So here goes, I check in with the nurse.  The first thing she asked me was if I was in the movie "Dahmer".  I told her "no".  She then gave me a gown and told me to strip to my socks.  I did that and waited for her to return.  She came back and took my blood pressure and set up the IV.  Then I was wheeled back to where they would do they work.  They put some Vicodin or Valium-type stuff ( I don't remember what he said) in the IV and a mouth piece in my mouth and it was lights out...........I woke up........later.  I don't know how long later, but I remember nothing.........NOTHING. 

It's scary that a drug can do that to you that quick.  Well, I guess it would be great if I was getting a face-lift or breast implants.  When I woke up I felt like Anna-Nicole Smith must feel all the time.

Now I know why they required that I bring someone to escort me home.  I was a complete wreck when the doctor explained the results afterwards.  I remember them giving me my clothes to get dressed, but I have no recollection of dressing myself.  I don't remember getting in the elevator to leave either.  Scary.  The doctor said everything looked normal.  Cool. 

I don't know why I'm losing blood, or from where.  I don't know why my iron-levels are low or why I'm completely exhausted so often.  I'll start taking vitamins, eating more vegetables and sleeping more than the 4-6 hours a night I now get.  That better work because I'm done with doctors for a while.

FEBRUARY 11th '05*Drops, drops, and more drop-offs today in the rain.  I haven't had an audition in two full weeks.  That should change next week.  Right?!?!  I better get some new postcards out Monday now that I have an airdate for "Yes, Dear".

FEBRUARY 14th ‘05*Another heavy day in the streets for me.  I haven’t had an appointment for more than 2 weeks so I need get on the stick.  I mean, I need to be on the stick all the time, but I ‘ve had so much other stuff going on that I’ve been a little distracted.  Anyway, I got a lot done today and tomorrow there will be a least as much again.

I stopped by to see all of my agents today.  I shared my colonoscopy experience with my commercial agent, we had a good laugh with that.  My print agent, Jenny Vavra, assured me that I am still on hold for the “Levi’s” job in New York and my theatrical agent greeted me with audition for Wednesday for a pilot. 

I dropped off for that pilot a couple of weeks ago, but they probably submitted me as well.  Also, I got a direct call from Henderson/Zuckerman Casting for a film audition for Wednesday.  I did that drop just this past Friday in the rain.  Cool, two auditions for Wednesday!

Congratulations to my good friend Jonathan Julian.  He has a recurring role in a series called “Noah’s Arc”.  It is being described as a black, male version of HBO’s “Sex and the City”.  He booked this from Now Casting almost two years ago and they finally got the funding to shoot multiple episodes.  I think they have an order for 6-7 episodes and he is in 3-4.  He even gets to travel to New York for one of them.  It will debut on the Viacom-backed Logo network this Summer.

Another friend, Jamie Aynes, book a “Papa John’s” commercial and another episodic.  I'm not sure, but I think this might be her first commercial.  I hope it runs alot and she makes a ton of cash.  I’m thrilled for both of them.  I hope that I can join the club of the working actor again soon.   

FEBRUARY 16th ‘05*Audition/Producers: “In Justice” a pilot @ Zane/Pillsbury Casting.  This goes really well and I think I'm spot on for it. 

Audition: “Bottoms Up” @ Dori Zuckerman Casting.  Ah, this doesn't goes so well.  I'm not sure what is was, but I didn't connect all that well with the character.

FEBRUARY 18th 05*Audition: "Peep Show" @ G. Charles Wright Casting.  Ahhh!! I think I bombed this one.  I was being put on tape for producers.   The first time I read was pretty good, I felt, but when G. gave me the re-direct I fell apart.  I don't know why.

I felt I was really right for it, but when he gave me more info on the character it just threw me.  When it was over, I went and sat in the lobby and looked over the sides to see where I went so horribly wrong.  I could’ve gotten it right with another moment, but, often times, you don’t get “another moment”.  This one really hurt.  Oh well, on to the next!

FEBRUARY 21st 05*Audition/Director ''Sister's Keeper" @ Barbara McCarthy Casting.  It's a feature film.  Ahh!!  This one went really, really well. I read it once, he gave me direction and I delivered it like I knew I could. YES!!  
 

Tonight we finally had our performance at the NAACP LA Theatre Awards. Our tech call was @ 4:3O pm, but we didn't get onstage until 6:30.  Things were running late.  Once we got on stage we didn't even get to run through our scene one time!  The scene was pretty simple, but we have a few cues that needed to be set.  Oh well, I guess we'll be winging it.  Four hours later when we finally went onstage we rocked the house!  Yeah, we did our thing.  The scene was crisp, concise with a distinct beginning, middle and end.  Of course, the technical part left a bit to be desired, but our job was the acting and we represented The Robey Theatre Company quite well.

The actual glitz of the show really snuck up on me.  I'd only been thinking about the scene work, but when I showed up to the tech rehearsal on my freakin' skateboard I found what it was all about!!  Yeah, I just hadn't really thought about it until I saw all these stunning women wearing evening gowns in the lobby.  WHAT!?!?!  Yeah, and then I walk in with my skateboard.  Go Stephon!!

Anyway it was cool to be backstage with Larry Fishburne, Keith David, Tatyana Ali, Glynn Turman and many others.  Tatiana’s manager or one of her "people" asked her to take a photo with “the soldier’s” (us).  That girl is HOT!!!.....and sweet.

I have to tell you, I was honored to be included in the piece and in the company of the fine actors involved.


Robert Clements, Abner Genece, myself, Karl Calhoun, Marc Ewing, Corey Curties & Rico E Anderson.  My castmates "A Soldier's Play".  NAACP Los Angeles Theatre Awards.

FEBRUARY 23rd '05*My appearance on CBS Comedy "Yes, Dear" finally airs.  I shot this last August.

I have been doing really hardcore drop-offs for the last three days in the rain and I am tired.  Matter a fact I am taking tomorrow off.  I am sleeping all day.  I’m sure I won’t, I’ll find something to do.  Get this; I haven’t had a commercial audition in almost a month.  That is odd for me, I’m sure it’ll pick up soon.  Right??

FEBRUARY 24th '05*I attended a showcase tonight with personnel from 6 different casting offices. A scene from my script was read again and it went great.  It was a little different read than the first time, but just as good.  I'd considered reading it myself, but when I got there I overheard two actors already rehearsing it.  There was a copy there from the last time it was read.  It was weird to walked up and hear my words being rehearsed.  I didn't tell the actors that I was the writer; I wanted to see what they would do with it.  I was nervous, not as nervous as the first time, but nervous nonetheless.  It was cool to watch and see the reaction of the audience.  Wow, I gotta finish this thing!

FEBRUARY 25th '05*Audition: "DirecTV" @ Ross Lacy Casting.  This goes really well and I think I'm right for it.  How about a callback?

FEBRUARY 27th '05*Today I conducted a workshop called "Perspective of a Working Actor" @ The Actorsite.  I better get a job soon or the title will be "Perspective of a Wannabe Working Actor", LOL!!  Anyway, about 20 actors showed up with great questions.  I have a feeling I’ll be doing more of this in the future.

FEBRUARY 28th '05*Cricket sounds and drop-offs.  That's about all that's going on with me these days.  It has been very, very quiet. 

I'm still on hold for the "Levi's" print job.  I really don't think I'm going to book it at this point, but I guess no news is good news.  The dates are March 3rd-6th and it shoots in New York, go figure.  I’ve even taken if off of my schedule, so I think I’m mentally done with it.  NEXT!!! 

MARCH 3rd '05*It's official, I've been released from the "Levi's" campaign.  They decided to "go another way".  Imagine that!

This is something I've been thinking about for years; being a consultant for actors trying to move forward in the business.  It's not a new thought, I've been considering it for years.  I also think, in the future, I'll write a book and do motivational speaking engagements.  I think I have something to say that can help others.  There are specific reasons why I haven’t already done it, but I’m working on that.  As it stands now I speak/consult quite a few times a year.  I don’t go out looking to do it necessarily, but that may change.  I would really like to do it in different markets around the country.   Hmmmm……interesting.

MARCH 7th '05*Audition: "Miller Lite" @ Joe Blake Casting.  Well I guess I'm available since I'M NOT IN NEW YORK!!!  I'm kidding, I'm just glad to get seen.  It goes well.

MARCH 9th ‘05*Nothing but cricket sounds going on right now, but I’ve been doing my best to try to make some things happen.

SFX: Pager going off.

Cool, it was my commercial agent with a “Mazda” audition for this afternoon.  YES!!  And a couple of hours later my theatrical agent called with an audition for “Malcolm in the Middle”.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to go in on “Malcolm” at first, but after  discussing it with my agent I decided to.  We don’t how many more seasons the show will be on the air and it looked like there was a slight possibility of the role returning.      

Audition: “Mazda” @ Lisa Fields Casting.  It goes really well and I think I’m right for it.

Audition: “Malcolm in the Middle” @ Stiner/Block Casting.  I wasn’t clear that this was a pre-read, if I had known that I probably would have passed on it.  Anyway, it was one of those really small ones where it’s kinda hard to figure out what is going on.  I could make a choice and risk being way, way off or ask the CD what is happening in the scene.  Barbie Block was very nice and gave me the low-down on what was going on.

To be honest, I didn’t feel like it went all that well, but I was funny.  She gave me a callback to producers for 30 minutes later.  The callback was nothing special for me.  Actually, it was kinda frustrating because I used to be so good a getting these 1 to 5 line roles.  I don’t want to get good at it again, I need to book more substantial roles and move on.  Matter of fact, I think I am going to start a new acting class in the next couple of weeks.

MARCH 18th '05*It’s a busy day today with drops and appointments.  I really don't want to go a year without booking a commercial; April 22nd ’04 was the last time I did a commercial.  The clock is ticking!  It would be nice to book a ‘couple’ of things before then.  I've definitely had ample opportunities; in fact, I have 3 commercial appointments today.

Audition: "Burger King" @ Bad Girls Casting.  This one goes pretty well after getting a lot of help from the session runner.  She even let me and my partner watch the first take and do it over.  

Audition: "Mastercard" @ Ross Lacy Casting.  This one went great.

Audition: "GM" @ Ross Lacy Casting.  This one went great too.

Check this out.  I read for the pilot "Hot Properties" @ Dava Waite Casting a couple of days ago and, in all honesty, I thought I blew it.  I mean, it wasn't a complete disaster, but I got tripped up on some words and you especially want to be careful of the that in a comedy.

Anyway, my agent calls this morning to say that they want to "pin me".  "Pin me?"  Basically, they are checking my availability and want me to let them know if my availability changes.  They aren’t going to hire me yet, but are very interested.  WHAT!!!  I'll take that.  Another cool thing is that it's through one of my two newer agents that I acquired since the merger of my theatrical agency.

MARCH 21st ‘05*Audition: "AM/PM" @ Mimi Webb-Miller Casting.  This one went really well.

Audition: “Sprint” @ ASG Casting.  My first commercial booking in Los Angeles came from this office.  Usually, I am able to get through LA traffic pretty well, but today it was not to be.  I missed the "Sprint" audition.  I just couldn't get from Westside Casting to Riverside Drive in the valley in 30 minutes at 4 in the afternoon.  The session runner was really cool about it and told me to come back tomorrow and he would squeeze me in.

I was wearing a suit for the audition, but I saw a few guys that were there for a "Star Wars" audition and they were dressed casually; how I normally look.  My plan was to go to my car and change clothes and try to get seen for the other spot.  They hardly even recognized me when I came back in dressed casually and they let me read for the other spot too.  So it worked out really well for me.

MARCH 22nd '05*Audition: "Sprint" @ ASG Casting.  YES!  I made it this time and it went great.

MARCH 23rd ‘05*I worked as a reader today @ Dori Zuckerman Casting.  It’s always fun for me to do.  I get to listen to all of the “producer talk”, which is quite interesting and read with actors I see on TV and in films.  Today I got to read with Guy Torry, Jennifer Elise Cox, Elise Neal, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Olympic champion Tara Lipinski and others.  The thing that really tripped me out is that the director, Brandon Sonnier, is only 22 years old and has already had a film at The Sundance Film Festival.  WHAT!! 

It’s cool to see what choices these working actors make.  I think the biggest thing is that they all take ownership of their performance.  They are prepared and have lots of confidence.  It looks like I’ll be doing more days as a reader in the near future.

MARCH 25th ‘05*Today is my 4 year anniversary of resigning from my job at The Standard waiting tables. I still have a hard time believing it. I'm not sure why, I always knew I could do it, but the reality of it is still quite surreal. It has been a great rollercoaster ride to say the least.

I am very fortunate to have a great team around me. I developed a plan many, many years ago, stuck to it and it's working. Here's to another year in the game.

I had another session today at Dori Zuckerman Casting.  Soon as I walked in Dori told me that the producers and the director really like me and are trying to put me in the film.  I guess it helps to get compliments from the actors that are auditioning.  Anyway, it was another great time being deep in the process of how it really works.  Oh, and when I left the director also told me that they'll find something for me in the film.  For me, that would be icing on the cake because just getting to work out with the actors is incredible in itself. 

Audition: “Dell Plasma TV” @ Ross Lacy Casting.  Lots of fun, it goes well.

I got a callback for the “Star Wars” commercial audition that I had this past week.  It was the one that I kinda/sorta crashed when I missed the "Sprint" one, but before I could even call my agent back to confirm I received another call saying that it had been cancelled.  WHAT!!!  Yeah, I had to find out what that was all about.  I was informed that they had cancelled callbacks for that particular role.  Okay, that’s not hard to take.  I thought, at first, that they decided that they didn’t want to see me particularly.  Oh well, on to the next.

MARCH 28th '05*What a way to start the week.  I spoke to students at Reseda High School again this morning about going for what you want in life.  The kids are interesting.  Some are very difficult to reach, even just to say their name aloud while others are very expressive about what they want in life. 

Over the weekend a friend, Joan Blair, contacted me about an independent film she is involved with.  I know Joan from workshops and we worked on a project together a couple of years ago.

Anyway, she instructed me to send my URL to the producer.  The producer called this morning and wanted me to meet the director on set...right away.  So I drive from Reseda to Echo Park and see Roger, the producer.  Roger, said he had just seen me in a commercial.  Well I knew he was mistaken, I don't really have anything running at the moment.  He thought about it for a moment and then I said "The Terminal"?  "YEAH!"  He replied. 

He then takes me straight to the director who was in between shots.  The director quickly gives me the low-down on the character and then has to resume shooting.  Roger, the producer, says "that was pretty much your audition and tells me that the role is mine if I'm interested".  I say "yeah, of course I'll do it."  He says, "Great, I'll send a deal memo to your agent this afternoon."  They check my availability(I told them that I was on-hold for the ABC pilot "Hot Properties"), gave me a script, get my sizes and agent info.  My first day of about 6 or 7 is Thursday.  This all happened in like 35 minutes.

Since it's under a SAG Deferred contract I wanted to inform my agent that they may receive a call about the project.  Right then my phone rings and it's my agent.  I thought they had already gotten the call, but no, the call was telling me that I was booked on the “Hot Properties” pilot.  It's an ABC 1/2 hour comedy.

It's been a loooong time since I've booked two things in one day.

MARCH 29th '05*Today I did another orientation for a group of actors from the Actor's Connection in New York.  It went well, the actors were eager and had lots of questions about the LA market.   

I got a call today to participate in a staged reading with The Robey Theatre Company in May.  Arrgh!  I was considering going to Vegas that weekend.  But after thinking it over I probably should stay in LA and do some acting.  I’ll go home in June. 

MARCH 30th ‘05*Sounds of my pager start the morning with my commercial agent letting me know that I had been released from my avail for the “Star Wars/Lucas Arts” commercial.  WHAT!!!  I didn’t even know I was on avail!  I call them back and get it all figured out.  It was a misunderstanding on my part.  I thought when they cancelled the callback that was the end of the line.  Turned out, they cancelled the callback, BUT still put me on avail.  Cool, I guess.  I’ll book something soon.

Callback: “AM/PM” @ the first read was at Mimi Webb-Miller Casting, but the callback is @ Alyson Horn Casting.  I’ve never booked through Mimi, but I have through Alyson.  The callback goes so, so well.

I get to the production office and sign-in.  They give me the size card from the first audition and it has complimentary notes on it.  It also had some marks that I think are from the ad agency and director separately so I was feeling good.  The shoot dates for the commercial are April 4^th or 5^th.  I am scheduled to work both of those days on the film.  I knew the dates conflicted, but the film is some days and some nights.  Ooops.  I informed the Casting Director.

I was paired up with a teen actor and immediately had a cool vibe with the director; he told me what he liked about my first read.  So I tried to tap into that, but be open for direction.  We did it about 5 different times and I tried to show something a little different each time. 

After we finished, the CD asked my partner and I to wait in the lobby.  We waited about 10 minutes before they released him and asked me to stay longer.  10 minutes later I was paired up with another young actor and we did it another 4-5 times.  As I was leaving, she pulled me aside and said, “The director really likes you, can you call your theatrical agent and find out what you can do with your schedule for the film?  Find out and call me back.”  She then gave me her cell phone number.

I got on the phone with Production and explained what was going on.  They said the 4^th was a pretty heavy day for me, but the 5^th I had just one scene.  They could possibly move everything to the 4^th.  I passed the info to commercial production and let my commercial agent know what was happening.  If they do, in fact, want to hire me for the commercial I do not want to miss out on it.  Did I say I do not want to miss out on this job?  Yeah I don’t want to………