2012 in Review
In November of this past year, I took part in a little daily project on Facebook called The Month of Thanks. Every day I sat down to write, publicly, something I was thankful for that day. And let’s be honest, there are some dark, dark days in November in Minnesota. Some days many of us are just thankful to wake up in the morning, the small victory of not having died in our sleep. Ahem. Um, did I mention we don’t get much sunlight ‘round these parts in the winter? Even so, it was a beautiful project to partake in – one that made me grateful for the gratitude alone. And in considering this 2012 Year in Review, Day 28 of my Month of Thanks leapt off the screen at me:
:: Month of Thanks, Day 28: today's recording session was in a pretty, pretty studio I'd never seen before. And the longer video for which I was providing voice-over was really quite lovely (there was a commercial, too, but that was, you know, short and commercialey). I am profoundly grateful that a combination of luck, training, skill, and perseverance has enabled me to do what I love for a living.
That, right there, is the essence of so much of last year. The joy of exploring new studios. Of meeting engineers, writers, and producers. Of realizing that I am able to make my living doing what I love because of luck, training, skill, and perseverance. No single one of those things alone would cut it; it takes every piece to create the balance. Some of those things are in my control, some are not, but every one is a gift. And for that, I am most grateful.
And so, without further ado, my performance highlights of 2012:
JANUARY
Stage
- Continued part-time work at the Science Museum of Minnesota on the Science Live team – performing live science demonstrations and science-related short plays for museum audiences.
- Traveled to Portland, OR to present to national museum colleagues the first draft of Kitchen Chemistry, a new live stage presentation I created for the Science Museum of Minnesota.
- Joined the advance-publicity team for public appearances and started rehearsals for my roles as Anne Bonny and Mary Read (depending on the day) in the Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Voice
- Voiceovers for Marketplace Events spots - fourth year running. Ty Pennington and I on national TV and radio urging you to attend home shows across the U.S. TV commercials aired on HGTV and ABC and their affiliates. Recorded at Audio Ruckus for Coordinet.
- Voiceover for Land O’Lakes butter – my first truly-national television commercial. I had done plenty of spots in the past that were aired in specific markets all over the U.S. (and therefore recorded multiples with appropriate city names filled in), but not one single commercial that would be aired everywhere. Network TV, cable, everywhere. It was very exciting. Recorded at Echo Boys for Campbell Mithun.
FEBRUARY
Stage
- Opening of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
- Started rehearsals for Rajiv Joseph’s achingly beautiful two-person play Gruesome Playground Injuries.
Voice
- Voiceovers for KeyBank - this was the first session reading tags for their “Vase” (and another – the name of which I’m forgetting) TV and radio ads. 47 tags, to be specific. Recorded at Todd Syring’s studio at Campbell Mithun for Campbell Mithun.
- Voiceovers for KeyBank (yes, more) – I ended up having several more sessions at Campbell Mithun this month – just a couple tags here and there – but still a delight to be in their studios every time.
MARCH
Stage
- Performances of Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries, which merited some lovely press, a hug from a newspaper critic, and a sweet note from the casting director at The Guthrie. AND a new “Facebook friendship” with the playwright. An honor and a joy.
- Continuation of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
APRIL
Stage
- Performed/read at a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center for a new play, which I’m embarrassed to say I retained no notes about – so cannot recollect the playwright nor the name of the play, nor if I read a role or the stage directions. For shame, Leigha.
- Continuation of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Voice
- Voiceovers for more Marketplace Events spots – this was for home shows that would be taking place later in the year, hence weren’t recorded at the year’s first session in January. TV commercials aired on HGTV and ABC and their affiliates. Recorded at Audio Ruckus for Coordinet.
MAY
Stage
- Read stage directions at a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center for A User’s Guide to Hell, a new play by Lee Blessing.
- Opened Kitchen Chemistry, a new live stage presentation I created for the Science Museum of Minnesota about the science of spaghetti – covering topics from boiling water to starch structures to smell and taste perception.
- Continuation of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Screen
- Wrote and hosted the filming of the third in a four-part series of short satirical 1950’s-style educational films, titled The Wonders and Worries of Nanotechnology: Who Benefits? on behalf of the Science Museum of Minnesota for The Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net). Film + Production by Teddy Media.
Voice
- Voiceover for The Gimmie Awards, General Mills’ bi-annual awards ceremony. Recorded at Syring Studios for Campbell Mithun. I have to admit that it was a little exciting knowing who the winners were and why before the winners themselves.
Featured Press
- Interview and photo shoot for small feature article and very large photograph to run later in the month in Vita.MN, a local arts and entertainment magazine owned by the Star Tribune. The focus of the article was my work in Minneapolis/St. Paul as a full-time stage, screen, and voiceover actor.
JUNE
Stage
- Read stage directions at a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center for Way West, a new play by Mona Mansour.
- Continuation of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Screen
- Performed on-camera as The Bride in Girls in Lane 4, Steeltoe Stiletto’s entry into the Minneapolis 48-Hour Film Project. For our efforts, we garnered a “Best Film” nomination and walked away with a coveted “Audience Favorite” award.
Voice
- Voiceover of animatics (they’re like roughly-animated storyboards) for a new Land O’Lakes product, which I still believe is going through the development phase. I’ve been told that if it does make it to market with this concept, I’m in for the final spots. This is, however, a months-long process – so who knows. Keeping my fingers crossed nonetheless, because optimism feels better than the alternative. Recorded at Todd Syring’s studio at Campbell Mithun for Campbell Mithun.
- Voiceovers for KeyBank – a few more sessions this month – just a couple tags here and there for their “Vase” TV and radio ads. Recorded at Todd Syring’s studio at Campbell Mithun for Campbell Mithun.
JULY
Stage
- Performed/read for a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center of a new play, which I’m embarrassed to say I retained no notes about. This is the second of two in 2012 that I somehow didn’t manage to keep records on – what on earth? My apologies to the playwright. For shame. Again.
- Continuation of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
AUGUST
Stage
- Read stage directions at a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center for Regulation 18B, a new play by Scott Wright.
- Read the role of Diana Margineanu at a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center for No Hay Luz and the Search for the Red Bourgainvilleas, a new play by Domnica Radulescu. Thank goodness for my four years of Spanish in high school. Rusty as all get-out, but the foundation is still there.
- Continuation of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota. I KNOW, right? When on earth did this thing end?! Labor Day. And so this is the last time you’ll see this particular gig mentioned. It was a hell of a lot of fun, but I was so, SO happy when it was done for the sole sake of not having to fuss with that wretched dirt makeup anymore. That shit was satanic.
Voice
- Voiceover for Cheerios – this was an incredibly sweet online video featuring a “panel” of really cute kids talking about how their moms don’t really realize that they still like Cheerios even though they’re not babies anymore. Adorbs. Recorded at Spotnik for Orange Filmworks.
- Voiceover for Marketplace Events spots – yes, more. I love these people. TV commercials aired on HGTV and ABC and their affiliates. Recorded at Audio Ruckus for Coordinet.
SEPTEMBER
Stage
- Performances of the remount of Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries. Man, I love this play. Rajiv is brilliant. He didn’t write it for me, but I want him to write for me always.
- Started rehearsals for kaotic good productions’ The Cooking Show con Karimi & Comrades: Viva la Soul Power! at Intermedia Arts. This year’s show was going to be HUGE.
Voice
- Voiceover for Target – the second iteration of a short film about inclusiveness - entitled Anthem (originally voiced in December 2011 and entitled You Make Us). Recorded at Media Loft.
- Voiceover for Crystal Farms’ Simply Potatoes – announcer on two fun radio spots featuring some fantastic Minneapolis/St. Paul talent. Recorded at Babble-On for Gabriel deGrood Bendt (GdB).
- Voiceovers for KeyBank – a few more sessions this month – just a couple tags here and there for their “Vase” TV and radio ads. Recorded at Todd Syring’s studio at Campbell Mithun for Campbell Mithun.
- Voiceover for the National Bone Marrow Donor Program’s annual awards ceremony. This was my second year back in the studio for this client, and it was an honor and a joy to be asked back. Recorded at Aaron/Stokes for Blue 60 Pictures.
- Voiceover for General Mills’ Yoplait Yogurt – dialogue with the delightful Gary Bingner, announced by the equally-delightful Mark Benninghofen. Recorded at Audio Ruckus for Shout! Creative.
OCTOBER
Stage
- Read stage directions for a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center of The Toupee, a new play by Tom Dunn.
- Performances of kaotic good productions’ The Cooking Show con Karimi & Comrades: Viva La Soul Power! at Intermedia Arts. This was part of a much-larger project called 28 Days of Good Energia, which included a full (and gorgeous) gallery exhibition, and it was, again, a whirlwind of activities and some of the most amazingly soulful and creative and funny people. And incredible food. Ohmygod.
- Started rehearsals and research for my role as Nephthys in the Lost Egypt at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The evolution of ancient Egyptian mythology is a fascinating beast unto itself – and oh boy was there a lot to learn for this project.
Voice
- Voiceover for LifeTime Fitness – this was for an animated video that will, in theory, play on their exercise machines in gyms nationwide. Recorded at LifeTime Vision for LifeTime Fitness.
NOVEMBER
Stage
- Closing performances of kaotic good productions’ The Cooking Show con Karimi & Comrades: Viva La Soul Power! at Intermedia Arts.
Voice
- Voiceovers for a gorgeous short film and not-yet-completed commercial demo made by a reputable marketing firm campaigning for a very large company. Unfortunately, I’m unable to share more than that due to confidentiality requirements at present, but if they land the gig, I can share. Recorded at BWN Music.
- Voiceovers for KeyBank – a few more sessions this month – just a couple tags here and there for their “Vase” TV and radio ads. Recorded at Todd Syring’s studio at Campbell Mithun for Campbell Mithun.
DECEMBER
Stage
- Read the role of Jane for a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center of ColorLines, a new play by David Wiles. Keep an eye out for further developments on this play. Because wow.
Screen
- Cast as host for on-camera industrial for DraxImage’s RUBY-FILL Strontium- and Rubidium-82 Generators. Turns out my gig at the Science Museum has made me pretty adept at presenting information, like about machines that provide measured doses of radiopharmaceuticals, as if I know what I’m talking about. Filming to take place in January 2013.
Voice
- Voiceovers for Marketplace Events spots - fifth year running! FIFTH year! Love. Ty Pennington and I on national TV and radio urging you to attend home shows across the U.S. TV commercials aired on HGTV and ABC and their affiliates. Recorded at Audio Ruckus for Coordinet.
- Voiceover for Crystal Farms’ Pancake and French Toast batters – TV commercials. Recorded at Echo Boys for Gabriel deGrood Bendt (GdB).
EPILOGUE
At the start of last year I promised to dream bigger dreams and then run to catch them. The dreaming did indeed happen, and continues unabated. It is, however, now accompanied by blueprints for the life I intend to build. Plans are afoot. This is the year that I’m going to break ground on new land.