Theatrical – 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?”

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”

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”

Barnum and Bailey

IT’S THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!

The Royal Ballet

When she was 9, Erika was asked to play an “extra” role in a visiting company’s ballet about endangered animals. “You’ll have to be okay with the fact that she’ll look like she’s naked on stage.” “WILL she be naked?” “No, she’ll be in a full body suit, but she’ll look like she’s naked…” TheContinue reading “The Royal Ballet”