rushing over and through my body. Nothing filled my mind. WHICH IS RARE FOR ME! I was just so grateful and thoughtful that I had experienced fulfilling another dream of mine. I haven’t performed on stage in 3 years! And there was a clear sense of “belonging” up there. Feeling the warmth of lights splash across my face. The energy of the audience: the roar of their laughter and sidebar comments (smiles). 

The awesomeness of still finding discoveries while performing on stage. OHHHHH seeing my fellow actors and I having such a good time on that stage! Oooooh it is nothing like seeing an Artist in their natural habitat and I was…at home.

And the support! All of my family and friends who came out….a TON that I didn’t know even knew about the show. Wow, just plain wow. I am so blessed.

So what’s next?...Well of course, you know I never slow down….really. I find out about grad schools this week! Woot! And from there I have MAJOR project in the works. And this one….this one, my friends, is the game changer. STAY TUNED.


Brit

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

My Dreams Are NOT Deferred... (2)

March 17, 2015- A Raisin in the Sun Recap: Playing Ruth Younger.

Playing Ruth Younger.

Was it a challenge? Yes, of course it was! People sometimes think that just because I have been performing for so long that it comes easy to me. Well, here’s a bit of info: I never make anything easy for myself. I like to dig deep into the characters that I play. It is one thing to “look” like the character, but to feel and think like them takes time. Moving like them…even sitting and laughing like them. Finding all of the nuisances that make them human is the BEST PART. 

Years ago when I was attached to Raisin, I was typically cast as Beneatha. So, naturally Ruth called for a maturity and groundedness that I haven’t been able to portray as an actress yet.  Exploring what a “maternal” instinct is.  Emulating a pregnancy through the entirety of a play not actually “knowing” what it is like to "be" pregnant was so much fun! It made Ruth come alive in me. One of the things I am most appreciative of is the fact that our director Marlon Hargrave and producer Erica Pugh made it a necessity to bring real working elements to the stage. Elements meaning an actual working stove and appliances. DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO COOK LIVE IN FRONT OF OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE!? I was so adamant not to burn those damn eggs! LOL I am so serious, but it really helped me develop my skills as a performer: staying in the moment yet maintaining a sense of safety on stage. Working with an ensemble cast of about 10 people was surprisingly peaceful. Of course, we all had our stints of frustrations; however, because we started the rehearsal process back in October, we were able to build a rapport and developed a natural chemistry amongst each other that read so well on stage. I was telling some of the people who came to see the show: “whenever you saw and heard laughter on stage, it was completely genuine. Very authentic because we enjoyed working together.”

Channeling Ruth was quite enjoyable, I must say. Her strength wasn't as much of a challenge as discovering “her” levels of vulnerability. Often Ruth is played somewhat submissive to her husband and acts as a mediator between everyone in the house to maintain peace. However, Ruth is a dreamer herself. She is hungry for life beyond what she has. Like the title infers, she is also a raisin dried up. Her dreams of a life living independently with Walter Lee and traveling the world were “deferred” as well. Ruth’s vulnerability is her love for peace and order. She even contemplates sacrificing her new baby just so that her family can have peace in their home. When portraying Ruth, I wanted to make sure that her love for Walter was always known. She loves and respects her husband. 

Even though his “ideas” and “investments” has placed them in unlikely predicaments, she still loves this man and most women playing her [Ruth] forget about the love. Submitting and supporting are very dissimilar traits. I also enjoyed finding the balances of anger and sadness. Not only was she upset with Walter Lee…she was disappointed in his actions. Those are two VERY different emotions and I was able to explore my range with Ruth.  I even found MY TEARS! (laughs)…. Lorraine Hansberry was BRILLIANT, people! Brilliant!

Look out for Part III!

Brit

Twitter: @Broadway_B

Monday, March 16, 2015

My Dreams Are NOT Deferred... (1)

March 16, 2015- A Raisin in the Sun Recap: The Vision

The Vision.

WELL….IT IS A WRAP! Folks, I honestly feel like I have crossed over a new threshold as a performer after wrapping A Raisin in the Sun this past weekend!  As you know, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is an American classic and I had the most esteemed honor of portraying the role of Ruth Younger. If you are familiar with the original film/play, this role was played by the legendary Ruby Dee and to know that I have now had the opportunity to even grace a smidgen in her footsteps…is an amazing feeling. 


This show has come up in my life 3 distinct times—and all have ended with me either having to drop out of the show or it was canceled or whatever. So I feel as though I was destined to perform in this play. I mentioned before that I had a dream about this show prior to getting casted… I had this dream two years ago in November 2013.  I distinctly remember…the seats. It was a large theater and the seats…the seats were a peculiar shade of green. And a large audience rumbling with laughter… So I am one to always seek out the truth from my dreams. I know it sounds odd but I know that God communicates with us in many different ways. I am a person that experiences Déjà vu quite frequently and I have come to find that: when you experience a bout of Déjà vu—embrace it. Why? Because that means you have seen or experienced this feeling or place before and the fact that you are seeing it AGAIN means…you are in the right place at the right time. In this case…the seats. So in my mind, I thought that those seats were going to be at one of the grad schools I auditioned for that following January in 2014. Sure enough, they weren’t.
 
So flash forward to August 2014, when I got offered the chance to play Ruth Younger and the director Marlon Hargrave tells the cast we will be performing at Willett Hall in Portsmouth, VA. Mind you I have NEVER been or seen Willett Hall before. So just in conversation I mention to the cast about my dream and Marlon goes “well, wouldn’t it be funny if the seats at Willett are the seats from your dream?” I laughed yet curiosity sat in. So…I googled Willett Hall and LO AND BEHOLD….there were the green seats!!! Lord, you would have thought I won the lottery the way I fell to my knees in tears. I am not nuts, people. I just know…I was meant to do this show.

Look out for Part II!


Brit

Twitter: @Broadway_B

Monday, March 2, 2015

Permission.

March 2, 2015- Permission.

Don’t you hate it when you get a pebble in your shoe? Somehow that little bugger just sneaks up in there and just puts a damper in your step. I mean, even for the briefest of moments, it slows down everything and you spend that moment shaking your foot vigorously to get it out of there…right? So annoying…and that’s how people or circumstances can pop into your life. Even though in the grand scheme of things it is a short-lived second but it seems to consume everything. Let’s just say recently I had to shake a few ROCKS out of my shoes. (Laughs) And I have never felt better…

Don’t let anything or anyone slow you down. Don’t ever give anyone the permission or power to stop you. The only time you should slow down and stop…is bending down to tie your shoe.



Brit

Twitter: @Broadway_B