Above: Sex Milkshake, My beloved improvisation team, Photo by Erik Carter
April Showers Bring Reorganization to my life April 2013
February and March were INSANE.
SO many shows, my first Advanced Study class at UCB with Will Hines, my mom and dad came to visit me, Sex Milkshake was invited to do an Indie Improv Showcase at the UCB Chelsea Theatre...
April has been no different.
I completed my Will Hines class, auditioned for UCB Harold/Lloyd teams for the first time, and continued pouring beers and delivering juicy burgers at Smithfield Tavern. Along the way a SLEW of shows continue to crop up that my teams jump at the chance to take part in.
Sex Milkshake is chugging right along, so close to our one year anniversary and we're all LOST for what to get each other. Tim Martin still guides us through the foggy waters that ARE one's first year or so learning improv...
The Works continues to tear up the indie scene, absolutely in awe of one another's improv super powers with Wonder Woman Karin Hammerberg (Guthrie, UCB) and Superman Amos Vernon helping us harness our super natural abilities into improv GOLD.
Can't wait to see what May will bring. I feel pretty happy with my fast-paced, laugh-filled life.
SO many shows, my first Advanced Study class at UCB with Will Hines, my mom and dad came to visit me, Sex Milkshake was invited to do an Indie Improv Showcase at the UCB Chelsea Theatre...
April has been no different.
I completed my Will Hines class, auditioned for UCB Harold/Lloyd teams for the first time, and continued pouring beers and delivering juicy burgers at Smithfield Tavern. Along the way a SLEW of shows continue to crop up that my teams jump at the chance to take part in.
Sex Milkshake is chugging right along, so close to our one year anniversary and we're all LOST for what to get each other. Tim Martin still guides us through the foggy waters that ARE one's first year or so learning improv...
The Works continues to tear up the indie scene, absolutely in awe of one another's improv super powers with Wonder Woman Karin Hammerberg (Guthrie, UCB) and Superman Amos Vernon helping us harness our super natural abilities into improv GOLD.
Can't wait to see what May will bring. I feel pretty happy with my fast-paced, laugh-filled life.
New Year, new way of life January 2013
The shows just kept coming this month. I'm having a ball performing all over town with the teams.
A couple highlights:
The Works performing on the UCB Chelsea stage as part of School Night,
Sex Milkshake hosting it's own show,
and
an amazing turn out on one of the coldest nights of the year for January's Upstarts show.
Life is very, very good.
A couple highlights:
The Works performing on the UCB Chelsea stage as part of School Night,
Sex Milkshake hosting it's own show,
and
an amazing turn out on one of the coldest nights of the year for January's Upstarts show.
Life is very, very good.
Big things on the horizon December 2012
Keeping my website abreast of all my upcoming improv shows via "What I'm Up To" is no longer feasible. Many of the shows I'm doing now we're booking weeks in advance at spaces with ample room for visitors. So I've decided to add a page to my website devoted to my show calendar.
From here on out, "What I'm up to" will continue to discuss my progression in the New York arts world, with less dates and clutter about shows come and gone.
Sex Milkshake continues strong. We're very sad that the holidays will stilt our practices this month but excited to start 2013 with a bang and get the ball rolling on tons of improv shows!
The Works are finishing 2012 with a couple shows here and there around town. We're loving the community we've found among other all-female teams. We're excited to book and perform shows in the near future featuring only female improvisers.
From here on out, "What I'm up to" will continue to discuss my progression in the New York arts world, with less dates and clutter about shows come and gone.
Sex Milkshake continues strong. We're very sad that the holidays will stilt our practices this month but excited to start 2013 with a bang and get the ball rolling on tons of improv shows!
The Works are finishing 2012 with a couple shows here and there around town. We're loving the community we've found among other all-female teams. We're excited to book and perform shows in the near future featuring only female improvisers.
Ohhh the things I'm thankful for... November 2012
November 15th marked a double-Sammi-feature at The Upstarts. The Works and Sex Milkshake performed and I had a blast.
I feel so privileged to be a part of these teams full of talented, decent, wonderful humans.
Both teams continue performing around the city wherever they can find a tiny inkling of space to play in.
Life is pretty awesome.
I feel so privileged to be a part of these teams full of talented, decent, wonderful humans.
Both teams continue performing around the city wherever they can find a tiny inkling of space to play in.
Life is pretty awesome.
Leaves are changing... October 2012
October marked the end of my time in Upright Citizens Brigade's core curriculum. I have been approved for Advanced Study at good ol' UCB and am excited at the prospect of even more challenging class work.
October also marked a couple of beginnings:
The Upstarts moved from a 45-seat-theatre to a 99-seat-theatre and sold out again! Sex Milkshake had another great show as did all the teams that night.
I joined another improv team called The Works comprised almost entirely of girls I met in Improv 301. We've had numerous shows around the city, are enjoying doing Harolds and Character scene painting for our performances, and love doing everything our fearless coach, Amos Vernon (Guthrie), throws at us each week.
October also marked a couple of beginnings:
The Upstarts moved from a 45-seat-theatre to a 99-seat-theatre and sold out again! Sex Milkshake had another great show as did all the teams that night.
I joined another improv team called The Works comprised almost entirely of girls I met in Improv 301. We've had numerous shows around the city, are enjoying doing Harolds and Character scene painting for our performances, and love doing everything our fearless coach, Amos Vernon (Guthrie), throws at us each week.
An Upstart through Upright September 2012
Being a part of Apartment 3E got Jenny and I thinking and after our 301 class graduation show, as fate would have it, we were sitting and talking to our classmate and friend Tyler Newhouse (The Bunge) and the three of us decided to put together a show featuring our three teams. Not only this, but after two lunches and tons of emails, we have decided to embark on a monthly showcase of new improvisation talent. Taking place at Under St. Marks Theatre, our first show will feature all three of our teams on September 20th at 10:30pm and for the months following, we will cycle one of our three teams out and bring in one outside team that is also new to the improv world. We aptly titled this adventure: The Upstarts.
Sex Milkshake also has a show on September 21st at 10:30pm at Under St. Marks Theatre as part of Thank You, Robot's September lineup.
401 continues and I'm more in love with improv and life than ever. Our next class shows are Sunday September 30th and Sunday October 14th at 4pm at UCB east.
More more more.
Sex Milkshake also has a show on September 21st at 10:30pm at Under St. Marks Theatre as part of Thank You, Robot's September lineup.
401 continues and I'm more in love with improv and life than ever. Our next class shows are Sunday September 30th and Sunday October 14th at 4pm at UCB east.
More more more.
Jammin' and Blendin' August 2012
This month marked my first improvisation show. My friend Jenny St. Angelo (KEATON) and I formed a team titled, The Jammys. We rehearsed with the great Zach Willis (The Regulars) and performed at a summer theatre series a friend of ours put together titled, "Apartment 3E." It was a blast. I felt like a part of something so grassroots. The event inspired Jenny and I to start thinking of ways to create a similar series.
August also marked my 301 class show performance. I was so sad to see this class come to an end but thrilled to have been a part of it. I am now enrolled in Improv 401 with the great Betsy Stover (Hot for Teacher) and am loving running tons of Harolds.
August also marked my 301 class show performance. I was so sad to see this class come to an end but thrilled to have been a part of it. I am now enrolled in Improv 401 with the great Betsy Stover (Hot for Teacher) and am loving running tons of Harolds.
Sex Milkshakes and Fireworks July 2012
My improv practice group has decided on a name and is ready to enter the world of performing as an improvisation TEAM! We are Sex Milkshake and we're sure you'll enjoy a sip or twelve. Tim continues to prove himself the guru of all-things improv as our coach. Our first performance is set for September after a couple of our teammates return from August vacations.
301 is still amazing. Our class graduation show is August 11 at 4pm at UCB East. I can't even TALK about it. The thought of not improv-ing with these people is so ridiculously sad to me.
My new apartment in fair Williamsburg is endlessly wonderful. From our rooftop, I watched all four barges of the Fourth of July Fireworks display against the backdrop of the entire Manhattan skyline. Talk about astounding! I was in heaven.
July 30th marks Year One of living in New York. It's been such an incredible journey. Here's to many more years and adventures and happiness to come.
301 is still amazing. Our class graduation show is August 11 at 4pm at UCB East. I can't even TALK about it. The thought of not improv-ing with these people is so ridiculously sad to me.
My new apartment in fair Williamsburg is endlessly wonderful. From our rooftop, I watched all four barges of the Fourth of July Fireworks display against the backdrop of the entire Manhattan skyline. Talk about astounding! I was in heaven.
July 30th marks Year One of living in New York. It's been such an incredible journey. Here's to many more years and adventures and happiness to come.
Digging deep in my new digs June 2012
I moved to Brooklyn. Good-by 12'x15' shoebox-of-a-bedroom, hello enough space to fit a dresser and small desk! Life is good.
My improv practice group continues to meet weekly with the great Tim Martin.
Improv 301 is amazing. Such a powerhouse class of funny people. I'm having a blast.
My birthday proved to be a beautiful meeting of my New York worlds: restaurant job collegues, improv team and classmates, castmates of shows gone-by, friends-of-friends-made-friends-by-friends upon my arrival in New York last July... truly a magical evening.
My improv practice group continues to meet weekly with the great Tim Martin.
Improv 301 is amazing. Such a powerhouse class of funny people. I'm having a blast.
My birthday proved to be a beautiful meeting of my New York worlds: restaurant job collegues, improv team and classmates, castmates of shows gone-by, friends-of-friends-made-friends-by-friends upon my arrival in New York last July... truly a magical evening.
A new group, and a whole new level May 2012
I am now a part of a new practice group! Sadly, my first group was forced into retirement due to summer plans taking the group away from New York, or just away from availability. But my new group is fantastic. Every Wednesday we meet and coach for two hours with Tim Martin, a veteran UCB Performer (Airwolf, Fuck That Shit). I love the energy and the tone of this group. All eight of us have taken classes together; seven of the eight of us took the same 101 class together... so we work very easily with one another. We hope to grow into a wonderful team :)
In other news, after a fun-filled six-week run, East of the Sun, West of the Moon came to an end on May 20, 2012. I really loved this cast and crew. It's really wonderful, getting to work with people for months on a project and really come together and create together. There was so much love and trust on stage between all of us. It felt so great, like how the work should feel - challenging, and yet so easy.
And in other news still, I was approved to move into Improv 301 at UCB's training center. I'm enrolled in Ben Rameaka's 301 class (Airwolf, Three for All) starting June 13th.
So off I continue to go... auditioning, improv-ing, and most importantly, living. :)
In other news, after a fun-filled six-week run, East of the Sun, West of the Moon came to an end on May 20, 2012. I really loved this cast and crew. It's really wonderful, getting to work with people for months on a project and really come together and create together. There was so much love and trust on stage between all of us. It felt so great, like how the work should feel - challenging, and yet so easy.
And in other news still, I was approved to move into Improv 301 at UCB's training center. I'm enrolled in Ben Rameaka's 301 class (Airwolf, Three for All) starting June 13th.
So off I continue to go... auditioning, improv-ing, and most importantly, living. :)
The Brigade grows... and Beauty Shows April 2012
I have officially joined my first Upright Citizens Brigade Practice Group. The eight of us meet each Sunday with a UCB coach (Morgan Grace Jarrett of Grandma's Ashes, Ladies Night: Men Welcome, and The Bachelor: Romance, Roses, and Romance) for two hours and work on further developing the skills we are learning in class. I feel very much more a part of the UCB community these days. Between classes with the amazing Abra Tabak (Grandma's Ashes, What I Did For Love) and the my fellow students, I couldn't feel I am in better hands to become this person I hope to be.
East of the Sun, West of the Moon is coming along! We have one week of rehearsals left, tech the second week of April, and open on the 14th. I can't wait to start interacting with kids and seeing their faces light up as we take them along for the ride on this familiar tale of girl-meets-beast and girl-learns-what-true-affection-is :)
East of the Sun, West of the Moon is coming along! We have one week of rehearsals left, tech the second week of April, and open on the 14th. I can't wait to start interacting with kids and seeing their faces light up as we take them along for the ride on this familiar tale of girl-meets-beast and girl-learns-what-true-affection-is :)
Brigade-ing and Beautifying March 2012
I will have my Improv 101 class graduation show on Sunday March 11th at 1:15pm at the UCB East.
I am so sad for this class to end! My teacher (the incomparable Abra Tabak of Grandma's Ashes) and classmates became very dear to me very quickly. But I'm very confident we'll keep pushing each other on (we've become Improv Jam regulars, getting up onstage every Wednesday at 11pm at UCB East) and making each other laugh... Improv 201 starts March 12th.
In other news... I am doing East of the Sun, West of the Moon: a children's show that is the Scandinavian version of Beauty and the Beast. I'm playing the Troll Queen, a funny villain on a mission to steal the prince from the heroine. This production marks my re-teaming with a beloved improv teacher from my days as a Looking Glass Theatre intern, Naima Moffet-Warden, who is serving as the production's director. I'm having a ball letting loose in rehearsals and being as big and honest as I want to be.
I am so sad for this class to end! My teacher (the incomparable Abra Tabak of Grandma's Ashes) and classmates became very dear to me very quickly. But I'm very confident we'll keep pushing each other on (we've become Improv Jam regulars, getting up onstage every Wednesday at 11pm at UCB East) and making each other laugh... Improv 201 starts March 12th.
In other news... I am doing East of the Sun, West of the Moon: a children's show that is the Scandinavian version of Beauty and the Beast. I'm playing the Troll Queen, a funny villain on a mission to steal the prince from the heroine. This production marks my re-teaming with a beloved improv teacher from my days as a Looking Glass Theatre intern, Naima Moffet-Warden, who is serving as the production's director. I'm having a ball letting loose in rehearsals and being as big and honest as I want to be.
Joining the Brigade January 2012
I have officially enrolled in Improv 101 at Upright Citizens Brigade... let's do this! Classes start January 20th.
Frailty Thy Name is Woman... a formal invitation :) December 2011
Frailty Thy Name is Woman
Adapted from the works of William Shakespeare and Directed by Katherine Sommer
December 8th-10th at 8pm, December 11th at 5pm
Looking Glass Theatre
422 W. 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
To purchase tickets click here
Adapted from the works of William Shakespeare and Directed by Katherine Sommer
December 8th-10th at 8pm, December 11th at 5pm
Looking Glass Theatre
422 W. 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
To purchase tickets click here
...I feel now
The future in the instant. October 2011
I've been cast as Lady Macbeth in a production titled Frailty Thy Name is Woman . The show, which will perform December 8th through the 11th at The Looking Glass Theatre (422 W. 57th Streeet) will alternate between scenes from Macbeth and Hamlet and will examine the parallels present between the lives and deaths of Lady Macbeth and Ophelia. I'm over the moon with excitement!
I'm really enjoying exploring Lady Macbeth's drive; why she wants what she wants so direly. She's just a human. A flawed human looking for a way to make sense of her life.
I'm really enjoying exploring Lady Macbeth's drive; why she wants what she wants so direly. She's just a human. A flawed human looking for a way to make sense of her life.
Through the Looking Glass September 2011
On my month anniversary in the city, my roommate, the incomparable Olivia Boyle, and I auditioned for acting internships with The Looking Glass Theatre here in lovely NYC. Three days later, Olivia, her parents, and myself were unloading the rest of her belongings they'd hauled from Indiana and attempting to find space in our tiny...er... COZY, rather, apartment to fit my belongings, already on their way from Indiana with my family in tow, when we found out we'd both been accepted into the internship.
Cue dance party.
So far, the internship is a dream. I'm falling madly in love with my fellow interns. The 11 of us bonded immediately upon meeting at our first class.
Oh yeah! That's right! We get to take a free class through the first of November for 4 hours 1 night a week!
And not only that... it's an IMPROVISATION CLASS!
I've always wanted to take an improv class.... I'm a big believer in everything happening for a reason, and I think my obsession with comediennes, Second City, and Saturday Night Live has finally come full circle! I'm EXCELLING at improv. I love it so much. I feel free as a bird and totally myself, like I can do anything and make anything out of nothing.
Knowing that this class will end eventually is devastating me. But my amazing teacher has recommended a couple schools here in the city for me to check out and continue exploring.
BUT, more excitement will follow our class's eminent end...
Another amazing component of the internship is that we have hour-long monologue coaching sessions with the 10 directors being showcased in The Looking Glass Theatre's WInter Forum 2011...
AND THEN, we are GUARANTEED a role in one of these shows! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!
This place is just what my soul needs as I try to get past the crazy insanity of being new in New York City.
It's my haven, my asylum... somewhere warm where the dream can begin...
Cue dance party.
So far, the internship is a dream. I'm falling madly in love with my fellow interns. The 11 of us bonded immediately upon meeting at our first class.
Oh yeah! That's right! We get to take a free class through the first of November for 4 hours 1 night a week!
And not only that... it's an IMPROVISATION CLASS!
I've always wanted to take an improv class.... I'm a big believer in everything happening for a reason, and I think my obsession with comediennes, Second City, and Saturday Night Live has finally come full circle! I'm EXCELLING at improv. I love it so much. I feel free as a bird and totally myself, like I can do anything and make anything out of nothing.
Knowing that this class will end eventually is devastating me. But my amazing teacher has recommended a couple schools here in the city for me to check out and continue exploring.
BUT, more excitement will follow our class's eminent end...
Another amazing component of the internship is that we have hour-long monologue coaching sessions with the 10 directors being showcased in The Looking Glass Theatre's WInter Forum 2011...
AND THEN, we are GUARANTEED a role in one of these shows! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!
This place is just what my soul needs as I try to get past the crazy insanity of being new in New York City.
It's my haven, my asylum... somewhere warm where the dream can begin...
