From Broadway to Music Row

I've officially lived in Nashville for a month. Time has definitely flown by! I've been blessed beyond belief while living here, which makes this an easy place to love. So many small, yet consequential things have happened that I could talk about for days, but for your time and sanity, I will only outline the biggest events.

Week One:

 I moved into my house. If you just missed that, I said, "HOUSE." Why is a house so exciting? WELL...I used to live in a hallway on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Now, I couldn't be more thrilled to leave the trundle bed and the mice behind.

My house outside of Brentwood, TN

The first three days in Nashville I had 3 auditions in a row and landed 2 roles. I had to pick one, so I chose the classic: Mary in "It's a Wonderful Life." I'm so excited to be a part of this production!

I also signed with a tv/film agent. I'd say I had a pretty full week. 

Week 2

I had a role in a movie starring Ashley Judd and Ray Liotta. I've never had my own trailer room before, nor have I ever been personally escorted to and from the set. Needless to say, I'll probably never be an extra again- I've been too spoiled with this whole "cast member" thing! 

Our trailers!

Ashley would be on her cell phone up until they called, "action." She also would have her dog on her lap if it was not seen in the shot and only wore slippers. It pays to be the star!

We shot these scenes at a quaint church in Dickson, TN.

My beautimous 40's hair-do. 

Week 3: 

I decided I wanted to be a voice and acting coach. After applying for two companies, I was accepted at both to be a teaching artist. Also, it just so happened that my neighbor is an established voice teacher in the area (teaching Kenny Chesney and Jump 5 kids) and allowed me to apprentice her. She found out she is moving to South Carolina, so now I will be taking over her studio and I couldn't be more grateful and blessed. I have a lot of work ahead of me, and (PLUG) if you know anyone who needs a voice teacher- I'm your girl! 

Info on The Erica Smith Studio

Week 4: 

Some of you know might not know that my childhood dream has always been to be a country singer. When I would do pageants as a child, they would always ask me, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" And my answer was, "A country singer." As years went by, I stopped listening to country because it wasn't "cool" and proceeded to attend my grungy emo-band concerts. Now that I'm older, I realize that it has been my dream all along. I'm blessed to live in a family where my parents encourage my brother and I to chase our dreams, so if broadway wasn't big enough- I'm going bigger. 

When I moved here, I pledged that my ultimate purpose is this: 

To share God's love through the talents and gifts that he has given me. 

I'm not exactly sure what God has in store for me or how this purpose will be translated and implemented in my life, but I am going to follow it in the way that God has ordained.

I just received official word that I will be working at a music publishing company on Music Row. I'm so excited to be in the heart of the music world and pray that God will guide my steps all the way. 

Thank you for those who have prayed for me and encouraged me- your words mean more than you know <3

Let's Talk About the China

Well...it's been over a week since I've been back from the China. (I add the article "the" before China because the Chinese signs translated into English all have unnecessary articles, but it's very cute!) I have yet to fully catch up on the 13 hour time difference. I think that I'm finally caught up on sleep, but then feel like a zombie at weird times like 10am or 5pm- but maybe that's what happens when you get back from China and move to Nashville the next day.

There were so many eye-opening things in China that I saw, or heard about from locals, so I wanted to just share a few! (*Disclaimer- this is only from my ignorant tourist perspective and not based on researched facts or industrious studies.)

First of all...let's talk about the toilets. 

As you can see, this does not look like our "western" style toilet. You literally have to squat down as low as you can, and try not to pee on your foot. Also, there is no toilet paper in the stall. Some bathrooms didn't even provide toilet paper, so you have to bring your own- or I guess the unprepared just have to go without. When you're done with your toilet paper, you put it in the nice basket over there, that I'm sure smells awesome. Let's just say- the Chinese think that this is more sanitary than our toilet seats, but I'm going to have to disagree. 

Second...let's talk about the people. 

(at the Great Wall)

Often, Chinese people have never seen a "big nose." The term "big nose" refers to, more or less, anyone not Chinese, whose ethnicity lends them to have a bigger nose than that of a Chinese person. The girls in this photo wanted to take a picture of me- and that was pretty much the case anywhere I went. Being a "big nose" is like being a celebrity, because they will take your picture all the time, no matter where you are, and I guess...show the picture to their friends?

There are two places Chinese people live:

the city

(Shanghai)

or the farm.

(Tea Leaf farm in Hangzou)

If you are from a farming family, then you have many siblings. If you are from the city, you are the only child. The Chinese are not really upset about the only-child rule because they understand that the population needs to be controlled. However, they have commented on how the new generation of Chinese city people are becoming selfish and spoiled. Can you imagine living in a world of all "only children?"

Although times are changing and modernizing in "the" China, gender equality is still lagging behind. (but let's be real- it's still lagging everywhere). If you have a son, you are considered lucky. Our tour guide in Shanghai has a daughter, therefore, he is considered unlucky by his family. His brother, however, has a boy. The eldest man of the family has decided the family should send this boy to America for university training. Thus, everyone in the family must put money towards his education. Even though my tour guide would like to save money for his daughter's education, he cannot do so because she is a woman and he cannot go against his family's wishes.

Third...let's talk about silk worms. 

Think back to 10th grade world history when you were supposed to read books about the Silk Road and how important it was for the world economy... yeah, so if you're like me, you don't know anything about that and never read that book. Well, silk is still a big part of Chinese culture and I got to go to a silk worm factory. What astounded me was that it seems like they are still using ancient techniques to create the silk fabric. For instance: they wear shirts with pockets, where they put the cocoons of the worms against their breasts for 24 hours until they hatch. Don't you think there's a more up-to-date way of doing these things?

(Silk worm cocoons)

(Silk worms out of the cocoon)

Our Chinese guide in Beijing said, "We can eat anything with 4 legs except the table." This also applies to worms because I got to taste some "snack" silk worms that were being sold at a rest area. Next time I'll probably go for the potato chips. 

Lastly...let's talk about Communism. 

Long story short, the Communist party took over China in 1949, overthrowing the Kuomintang. The head of this party was Chairman Mao. 

(Chairman Mao's portrait is center of this building in Tiananmen Square in Beijing)

I knew that China was a communist country, but I didn't really realize the affect it had on its people. 

Knowledge is power. The Chinese government controls all the knowledge. 

In China, all internet browsing is hooked up through a huge parental controls panel in Beijing. (that's just what I'm calling it). They control everyone's access to anything in the web. There is no facebook. There is no twitter. You want news? It goes through the government first. 

Remember this stirring photo? The Chinese know very little about it and our guides were not allowed to talk about it. 

Remember that time hundreds of people in China were dying from SARS and everyone in the world knew except....Chinese people?

A local from Shanghai told us about a meeting in Beijing with all the Chinese government authorities. The Governor of Shanghai disagreed with something the Chinese President said, the Chinese President accused the Governor of Shanghai of something ludicrous and locked him away. Apparently disagreeing is not allowed. 

The local also said, "We don't care who the the President of China is because we don't get a vote. We care who the President of the USA is because we want to stick near the police, and we need good police." 

Definitely something to think about during this next election. Who do we want representing our country globally? 

Obviously this post only covers a few things I saw and experienced, but I hope it was at least interesting and somewhat informative...if you made it this far :)

If you care to see more pictures- I will be putting them up on facebook probably this week. Stay tuned for the next blog about everything I've been up to in Nashville- pretty exciting stuff happening, can't wait to share!

From Farmville to Nashville

One week left of The Confession! Who knew something could go by so fast. It's been a summer full of lessons and new decisions. This show definitely turned me into a different performer and I'm grateful for all the rewards and challenges that this role brought.

Here's an article by the Goshen News about the show: Amish-themed production "The Confession" (shhh...don't tell anyone that I didn't go to Stanford)

I also had no idea when I left NYC for farm country that I would not be coming back. I think taking a trip down the slow lane alongside horses and buggys made me realize I was not ready to go back to the hustle that is NYC. I love the opportunities that make NYC so unique, but I didn't have the peace I needed about going back. So, after lots of prayer and a giant leap into the unknown, I have decided to move to Nashville! 

Proverbs 16:9 says it best, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." I have no idea what the future will have in store, but I do know that God is currently working out the details. 

This Gypsy Life is always on the move...so, next stop: NASHVILLE!

The Real Tear-Jerkers

Well, it's already been 7 weeks into our run, and I still never want this contract to end! It has been such a privilege to perform with such talented people, and it's been an even bigger privilege to be a part of a show that can move people in so many ways.

During the first few weeks, a couple came up to us after the show. It was an older gentleman and his wife, who was in a motorized wheel chair and could not speak. The gentleman told us that his wife had read all the books of our musical and loved them but later had a heart attack that made her lose her memory, including the memory of our story. He re-read all the books to her so she could remember and then brought her to the show. There were tears streaming down her face and I heard every word she said, although nothing was said out loud-- and I thought OUR show was tear-jerking!

A few shows later, a couple came up to us who was celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. To celebrate, they wanted to attend their first ever musical. This may not seem like a big deal, but for us theatre folk, we all remember our first musical. We remember where we sat, who we watched, and what we dreamed about while watching. It's hard to believe that our show will be remembered as their first musical and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Probably the most poignant comment I've received after our show is one woman who came up to talk to us during dinner. She told me that, like my character in the show, she found out she had been adopted. She recently learned who her birth mother was, but had not gone out to find her or meet her. After watching our show, she had been moved so much, that she decided to go find her birth mother.

Coming into this project, I had no idea of the extent it would touch people. I am constantly blessed and humbled to be a part of this and know that God is working through us.

I've compiled a couple clips from an early performance, so you all can get a taste of the show! It's gut, ja?!

A Buggy on the Shoulder

This year, the Gypsy Life has brought me from New York City to Shipshewana, IN. Even when I told my friends from Indiana where I would be, they still replied, "Where??"

Shipshewana is a town of about 500, but due to the popularity of their famous Flea Market, can grow to about 40,000 in the summer. Horses and Buggys are a normal sight to see, and the smell of horse poo fills the air.

This photo is outside the grocery store, where we had to find parking amidst the horses. And although the Amish still roll in style in their buggys, they are a little more advanced than one might think. I've heard that some of the Amish have Facebook, and are also known to have strobing lights in their buggys when they are out on the town on the weekends. 

Amish homestyle cooking is probably the most fattening thing I have ever seen/eaten. Lots of butter, MSG, and pie. Even when the cast was offered the lunch menu that included only half a sandwich and a cup of soup, every meal was still served with a big slice of pie. 

I'm excited to see Shipshewana bustling in its prime season this summer, especially knowing that we have two full days off during the week due to the Shipshewana Quilting Festival! I'm also excited to learn more about the Amish ways and customs here. But for now... I'll just have to take what I know to the stage! 

The Bachelor

Recently, I attended the Unified Professional Theatre Auditions and the Southeastern Theatre Conference. I just HAD to recap the experiences here for my friends who don't know about them, because they are just too crazy to leave uncommented about!

Actors are weird enough on their own...but imagine 1,000 of them getting together in one weekend to audition for 70-80 theatre companies with only 90 seconds. Crazy, right?! You only get one audition for the whole day that determines how good the companies think you are, who you will be called back for, and if you even get to attend the dance audition later that evening. So...no pressure, or anything...

Then, you have the lovely actors who go around yelling how many call backs they got, posting it on Facebook, and proceeding to ask you how many you got.

In the call back room (and by the call back room, I mean hotel room where there's one chair and a bed), the companies can ask you to do anything. I think my favorite was when a company asked my friend to just run around the room and act like she'd had too much sugar. I've had to sing songs I've never heard of to a karaoke track with no indication of where the song even starts...and somehow make it amazing! Some companies have even asked me to tell them about my family...?

All day, it's an emotional roller coaster. You go into a call back and think they love you. You think that you are the perfect person for them, but then you realize they are dating hundreds of other people. I'm on The Bachelor and I didn't even know it. Companies are hot tubbing with other people (figuratively) and when you don't get a phone call, you don't get a rose.

I attend these conferences every year because, while they are crazy, they really do book you jobs. In NYC it's frustrating to not even be able to audition for someone, but at these conferences you are guaranteed to get seen by every company...and at the end of the day, 90 seconds is way more than 8 bars!

I'm happy to report that, thanks to SETC, my Gypsy Life will continue to the "heart of Northern Indiana" at Blue Gate Theatre this summer. I couldn't be more thrilled and grateful to play Katie in their musical "The Confession."

I'm sad to leave NYC just as it's getting warm, but excited to open a new chapter in my life!

it's beginning to look a lot like...Audition Season

Whew! This week has worn me out and it's only the beginning of audition season! Between working, auditioning, and taking lessons, I feel like I have no time to just sit on the couch and watch the Hills...but I guess that's not why I moved to NYC!

Just to give you a little taste of an average day: The night before, I get home from work around 1:30am or 2am and I wake up probably around 7am (that's way later than some of my friends, they get up at 4:45... I don't have their stamina!) and go sign up at the auditions I'm going to that day. I am non-equity so I sign up on the Non-Equity list. Then there is the Equity Member Candidate list, and then the Equity Alternate list, and then the ACTUAL LIST of Equity people. So as you can see, my list is last priority and it's usually a miracle if they get to the non-equity list.

Although I am so thankful that I've been able to sing for some big shows, when they cut it down to only singing 8 bars, it's not very rewarding. It's been frustrating to want to feel like a performer, but to never get to perform.

But, I'm not discouraged yet- give me a few more weeks :)

Romans 8 says, "Live under the control of the Holy Spirit. If you do, you will think about what the spirit wants...the mind controlled by the Spirit brings life and peace."

I am reminding myself constantly that my life is not my own. I was not created to worship myself and live in a self-centered world, I was created to worship God. So in the grand scheme of things...auditions don't matter. What matters is that I am honoring God and worshipping Him through the gifts that He's given me. It's hard to see this when everyone seems to be only living for their career...but it's a breath of fresh air to step back and realize that life is so much bigger than that crammed holding room.