This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be asked by writer John Benton to participate in a reading of his marvelous new feature film script called "The Music of Sound". It really is a wonderful story and enchanting story about a man's self-discovery and it was fun to read with such talented and dynamic actors. Check out the film's progress on the web at: http://musicofsound-thefilm.com/Process.html

Just got to look at the trailer for the short film I shot a few months ago titled "Left in the Shadows". I play the character of Rose (the sister-in-law/ lead character's unrequited love), and damned if the trailer doesn't look spooky as hell. Check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn7ss_FESMg&feature=email

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday and welcomed in 2010 with friends, family, wine and miscellaneous debaucheries. I know I did.
Recently, I was fortunate enough to have worked on a music video with our wonderful director from "Greendale G.P.", Brad Saville. The track is "Beat Connection" by LCD Soundsystem and I can't think of a better reason to be jumpin' to some tunes at 1am on a Monday morning.
Check it out at: http://vimeo.com/8328839

About a month ago, I did a '50s Girl Gang' photo shoot for the talented artist, Shawn Bishop-Leo. I am happy to announce that the exhibit is opening tomorrow at the Leo Kesting Gallery in NYC. I can't wait to see it!

Leo Kesting Gallery Presents:
Shawn Bishop-Leo : Strength In Numbers
November 12– December 13
Reception with the Artist: Thurs Nov 12 from 7:00 – 10:00 pm
812 Washington St (at Gansevoort) NY NY 10014
8th Ave A, C, E and L train Stop or 1,2,3 to 14th Street
Tuesday - Sunday from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm
Admission is free to the public
phone: 917-650-3760 / 917-292-8865
http://www.leokesting.com

Shawn Bishop-Leo returns to the Leo Kesting Gallery with her second solo exhibition, “Strength in Numbers”. Staying true to her past work and the notion of feminine strength, this latest collection follows the evolution of the female gang from its mythical roots to its modern archetypes.

In this new collection, Leo creates a series of mixed-media paintings depicting a universe of strong female characters. From the wilds of the Outback to the urban decay of inner cities, the gang girl emerges as both confrontational and fragile. Drawing inspiration from The Amazons, The Suffragettes, and the Foxfire girls, Leo’s work portrays the young woman’s search for identity, sexuality and strength.

Utilizing photography, wood, vintage textiles and maps she tells the story of where these women have been, and where they’re going. “I find maps fascinating in that they are abstractions in themselves of time and place,” states the artist. “In a world where boundaries are always changing and the population ever expanding, the girl gangs have formed out of a need for greater protection and a stronger voice. I feature in these works not just models but peers, a contemporary gang in the making.”

Many of the works showcase individual members that when seen collectively emphasize the shows title, “Strength in Numbers”. In contrast, Leo also intersperses images of ants and bees, matriarchal societies, to further this theme. The innocence of the natural world competes with the chaos of the city, mirroring the inner turmoil of these women’s psyches.

Leo Kesting Gallery is located at 812 Washington St at the corner of Gansevoort in Manhattan's Meat Packing District. A, C, E, or L train to 8th Ave and 14th Street or 1,2,3 train to 14th Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 11am until 7pm.

Playground In The Sky wins the Robert M. Youngson Award for Innovative Filmmaking at the 2009 Hirshon Film Festival

I have been working on a new play these past few weeks: "Greendale GP", a dark comedy about a private practice of not-so-moral doctors in the Midwest, and we are getting ready for our opening at the end of this month. It's been a lot of fun to rehearse - and I can't wait to get it on it's feet!

Check out the commercial we shot for promotions and purchase tickets on the theatre website at: http://eastwindtheatre.com/
I hope you all can join us!

I received a phone call this morning from my good friend Lindsay Goranson from the set of the film she is currently shooting "Art=Love2". They were shooting a dance studio scene and a few of the extra dancers were unable to show up to set. I jetted to the Midtown location after slipping into my old leotard and tights, happy to revive some of my old dance studio memories. Everyone was incredibly nice, and it was great fun to be with her on set. Who knew those old jazz shoes still fit?!

Today I was on set for the feature film "Beneath the Rock" written/directed by Eliana Ujueta where I get to play a sexy blackjack dealer who never loses. We shot in a warehouse in Brooklyn for this particular scene that takes place in the busy casino. Now, I am not, personally, a gambler. I've done my time at the nickel slots, I love Vegas and Atlantic City, but have never played a hand of blackjack in my life. Let alone craps or roulette. And today, I was given charge of the roulette wheel. And let me tell ya, spinning roulette is not exactly something you can practice at home, and it is much more difficult that it looks. Thankfully, there was a real expert on hand to show me the ropes and we all had a lot of fun. Don't forget to tip your dealer.

Today we shot a commercial for the new play written/directed by Brad Saville, "Greendale GP". It was a helluva lot of fun, and I wonder why more theatre companies don't do commercials for their shows. We all made it to the location late in the evening where coats, stethescopes, and kitty cats were all sorted out. Check out the fruits of our labor on the front page of the Eastwind Theatre website at: http://eastwindtheatre.com/. Enjoy!