Influences – Erika Diane

Why do I want a graduate degree?

There are a few reasons: I want to be a stronger actor-creator. I’ve been trained in IPA, stage combat, ballet, dialects, vocal and breath control and a number of other very useful skills that have come in handy through the years. But it’s a minor struggle at the moment to weave these skills together to create new works, newContinue reading “Why do I want a graduate degree?”

Teaching young children

I quite love what I do. I have the opportunity to perform but then I also get the chance to teach children in the practice of the arts that have been so kind and challenging for me. On top of this, I’ve had a lot of time to think back upon my own training andContinue reading “Teaching young children”

More on literary criticism

So I’ve been thinking about some of this a lot, specifically because I’ve been reading a lot more contemporary works lately (brushing up, looking for monologue material, reading good work in order to write better work), and I get especially enthusiastic about it when I’m coming down off a caffeine high (I drink coffee inContinue reading “More on literary criticism”

Clown Care

This last fall I started a job that epitomizes what I feel is the best use of a theatrical and artistic career: I clown for children at the hospital. No, we don’t walk in and just start ignorantly trying to make children laugh through their tears. And as I’ve known quite a few people withContinue reading “Clown Care”

Stephen Adly Guirgis

Dear Mr. Guirgis, I know you’ll never read this. I’m just a struggling dancer/actor in Miami with a tiny little blog. But I want you to know: I am a big fan. You just write with a depth of understanding and nuance of character that… well, I deeply respect. For a literary nerd who had begun toContinue reading “Stephen Adly Guirgis”

Ahimsa vs. the need to create

For anyone into yoga, ahimsa isn’t a foreign concept: it means simply “non-harming.” For some, this includes abstaining from eating animal products, for many it means abstaining from intentional causing harm to another living being, be it through one’s own actions, words and thoughts. But what about unintentional harm? I think often about the factContinue reading “Ahimsa vs. the need to create”

Uta Hagen

Uta Hagen has been one of my distant mentors for a while now – maybe it’s because she’s German (as am I), and maybe it’s because she got the opportunity to play some unbelievable roles at an early age but she remained logical and practical and realistic about her career afterward. She also saw the value inContinue reading “Uta Hagen”

Projects!

This was “stolen” from Austin Kleon in his book “Steal like an Artist.” My sonnet sequence is somewhere between “dark night of the soul” and “it’s finished…” I have a musical between “this is the best idea ever!,” and “this is harder than I thought.” I’ll keep you all updated! In the meantime, I’ve beenContinue reading “Projects!”

Waking the Warrior Goddess

Waking the Warrior Goddess: Harnessing the Power of Nature & Natural Medicines to Achieve Extraordinary Health by Christine Horner, M.D. From the back cover: “Dr. Horner has assembled a great deal of useful information about the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. I will recommend this book to patients and families of all people concernedContinue reading “Waking the Warrior Goddess”

Lego Art

I was never really into Legos as a kid, however, I can respect a good work of art when I see it. This is a collection of Lego masterpieces from around the country: New York’s FAO Schwartz and Lego stores and Downtown Disney in Orlando, FL.

Barnum and Bailey

IT’S THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!

Radiohead

One of my favorite bands of all time is the English band Radiohead. Perhaps they remind me of school days, or maybe I just love how some songs are calming and others embody a more energetic and motivating sound, but Radiohead is definitely one band I own all (or at least most of) their discography.Continue reading “Radiohead”

Winzerfest

Erika was crowned “Wine Queen 2009.”

Fasching Karnival

For several years Erika has participated in German cultural events including the annual Spring celebration Fasching Karnival. Like a German “Mardi Gras,” Fasching is the last big blowout party before the 40 somber days of Lent. Different areas have different traditions and America has taken to adopting its own, but after starring as the Tanzmariechen orContinue reading “Fasching Karnival”

Oktoberfest

Erika’s been dancing Schuhplattler (traditional German dance) since she was 2. Schuhplattler was her first experience with dance and performing. When you grow up with Oktoberfest, it becomes part of you.