Ms. Emily Blog Welcomes You!

It's like the 4th of July -

2011-06-12T14:46:00.001-04:00

with so many things lighting up and launching, I hardly have time for an "ooooo!" before I need to "ahhhh!"

Christian Boomgaarden and Kelly Hogan
as the title characters in R+J.

New Players Theater's "Summer of Shakespeare" opens this coming week, with the premiere of Romeo + Juliet on Thursday. We have another week of rehearsals for Twelfth Night, and then that opens on June 23. Both shows will run in rep through July 10 (when R+J closes), and then the last weekend is all 12thPM, with the final performance on July 17. Visit NPT's site, or here for more info!

Barrett Carnahan as Tory, and me as Marnie, his English mum
in Doughboy, premiering August 18.

We also have a premiere date for Doughboy! The gala celebration will be in Wheeling, WV (the shoot location for the entire film) on August 18. On August 19, Marquee Cinemas opens the movie in its theatres. So all you living in CT, KY, FL, NC, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, and, of course, WV, mark your calendars! I'll keep you posted with any details on a broader release as they arrive. Very exciting!

My name is Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp.
Who the hell are you?

And, finally for today, prompted by a consistent theme from my sleeping dreams - which seem to be urging the pursuit of my waking dreams - I have launched a Facebook page for my Outlander-related campaign: I Am Claire. Please, visit, browse, and "like!" (There's not much more for me to say about this without an additional launch - of a VERY long and impassioned monograph on the subjects of the Outlander series, Diana Gabaldon, making movies, who I see for Jamie, why I MUST play Claire, the challenges of finding a just-right curly brown wig, etc., etc. All of which I am more than happy to deliver, but you might have things you want to get done today.)

Til next time!

What an April I'm having!

2011-04-20T23:36:00.000-04:00

Let's start with Sunday, April 10, shall we? I, along with local actresses Acacia Duncan, Bethany L. Schoeff, Eleni Papaleonardos, and Emily Cipriani - we were all nominees for a "Jebby" award (Local Performer of the Year, Female, Play). What's a Jebby award, you might ask? Here in Cbus lives pharmacist-by-day, theatre-performer-and-aficionado-by-night Jeb Bigelow, and for 19 years, he's been voting for his own Oscar/Emmy/Tony/Grammy winners. Six years ago, he turned the announcement of his choices into An Event - and it's been growing ever since. For the 2010 Jebbys, dozens of performers and fans gathered at Trafik for video clips, live entertainment, speeches, and presentations. And guess what? I won! That makes three - count 'em, THREE! - awards that I've garnered for my performance as Hedda Gabler in Curtain Players' March 2010 production. I am so grateful for that experience, and so pleased that others enjoyed it. Thank you, Jeb!
The slight downside to that Sunday's victory was that I actually couldn't be at Trafik; my thanks go to Matt Hermes, who directed me in Hedda Gabler and accepted the beautiful Jebby on my behalf. I was occupied with final tech'ing for Available Light's world premiere of Skyscrapers of the Midwest, Matt Slaybaugh's adaptation of Joshua W. Cotter's graphic novel of the same name. It's all good, though: we had a flawless opening on Thursday the 14th, and the glowing reviews have been pouring in! We run only through 4/23 - don't miss your chance to see "the most magic I've ever seen Available Light do" (audience member at last Friday night's performance)!

Rehearsing the Confrontation Scene in Doughboy

Speaking of Matt Hermes, he and I will be working together again this summer, along with the other New Players Theatre founding members Tim Browning, Mark Mann, and Dani Karshner Mann. The inaugural season of the NPT Festival begins June 16, when The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet opens. I will be assisting director Mark, and also playing Prince Escalus (whom I assume we are re-dubbing Princess Escala, or somesuch!). The following week, we add Twelfth Night, or What You Will to the repertory, and Tim Browning is directing my performance as Olivia. The members of both casts convened this past Sunday for food and fellowship...and I can already tell that it's going to be a wonderful summer! Capping it off will be the premiere of Doughboy in late July or early August. Our red-carpet event will take place in Wheeling, WV, and current distribution plans include Marquee Theatres on the east coast and in southern states.
What an April I'm having...what a life I lead!
And as always, thank you for your support!

From West Virginia to Missouri

2011-04-03T21:06:00.000-04:00

I've been shooting for the last three week(end)s in Wheeling, and now that the film has wrapped, I'm into rehearsals for Available Light Theatre's premiere of artistic director Matt Slaybaugh's adaptation of Skyscrapers of the Midwest, by Joshua Cotter. The play is set in rural Missouri, where Mr. Cotter grew up, and where all of the episodes of the book and the play come from. We open April 14, and I look forward to seeing you in the audience.

What's going on?

2011-04-01T17:09:00.000-04:00

My DOUGHBOY "family" - plus Hubert the Opossum

I've been asked this by several people over the last week or so, and so much IS going on, that I don't know where to begin. Here's a possible starting point.

And don't do drugs!

2011-03-19T13:00:00.001-04:00

Pay close attention to the cat in my lap. You'd never guess it, but the cute little thing silently deSTROYed the adorable trousers I'm wearing with her claws. And I loved those trousers. In fact, I hunted them down online, and now they hang in my closet. Sweet victory.
This is my latest on-camera commercial work. Thank you to Deb Price, Senior Producer at the PPS Group and to director Zack Resnicoff. Sweet spot.

Wild, Wonderful -

2011-03-10T21:42:00.000-05:00

West Virginia!
I'm sitting in my hotel room in Wheeling on the night before I begin playing a principal role in the independent feature-length film, The Doughboy.
Wild. Wonderful.

It's an honor just to be nominated -

2011-01-31T18:38:00.000-05:00

Joe Lusher as Judge Brack with me as Hedda

But winning's even better!
Thank you to the Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable for deeming my performance as the title character in Curtain Players' March 2010 production of Hedda Gabler worthy of an Outstanding Acting Award!
I'd also like to thank Curtain Players for taking a risk and staging a challenging piece of classic dramatic literature; director Matt Hermes for providing a safe haven to work on such a prickly role; the rest of the cast - Jeremy Ryan Brown, Linda Browning, Micah Jenkins, Joe Lusher, Nancy Meyer, and Laura Miller - for hitting the ball back; and Beth Kozlowski, Joyce Leahy, Michael Day, and the rest of the behind-the-scenes crews for supporting such a terrific production!
Congratulations to all nominees and winners!
Now, come back out to Curtain Players in April to see me as the title character in Boy Gets Girl!
THANK YOU!

Same new, same new...

2011-01-30T14:57:00.000-05:00

(That's supposed to be a clever play on "same ol', same ol'," see. Yes, I know...I'll keep working.)
The New Year is nearly a month old, and my schedule is becoming healthily busy.
Touching on things recently past...I did a shoot a couple of weeks ago for a LARGE global corporation, the subject and content of which is hush-hush - but I can say that it will be deployed online - and that I enjoyed working with the ACG crew very much. The weekend following that job I did voice-over work for Available Light Theatre. AvLT just produced the premiere of Sean Christopher Lewis' Just Kids, and I was honored to be asked to provide vocal characterizations for the piece. The show received excellent critical and viewer responses. Lewis has, no doubt, won himself a permanent welcome here in Columbus: between this show, Killadelphia, I Will Make You Orphans, and his contributions to other successful AvLT productions, having him bring a piece to town is like having your favorite cousin visit.
More recently, I auditioned for JW Myers, who's directing Doughboy, a feature-length film shooting in West Virginia, and starring Terry Kiser, best known for his portrayal of the titular dead guy in the Weekend at Bernie's hit movie franchise.
I myself have recently been cast in a titular role: I'll be playing "Theresa" in Curtain Players' April production of Rebecca Gilman's Boy Gets Girl, directed by April Olt. Our first read-through is Monday, and I'm eager to start. The play is what I'm calling a "stalker drama," and topping the points it makes about our modern view of pursuing love, it's a riveting, suspenseful piece of theatre.
I can't let an entry here go published without mentioning my March 5, 2011, date with Jamie Fraser!  Last March - on the day Hedda Gabler opened, actually - I spent the late morning/early afternoon in the Hocking Hills at Glenlaurel, "a Sottish country inn," with a number of other ladies and Michael Daniels, innkeeper emeritus. The subject of our meeting and conversation was Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, and apparently, I left Mr. Daniels with such an impression of my passion for the saga, that he asked me to lead any similar future discussions! It was easy to say yes! So - straight from the Glenlaurel February newsletter: "Don't forget the upcoming Outlander group dedicated to Dragonfly in Amber. Readers of Diana Gabaldon won't want to miss this intriguing afternoon of reliving the second of the series of time travel books. The discussion will take place Saturday, March 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is $30, and includes a gourmet picnic lunch." I will also be reading a passage from Outlander at the introduction to dinner. Call 800-809-7378, or 740-385-4070, to reserve a spot at the discussion or a dinner table. It will be a grand time, aye!
I must also mention that the producers of Aidan5, the award-winning and visually-stunning 48-Hour-Film-Project-turned-web-series, have announced the release date of the entire first season: March 4.  Aren't familiar with Aidan5? See the season one trailer, and I guarantee piqued interest.
And speaking of Hedda.... Last, but certainly not least, I am terribly pleased and honored to announce my nomination for an acting award from the Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable for my portrayal of Hedda Gabler in Curtain Players' March 2010 production of the show. Whether or not I win, I am extremely proud to represent Curtain Players, the entire cast and crew, and everyone who contributed to a production, and I am excited to be counted among the leading performers in the greater Columbus area.  The awards ceremony is tonight, at the Roth/Ressler Theatre in the Jewish Community Center. Ricky Gervais hosts.
(Gotcha!)

New Year, New Eps

2011-01-01T16:51:00.000-05:00

Maya Sayre and Bryan Michael Block star in the new web series.

Adding to the excitement of starting a new year are new episodes of Aidan5!

Set in a futuristic city, this acclaimed web series from Tim Baldwin, Vidas Barzdukas, Ben Bays, and John Jackson follows Detective James Aidan on his hunt for the killer who's picking off Aidan's clones one by one.

Each episode merges live action, sketched art, and elements of film noir, creating a provocative and visually stunning new genre for filmmaking.

See the Season 1 trailer (and don't blink at 0:50!), and catch Episodes 1, 2, and 3!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas, Columbus Theatre!

2010-12-23T21:14:00.000-05:00

From Attempts On Her Life, Best Play

I am pleased to present a link to Columbus Alive's "2010 In Review," a look back at what Alive theatre critic Jay Weitz has deemed the "best of" Columbus theatre productions! Quick spoiler? Available Light Theatre's May presentation of Martin Crimp's Attempts On Her Life - in which I am pleased to say I appeared - garnered Best Play! "Without rival," wrote Weitz, "Attempts challenged and fascinated like no other play of 2010, fashioning a cubist portrait of an enigmatic woman and managing to remain funny in the bargain." Congratulations to AvLT, CATCO, Whistling in the Dark, Otterbein, Theatre Daedalus, Actors Theatre and all of the artists involved in the productions recognized by Mr. Weitz! - and thank you, Mr. Weitz!

New/Year/End

2010-12-15T21:43:00.000-05:00

I love this time of year! Few things in this life inspire the natural, fervent joy I feel at the holidays. My theory is that I dwell at all times - even if it's not always expressed - on a festive resonance, and because this season is all about festivity, for these all-too-few weeks, the world and I are vibrating in perfect harmony. It's a good time to look back and feel satisfied, and/or inspired to do better, and a good time to look forward and plan for how to put that "better" to work. Adding to the general gaiety: a couple of on-camera and V/O auditions. The most exciting is tomorrow's chance to play a bitty role in George Clooney's next MMP, The Ides of March, shooting down around Miami University/Oxford in February. Mistletoes crossed!

PMS

2010-12-03T17:48:00.001-05:00

Ann Grant as ingenue Peggy Sawyer and Emily Bach as ingenue Emily Bach
in BWHS's legendary 1989 production of 42nd Street

When I was a sophomore at Bishop Watterson High School (up for the 2010 state football championship tomorrow night - Go Eagles!), the theatre department put on a production of 42nd Street that has become legend. I was lucky enough to be in it, as a starry-eyed chorus girl (didn't have to work too hard to create believability there!), and my sister, who was in 8th grade, saw every performance. Along with everyone else associated with the show, after the last curtain had come down (and the last dance of "The Time Warp" had been boogied - a longtime Watt theatre tradition), we were profoundly beset by a devastating malaise. For what seemed like MONTHS afterward, my sister and I fought our way back to a life of light and laughter, dubbing our intense struggle "PMS" - Post Musical Syndrome. We were sincerely miserable. We genuinely missed meeting those dancing feet on the avenue I'm taking you to, 42nd Street! It was truly THAT fantastic an experience - like I said, it's legend. I am sure that during college I was involved in productions that stayed with me (Our Country's Good, my first show at OSU, was most certainly one of them), but I can't say in all honesty that I've missed a show - mourned a show - the way I am bemoaning the passing of The Life and Death of Richard the Third, which closed almost two weeks ago. Shakespeare and Bowie...hey, man, turns out they're perfect for each other! So, once more, for the record, congratulations and thank you to Available Light Theatre, the cast and crew, and everyone who came, and saw, and rocked it!

Helping to ease my way out of this current bout of PMS ("Post Meta Syndrome"?) is this Sunday's staged reading of for/word company's latest creation, The Little Book. This play "is about big things: the clash of the modern world with the Victorian and the tension between style and sentiment. It is also about the labor of writing and the labor of love, all of it unfolding through a battle over a little book about a little mouse." Christina Ritter, Christopher Marlowe Roche, and I will read Katharine White, E. B. White, and Anne Carroll Moore, respectively. Come on down to The Arts Initiative Space in the South Campus Gateway at 1568 N. High St. at 3 p.m., this Sunday.

Also helping to keep up my post-R3 chin are March 5 plans to lead an Outlander-related discussion/retreat at beautiful Glenlaurel, "a Scottish Country Inn" in the heart of Ohio's Hocking Hills. According to Glenlaurel's November newsletter, I speak "with a delightful English accent," and we'll be covering book two of Diana Gabaldon's best-selling series, Dragonfly in Amber. Included in the $30 fee is a tasty brown-bag lunch. The newsletter also advises to make reservations early! So do that! Jamie would! And Claire wouldn't even have to remind him!
And, of course, it's the holiday season - just try to keep me down at this most festive time of year!

Process v. Product

2010-11-12T19:01:00.000-05:00

From May's Attempts On Her Life

It's always nice when one gets to enjoy both. In my case, both "nice" and "enjoy" are really understatement. The process of putting a performance together is what keeps me alive; presenting the final product to an audience is why I live.

And speaking of process and product.... This news is a bit old, but I can't help but share it anyway. I think the world of Available Light Theatre: the founding members, under the leadership of Artistic Director Matt Slaybaugh, and the company's board have continued to astound and amaze me with AvLT's business practices and its artistic endeavors. And clearly, I'm not alone in my agog-ness. This October, the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) presented its Artistic Excellence Award to AvLT. This is a $10,000 prize, given annually "to an arts organization that has demonstrated innovation, risk and artistic excellence in a performance, exhibition or program." Specifically, AvLT won for its May production of Attempts On Her Life, and I am very pleased to say that I appeared in that show with 7 terrifically talented ladies. For the full article - and to see what other venerable and impressive organizations/productions AvLT was competing with, click here. Yay, AvLT! Want to see more innovation, risk, and artistic excellence? Reserve your tickets now for The Life and Death of Richard the Third, my fourth show with AvLT. We opened last night, and the production is already being called a "kicky and arch modern retelling." Come see for yourself!

"I love being an actor. And I love not being me.” - Michael Caine

2010-11-11T17:30:00.000-05:00

Ian Short as Richard, with me as Elizabeth

There are many things that greatly separate me from Michael Caine...but this sentiment is most definitely NOT one of them. In fact, I would wager that most actors feel this way, and the idea that this is a shared motto - among performers at any and all points along their career development - is exhilarating.

Also exhilarating? Available Light Theatre's glammed-up, re-mixed and rocked-out production of The Life and Death of Richard the Third by William Shakespeare opens tonight! And I get to be in it! Get your tickets NOW, because if this year's taught anything to Columbus theatre-goers, it's that AvLT's shows sell fast.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

2010-11-07T15:14:00.001-05:00

First, The Good. MacPherson and Franz, Fourth Floor Moseley's contribution to Columbus' 2010 48-Hour Film Project - and my debut in any 48HFP - is now award-winning! The movie garnered "Best Use of Line of Dialogue" (all Columbus films had to include "All you need is one of these!" in the script. Maya Sayre worked it perfectly!) and People's Choice. Yay us! Congratulations to all cast and crew, and thanks to all who voted!
Another good - a VERY good: I just had a callback yesterday for Human Race Theatre's January/February 2011 production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. I read for Viola. Fingers crossed!
Good #3: although the Outlander discussion retreat at Glenlaurel ("A Scottish Country Inn") has been postponed from its original late-October date, they're officially making it an annual event! So mark your calendars: March 2011 will see me heading a chat about Diana Gabaldon's Dragonfly in Amber. Can't wait!
Also good: since mid-September, I've felt like I'm "back in action." After taking most of the summer off - due to utter exhaustion from the hectic pace of the entire first half of this year - I re-joined the race, letting my agent know that I was once more available for whatever opportunities might pop up. So I did a little auditionin' right away...
...and I haven't booked a thing. On the upside, I DID work on a couple of projects that I "booked straight," no audition required - ALWAYS a nice thing.
So I don't know how to segue into The Bad.... We'll just go starkly.
I was not, in fact, cast in the Paramount Pictures major motion picture rumored to be directed by Spielberg. On the upside, it was good to get back to Donna Belajac's office, and I have heard that a fellow actor from the CAM Talent pool did book a role in the film. So, not all bad, for sure!
And this isn't really "bad" - it just makes me heart skip beats. Talk of the Outlander movie continues to fill fan forums. And some of DG's loyal readers have some, uh, interesting picks. My biggest fear? Not being able to get in front of People With Power to show them what I can do, that I am ready to play this role, that I can be a "nobody" and still help make it a hit. Suggestions for how to do this are enthusiastically welcomed. Seriously.
And now, for The Ugly: The Life and Death of Richard the Third opens this week! Traditionally, R3 is a hunchbacked, limping toad of a man (thus, "ugly"), but Available Light Theatre has, with its usual unconventional aplomb, remixed and Stardusted its production so that our Richard, Ian Short, is more delectable than detestable. Come see him charm - and kill - his way to England's 15th-century monarchy. It's Hunky Dory!

Pitt

2010-09-15T22:01:00.000-04:00

I'm off to lovely Pittsburgh tomorrow, to the office of casting director Donna Belajac. I received a call from Cindy at CAM Talent this afternoon about an audition there for a major motion picture. It's all very hush-hush, as usual with the big 'uns. Very exciting! I'll post more if/when I learn more!
And I'll do some more posting this weekend, with catch-up entries and looking-ahead entries - both categories of which are chock-full, I'm happy to say.
Now, bed - better to sleep now than on 70E!

A quickie

2010-08-22T20:22:00.010-04:00

Last weekend, I participated in the 48 Hour Film Project, a global filmmaking phenomenon that was introduced in Columbus in 2008. This was the first time I was involved, and luckily my initation was under the auspices of Fourth Floor Moseley Productions, helmed by Tim Baldwin, co-creator of the award-winning and visually-stunning 48-Hour-Film-Project-turned-Web-series, Aidan5. You can find out more about the criteria and rules for these films through the links above, but for now, sit back and enjoy the movie!

Well, I didn't say WHICH weekend...!

2010-08-15T13:04:00.001-04:00

So....

I honestly and truly thought that I would either a) really continue that last entry on that following weekend or b) catch up on all that's happened since then in one fell swoop. Option a) obviously didn't happen, and I've realized that in trying to do b), I continue to procrastinate - because the happenings keep piling up, which means I need a longer chunk of time to transcribe it all, which means I look at my calendar and say, "Nope, can't do it today!" Which means it'll never get done if I don't start taking it bit-by-bit. So that's what I'm here to do today: pick up where I left off and only cover one thing at a time, as time itself permits. Very mature, don't you think?

So....

I DID get to bed for some sound sleep early that Friday, and then I woke up to a lovely spring morning on the day that Hedda Gabler opened with only one other thing on my agenda: head to Glenlaurel, "a Scottish Country Inn," located in the heart of the Hocking Hills. Why, you ask? For the inn's very first Outlander discussion/retreat, of course! And it was a wonderful experience! The innkeeper emeritus, poet Michael Daniels, led the group, which included six other women. Of course, he asked each of us to go around and introduce ourselves, and the other six rather self-effacing ladies took maybe 30 seconds each to say their names, which books of the series they'd read and perhaps one or two other pieces of background information. And then it was my turn. What seemed like thirty MINUTES later, they knew it all - my discovery of the series, my passion for the story, my background and experience as an actress, my determined intention/ardent campaign to audition for and win the role of "Claire" when the series hits the screen, etc., etc. I am happy to say that they all seemed supportive. And then we started reading our favorite excerpts from the very first book, Outlander itself. I volunteered to read first (remember, the rest of the ladies were self-effacing). Of course, I read in Claire's voice - and, when called for, Jamie's - doing the British dialects to the best of my ability. And when I finished my selection, dead silence. Lifting my face from the page I was reading, I was astounded by my "audience"'s faces: unanimous expressions of intense delight! I am very pleased to say that at the conclusion of the day's activities, I had 7 additional fervent supporters. Furthermore, Michael asked me to return to Glenlaurel this October to proctor the discussion for book two, Dragonfly in Amber. I am honored by his invitation - and confidence! - and very excited by the prospect. And I look forward to meeting up again with Michael, Debra, Jennifer, Diane, Isla, Mary, and Jan!

In other Outlander news, I must report that Essential Entertainment has renewed its option on the first book. According to Ms. Gabaldon's web site, "we’ve done an extension of the option agreement with Essential Entertainment, including a new clause allowing them to explore the possibility of making a mini-series, in addition to or instead of a feature film." And it pleases me very much to read this, since - in my humble-yet-strongly-held opinion - a mini-series for book one is the only possible way to give it a decent screen-telling.

Next update: Hedda Gabler.

Sweet Spot

2010-03-05T01:13:00.004-05:00

It's late - or early, depending on your point of view - and I should really be tucked up in bed asleep, but I had to take a moment to publicly declare my thanks to The Universe. Things - all sorts of things - have been swirling and swirling around and around for some time now. And rather than continue to swirl straight down and out of the bottom of the bowl, they've more done a thing like where it swirls...up. Like a geyser. Like the Old Faithful of "Ah! This is how I am going to make it work, make it happen - just...make it!" And if THAT doesn't make any sense, surely "I'm feeling good" does. And right now, that's what I mean.
So, Hedda Gabler opens tomorrow night. Openings are always exciting for me, and while I'm feeling that usual sort of excitement about this show's debut and run, there's also something additional - and THAT feels a bit different. Maybe because this is my first full production back in Columbus since returning from Chicago last year...maybe because digging through this complex role has coincided with some challenging circumstances in my real life...maybe because I feel like I've poured so much of myself into this process...whatever the reason, arriving at this point - opening night - already feels like a triumph.
I have tons more news to report, but as I said, it IS late (or early), and so it will all have to keep until the weekend.
Thank you, Universe.

Where Is My Mind...

2010-02-10T14:56:00.016-05:00

I am under assault. You can't tell by looking at me - necessarily - but nevertheless, I am being attacked. You know that episode from season 1 of The X Files, "Darkness Falls"? - where gozillions of microscopic, glow-in-the-dark, man-killing bugs frenzy and swarm as soon as the lights are out? Well, imagine that, only the bugs are thoughts and the man being killed is my brain. Seriously. And there's no bioluminescent warning! I cannot POSSIBLY stuff one more piece of information into my head, or I MYSELF will frenzy and swarm. Let me introduce you to some of the bugs buffeting on my brain:
~ Adult Play Group. It's thriving, which is good, and that I like...it's just that the planning and logistics tend to hover harmlessly and then come in for a strafing run. Membership increases weekly, and two events are coming up. The first is February 21 and will be another meeting focused on monologues. The second will follow in March, and is likely to be a similar event. Visit APG's Facebook page to find out more.
~ Auditions. I have scheduled my slot in the general auditions for the CATCO/Phoenix Theatre entity, which also takes place on 2/21. The 2010-2011 season for this new symbiotic company has not yet been announced, although it's supposed to include a musical. I am very excited, and hope that the good ultimately outweighs the bad for this infant organization: this was an abrupt and unexpected identity change for two of Columbus oldest and most successful troupes.
CAM has called about a couple of opportunities, but due to the weather and my Dear Little Cabrio's ill health, I've had to pass. Fortunately, I've booked a job through CAM next week without having to audition, and that, my friends, is a Very Nice Thing.
~ To Kill A Mockingbird. This is a bug I like! I successfully auditioned for Available Light Theatre's June production of Harper Lee's classic, and have been cast as Jean Louise Finch - AKA Scout, but all grow'd up. Very exciting!
~ I am in the midst of two major throes: one is finding a job - and nearly any one will do, although there are certain posts I've applied for that have very distinct appeal. Right now, my search is in Columbus. "Well, why wouldn't it be," you ask? Well, because my other throe is squarely focused on grad school - whether I'm going, or not, and if I go, where, and if I don't, what then? (Easy, easy, the bugs begin to stir!). And if I go into either topic any more deeply, I'm apt to start weeping openly, so let's move on. (But these two things are without question the biggest bugs sucking my life energy right now.)
~ Dear Little Cabrio. Already mentioned her, but just have to say two things: 1) I LOVE my car, and I hate it when she's down, and 2) she's my ticket outta...well, anywhere I don't want to be! So when she's not running, I start feeling trapped. Like a bug.
~ Hedda Gabler. Every actress wants to play this role, and I couldn't - could NOT - be more excited to have the chance. But she is a freakin' hard-shelled mama. She'll crack before I do, though - and trust me, this is going to be one smokin' hot production.
~ My calendar says that this week I am supposed to start prepping for my first foray into directing, a staged reading of Dave Carley's Writing With Our Feet for Whistling in the Dark Theatre. The performance is over a month away, and so I have plenty of time (I think), but me being me, I can't help but think that I should have it all sorted out NOW.
Listing it all out this way makes it not seem like so much...but these are just the big bugs: there are lots of little creepy-crawlies that fill in the chinks. In the end, like Mulder and Scully, I'll wake up puffy, red, and nearly drained dry - but alive, and stronger for the experience, and certain that (wait for it) - my truth is out there.

C'mon!...Really?!?

2010-01-26T13:10:00.008-05:00

So as part of my research for Hedda Gabler, I've been cruising the Internet, finding heaps and heaps (as you can imagine, for a play such as this) of reviews, commentary, analyses...and pictures. Some of these visual representations - of certain productions, specific characters, etc. - are quite evocative, but not necessarily, IMHO, in a manner true to the story or to Hedda herself. Exhibit A: The lovely Rosamund Pike (whose own turn as Ibsen's heroine will end at the Theatre Royal in Bath just is mine is beginning at Curtain Players in Galena), brandishing her pistols cowgirl-like as a breeze blows back her lush blonde tresses and stirs her red brocade skirts, lips slightly parted, eyes wide...well, you can see for yourself. I hope Ms. Pike's portrayal is brilliant - because she'll certainly draw the crowds with a shot like this!
In other Hedda news, our production team is looking for an actor to play Judge Brack. From our director, Matt Hermes: "Theatre friends: looking for a male actor, 40s-70s...it's a plum role and a strong cast. We're a week into rehearsals, so plenty of time to catch up. Contact me if you have interest or know of someone else. Thanks!"
Several Adult Play Group members enjoyed an intimate evening of monologue review and rehearsal last night at the Upper Arlington Main Library's Friends Theatre. Thanks to those who came, and to all members: be on the look-out for another event in early February!
Cheers ~
E

Hedda & Lizzie

2010-01-22T11:45:00.008-05:00

Rehearsals are well underway for Curtain Players' March production of Hedda Gabler. Playing the title role is not only the sort of amazing challenge most actresses live for; for me it's also my first turn onstage in over a year! The excitement (and terror) level is at least tripled! My last role, in Frankenstein in Love, was quite different (although in some ways, very similar), and in the end, I hope my final "look" as Hedda will be dramatically different as well:

Though now that I really LOOK at this shot, substitute pistols for that knife, and, well....

But in other news, Elizabeth Bennett et al. are taking Columbus theatre by storm: Available Light Theatre's production of Pride & Prejudice has added two more performances, January 29 and 30. Having seen the show myself, it's easy to understand how this "deconstructed romance" is such a hit! Get your tickets now - before the added perfs sell-out too!

Out with the old...

2010-01-14T11:06:00.006-05:00

Happy New Year!
Although 2009 didn't end with the kind of easy frivolity I'd looked forward to (counted on, really), I'm resolved to spend less time mooning over that failure and instead to REALLY start fresh in 2010. And so far, my plan is happily going exactly as I'd, uh, planned!
Auditions
1/9 - O/C commercial audition: no word, though on when this might shoot if it does actually happen.
1/10 - Theatre audition: Curtain Players' March production of Hedda Gabler. I am happy to report that I have been cast as the title character in Ibsen's play! Rehearsals start next week.
1/12 - O/C and V/O commercial audition: this would shoot/record next week.
1/31 - Theatre callbacks: Available Light Theatre's June production of To Kill A Mockingbird. Ian Short will be directing this piece. Between his involvement, the material and the producing company, what's NOT to get excited about?!?
2/2 - U/RTA audition: this is the University/Residential Theatre Association's annual unified audition. I will be attending the session in Chicago. The directors of various MFA programs from around the country will be there, which might lead you to believe that I am interested in pursuing a graduate degree. Your assumption is correct! I am particularly keen on the Professional Actor Training Program at UNC/Chapel Hill, which is partnered with PlayMakers Repertory Theatre, and offers some of the best graduate training in the U.S.
Waiting To Hear
One of Columbus' newest producing troupes, Theatre Daedalus, hosted its own general auditions in early December. I lost out on its first ensemble offering of 2010, an all-male production (David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross), and so I'm hoping to hear about callbacks for its two remaining shows, Three Tall Women and All in the Timing.
Baby Steps
The organization I established in 2005, Adult Play Group, has had its first successful meeting after I decided to resurrect it late last year. On 1/11, 6 members met and read Dave Carley's Writing With Our Feet. I picked this play mostly because I intend using it when making my first non-school foray into directing in March. I am signed up to lead a staged reading for Whistling in the Dark Theatre Company on 3/14, and I believe WWOF is a good choice for me and the company. It's funny, poignant, with well-drawn characters and an easy-arcing plot. I am simultaneously terrified and eager to begin.
In Outlander News...
The 7th book in Diana Gabaldon's series came out this past September, as at least anyone who knows me knows. No new news has developed on the film-adaptation front, but in my own little Outlander world, I am excited to be attending an early March discussion of the first novel at lovely Glenlaurel, "a Scottish Country Inn," located in the heart of Ohio's Hocking Hills. One of my objectives is to turn every other attendee into my own devotee: from that day forward, when they read the series, they see ME as Claire! Mwah-ha-ha-ha-haaaaaaaaaa!
Thanks for your continued support!
E

An oldie...

2009-12-07T14:17:00.010-05:00

I apparently started the following post a loooong time ago, and never got around to publishing it (I think). It's kinda interesting to see where my work was - and my head - over a year ago....

Wednesday, July 9, 2008
[This was the headline] The Latest!
Actually, the latest news is that I have a blog! And below is my very first post! Welcome!

NOW RUNNING!
The Melville Boys by Norm Foster and directed by Kurt Naebig
Produced by Buffalo Theatre Ensemble
Playing at McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn
July 5 - July 27, 2008
Brothers Lee and Owen Melville arrive at their uncle's lakeside cabin ready to do what boys do at the lake: fish and drink beer. But before they can even unpack for the weekend, the agenda changes when sisters Mary and Loretta show up. Four perspectives are transformed by this chance encounter in an endearingly simple play about family, love, and moving forward on the journey of life.
We opened up this past holiday weekend - to surprisingly sizeable houses that were also nicely appreciative of this sweet and funny play. I appear as Mary and have immensely enjoyed working under Kurt and onstage with Simone Roos, Bryan Burke and Adam Sweders. Turn a summer weekend into a roadtrip to Chicagoland and see this charming show - it deserves your attention!
This turned out to be a wonderful experience all around. Great audiences, a terrific play, an enjoyable role, and the best kind of ensemble a performer could ask for.

NEXT UP!
Frankenstein in Love by Clive Barker and directed by Gregory Gerhart
Produced by Will Act For Food
Playing at Chemically Imbalanced Theatre, 1420 West Irving Park, Chicago
September 25 - November 1, 2008
"It is the last, long night of the world...." A political revolution in a fictional South American country has turned the world upside down and opened the door to a secret laboratory, allowing chaos and monsters to escape. El Coco, the leader of this rebellion, is himself a created monster with a never-ending desire to be human, and nothing, he soon discovers, is more human than finding love. Inspired by the Mary Shelley classic, but twisted into an almost unrecognizable shape as only Clive Barker can, this play is not for the squeamish!
I've never done a show quite like what I'm anticipating with this one. In addition to taking on the challenge of playing the Bride-of-Frankenstein role, the play is written in the naturalistic-horror Grand Guignol style. I'm terrified! - and can't wait to get started!
This was a VERY interesting experience, and I really liked it - probably mostly because I'll never get to do something like it again. The best part was, while ripping out Frankenstein's heart at the end of the performance one evening, I grossed out a little kid so badly (I don't know WHY his parents brought him or his siblings there!), he was gagging! Cool!

IT'S AN HONOR JUST TO BE NOMINATED...
I am very pleased to pass the word that St. Sebastian Players has nominated me for its "Best Actress in a Leading Role" category of year-end awards for the 2007-2008 season. I played Maggie in this past March's acclaimed production of Tribute. I'm up against two fine actresses from SSP's other two excellent productions this season. We'll find out who takes home the honors at September's annual banquet.
I won, and it was indeed an honor. This company is one of Chicago's best-kept secrets, I think.

OUR OHIO
Apparently, the three Our Ohio spots that I shot in 2006 are on central Ohio airwaves again. When you watch these commercials, keep in mind I did my own hair and make-up. Please, be kind.
Please continue to be kind; doing one's own hair and make-up is not uncommon - and I'm an actress, not Maxine Factor!

ONGOING!
Since signing with Chicago-based Encore Talent Agency in May, I've been auditioning regularly for on-camera and voice-over projects for local, regional and national producers. It's exciting to be "sent out" again after the relatively-uneventful gap between my move here and landing with Encore. I'm still partnered with CAM Talent in Columbus for work that comes through central Ohio.
Technically, I'm still with Encore - but since my move, they haven't been in contact, and I really haven't been pro-active about calling THEM. However, in the New Year, I'm planning on re-establishing a relationship with Chicago (does that sound mysterious enough?)! CAM Talent continues to be as reliable, as professional and as prolific as ever it was.

In addition to what both of my hard-working agencies can find for me, I myself am also searching high, low and on-line for any kind of career-expanding opportunities. Currently, lots of companies are holding season generals, and I'm working to line up something to follow Frankenstein. To help better my chances, I've been taking voice lessons with Ms. Rebecca Olthafer. She seems convinced that I'll have success with musical auditions when I start singing in the typical range for a woman, and less in, say, the "Ol' Man River" octave. >really deep chuckle<
I miss you Rebecca O!

Speaking of resume skills, I continue to develop my barista abilities at Caribou Coffee and my fitness training talents at Curves. At Caribou, I supervise shifts, and at Curves Uptown North (where they're currently offering 30 Days Free AND 30% Off Membership! Call 773-275-9300!), I lead the Group WorkOuts - a re-imagined, re-energized and re-freshing version of the traditional Curves circuit workout designed by yours truly. Both experiences are regularly fun and always interesting!
I've hung up my barista's apron for (hopefully) the last time - not that Caribou wasn't fun, but it's HARD on a girl, getting up at 4 a.m. to schlep coffee for other people! I've had some flexible part-time work back here in central Ohio, and I'm trying to sort out something more substantial, again, in the New Year (very likely also to do with fitness). I have several "idea irons" in the idea-iron fire for 2010, so what I plan on now might not have anything to do with what I find myself actually involved with....

I'm still hoping to make a favorable impression with Diana Gabaldon and the producers of the film version of her Outlander series in order to get a shot at playing "Claire." I've no new news since making contact with Ms. Gabaldon's agent last fall - when I was informed that a screenplay was "in development" - so it's probably time for another round of polite pestering.
Haha! Well, although there's still no new news to report in the Outlander/career realm, this is where I get to relive meeting Ms. Gabaldon at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington in September, when her latest in the Outlander series, An Echo in the Bone, hit the bookshelves......ah, good times!

If you haven't yet seen my on-camera demo, well, get to it! You can also download my rez, headshots AND hear my voice-over sample. And in case you weren't aware, I have a listing on IMDB.com! Actually, I'm a little obsessed with my IMDb StarMeter ranking: I check it every Monday morning, when the numbers are updated. I started out in 2005 at 1,037,078, and since then - just in March of this year - I hit high at 59,818. But this week, I dropped to a DISMAL 558,236 (what the?!?), so do a gal a favor, shoot my numbers through the roof and visit my profile on every possible different 'puter you have access to. I'd really like to knock that Megan Fox out of the top 10!
I don't think Fox is at #1 anymore - but I didn't steal her slot! I did do a lot of heavy thinking about my web site over the past year, in terms of changing it around, morphing into more of a blog format, re-doing the styling, etc. - but in the end, it works, and so I'm not going to try to fix it. My O/C and V/O demos are still both available there.

SO - there it is. As for what's going on recently - new auditions, a couple of bookings, and research into the idea of GOING BACK TO SCHOOL?!? More to come!

Down, down, then up

2009-11-21T10:29:00.007-05:00

What a week. Debilitated by a surprise bout of lower back spasms, I spent most of the last seven days at home, lying down, with a bag of ice wedged under my right hip/lumbar area. This isn't the first time that this muscle group has revolted: the first instance was in 1998, and that involved such pain that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. It never got QUITE that bad this time, but bad enough that there was some weeping - although the utter frustration of really not being able to do ANYthing was mostly responsible for that.
Bookending this stooped week was my appearance in Whistling in the Dark Theatre Company's reading of MacBeth last Sunday - which I think I managed to get through because of adrenalin - and a trip to Pittsburgh yesterday to audition with Donna Belajac, one of the top regional casting directors - which I think I managed to get through because my VW Cabrio has seat heat, and I spent the three-and-a-half hour drive pressing my back up against it. My agent had called on Tuesday - the first REALLY bad pain day - about this opportunity, and of course I took it, assuming that my spasms would be history by Friday. They weren't (and actually, I'm writing this now in some discomfort, as my back begins to become aware that I'm sitting on a squishy surface, instead of lying down). The audition was for a PBS pilot, a science show aimed at girls. My read was for the quirky - a "hip" kind of quirky, so it's a challenge for me - and smart librarian. Callbacks will be in early December, and the show will be shot in either December or January. Fingers crossed!

Let it come down!

2009-11-15T23:27:00.005-05:00

I was thinking about Shakespeare the other day - likely because of my participation in Whistling in the Dark Theatre Company's inaugural Sunday Play Reading series, featuring MacBeth, which went down without a hitch last night - and found myself renewed in my amazement of The Bard's skill. The dude packs more humor, pathos, formality and verisimilitude in a couplet than many playwrights - classic AND modern - eke out of their entire plays.
I was very fortunate that my first brush with theatre was also my first brush with Shakespeare: nothing like starting out with the best. At my grade school, every year, the 7th graders participated in an "Artists in the Schools" program that lasted a luxurious 2 weeks. The focus of this intensive was generally how the Renaissance impacted Elizabethan England - but specifically about Shakespeare and his plays. We spent class time in academic study of the Complete Works, but the majority of our hours was dedicated to preparing a production including some of Bill's most memorable scenes as well as original vignettes about his life and time. Helming all of this - and writing those vignettes, as well as the production's "frame" - was the beautifully eccentric Dusky Reider - and what she doesn't know about William Shakespeare would fit in my shoe.
Now, I was a shy, introverted, nerdy type, so the fact that I found myself thrilled to be a witch in the MacBeth bit, among a dozen other roles in our programme - including the emcee-ish part, usually played by a BOY! - surprises me to this day. And TO this day, I still haven't gotten over that particular bug's bite. Thank you, God.

Flowing like water

2009-11-01T18:46:00.008-05:00

An assortment of things has been going on for the last 3 weeks. For starters, the commercial shoot in Indy on 10/26 went well - definitely a full day's work, and I met some good people, most notably Brandon Dawson, a Cincinnati musician who played my husband in this commercial. He did a lot of hurry-up-and-waiting that day, but handled it like a trouper. I had 2 more O/C auds. that week, and then 1 the next, resulting in 1 booking for an O/C industrial role. We shot that this past Wednesday.
I've been submitting electronically like MAAAD for roles and projects that come through various actors' casting sites. I just submitted today for a film being shot in Michigan, among other places, and the director is Robert Reed Altman. Aside from being Robert Altman's son, Altman Jr. is an accomplished camera operator and DP - and part of the "LOST" crew. It'd be nice to get this film, have a wonderful experience with Mr. Altman, and then end up in J.J. Abrams' sphere!
I've also spent time working on my U/RTA application, which I finalized and popped into the mail today. The prospect of spending 3 years back in school isn't without its drawbacks, but I'm interested to see what might come from this latest bee-in-my-bonnet. Right now, my own sights are set on schools nestled in the bosom of regions with a burgeoning theatre/film/TV scenes - which means the obvious: LA and NYC - but also includes North Carolina (Wilmington is the east coast Hollywood), Chicago (tax breaks are bringing some Canada-bound productions back to this Great Lakes city) and Washington ('cause even with tax breaks, Vancouver is still hot, Hot, HOT!). And then there are random schools that don't belong in U/RTA but are still in active and/or beautiful enough places that I want to check them out. A good winter project in the works, for sure.
Otherwise, I do have some onstage auditions in Columbus coming up, and that's VERY good, because I miss the thea-tah. To bridge the gap, I am reading the role of Lady MacBeth for Whistling in the Dark Theatre's Sunday play-reading series this weekend. Just $3!
Additionally, I've resurrected Adult Play Group, a casually-met but formally-purposed organization for actors. I instituted this group back in 2004 in order to read plays (for our own edification) and rehearse monologues (a "practice audience" that's also a friendly one is a great advantage). We haven't had our first meeting yet, but I've had bunches of people join the group via its Facebook page. If you're in Columbus and want to participate, contact me.
Another group I've formed on Facebook is "ERB for CEBRF" a somewhat-obliquely named assembly for anyone who wants to get behind my campaign to audition for - and play - the role of "Claire" from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series in whatever motion-picture outlet it ultimately finds. I'm trying to think of other ways to coax an adherence from people who don't know me...one group I've considered approaching is Ladies of Lallybroch, one of the most formally organized Outlander fangroups on the 'net. We'll see what happens with that.
I'll conclude with a bit jogged by mentioning Outlander, which makes me think of Scotland, of course, and has absolutely nothing to do with career stuff....
I've always wondered if McDonald's - of "billions and billions served" fame - ever deliberately refused to include anything from Campbells - "Mm-mm good!" - on its menu, due to the Massacre of Glencoe in the 17th century, in which a members of clan MacDonald were mercilessly slaughtered by Campbells on orders of the English king. Of course, I've always wondered this with wry humor, but while driving through a MickeyD's recently, I noticed an addition to its large, lighted menu marquee: "Now serving Campbell's soup!" I paused a moment, to see if I saw correctly, confirmed my first impression and then hmm!'d. That must be what they'd call McForgiveness.

Good times

2009-10-25T13:49:00.003-04:00

Yesterday's shoot in Columbus of episode 10, among others, from the cutting-edge new web series Aidan5 went very well. I am so pleased to be involved with such a project - it's already seen much success, and there's plenty of room for even greater triumphs, given the quality of the series - from story and script, to acting (Bryan Michael Block and Maya Sayre co-star), to post-production, it's chock-full of potential. Episode 1 is up and looking GOOD - check it out.
Now, off to Indy!

Ketchup

2009-10-20T13:28:00.007-04:00

Ok, so -
I booked one of the commercials that aud'd during the week of 10/5. Yay! That shoots this coming Monday in Indy.
I also received word from Executive Producer Ben Bays that Aidan5 has a part for me! I attended an audition session back in June, had a great time working with everyone then, and have been hoping SINCE then that I would get a chance to be involved with this cutting-edge web series. And now it looks like that's going to happen!
I've also been made aware that the Kentucky Lotto commercial I shot in June has found its way to YouTube. It's a short little thing, but both the two 15-second bits made that day are funny
and cute.
This past weekend, I had the good fortune to audition for Available Light Theatre, here in Columbus. This company, along with CATCO, certainly represents the highest level of professional drama in C'bus - IMHO. They've been doing provocative work here now for several years, and I'm really excited to be back in town and with a chance to work with them. Fingers crossed.
I'd like to thank everyone who has obviously hit my IMDb profile page recently: I jumped in the STARMeter rankings this week, breaking through to 193,590 (meaning that IMDb surfers searched for 193,589 other industry participants more often than me). This is a goofy little popularity contest with which - me being a lifelong nerd - I am, a-hem, mildly obsessed. My personal best so far has been somewhere in the 78,000s. In imagining the popular few, I often visualize Ohio Stadium which holds, what? around 98,000 people? I like to daydream about sitting in "Block O" with Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, and yeah, okay, Megan Fox and Robert Pattinson, as we represent, like, the top 500 people - and therefore the Hollywood movers-and-shakers - in the STARMeter rankings. Hee-hee!
One last thing - long before I moved to Chicago, I had started up something I called Adult Play Group. I always feel like I'm never reading enough plays, and most of the actors and actresses I talk to feel the same way. This group convened to read plays together. I've also always felt like the best way to rehearse audition monologues - untried and/or true - was in front of an audience. This group convened to be friendly participants in just such a thing. Well, I'm still feeling those things, and so I'm bringing back the APG. More details to come!
Second last thing - in my campaign to earn an audition for the role of Claire - on whatever kind of screen she eventually inhabits - I would really like to rally the readers of the CompuServe Writers Forum and the Ladies of Lallybroch to my cause. These two groups represent the most ardent of the Outlander series' fans, and to have them support me would be a grassroots movement akin to fans of Firefly getting Serenity made (see the "Fandom" portion of this article)...except, of course, that I am an absolute nobody, in Hollywood terms. Any suggestions for how to catch the positive attention of these two groups?

The waiting is the hardest part...!

2009-10-13T20:47:00.004-04:00

A busy week last week, topped off with a busy weekend in Lawshe, Ohio, for my mother's mother's family reunion - a wonderful affair that happens only every other year, and which I always eagerly anticipate - and this year didn't disappoint!
Anyway, I ended up submitting 5 electronic submissions, mostly through ActorsAccess, varying in scope from small independent films to well-known daytime dramas. I also did 4 in-person auditions, for commercial and industrial shoots. One of the commercial gigs is a national spot. You'll know as soon as I do what's what with what - and what's coming up.

Line 'em up, so's I can knock 'em down!

2009-10-06T17:45:00.003-04:00

Another audition this week: O/C commercial principal, Thursday, 10/8/09 - shooting 10/22, 23 in NYC! This is SAG, and it's a national. You may now cross your fingers.
I'd like to take a moment here to thank Carol, Cindi and Chris of CAM Talent. Not only is each of these three people the utmost professional, doing their darndest to secure fair contracts for everyone in their talent pool, but they are also model human beings - and thus, complete exceptions to the agent stereotype. I've been back in Ohio for 5 months, since my return from nearly 3 years in Chicago, and it's as though I never left: they've picked up right where we left off, and I have been on more auditions - and therefore booked more work - in the last 5 months than I did the entire time I was in the Windy City. Thank you, Carol, Cindi and Chris. I am so happy to be working with you again.

Conflicts of Interest

2009-10-06T13:00:00.002-04:00

My agency called today with 2 possible auditions this week - but I won't be doing either. One conflicts directly with an entity for which I've already done O/C commercial work in this region - so that's cut-and-dried. The other is a little trickier: I would possibly get national exposure, but the client is notorious for low-balling talent while using TV, print, radio and billboard ads all over the place, and for however long they like. We're talking around a $500 buy-out for what virtually amounts to a multi-media blitz running for possibly years. That's 5-0-0. Period. Thanks, but no thanks.
On to the next.

Falling leaves, hot cider, pumpkins - and auditions

2009-10-05T21:35:00.002-04:00

Just like any other business, really: it's all about keeping the pipeline full. After a busy summer of auditions and bookings, the cooling-off season is staying warm with plenty of look-sees. This is good news!
Audition: O/C industrial principal - Wednesday, 10/7/09 - shooting 10/20/09

The Last Days of September

2009-10-03T20:26:00.005-04:00

Can't believe it's 3 October. Crikey.

Last weekend, I enjoyed the thrill of meeting Diana Gabaldon, award-winning author of the much-acclaimed and best-selling Outlander series - the titular first book of which is currently being adapted for the screen by Braveheart writer Randall Wallace. I went to the wonderful Joseph-Beth Bookstore in Lexington, KY, with my dear friend Christina Ritter and her husband Jack to hear DG speak, and to have her sign my new book (the 7th novel in the series, An Echo in the Bone, just came out 9/22). I'd made myself promise myself to go simply as a fan of the books - no movie talk allowed! - and I am pleased to say I made good on my promise. I DID mention to DG, once I was standing next to her for the photo and autograph, that I was the Emily Bach who sent her the headshots, and to my pleasure she said that she still had them and would pass them on. I'm going to take her at her word - especially since she seems like the sort of person who absolutely COULD be taken at her word.

The rest of this past week was split between 2 commercial shoots, both regional, and both went very well. Got to see some production folks that I'd worked with before the Chicago move.

Snip, Snip Here, Snip, Snip There...

2009-10-03T16:48:00.000-04:00

and I WISH I was talking about my hair. But, in fact, the title refers to the financial cutbacks that, at this point, everyone in the world is personally familiar with. Among the more significant upheavals in my life in the last, oh, year or so exist a few piddly ones - including shutting down my official Web site until I felt I could afford keeping it up there. In truth, I simply got impatient with all of the different ways one can be present on the Web - even the free ones - and just re-upped with NetSol anyway. So, uh, welcome back, EmilyBach.Net! - sort of! Ms. Emily Blog, however, IS an entirely new entity. It's here that timely updates about auditions, bookings and other breaking news related to my career and its developmental progress will be passed on. So you simply MUST subscribe! However else will you know right when I do that Something Important is happening in my world?!?