I was asked to write this week’s column about something that turns out to be near and dear to me, Thanksgiving. I’m an enthusiast of this holiday; in fact, it’s my favorite holiday of the year. I’m not too sure why that is, other than the fact that I crave pumpkin pie at the very mention of the word Thanksgiving! Upon further reflection, I was able to bridge the work I do as an actor and acting coach and relate it to what happens to each

In keeping with my last column on carving out a time to work hopefully, you have used that time to learn your lines and apply your imagination, intuition, and instincts to create a dynamic character. Having done that, let’s get you to that audition! Unfortunately, the word AUDITION (: to test or try out in a short performance) can create knots in some of the most yoga inspired bodies in Venice, or anywhere for that matter. It’s ironic though

12:00pm Now that I’ve surfed, eaten breakfast and socialized, it’s time to take a nap… I mean to get to work. Though in theory, I could easily continue to ‘soak up’ the Venice vibe for an hour more. But I won’t because there is work to be done today. The Webster’s Dictionary defines work as “activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something.” As an actor and acting coach, I work daily at my craft. For

10:30am: Now that I’ve had the opportunity to “set the day right” by surfing, I spend a few minutes “talking story” with the boys in the parking lot. Feeling energized and eager to start the day, I head over to a favorite place of mine on Abbot Kinney. I discovered Gjelina Take Away (GTA) years ago and quickly became an enthusiast of Travis Lett’s culinary creations. In order to experience food and beverage here, you will need to open

The LIGHTNING SERIES at the Electric Lodge in Venice, California included a three-part work by UCLA’s Victoria Marks, a collaboration between Los Angeles artists Jay Carlon and Lindsey Lollie, and a duet by Barcelona based choreographer, Isabel López. Curated by Josh Berkowitz, this was the third of four-performance series that included dance, puppetry, Clown, music and experimental performance art. Finn Murphy and Emma Villavecchia are part

“THE LIGHTNING SERIES” TAPS NEW CREATIVE ENERGY TO REMAKE A VENICE CULTURAL INSTITUTION By Christina Campodonico In the 20 years since Dr. Joel Shapiro bought an old Masonic lodge on Electric and California avenues to transform it into a solar-powered experimental arts incubator, the Electric Lodge has made a name for itself with performances, lectures, screenings and workshops that push the boundaries of creative expression. But a surge of new

Dance Resource Center is a service organization that provides the Los Angeles area dance community access to information, resources and services; and promotes the visibility and viability of Greater Los Angeles dance on local, state and national levels. DRC has been a resource for all things dance in the Greater Los Angeles Area since 1987. DRC provides evolving relevant and constructive services, programs, and support that respond to the ever changing

It’s 8:00 am in Venice Beach. I’m sitting on my surfboard (in the ocean), not a swimming pool in my backyard…. keeping it real, Venetians. It’s quiet, meditation-like-quiet. The Santa Monica Mountains are to the north of me, Venice Pier down south. A set of waves approach; I paddle for one and catch it, reading and reacting according to what is being given to me. I use what is being given to me; in place of anticipating what I think might

Ventriloquism as a form has a philosophy baked into it already, because there's two people or there's one person voicing two people, the Id is going on all over the place, it lends itself to philosophy and the different characters that are within...but for me, a lot the ventriloquism out there was missing that humanity, that super inward-looking realism, its been such an outward-facing form...in all that I do, I want to take some of the standard

Over New Years break, Cuzcatlan Designs worked on our Studio floor.  Multiple cracked and broken boards were replaced.  The entire floor was sanded and resurfaced with 4 coats of polyurethane. Unlike traditional polyurethanes (poly, shellac, or clear coat) even many of those labeled as “environmentally friendly”, ECOS WoodShield Varnish is non-toxic and has no traditional paint (polyurethane) odor, which can cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory