Thankfully, as it always seems to happen when you’re lending yourself to something you’re supposed to be doing, doors seemed to open up. I met great people in the industry who were filled with honest, kind advice. I was a reader for one of the sweetest casting directors in Los Angeles. And I asked questions. And all of those questions seemed to lead me to Brad Henke.

Brad Henke is an established actor who is dedicated to the art of acting and growing and maturing young actors. I first heard about him through a handful of casting assistants and directors, but knew I needed to RUN into the arms of his studio when I read for Joe Egender. Joe absolutely blew me away in his audition, and I immediately wanted to train wherever he trained. And, naturally, it was with Brad.

So I started pursuing the Henke Studio and technique…and then…as it does…more doors opened. Stella Adler in New York wanted to establish a west coast presence, and after observing teachers in LA, settled on Brad as their perfect partner. They joined forces to create the Art of Acting Studio in Hollywood, and my trajectory has been completely altered. I’m now studying with Jane Fleiss, a woman who has fundamentally changed the way I view scripts and what I bring to them. Everything about me as an actor is changing…being refined and reformed…as a result of the classes this studio has offered up.

I say all this because I remember, so clearly, how dizzying it was to figure out next steps when you first move to Los Angeles. So if there’s even one person reading this blog that has been toying with the idea of making the jump…make the jump here. Into a community of developmental and working actors alike, where you’re asked to bring your A game and really WORK on your craft. This isn’t a studio that is going to let you slack…they’re going to ask you to push yourself further…everyday. You’ll probably be uncomfortable at times (I can attest to that. Ha.), but I promise you, you will NEVER be so prepared in the audition room after working with these artists.

Oh…and another really cool part of being a part of this family? They’ve got a black box theatre. You know, in case you do a little writing you want to be able to perform for an audience. Not saying you have to…but having things like that at your disposal in this town? Priceless. : )

So. If you want to work. And you want to work HARD. If you want to be stretched. If you want to be encouraged. If you want to be surrounded by a team. Then come. Join me. Lord knows I’d love to meet you.

Skip Hopkins is the lovely photographer that took my headshots shortly after I moved to Los Angeles. I knew him from Nashville, and as fate would have it, he happened to be visiting LA at the very time I was looking for new headshots. Although it was his first time dabbling in that form of photography, his professional creativity ended up being what has got me in the door for every audition I’ve ever gone on.

No. Seriously. I mean it.

I wouldn’t be able to get my foot in the door anywhere if it weren’t for his work. In fact, almost every casting director has said to me when I’ve walked in the room, “Wow. This is a really great headshot!”

What astounded me most about Skip was his dedication to the project. He was serious about what he was doing…he didn’t go halfway with me just because I was a friend. He scouted out locations for the pictures, researched what made a great headshot, and walked into our session prepared and ready to work. And the best part? HE DIRECTED ME. He didn’t rely on me to know what I was doing. He told me when to soften my eyes, mouth, hands, arms, etc etc etc. I was more confident because he took the initiative.

And, for you LA folk, the really good news? He’s here for the rest of the month, with the hope that he’ll be moving out here full time soon. So if you need headshots/model shots/wedding shots/fun shots/baby shots/pet shots/tequila shots, he’s your man. Okay…I’m not sure about the tequila shots. He may be more of a Jack man. You’ll have to ask him directly.

Skip Hopkins, guys. He’s a lifestyle editorial photographer who can really do it all. You won’t be disappointed.

www.skiphopkins.com

In short, Los Angeles has simply surprised me. I’ve met some of the most dear, sincere folks out here. People who want to help, and care, and guide. Want a few examples? Okay, okay, twist my arm. ; )

– > Meet Autumn. She lived in Nashville during the time I was there, but I really didn’t know her. My second day in town, she brought over homemade soup and pumpkin spice muffin cakes and helped me put together IKEA furniture. I barely knew her, but she knew moving was overwhelming, so she more than made herself available to me.

– > Meet Julie. She’s the casting agent I met in August, just to ask questions and learn more about this world I was hoping to dive into. She’s an incredibly busy individual, and I was hesitant to reach out to her, since I’m out here as an actress and she’s on a side of the business that could potentially be helpful. (I suppose that’s another blog post on how I feel about networking.) But I knew she had a dog, and I was desperate to find a place to board my pup while I was in New Orleans for a wedding. I texted her and, after reminding her who I was, asked for recommendations. Instead, she told me that she would love to watch Dutch for me, as she knows how overwhelmingly expensive LA can be. (She’s right…the average place to board your dog here is $60 a day. Woof. Literally.) But she accepted Dutch with open arms (and let me cry on her couch for an hour when I dropped the pup off).

– > Meet Ashley and Rick. Two individuals who have invited me out to meet people and have treated me like family. Ashley sent an email out to her group of friends asking them to welcome me to the family, and to keep an ear out for part-time jobs for me. Rick has been asking people he meets if they have any room for me on staff, AND he bought me sushi. Their kindness and hospitality astounds me.

So that’s the nutshell. I could go on. Every day there has been a situation or experience with kindness and truly lovely people.

And I’m happy.

Glad to be alive.

Excited about this time in life. And the future.

Seriously.

1. ::hardest:: I’m leaving Emma. The most incredible, smart company I’ve ever known. I’m going to be wrapping up my time there this month, and I’m not sure I’ll know how to operate when I can no longer answer the ‘What-do-you-do?’ question with, “I work at Emma, the email marketing shop here in town.” It’s incredibly bittersweet. It’s a company where every single person there has shaped me in one way or another. Annie’s leadership turned me into a person who thinks more critically about smart business and good opportunities. Jim’s leadership forced me to look at areas where servitude and compassion could help situations. Sara’s leadership taught me how to sit and listen and care, as though each situation were new. Clint’s leadership taught me kindness. Through and through, how to go beyond the nuts and bolts of business and simply be a good person *in* business. I could go on and on…and I probably will…behind Emma doors. : )

3. ::scariest:: Yes, I know I skipped number 2. That will come in a moment. : ) But the reason I’m leaving Emma is to pursue acting as a career in Los Angeles, California. And believe it or not, it’s not an out of the blue idea for me. This has been something I’ve tried to smother since I was a little tyke, but it always seems to bubble to the surface. I’ve been taking acting classes in Franklin for the past year, and can’t seem to get past the desire to at least make the move and try it. So, at the encouragement of Poppa Kahne, away I go.

2. ::strangest:: So that brings me to the inbetween. After leaving Emma, and before moving to LA, I’ll be heading back to Oklahoma for a couple of months (or at least till my house rents here in Nashville). I never thought I’d be moving back in with the parentals, but I’m sincerely looking forward to the downtime. Hopefully they are, too.

So that’s the update. Nashvillians, I sincerely I hope to see all of you before I leave. Oklahomans, I look forward to spending time with you while I’m there. Californians, keep your eyes open for a cheap (but incredibly nice and secure, ha) place for me to live.

Cheers to you.