Prayers into December "meow"

another photo from our photo shoot

October and November Highlights

I have so missed blogging . It is so great to be sitting here typing on my neighbor's imac keyboard which is like typing on a cloud.

October I was cast in a reading of an award winning play in the Nuyorican Poets Cafe November Reading Series. The play "Life During Wartime" by Wesley Brown is an impeccably written drama. It was a pleasure to be among the talented cast and to meet the playwright after the reading.

thank goodness the timing of this was a date after the new york city marathon . I had many runners to take care of. New York in Autumn is spectacular. Truly a time of transformation. Scorpio's death rebirth this year was intense.

Thank Goodness for my neighbor Lady Beverly as she can attest to this. We have been experiencing much construction work in our adjoining apartments. To maintain our sanity throughout this ordeal we have texted and laughed comparing notes and such . if it wasn't for the fun we are having it would truly be unbearable. During a coffee break we spontaneously had a photo shoot.

Adrenaline... living off the good things and thoughts. Rome Neal then invited me to read the part of Mamie Eisenhawer in a tribute weekend to Ishmael Reed's plays. I bought the script at Drama Book Shop and read the play "C above C above high C " . Again I met the playwright and got my book autographed. As you may know from my July blog post, I have an affinity for Louis Armstrong , and in the scene that I got to play my character speaks with Louis' wife. It is a wife to wife scene, brilliant.

Enjoy the pictures.

posts of autumn harvest coming soon : stagework and readings

roses

summer reflections

and so the beat goes on. 2010 in peace , love, and success.

flying colors into autumn

Last weekend I had a family outing to the theater. We went to see Fela. It was Lilias White's final performance in this show. She sang "Rain" , what an amazing number. The cast was amazing. On September 22. nd NYC saw some rain and thunder and lightning. CLeansing for Autumn's return!!

Just in time for my Shakepeare scene classes to roll in! I am among wonderful actors and an enthusiastic director/ teacher Andy Goldberg.

please enjoy the pictures from the may pole to the earth a fond fare thee well to summer and hello to other rich colors of this "colossal" year.

Blog Birthday

Recently I celebrated "Tales From Hollywood" 's first birthday. A good friend took me to hear Ken Hirai sing many original ballads and popular covers . The crowd was mostly of his native land Japan, and everyone was captured by this commanding performer. I loved the banter in between songs . Afterwards we went to an open mic bar. And yes I was summoned to the microphone and sang for the very first time "New York State of Mind" it was exhilariating. I sang about four songs and mingled and danced with the revellers. It was a magical and heartwarming bonding experience. As you can see on this photo I was aglow the next day.

New York has magic and when we beckon to her call of getting together with other people to bring out our full potential we make more memories. Sound the trumpet for people of goodwill coming and going to this blessed city.

The answer to the quote question is Kirk Douglas.

This is some of my favorite subway art near Lincoln Center. And moonlight rays on Mercury, walking up and seeing this was stunning and a perfect photo moment. Grand Centeral became grandeur at night.

who said:" to be great you have to develop the farthest capabilities of what you are" "Don't imitate. You have to have your own talent."

Emmy shines light on "Modern Family" and entertainment community follows suit. Jimmy Fallon kept it light and fun . Loved Edie Falco speech.

Happy Birthday One Year

King for a Day

a picture share entitled "keep on moving"

Don't work in a vacuum. Find your tribe, your artistic tribe. Happy travels to all my courageous artist friends, and friends who see beyond the surface. Explore and share your truths. Go into the light. And don't forget to write home now, you hear?

Taking action many actions before we hear lights camera action

The above sculpture is one reason to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I am sure Rodin achieved many moments of stillness during the creation of this masterpiece.

Are you takig action? This is a common question in my spiritual practice. If you aren't getting the results you are seeking , I will hear someone ask this question.

This week I went back to the Screen Actors Guild Connservatory to polish some work on commercials. It is an excellent resource for on camera classes and there is a professional session director who puts us "on camera".

Next week I must pay my Actors Equity dues. It pays to pay your dues.

I wrote a theater review for ComedyBeat.com about the children's musical '"Captain Marbles"

I communicated with other actors this week. It is great to have dialogue with my colleagues. This week I really appreciated a phone conversation with extradorinary actress Furaha. We met on the set of Law and Order years ago and still keep in touch.

Communication is everything. Action is everything, and love and compassion rule. I will add some of these into my recipe while I organize paperwork, schedules, and ftting in some summer enjoyment. Practicing stillness, ahh there's the rub.

Running off to do more business..and take more action.! Happy to be a New York Actor.

Birth, Death, and Rebirth

this year people have said to me "you look like Toni Colette".

but I am Kathy "Hollywood"

Happy Birthday America! Hello, America? Miss Liberty? Is everyone on vacation or what?

I just thought I would pay homage to John Adams and

Thomas Jefferson who put their heart and soul into carving out in simple languaage our liberties. I got emotional actually , and had to google the date of their death, which was as accurately porrtrayed in the HBO series "John Adams", whoe title role was played by the wonderful Paul Giamotti. These comrades died on July 4, 1826, after living fulfilling their destinies. How admirable and remarkable.Paul Giamotti keeps transforming in his roles as an actor. What a blessed career. See you in front of the camera Paul. On one of these continents. On the spectacular planet Earth.

I was at the pier near the Intrepid the other night , watching the sunset , and a cosmic intervention took place. No lie. This guy on bicycle rode up and although there were two free benches on either side of me, he parks his bike up against the bench that I am sitting and sat down next to me. He says," see that boat, lots of men never came back , but we are here". and then , I showed him my Louis Armstrong picture and he starts to sing like Pops, 'Hello Dolly".

Amazing.

America!

May everyone have a peaceful and profound 4th this year 2010. and don't for get to "ROCK THE ERA".

Summer is officially here

May the light of our history June 2010 turn with action based on wisdom, love based on the true power of giving and recieving, and peace based on everyone reaching their full potential.

Find the light within. It is there , let's share it!

Promise of Gratitude for everyone who contributed to the making of my demo reel ( see April 2010 post for "A Picture Introducing Kathy Lynn Wood"

what's behind the art? people . I would like to acknowlege some of the people who stood behind me and with me during this process that ultimately led to my demo reel. see April 2010.

Behind the camera in Los Angeles , The Zinestress, inspired a playful and professional atmosphere. Cut to the Manhattan Monologue Slam, based on a premise she suggested.

The Slam is staged with consistency by the Galinsky brothers and Act Two has a thirty second framework.I first found out about this event because it was voted as a favorite from Backstage and I kept the article for a while. Then a couple of years later, Melinda Buckley sent me an email saying it was happening and to come on out and support it, she was among the five judges

That night it was at the New York Film Academy. By the time I arrived, working til the last minute with a Fashion Week VIP, I dashed downtown in a cab to find standing room only , well, really

i made room to sit "INdian Style " on the floor among the many others in a pool of people captivated on the floor. I got to see some of Act One, the three minute, more dramatic part. Honestly , it had a cutting edge to it and at that time a very dowtown New York feel.

How can you tell a story with a beginning middle and end in 30 seconds? I felt inspired by this creative "problem". One autumn day, I trusted another instinct which was to go the New York Library Of Performing Arts, and once there I sat watching a Merce Cunningham Dance Video inside an amazing exhibit which celebrated his art, and where "She" ( the muse of my first slam) appeared . "She"needed attention. Binoculars, raincoat, short curly blondish caramel hair. She was like a character out of a Woody Allen film, except she was real and talking with me. So I slammed about her! I called it my New York Moment.

I was actually feeling very under the weather that day and was in a good place to sit back and listen, be present for her, and she gave a present : for me to watch and be with this woman, while being in that magical space. I went home and wrote the piece. Months passed , then she got resurrected with a brilliant rehearsal with Sedly coaching me. Somehow the timing of my first slam was in between stage work I did, i worked in Harlem then At HB Studios. And I auditioned for the role of a reception nurse for the USA Network,Royal Pains, by the director's request. Well, my muse made it to the stage light. She lives on.

All that to describe the day coming up to a more seasoned slam which I put in my demo:

Again Autumn weather. I worked , went to my alexander class, did my laundry and had one chance to go over the script via the telephone with Milano. 6:15 pm. Milano encourged me by listening.. and that gave me the desire to get up and do it in front of a live audience. I wore one of my favorite colors : fuschia and confidently got on the subway placing my name on the thirty second slammers' list when I arrived at the theater.

Four months later, after some acting "business" classes and people saying actors don't need a demo, I became determined to play a major role in finishing my demo.. I set the date and stuck by my resolution.

The model behind the greenery in the photo above told me exactly what "side" of me to show in the demo, and I did a photo session with an imaginative master painter Kaz Ooka.

Of course I spoke with my mother hundreds of times along the way, so I definately would llike to thank : Karen, Sam, The model who looks like an Indian Ingenue, Sedly, Milano, the entertainment expert, Kaz.Judy B, and Susan for the original invitiations to go to California. And I want to thank the two cities New York and Los Angeles, and the woman in the library who appeared and spoke with me, a native new yorker whom i have never seen again.

Sincere thanks also go to the trial scenario shoot , shot by Brent with two young children posing as mine for the stressed out "angry" Mom. It was fun shooting this and the boys liked being actors. I am sure that I could write more about the making of the demo, and I have raw footage that documents this effort. Thank you Miss Erica for letting me borrow your beau who jumped on board last minute to direct.

The moral is: if you are an actor and you want something done, you must get the DIY on, Do it yourself spirit, that propels a move forward and support from others. Nix the naysayers right out of the picture. If your too careful or waiting for perfection, your result will never be seen.

So many thanks so little time, and time by the way , you must MAKE the time for your career.

If you look at Brando saying "I could have been a contender" from On the Waterfront, and you say coulda shoulda woulda you have entered the vacuum of the defeatest and our world needs Victors . Your victory, my victory , our victory. Get in to the space of your essence! The demo reel has been won of the best experiences so far and has helped to put me in the driver's seat. Let me know what you think!

The Lure and Mystique of The Very Ground "Broadway" Shooting Stars in New York City

Every Year new groups of performers, Seasoned Broadway Actors, theater designers, directors, sound and lighting technicians, make up artists, costume designers, people of many crafts join forces to create new shows written hand in hand by composers and lyriciists, playwrights, or published authors based on revolutionaries or history makers.

Some shows en vogue come from screen to stage, or for La Cage from play ( based on the brilliant premise circa 1973 by French playwiright Jean Poiret , to screen , to Broadway to the West End of London, to more international stages , and again made it to the screen picked up from "Birdcage" the brilliant cinematic magic of Mike Nichols , and that 1996 impeccable cast ,to a staged Broadway revival in 2004, to another revival in 2010.

This morning I waltzed around to the many New York's Legendary theater houses this to try to get a scope of the talent on Broadway at this time.

An innocent stroll kept its lure on this hot morning. No doubt heating up for Broadway's really big night.

Some shows help create history when artists pulse ahead of their time or courageously in step to reveal virtues and truths meeking out overworn silences. Live theater has the potential to ring shadows to light. Granted the spirit and tone are set right and no gum wrappers are uncoiled (thus interupting the breathing silence of the moment.) Producers and others who believe in these shows make sure contracts are made and theaters are secured.

From June 2009 to June 2010 much theater history has been made. A Steady Rain by Keith Huff was one drama that I saw. Here is a question for you : who has better legs in jeans Janet Jackson or Hugh Jackman ? ooh la la . The bare dark set coupled with the playwrights story which the two actors Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman clearly told left your own imagination to craft the details. My neighbor, Rachel called me at the last minute with a ticket , on a rainy night. How refreshing to have the words of the actors alone in this drama to create the environment.

Think classic black and white cinema. It's like ginger 's purpose with sushi, cleanses the palette. Our eyes need a little cleansing. Overstimulation. 3D , God help us. ( I will admit that I have not yet seen Avatar . But I did see "The Secrets in Their Eyes" , look for my review at Digthisreal.com . During my stroll along Broadway today I saw an advert with a very cute grinning cowboy , Toy Story 3.

Back to Tony's Night... The potential, the producers, the cleansing of the pallette. Ah yes, so French. Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane on stage.. now. Yeah just in time, category Best Actress in a Musical . Catherine Zeta Jones. Exquisite. Quel baby blue dress and great performance of "Send in the Clowns." Yeah Sondheim! A very good friend of mine took me to see "Company" a couple of years ago, and I fell in love with "Another Hundred People" the song.

And how fitting was it that Nathan Lane presented the award to winner Douglas Hodge , of La Cage Aux Folles, for Best Actor In a Musical.

Twyla Tharp and the daring dancers of "Fly With Me" are keeping the "new" in musical dance that is for sure. Karine Plantadit is an amazing charismatic force to watch.

Bill T. Jones also shows how expansive and beautiful one's life can be.

Go Memphis!!! Great Salute to the theaters and bridges that supported this 2010 Tony Award winning musical to get "running."

Dr. Seuss, humanitarian extraordinaire, would travel up the steps of the lighthouse in La Jolla, California where he would go to his writing room. Sometimes if he was challenged to get something down on the page he would wrack his brain while meditating on his couch. This flight of stairs is a metaphor for actors to climb to the next level. Sometimes we have to build the next level ourselves. July 2009 I co-produced with Meaghan Cosgrove and guest musical artist Francine Kay, An Evening of Monologues and Music. Meaghan chose great material inspired by good writing to suit her wide range. A golden memory for me was watching her interpretation of a Nilo Cruz created character from the play "Anna in the Tropics".

While reciting the poem " Soar Into the Vast Skies of Freedom into the New Century" , by Daisaku Ikeda, I felt a fire come alive within me. I appreciated what the producer of Red said something to the effect in (Mark) Rothko's words , "The artist must inspire, engage, and fall in love with their craft and make it their own."

This blog is a direct result of that evening of performances, almost now a year ago. Hear hear to propelling ever forward and having a fulfilled and meaningful career. Here here to the people on Broadway who are great role models of dedication . Thank you all for delivering the very best in show business. Here here to New York , along with Hollywood the cities of dreams. Good Night! And Blessed be a little night music.

Great plays bring to light things we don't like to talk about. or things we love to muse about. some privately, some publicly...

The "Tony" Awards

Congratulations to everyone involved with this Sunday June 13th Tony Awards that will air live from New York on CBS .

Mazel tov

Twitter is universal. Now big thunderstorm..

Happenings In "Hollywood" Land and Beyond May 21-May 27

This weekend I met DJWildChilde! I can't wait to hear his Reggae/Calypso and Specialty mixes.

I also met Gloria Rosen: actress, creator of one woman show "Listen Can you Hear Me Now?"

King , a beautiful dog. and a photo of a hat made by a crafty person for this special doberman. The hat shot is retroactive.

The Real Deal

Remembering America's Roots of Goodness Through the Spirit of Art and Unity

As Betty Carter would sing " Open the door"

Stardust After Midnite

"A Great Night In Harlem : A History of the Music Dedicated to the Spirit of Greatness", at the Apollo Theater , presented by the Jazz Foundation Of America. This was an evening of testimony to the still alive deep American roots of class and variations in jazz music.

The promise of strength and vibrancy within this community is awesome. There was a distinction of style among the performers and each one's gift bonded to the next one's.. Words alone cannot sum up the experience of the dewey spring night amidst the people and the stardust. When I woke up this morning the song Time of my Life from the film dirty dancing started tapping through my feet as I bounced down the stairs .

The bond among performers was based on a common spirit, and characterized by a devotion to tradition .The language and tone was unique to each artist's evolution , contribution, and marriage to the various forms : African Master Drumming, Big Band, Funk/Soul, Blues, Gospel, Choral, and pure spoken word /inspired song ( Jesseye Norman).

It was indeed a dedication to "the spirit of greatness."

Among the artists who graced the stage at the Apollo Theater were Roberta Flack, Sweet Georgia Brown, Baba Ola Jagun, Jimmy Scott,Jimmy NOrman,David Johansen, Winard Harper,Terence Conley, Barry Harris,Ron Carter, Frank Wess, Jimmy Heath, Madeleine Peyroux,Fred Staton, Max Lucas, Vince Giordano and The NightHawks,Manno Charlemagne,Davell Crawford,R.L.Boyce, and the BeBop All Stars.

At the after party Deacon John brought down the house.Straight from New Orleans came the "Real Deal" Deacon John Moore. It was fun to talk with him about show business and more thrilling to experience his guitar playing. Must tune in to see him on the new HBO series Treme.

Keep the light on America and be the torch that leads . Rise up smiling and create an ever burning pilot light for peace. Frame everything with a postive light today. oh, and play a Louis Armstrong , Young at Heart, or Kiss to Build a Dream When the Saints Come Marching In, or whatever your favorite is. What is your favorite ?