Tag Archives: Acting

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Fireworks Bring Out The Bones

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Alexandra Del Sole*This note was from a few weeks ago but never got the chance to post it.

I have been a busy bee as of lately. I have been hard at work with my band Precious Bones and we have a exciting gig tonight at Parkside Lounge in NYC.  It’s always a feeling of excitment and nerves playing in New York. The competition is fierce but as they say if you can make it there you can make it anywhere. I look forward to seeing the reaction of our audience and know we will kick ass. Most recently our EP has been played in clubs and we are being played in rotation on radios in the UK. Sweeeeet!

7/4/13

Happy 4th of July!!  Today is one of my favorite holidays.  I just love fireworks and all the BBQ’s.  It just seems like a day where people look forward to and get excited about going to parties, eat lots of food, hang by a pool, sport some red white and blue clothes, and just relax.  I took this moment to catch up on some things going on.  I filmed a commercial but haven’t gotten the footage yet but, here is a sneak peak behind the scenes picture.  Also, my band Precious Bones has been doing really well.  We have played a couple of great venues and are having a blast performing.  We recently did a halfway to Halloween show at Loop Lounge, played the historical Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ and The Studio at Webster Hal in NYC.  At the end of the month we play The City of Water Day Festival in Jersey City, NJ.  All these great gigs have inspired new music for us and are toying with the idea of making a second EP or release singles.  Keep ya posted.  Now go enjoy those fireworks!!alexalex3alex2

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TWENTEASE

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Hi Guys.  Here is the webseries I worked on called Twentease.  I appear in Episode 4 and 5.  My dialogue is in the 5th episode and I assure you I am not really naked.  I actually was fully clothed in a strapless dress.  Oh the magic of filming.  Have fun watching and remembering your one night stands.  That’s right, you read correctly.  Now go recollect. 😉

EPISODE 4 OF TWENTEASE

EPISODE 5 OF TWENTEASE ( Im in at minute 3:45 )

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Sometimes We Smell

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Happy Saturday!  Tonight will be the third run of our show Midsummer Nights Dream.  Instead of boring you with news about all the wonderful “oooooohs and ahhhhhhhs” we got for our preview shows, I am gonna give you a few behind the scene details that made me chuckle and doubt if things were gonna be pulled off in time for opening night.  First things first….we lost our set designer the day before we opened and the stage was left in a sad, weeping, naked and vulnerable state.  If you could picture in your head three plain black walls with two benches and that’s it, then you probably understand why were a little shocked.  Within moments of our director telling us the bad news, our amazing costume director swooped in like a super hero and offered to help out.  In doing so, he created a beautiful forest with draping trees and a visual world for the actors to run through.  (problem 1)  Then we ran into an issue for me and the other fairy dancers that the stage and new platforms created a challenge since the rehearsal space we had been practicing in was quite different and we didn’t account that we were going to be dancing on a 6×6 ft raised box.  We had one fairy down but she bravely got back up and into the game.  Thank goodness it was only during a rehearsal and she wasn’t badly hurt.  (problem 2)  Some of the male characters were given boots as part of their costume and boy did they create a whirlwind, literally.  Those boots were so new that when the men ran across stage they each ended up either on their asses or gliding around stage with flailing arms like a terrible ice skater.  (problem 3)  I don’t know what it is about someone tripping or accidentally falling (with no injuries of course) that makes me giggle.  That’s actually how I made one of my best friends years ago.  I had just started working at the Barnes and Noble Cafe and one of our closing tasks was to mop the floors.  Me and Alana* were almost finished when all of a sudden I saw her slip, fall, and then slide into a bunch of garbage cans as if she were the bowling ball and the cans were the pins.  I could not contain my laughter and finally managed to spit out an “are you ok?!”  I later found out she didn’t like me very much from that moment on but fortunately she forgave me and we can still laugh about it today.  An Alex issue kept coming up for me during dress rehearsal which is that I COULD NOT remember one of my lines, and by line I mean one word.  I think I need to work on my short-term memory skills because every time the fairies ran on stage I had to cue them by saying the word, “Ready!”  I would get so wrapped up in the moment I was entering stage in full excitement that I would blank out on what to do next.  It finally took my friend behind me to continuously poke me in my ribs to realize I had to say something.  I keep joking with her that maybe on the last night of the show I will finally remember my line.  (problem 4)  Another issue that actors rarely bring up is the smell of their costumes.  I’m gonna keep it real for this blog and for those that don’t participate in theater so they know what really goes on. Sorry to break the news.  Costumes usually get cleaned once a week so you can imagine it creates a very interesting Eau Du Stinky (read that with a fake French accent and it makes it funnier.)  Good thing there is such products as perfume and febreze.  (problem 5)  I guess most of these aren’t earth shattering problems but they just make me shake my head and smile and hopefully bring you a little closer into the world of THEATRE.  xo

 

* -Alana is not my best friend’s real name.  It is not to protect her, but to protect me from being yelled at.  😉

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Massacre and Faeries

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Hail all you mortals. Faery Alex here. I’m sitting in the dressing room of the West End Theater awaiting my que to pop on stage. We are having a 10 hour rehearsal today so my exhaustion is setting in and I feel slap-happy. I’m making up spontaneous dances and I can’t help but create songs with farting noises. I’ve officially hit the wall and need to relax on the couch with a cold beverage (preferably alcoholic. ). I’m almost there. Must stay focused…. I know! I’ll tell you about what I did yesterday. I recently got an IPAD so I have been procrastinating life in general while playing games and being a drone to Facebook. I am the person that keeps the plastic on new objects as long as possible so it stays so fresh and so clean. Due to the constant use of my new toy I realized I probably need a cover to protect Prefontain (my IPAD’s new name.). I went to multiple stores looking for a damn case and was appalled by the ridiculous prices on just a piece of cloth to cover Prefontain. The lowest price was $50. It’s unbelievable the amount of money we spend on technology just to keep up with the world. I have decided to put the cover on the back burner for now and just carry Prefontain in its original box. Yes I might look strange but I will find him a good home when the right time comes. Later that night I went to see my friend Anatol’s play called Massacre: Sing to your Children. It is a new play written by Jose Rivera. Click on his name so you can see his other works. The play was phenomenal. It was modern, scary, and had a few twists that made you want to shrink down in your seat and peek through your hands that covered your eyes. Well, maybe that was just me. Maybe I am biased but Anatol’s performance was flawless. His excellence as an actor is humbling so, if you are available this month check out this show. You won’t be disappointed.
I have finally arrived home from a long day of playing a faery and my wish came true. I’m in a sleepy state sitting on the couch with a girlie facemask on and about to watch an episode of Anthony Bourdain. Ahhhh till next time little elves. Xo

Fairies Backstage:

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The stage for Massacre:

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Sleep Forever More

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I finally saw Sleep No More the other day and what a blast that was. If you haven’t heard of this show before I’ll explain just a bit. The performance is held in a renovated hotel that hasn’t been open since the early 1930’s. There are ornately detailed sets and rooms for the “audience” to roam around and participate in the show. It’s loosely based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth and the actors run ( literally run up and down stairs at times) around the hotel leading whoever chooses to follow them into the depths of this drama. I admittedly was nervous about getting tickets to Sleep No More since I am the type of person that scares easily and it’s suggested each person creates their own story and goes off on their own. Even though I’m a scardy cat I do love thrills so this was a great way to get the adrenaline going. As you enter the building you are greeted with old Venetian masks ( think Clockwork Orange ) and the choice of champagne or absinth. Well, in Alex fashion I had both. Note to self: absinth tastes gross. You are then led up in a dark elevator where you must fend for yourself. I stayed close to Tim for a bit and then lost track of his plaid shirt amongst the crowd of flannel wearing hipsters. It was alright because he got in a wave good bye and I gave him a awkward thumbs up that I was ready to be alone. I had a nice buzz from my cocktails and started running after the actors down eerie hallways and narrow staircases. After two hours, this theater experience became an Extreme Sport and I was definitely ready to Sleep FOREVER More. This week is flying by with rehearsals for Midsummer Nights Dream and it’s going to be on its feet in less then a month. Crazy to think how close it is but hey that’s the way of the theater. It creeps up on you and your changing into costumes one minute, then before you know it it’s the last curtain and your kissing friends goodbye. There probably aren’t many people reading this little blog but if you’re out there – remember to smile, laugh and always enjoy the world around you.

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The Zen of Shoes

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“I’d rather have a life of ‘oh wells’ than a life of ‘what ifs.” Today started off like any other day. Wake up to the pitter patter of feet in the above apartment and the long-delayed roll off the bed after hitting the snooze button a bunch of times. For the past couple of weeks I have been preparing my “book” of music that will set me up for upcoming Musical Theater auditions (aka Broadway). It has taken me almost a year to get the confidence and proper training to go out amongst the Glee and Smash fans and try to sing a song and not want to vomit and run away. Today I had a voice rehearsal with my coach and we narrowed down some good songs ranging from Lady Gaga to Eric Clapton to Chaka Khan to Bernadette Peters. I am a “music schizophrenic” so my taste is all over the map. I left rehearsal on a high of piano chords in my brain and had only 45 minutes to run to the train and make it to Union Sq in New York for a audition. Luckily I arrived 15 minutes early and what is a girl to do when she is nervous, anxious and early…..She Goes To A Shoe Store!! I had some time to spare and the huge DSW shoe store was a few feet away from my audition location. I rode the escalator up into the heavens of shoes and handbags and the tranquility came over me. All of a sudden, my nerves for the audition were sub-sided by a beautiful pair of pink & white saddle Bass shoes. They gave me hope and clarity that helped me through the next hour. I embraced the crazy dialogue of the script I had to read from, and by the end I landed the role in a new feature film called “Brooklyn.” There is nothing like the feeling of going into a audition nervous as s**t and then being told you landed the role within the same day. I thank all those that look after me and hope as long as I put in the effort I keep trucking along. xo

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Dance Magic Dance

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I woke up this morning with songs from the movie Labyrinth in my brain.  After winding down from the past couple of days, Tim decided to make me smile by popping in a childhood favorite of mine.  If always reminds me of being a kid and being home on sick days.  I would bundle up in blankets, hold onto my favorite dolls and watch this fantasy land unfold.  If you haven’t seen it, definitely check it out to see the magic puppetry of Jim Henson and Kevin Clash (aka Elmo).  Thank goodness my past couple of days were not invaded by Goblin kings, so I was able to continue with my acting.  On Sunday I went to the two script readings felt like a super actor.  Nahh, I just felt good about having an entire day filled with people and things involving the career I want.  The first script reading was for a movie, based on a true story of a writer  that unknowingly got manipulated into crime.  The actors read in front of a mysterious group of people so here’s hoping this script gets picked up by producers and it works out for the author.  As I mentioned in a previous post I was able to read with some friends and it was nothing less than fun, happy and stress-free.  It’s always good to catch up with those you shared such wonderful memories with but haven’t spoken to in a while.  The second script reading was for an upcoming play about a man and his invisible friend.  It is very rare that I absolutely enjoy, and become ecstatic about modern plays but this one proved to be one of the best.  I walked into an intimidating room of talented actors sitting around a coffee table with their shoes off, wine glasses in hand and chatting about how each of them went to school together and what shows they performed with one another.  It was a bit of a slap in the face for little me.  Kind of ironic that I had just come from a similar situation and didn’t take notice to those that were in the position I was in now.  There is a certain dynamic of actors that know each other and I was getting a good taste of how I could have seemed cliqueish in the script reading before this.  So, I put on my “big girl pants” and decided to attack the script the best I could.  After a couple of hours I fell in love with the play and felt blessed to be in a room with such talent.  I truly hope it gets picked up because its gonna be a biiiiig deal when it does.  In fairness to the author I don’t want to tell much more about it.  Monday began the week of rehearsals for Midsummer Nights Dream.  We have less than a month till opening and I hope I am able to memorize my Shakespearian lines for my debut with The Frog and Peach Theater Company.  I have never thought so much about the character actions, and mind-set of a faery, but I guess in this business one must expect the unexpected.  xo

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Its time to play the music

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Here is a little re-cap of last night.  It was an interesting evening over all to be honest.  Just before arriving to the theater I saw Buddy from the show Cake Boss zoom past me in his Carlos Bakery Van.  I whipped out my Iphone as fast as I can to snap a picture.  All I really got was a distant picture through my rear view mirror.  Giddy and excited I arrived to the theater around 3pm.  We had a lot of last-minute things to do, which included hanging the curtains, setting up the lighting system and staging the curtain call.  All little stuff but time-consuming.  I had some friends and family come and support this original play.  A few lines were missed, some cues were late, and nerves were at a high but over all the show went well.  Later that evening, after a fun time with friends I was walking back home from the PATH train and found a surprise.  For a few weeks now Jersey Shore has been filming around the corner from my apartment and it has remained pretty quiet in the neighborhood.  I have been secretly dying to see Snooki and how small that meatball really is.  My time had finally come.  I cowardly walked passed her and J-wow putting their dogs in baby carriages.  I  awkwardly took a picture and scurried home.  I watched a few episodes of Monster Man and passed out.  Tonight is round two of the play and Im feeling low energy so I must go overdose on some caffeine.  xoxo