the erin cronicals

Come Closer...

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:40:00 +0000

Recommended Reading/Viewing:

Closer by Patrick Marber
Closer (the film)
Marber Plays: 1: After Miss Julie; Closer; Dealer's Choice

Earlier this month, I started rehearsals for one of my very favorite shows: “Closer” by Patrick Marber, the season opener for my theater company The Seeing Place. The show stars company members Erin Cronican (me!), Brandon Walker, Nick Velkov, and guest artist Elyse Fisher, and we are already having an amazing time creating this production!

At this point in the process we’re still doing table work -- talking about the situations that the scenes present and discussing some of the character work we’ll need to do to make the play gritty and real. It’s been really interesting for me. When I brought this show to the company with the hopes of producing it, I chose this role because I thought it would be very different from myself. After all, this character cheats on two different men in very painful ways, so I thought it would be interesting to get into the mind of someone like that. As we’ve started the table work, I’ve realized just how similar that character is to me in more ways than one. It’s amazing to me that we often have the same thoughts, dreams, and needs as people who do “bad” things. The question is - what will it take to make someone act out against what’s expected of them? It’s been fun to talk about what might drive someone to do the things that Anna (my character) does.

Next week, we start with breaking down the scenes and determining objectives and what kind of elements we’ll need to create artistically to make the characters believable. A lot of this will be done through improv, which will allow each actor to go deeper into the scene to find meaning and create a life beyond what is on the page. Within a few weeks, we’ll have the play memorized and will start layering in our accents (we’ll all have British dialects. Mine will be a slightly relaxed version of RP, the men’s will be Estuary, and out Alice will be a slight more refined version of Cockney.)

The show open September 21 and will run for 3 weeks, closing October 9. More details can be found here.

But that’s not where my work ends - I’m also producing this show, which means it is my responsibility (and that of the company members) to bring in funds and inspire audiences to attend. We have three amazing fundraising campaigns planned, all full of fun and merriment for those who choose to partake. Our first campaign is a fundraising party, which is being held July 23, 2011 in Astoria, Queens at 9pm. $5 cover gets you access to free food, a raffle, a tarot cards readers, advance season tickets, and $5 cocktails. Plus, I’ll be there, making a fool of myself, as usual. The event invitation can be found here.

If you cannot be at the fundraiser but would like to support our season, might you be able to make a $5-$10 donation online? Producing theater is extremely expensive - and on July 25 we have to write a $2000 deposit to the theater space. Every little bit helps - you can make your tax deductible donation by clicking here.

I’ll be writing more posts with an insider look at the rehearsal process. I’ll be sure to share some of my successes and struggles, and answer any questions you might have about producing and acting in such an intense show. I am excited about sharing this with all of you!

PS: How do you like the poster image? Designed it myself! :)

Have a comment or question? Leave it by clicking below!

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

3 Things That Inspire Me: Vol 1

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:02:00 +0000

I've been following an amazing blog, The Simple Dollar, for a while now - and I wanted to share with you one of my favorite features: Ten Pieces of Inspiration. Each week, writer Trent Hamm talk about 10 things that inspire him to (quote) "greater financial, personal, and professional success." I get so gosh darned inspired by his posts that I thought I would create my own "inspiration posts" in homage to his great work. So, without further ado, here is my first edition of "Things That Inspire Me."

#1 - Taking Photographs

Tequila. Another favorite hobby.

Not many people know, but I am nearly obsessed with photography. Obsessed enough that I refuse to buy a good camera and I practically ignore my point-and-shoot. Why? Because it is the one activity that can pull me fully off track from my commitments - indulging in the craft of photography is just that alluring. Observing the world and trying to capture it one picture at a time may be one of the more inspiring things I do. Sharing these photographs, particularly through groups & contests on Flickr, creates an immense amount of time suckage that my running of two businesses (career coaching and acting) can’t bear. But I do try to sneak in camera time every so often. My newest obsession is my Hipstamatic app on the iPhone. Click here to check out some of my photos...

#2 - Public Displays of Affection

Adorable.

Especially by older folks. (Seeing the scene above inspired me so much I took a photo.) I get inspired to tears when I see love and tenderness in the world. Today I walked past a homeless woman who has a baby kitten in her lap. The kitten was lying on its back, and the woman was absentmindedly stroking its belly. The kitten was in heaven, and I imagine the woman was getting some well deserved intimacy from this little being. If you take the time to look, you’ll find all kinds of inspiring displays of affection around you. (Though, I admit, you might also find people sucking face in a way that inspires you to curse them.)

#3 - Killing a Mosquito Indoors

I swear, the mosquito was THIS big!

I know this seems counterintuitive, considering this is an “inspiration” blog - but hear me out. I am one of those people who is like an ice cream float to mosquitos. They can just suck on me all day long to the exclusion of all others. I’m not kidding -- and the welts they leave are gargantuan. So, you can imagine my horror when I discover that one has entered my abode. One lone mosquito can make for many sleepless nights and several itchy limbs. Even though I have a college degree, run two businesses and have raised a dog for the last 16 years, I still get bested and outsmarted by these little buggers. So, on nights like tonight when I see the mosquito, I stalk the mosquito, and I successfully squish the mosquito -- you’d better believe that I run around doing the happy dance, singing, “Go Erin, it’s your birthday! Go Erin, you’re awesome!” If that’s not inspiration, I don’t know what is...

Do you have a hobby that inspired you? Do you find yourself taken in by what you see in the world? Do you experience an insane amount of glee when you get rid of a pest?

Have a comment or question? Leave it by clicking below!

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

The Power of Music

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 21:50:00 +0000

Hey folks! Just wanted to share that I wrote a new blog post for The Green Room. This time, I explore the idea of music as a powerful resource for stimulating emotional memories. That may sound like a bunch of actor gobbly-gook, but even non-actors experience some kind of emotional recall through music.

Think about those mix tapes you created for your high school boyfriend or girlfriend, or the song you chose for the first dance at your wedding -- chances are, if you put one of those songs on now, you’ll be transported back to that time and get the same physical and emotional sensations that you had back then. It’s absolutely remarkable what the brain can do. And when we actors can tap into the enormous resources that the body provides, it allows us to be more effective storytellers, making the experience for our audiences that much more intimate.

So, check out my article called, “The Power Of Music” and if you enjoyed it, please leave a comment (either here or at that blog.)

Have a comment or question? Leave it by clicking below!

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

Quieting "The Voice"

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Sat, 21 May 2011 19:46:00 +0000

Photo Credit

I think one of the hardest things that we, as actors, have to deal with is the lack of structure and accountability in our lives.

From the age of 5 we’re thrust into a system that tells us that we go to school between 8am-3pm each day, then play outside until it gets dark, then do homework, then go to bed... only to have the same process repeated for the next 13 years. (Or, 17 years, if one goes to college.) We then get thrust into the real world, and for most of us we take on jobs that tell us where to go, when to be there, and what to do while we’re there. As an actor, structure is murky and given that much of our time is spent building our careers alone, accountability is limited to the voices in our heads (which are rarely kind or encouraging.)

Right now, my biggest struggle is making sure that my acting career is at the forefront, when many other things are pulling my attention. It seems like my attention almost wants to be pulled, because the things that pull offer some structure that I’m missing out on. It’s easy for me to say no to things that have nothing to do with my career -- designing websites for yoga studios and advertising reps; being a career coach for clients who are transitioning out of corporate America... these are jobs that I’ve turned down because they didn’t fall within my overall mission, which happens to be:

Mission: To be a working, professional, and well-paid actor doing projects that make a difference in the lives of my colleagues, our audiences, and myself.

What makes my current struggle tricky is that the projects pulling my attention could, in some way, match my mission, but it will take a heck of a lot of work to get there. It seems daunting, and scary, but for some reason the opportunities are too great to let them pass by.

Like: blogging. I love writing. I love gathering my thoughts -- be they groundbreaking or preying on the lowest common denominator (fart jokes?) -- and publishing them for the world to see. (In addition to this blog and my coaching blog, I write for The Green Room and was just brought on to be the NY arm of Playbills vs Paying Bills.) Intellectually, I know that getting my name out there, along with a well fashioned persona, can go a long way in creating a fan base and developing a sense of “self” in the industry. But there’s a little voice inside me that sometimes says, “Imagine if you took all of the energy you spent on writing and put that towards your acting career -- where would you be?” But then I remember all of the wonderful people I’ve met through my social media adventures, and how many of these networking opportunities have turned into jobs (quite a few.)

Like: producing theater. I have a head for business, so when the artistic director of my theater company (of which I am a founding member) asked me to take on the role of Managing Director, I leapt at the chance. Even though I’ve never really wanted to be a producer and I know how much work the job will involve, something about it just felt right. So I said yes. That little voice in the back of my head started saying, “There are so many actors out there who get to audition, show up to rehearsal, and just be actors. Imagine all that you could do if you put all of that energy into doing just one thing?” But then I remember all of the success I’ve had producing other projects, and the joy of creating something from the ground up. In fulfilling this role, I could expand the possibilities for myself and other actors like me, and increase my legitimacy as an artist.

I always tell my students that you can have passion for many things - passion is infinite. What’s not infinite are resources: Time. Money. Energy. I can have all of the passion in the world, but without resources brilliant ideas can die. This is where structure and accountability become vital.

The solution I have come up with is one that non-profits are charged with when they create programming -- they must ask themselves, “How does this relate to my mission?” and then, over time, prove that it does. So, to create STRUCTURE for my pursuits, here’s my commitment with regard to these new projects I’m undertaking:

Mission: To be a working, professional, and well-paid actor doing projects that make a difference in the lives of my colleagues, our audiences, and myself.

Program - Blogging: In order to satisfy my mission, I must use my blogging to build relationships with those who are creating work for actors, or are conduits between actors and the industry. I must seek to build a robust fan base, which will be useful to producers when it comes to finding audiences and investors.

Program - Producing: In order to satisfy my mission, I must create work for myself that promotes the best of what I have to offer as an artist, and provides our audiences and colleagues with unparalleled professionalism and innovation. As a leader, I must contribute to creating an identity for the company, and then hold it to the highest standards of excellence, so that our company name brings prestige to everyone involved.

Above all: I must be willing to work hard, and ask for what I want. This means that if I meet someone who can help me achieve my mission, I should work tirelessly to make an impact with them, offer assistance, and ask for what I need in return.

Earlier, I mentioned ACCOUNTABILITY. For this, I need your help. As I take on these new ventures, I’m going to count on you, my readers, to keep me accountable. Ask me questions about my career. Check in with me about my goals, and challenge me justify my actions. I’ll keep you updated with some of the exciting news that will, undoubtedly, come up. And if you need some support to keep YOU accountable, just let me know. I’m always happy to help.

Have a comment or question? Leave it by clicking "comments" below!

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

Who's The Real Reviewer?

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:46:00 +0000

Hey guys! I recently wrote an article as a contributing writer over at The Green Room Blog. This time around, I explore the idea of criticism for our work as actors. What happens when critics are mixed on the show, but audiences love it? And what happens when your theater company is thrilled with the work, but critics don't agree with what is being attempted? What review do you find most helpful- the paid critics, or the audience?

I cover all of this through my personal experiences, most notably in my show Twelfth Night. (Be sure to check out the post They Call The Tweets Maria where I live-tweeted throughout a performance!)

Check out the blog here at The Green Room.

Click here to learn more about our theater company.

Have a comment or question? Leave it by clicking below!

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

Ode to My Mom on Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Sun, 08 May 2011 17:29:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

My mom is the most amazing woman in the entire world. And... I blew it this Mother’s Day because I didn’t get her gift & card in the mail soon enough. So, I spent most of the morning thinking about all of the things I love about her and want to share with her, and then thought -- heck, I’ll write a blog post and let EVERYONE know. So without further ado...

75 Facts About My Mom for Mother’s Day

1. She is an amazing cook. Even her turkey, which we always joke is too dry, is pretty tasty.
2. She is one of the best listeners I know.
3. After many, many years staying home to take care of her children, she rejoined the work force and was quickly out-earning my father.
4. I’ve never seen her natural hair color -- it’s been dyed just about every natural shade there is.
5. She is, unfairly, always tanned, even in the winter months.

See? She is tanned. I am tanned-challenged.

6. She has an incredible laugh.
7. She has a penchant for driving over curbs.
8. She has an obsession for feel-good/competition reality TV, like American Idol, The Biggest Loser and Survivor.
9. She is very affectionate.
10. She loves eggs, bacon and grits.
11. My friends always wanted to come to my house because my mom was so cool.
12. We used to watch game shows together as I was growing up. Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune. Jeopardy.
13. She is incredibly sensitive and caring.
14. She loves watching movies.
15. When I was a kid, she used to deck out the whole house in decorations for major holidays.
16. She’s the shortest one in our family.
17. Notoriously afraid of heights, she faced her fear by going parasailing on vacation.
18. She loves fresh flowers.
19. She has always wanted to own a Yorkie.
20. She used to have a dog named Max, who died of cancer at the age of 14.
21. She kicks people’s butts in just about every game she plays, including Boggle and Trivial Pursuit.
22. Her first “swear” word around me was the word, “sucks.” I was 18 when I heard her say it.
23. She and I used to spend summers sitting on our back porch, drinking iced tea and playing Canasta.
24. I love talking about politics, history and religion with her. I always learn something, and she never judges me.
25. She always does bunny ears in pictures.

Almost caught her with the bunny ears this time!

26. I once told her the joke, “What has four wheels and flies? ... A garbage truck” and it took her a long time before she understood the joke. Now, anytime she says something daffy, I say, “Mom... four wheels & flies...?”
27. She loves to hear me sing -- almost to the exclusion of all else.
28. Going out dancing is one of her favorite activities, but she rarely gets to do it.
29. She loves Celine Dion and Neil Diamond.
30. I somehow got her to sing karaoke with me, for the first time in my life, at Christmas 2010. (We sang Dancing Queen.)
31. I hated karaoke as a child- but she wanted to hear me sing so badly that she’d sign me up without my knowing.
32. She’s my biggest protector.
33. She has a great sense of humor.
34. She has always thought I could accomplish great things.
35. She loves her life.
36. You can usually find her on the porch solving sudoku puzzles.
37. She has an impeccable sense of style.

Look at how pretty she is!

38. She has always wanted to volunteer helping adults read.
39. She loves Mexican food.
40. She’s an amazing (and aggressive!) tennis player.
41. She’s hungry for new experiences.
42. She and I love to go shopping together.
43. She has a heart of gold.
44. Reading is one of her favorite pastimes.
45. She loves getting cards in the mail.
46. She is standing up for herself more and more every day.
47. We like to bake chocolate chip cookies together.
48. Despite what she says, she actually has a very nice singing voice. It does not sound like a frog.
49. She’s had a crazy amount of knee surgeries.
50. She’s gorgeous.
51. She’s endearingly goofy.

Mom (left) and I, with her friend Pam at the Top of the Rock, NYC.

52. She loves getting up early in the morning and sitting outside to watch the world wake up.
53. She never wants to be a burden.
54. She has a strong sense of pride, and will not give in if someone’s hurt her.
55. She always jokes that the next time I ask, “So, what’s been going on?” she’ll make up some crazy story to see if I am paying attention.
56. She has an amazing eye for color & decorating, yet won’t paint her walls anything but white, off white or tan.
57. She was a rogue Girl Scout leader, because she taught girls to be independent, to build things, and to explore, rather than other leaders who confined girls to do “girl” things like sewing, baking and caring for babies.
58. She’s the safest driver I know. Curb jumping aside...

She didn't hit any curbs in this car!

59. She cries when she reads greeting cards or when people say nice things to her.
60. “You Needed Me” by Anne Murray has special meaning to us.
61. She’s very generous with her friends and family.
62. She was an amazing real estate agent.
63. She’s slowly coming out of her shell.
64. I like to watch her dance - it makes me giggle.

Dancing with her friend

65. We like to make silly videos together, though it’s been years since we’ve done it.
66. She emphatically requests that I sing “The Rose” whenever possible.
67. While she’s adventurous with many things, food is not one of them.
68. She loves warm weather and sunshine.
69. She has the thickest fingernails I have ever seen. I am SO envious!
70. She always said, “People will treat you the way you let them treat you.”
71. She’s very sentimental.
72. She cares about my happiness, and sometimes worries about me being alone.
73. When I was around the age of 12 or 13, she said to me very seriously, “One day you’re going to read “Atlas Shrugged” and then we’re going to talk about it.” She was very, very excited when I finally finished the book a few years ago.
74. She loves nothing more than being around the water.
75. She taught me that no matter your politics, faith, or position in life, the most important thing is to be a good person.

I love you, Mom. I am very lucky to have you in my life -- I am starting to learn, more and more, how rare our relationship is. Thank you for being all that you are to me.

Happy Mother’s Day! (PS: Your card is in the mail...)

Have a comment or question? Leave it by clicking below!

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

They Call The Tweets Maria

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:18:00 +0000

For a bit of promotion and a bit of fun, during our April 9 evening performance of TWELFTH NIGHT (where I am playing the role of Maria,) I live tweeted throughout the play, writing the secret (and not so secret) thoughts and feelings of the character. I took some photos backstage, and I even got a chance to take one onstage as a part of the action (you’ll see links to these photos within the entries, noted by “PHOTO”)

Below you’ll find all of the tweets, along with the Act/Scene markers, so you know when I was tweeting. If you see a scene marker for a scene I wasn’t in, that’s because I was tweeting backstage, fully in character. (At some scenes, I come on and off stage multiple times, which accounts for the multiple tweets per scene. It was fun!)

I have also interspersed our official production photos, taken by the lovely Tasha Straley of Straley Photos. If you own the play TWELFTH NIGHT, feel free to read along!

PS- if Maria had a Twitter handle, it would probably be @SaucyMaid or @TobysLover.

ACT ONE, SCENE ONE

@ErinCronican
Where they hell is Toby? We were supposed to have a date tonight. He’d better not be out with that ass, Andrew. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
I even curled my hair tonight, and I never do that. Well, as long as Toby comes home ready for action... #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
See? I curled my hair! #MariaInTwelfthNight PHOTO http://moby.to/qhp99b
9 Apr

ACT ONE, SCENE THREE

@ErinCronican
What the hell is wrong with Sir Andrew? First he asks to woo me, then he ignores my advances. Maybe he’s gay...? #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

Erin Cronican, with Nathan Ramos (Sir Andrew)

ACT ONE, SCENE FIVE

@ErinCronican
Gotta get the house ready for the day-Olivia’s still not taking visitors & she’s in a foul mood. I hate work sometimes. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Feste cracks my sh*t up! I wish he could get back in the good graces of my lady. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Phew! That was a close one. One of these days Toby is gonna get thrown out for coming home so drunk. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

Erin Cronican, with Jorge Hoyos (Toby), David Arthur Bachrach (Feste) and Anna Marie Sell (Olivia.)

@ErinCronican
This young, cute kid just showed up to see Olivia. I hope he’ll pull her out of her funk because she needs to get laid! #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Malvolio is pissing me off. He keeps bossing me around, and showing me up in front of Olivia. Grrrrr... #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

Erin Cronican, with Brandon Walker (Malvolio)

ACT TWO, SCENE THREE

@ErinCronican
WTF?? Those asses are making so much noise outside. I might have to do a striptease to make them pay attention to me. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
I know you must think I’m a slut, but sex is the only language these boys seem to understand. I’m actually a lady. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Toby, don’t yell at me. You don’t need anymore wine. Your breath stinks of whiskey. You’re still hot, though... #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

Erin Cronican, with Jorge Hoyos (Sir Toby)

@ErinCronican
Dude- hilarious! Malvolio tried to scold me in front of my friends, and I totally baffled him by pretending I liked it. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

ACT TWO, SCENE FIVE

@ErinCronican
Malvolio has asked for it- he’s such a ponce, and thinks he walks on water. I’m cooking up the BEST practical joke. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Toby is gonna looooovvvveeee me! Maybe he’ll finally propose. It’s been long enough... #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

Erin Cronican, with Jorge Hoyos (Sir Toby) and Ned Lynch (Fabian)

@ErinCronican
And here it is...... The Letter to end all letters... #MariaInTwelfthNight PHOTO http://moby.to/iw32vr
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
OMG!!! I almost got caught! I just set down the letter and he came prancing in. I barely got into the house unnoticed! #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

Erin Cronican

@ErinCronican
I sure hope it works. Malvolio’s such a Puritan that I’m convinced he’ll do anything I ask of him in the letter. Sucka! #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Thanks for all the tweets of support, folks. Glad to know you hate Malvolio as much as I do! :) Work has been tough... #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Oh sh*t! Malvolio just came bursting through the door to see if anyone was watching! What’s happening out there? #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
I can hear Toby laughing! Man, he’s so sexy, even if he’s 20 years older. If I could marry into this family I’d be set! #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Malvolio- your ass is grass! #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

Erin Cronican, with Jorge Hoyos (Sir Toby)

INTERMISSION

@ErinCronican
Man- only a 10 minute break?!? Olivia’s a slave driver! Can’t a gal powder her nose? #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

ACT THREE, SCENE ONE

@ErinCronican
C’mon, Olivia- make up your mind! First you want me with you, then you send me away. Can someone say: neurotic?? #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

Erin Cronican, with Anna Marie Sell (Olivia)

@ErinCronican
Um, Malvolio is even more cocky today than ever. Is it possible that he’s wearing lady’s underwear? #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
He is!!!!! I have to tell Toby!!!! Wait, where’s Toby? #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

ACT THREE, SCENE TWO

@ErinCronican
This is Olivia- has anyone seen Maria? Romantic emergency- need my household staff, stat! #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

ACT THREE, SCENE FOUR

@ErinCronican
Crap! Olivia just caught me & asked me to bring in Malvolio. I have no idea what’s gonna happen but it’s gonna be good! #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

Erin Cronican, with Anna Marie Sell (Olivia)

@ErinCronican
Malvolio is so full of himself that he actually posed for this shot! I have limed him! #MariaInTwelfthNight. PHOTO http://moby.to/yeq07e
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Though... I think I may have gone too far- he’s pretty far off his rocker. I hope I’m not found out... #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Fabian, Toby and I just came up with a great idea - we’re gonna make Malvolio think he’s gone mad! Work has been fun today! #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

Erin Cronican, with Jorge Hoyos (Sir Toby) and Ned Lynch (Fabian)

@ErinCronican
Loving your shout outs and RTs! Sometimes I think I’m a little mean - your kind words let me know Malvolio deserves it. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Man, this has been the longest day ever. Pranking takes a lot out of a girl... Need a cocktail. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
There’s an argument in the garden- looks like there’s a criminal on the loose. Where’s Toby? I hope he’s safe... #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Um, Cesario just started a fight with Andrew (who’s a pansy.) What the hell is happening here?!? #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Holy crap!! Toby just pulled a gun on Cesario! Oh no... Olivia just stopped it but threw Toby out. I have to fix this. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

ACT FOUR, SCENE ONE

@ErinCronican
Wow- I’ve never seen Toby this depressed. I love him so, so much. He may be a drunk, but he’s valiant and talented. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

Erin Cronican, with Jorge Hoyos (Sir Toby), David Arthur Bachrach (Feste) and Brandon Walker (Malvolio)

@ErinCronican
Um... Toby just asked me to come to his chamber. Did I just see a priest walk by...? #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Yum... Toby gives the best foot massages. I think this is the first downtime I’ve had in a week! Now, a bubblebath... #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

ACT FOUR, SCENE TWO

@ErinCronican
No! My bubblebath is interrupted- again! Toby has got to find a way to handle his own messes. Oh, wait- is that blood? #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
How he heck did Cesario done his to him? Cesario is a pipsqueak! A cute pipsqueak, but pipsqueak no less. #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Men will be boys- I sooo love taking care of my Sir Toby. His hurt is being looked to, with me. :) #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

Erin Cronican, with Jorge Hoyos (Sir Toby)

ACT FIVE, SCENE ONE

@ErinCronican
Holy crap- I can’t believe I’m saying this, but... Toby just proposed!!! And I said yes! #MariaInTwelfthNight
9 Apr

@ErinCronican
Remember that priest I mentioned? Well, he hath married us! Check out the ring (he did good!) #MariaInTwelfthNight PHOTO http://moby.to/ba9y3k
9 Apr

END OF PLAY

@ErinCronican
Back to Erin! We’ve demolished a couple of bottles of wine in honor of our 2 show day. Thanks for watching! PHOTO http://moby.to/jeydev
9 Apr

Hope you enjoyed the tweets - we have 5 more shows left of TWELFTH NIGHT -- tickets can be purchased online via our website: http://www.seeingplacetheater.com . You can follow me on Twitter at @ErinCronican.

Have a comment or question? Leave it by clicking below!

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

To Be or Not To Be...

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:24:00 +0000

Well, this is it, folks. Starting tomorrow, you will see history being made. For I am stepping away from my contemporary wares and into... a professional theatrical run of “Twelfth Night” - a Shakespearean play. I’ll be romping, cajoling, and seducing my way through this comedic text with The Seeing Place Theater, March 30-April 16 in New York City. (more info here.)

By all accounts, this really shouldn’t have happened. I mean, c’mon. I specialize in contemporary storytelling, favoring the intimacy of on-camera work and small, relationship based musicals and plays. So, though I’ve been trained in the classics (and Shakespeare in particular) I have never considered spending time with Shakespeare in my professional career.

When I was approached by the artistic director of The Seeing Place (good friend and fellow actor from San Diego, Brandon Walker) I kind of thought he was joking. One look at my resume, and one would not assume that Shakespeare is something I excel at. We did a fundraiser reading of the show on January 6 (Get it? “Twelfth Night” on the actual Twelfth Night?) and I thought that would be the end of it for me. So, when the cast list was revealed for the full production and I saw my name included- I went into a bit of a cold panic. Apparently, I had gotten great feedback about my work in the reading and they felt confident that I could bring something to the table as the saucy Maria (not at all typecasting, by the way. No, seriously. I’m not being sarcastic.)

I tried to get out of it, frankly. I had a long conversation with Brandon and tried to wheedle my way out. For one thing - right now, I am focusing on building my career in film, TV and musicals. My concern has been that if I take 3 months away from these things to do Shakespeare, I wouldn’t be building my career. Further, if industry people come to the show, they might have an expectation of me as a classical actress, and judge me accordingly. My fear has been that I’ll be compared to those who “do this for real” and I won’t get the kind of response I need to build on the momentum I’ve created. To this, Brandon simply said, “Ok.” So, I pulled out the big guns - my “solution” to this problem that could make everyone happy - The Seeing Place has amazing ensemble women, several of whom specialize in Shakespeare. Wouldn’t it make more sense for one of those gals to be chosen?

When I received a blunt, “No,” as an answer, it became certain that they were trying to torture me. A slow torture, to be sure. But then Brandon said something really amazing (and I am paraphrasing, because this happened more than 3 months ago): “As you know, this is being produced under the showcase code, so if you want to look for other, more remunerative work while working on this show, that’s ok. I don’t prefer that, but I’ll understand. Heck, most of us are looking for more remunerative work. I know you think that this show won’t give audiences a taste of what they can “expect” from you as an actor, but I think that’s wrong. They’ll get a great taste of who you are, because it will be YOU up there, doing great work. Besides that, what better way to gain the industry’s attention than to be WORKING?”

And then he said... “Look, you’re really wonderful. And I want you to come out to play with us.”

And that’s what did it. I joined the production -- because my friend asked me to be a part of his artistic vision. Not because of something I was going to “get” out of it. Not because I would be a star, or agents would sign me, or good reviews would be written. But because Brandon reminded me that we are actors because we want to make art. Good art. Art that provokes, and in that good way that makes people think. Art that exposes - and makes audiences think they are peering in on private moments. Art that makes people debate its value. Art that allows actors to live through situations rather than just talking about them. That’s what actors are seeking. That’s what I’m seeking.

And thats’ what we’re offering, starting tomorrow when we open this show. I sure hope you’ll join me -- if not for the joy of seeing an intimate, rousing, modern version of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”, then do it to see me make a fool of myself on stage. Because I do it for all of you. And I do it for myself.

Have a comment or question? Leave it by clicking below!

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

Words To Love By

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:48:00 +0000

I typed the above title with the intention of writing, “Words to Live By” and ended up with a typo that I think speaks volumes. “Words To Love By...” Perfect, considering this blog post is inspired by my father and some words of love that he had written on an index card.

My father died in early 2006, 5 whole years ago, and I’m still surprised the he doesn’t answer the phone when I call my mother. We were very close, and I felt very lucky that he always knew how I felt about him, and I always knew he was my greatest champion. A few years ago, my mother gave me an amazing gift - a scrapbook filled with mementos from my father’s life - pictures of him as a child, copies of his school records, old driver’s licenses and passport photos. It also had a bunch of things from our life together - pictures of him holding me as a baby, cards that I had given him for Christmas, tickets he had saved from shows I had done.

Yep- I am a natural brunette.

And I reaaaaalllly liked the camera when I was little.

As I looked through the scrapbook this year, I saw an index card that I had never really noticed before. There were a bunch of phrases written in his quasi-calligraphic hand, all inspirational nature.

Let me preface this by saying that my father was a very intense man. He had quite a bit of trouble expressing his emotions, and when they did come out they were often big, hearty laughs or tyrannical bursts of anger. We never really knew what would set him off to make him livid, and we spent many years trying to deal with his outbursts without fueling the fire. There was a point, however, when he went to a series of anger management courses, and he began to deals with his feelings in more constructive ways. He adopted anger management phrases that he repeated so often it sometimes made my brother and me laugh. Phrases like, “Erin, that is unacceptable behavior...” - in a straight monotone - were often heard, and usually related to me rooting for someone other than the Redskins, or voting for a Democrat.

All of the work he did to make himself a better man makes the index card I found all the more exciting to read. I have a vague recollection of the card being taped up near his desk - which is supported by the tape marks at the top of the card. The phrases are, at once, a creed to live by, and a guide for proper networking. It’s almost as if it was written jointly by Dale Carnegie and Dr. Phil. Here is, for you, a transcript of what’s written:

Don’t Criticize - Praise
Support person’s need for importance
Seek to Satisfy other’s needs
Become genuinely interested in other people
Smile
Remember the importance of a person’s name
Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk of themselves.
Talk in terms of the other person’s interest.
Make the other person feel important (Sincerely)
You can’t win an argument. Avoid them.
Show respect to other opinions. Never tell a man he’s wrong.
If you’re wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
Begin in a friendly way
Get others saying “yes”
Let the other man do the talking
Let it be the other man’s idea.
See the other man’s view.
Let the other man save his face.

My favorite phrase of them all is, “Make the other person feel important (sincerely.)” I pride myself on making sure those around me, however we’re acquainted, understand that I value and respect them.

I'd like to think that I inherited a good amount of positive qualities from my parents. From my mother I've learned the power of introspection and self-awareness. From my father, I think I have inherited a desire to take action. Putting both of those together, in addition to everything else they've give me, have made me a better actor, and better human being in general.

Leave me a comment:

What’s your favorite phrase? How do you express it in your life?
Is there a phrase by which you’d like to start living?

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

Noticing Tension

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:08:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Gabriela Camerotti

As an actor, I'm always learning and growing as an artist, but who knew that I would also be learning and growing as a human being? One of the areas of growth I've been addressing is this idea of tension. One of the most frustrating things about tension is that fact that I hardly ever know it is happening until someone tells me. And then the fact of merely noticing it makes me even more tense. Telling ones self to relax is kind of like saying, "Don't envision pink elephants" - it's nearly impossible because your tension is related to so many factors, not the least of which are both physiological and psychological.

So, I have written an article on this topic talking about my struggles as well as an "aha" moment, and the article was published over at The Green Room Blog. To check out the article, click the graphic below. (If you like the blog, please consider leaving a comment!)

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

An Actor's Life: Day Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:15:00 +0000

I have had some pretty awesome and some pretty weird day jobs while I’ve pursued my life as an actor. It all started out when I graduated from college. Instead of doing the typical bartender/server route, I started working with an entrepreneur whose passion was advertising publishing. I got brought on right as an office manager, right after college, to help this entrepreneur manage a new business venture he had taken over, and then moved up into corporate sales. From then on, I have worked in a wide variety of corporate / non-profit / consulting gigs that have afforded me varying degrees of flexibility for my work as an actor.

Believe it or not, with all that I do offstage / off set, I am still able to give equal energy to my career as an actor. I wanted to share this with you so that you can see that it IS possible to have a “survival” job that you love, and still have energy to pursue your dreams. Here is a list of the various jobs I hold currently - some are permanent, and some are project based (similar to temp jobs):

Career/Marketing Coach for Actors - I started my own career coaching service for actors (The Actors’ Enterprise) in 2007, which has become a thriving business. I work with 15-20 actors per week, all privately.

Designer - As a part of my coaching business, I also offer design services for websites, postcards and business cards, as well as other marketing design. I have about 40 individual clients (actors, casting directors, tutors, film production companies, theater companies) that I currently design for.

Standardized Patient - As an actor, I am paid to go into Mount Sinai Medical School to help teach medical students clinical skills (like bedside manner). I love this job - it’s improv at its most useful. :) I work on about 4-5 cases per year over about 9 months.

Corporate Trainer - I work for a company that books out trainers to high-end corporations. I current work with 2 clients who bring me in to help teach executives “emotional intelligence” skill - we teach the training module and then role play with the employees so they can practice these new skills. I do these gigs about 1-2 times a month.

Company Member of a theater - I am a founding member of a theater company, and I help with various functions to keeping the theater company moving forward. This one hasn’t paid me financially, but I have been able to do some amazing work as an actor on their stage.

Featured Writer - I am a featured / guest blogger at a couple of different websites: DailyActor.com, ActorRated.com and GreenRoomBlog.com.

It may seem like too many things are going on for me to focus on being an actor, but I have somehow mastered the fine art of balancing my projects, and I have found one key point for success: Make sure you always have a thru-line for your life, a purpose around which everything is planned. My purpose is my professional acting career, which always comes first. With the hours I have left, I plan my time by A) what I enjoy doing, and B) what can make me the most money in a short amount of time. This makes it pretty easy to keep my eye on the prize.

In case you were interested, here are the other jobs I’ve held while concurrently pursuing acting professionally (this will give you an idea of how I’ve been able to successfully create a side career as a coach for actors):

Advertising Sales Rep - I have done this job for two publications: DramaBiz Magazine (national publication), and The Auto Trader Magazines (San Diego franchise.) Combined, I did this kind of work for almost 9 years.

Marketing Consultant - I have helped small businesses with their marketing, fundraising, PR and organizational efforts over the last 6 years. Clients have included film production companies, a yoga teacher, vocal coach, life coach, acting teacher, dance teacher, branding specialist, opera company, book publisher, video game inventor, and various theater companies.

Communications Director & Member Services Director - Did this job for 3 years for a small non-profit organization dedicated to helping actors. It was uber-flexible, and one of my favorite and most rewarding things I’ve ever done. In fact, it was that job on which I based my current business model for The Actors’ Enterprise.

Non-Profit Administrative Assistant - I did this job from home, if you can believe it. I didn’t know such things existed, but in a city like NYC that is bustling with entrepreneurs who have home offices, work-from-home jobs are not that difficult to find.

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

Rocking The Salon

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 21:58:00 +0000

No... I’m not talking about being brought in as a singer at my hair stylist’s place of business (though that would kind of rock.) I’m talking about Mark Janas’ The Salon, a weekly open mic in Manhattan which hosts some of the best singers in cabaret, jazz and musical theater, as well as composer/lyricists, musicians, spoken word poets and actors.

Each week The Salon has a theme, and singers can come in with a song matching the theme, or can bring another song that they want to premiere for The Salon’s audience. At the last Salon, the theme was “Love and Desire” -- appropriate, considering that the next day was Valentine’s Day. Salon regular, friend and former student, Tony Imgrund, approached me and another Salon favorite, Sierra Rein, and asked if we would like to sing “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Trio” for this Salon. We wouldn’t have time for formal rehearsal, so he gave us tracks with our parts singled out, as well as a link to the original performance online (performed by Audra McDonald, Marin Mazzie and Judy Kuhn.) I took the Kuhn track, “I Don’t Know How To Love Him,” while Sierra sang Mazzie’s track, “Unexpected Song” and Tony lead us off with “Love Changes Everything.”

I was able to get some rough footage of our performance- we were thrilled with what we were able to do without rehearsal! Check it out below, and if you like what you see/hear, please consider viewing it on YouTube directly and clicking “LIke” and leaving a comment!

The next Salon’s theme is “That’s Historical” where we can bring in songs about people, places or times in history. Still trying to choose what I want to sing for that one...

To see more clips, visit my YouTube channel or the Demos Page on my website.

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

I'm a Contributing Writer!

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:16:00 +0000

I’m very excited to announce that I have been brought on as a contributing writer at a new blog called “The Green Room.” Here I’m posting under the name, “The Idealistic Actor” and I’ll be posting information on what it’s like to be an idealist in an industry made to break people (and I use the word “break” as a double entendre -- for “emotional break” and “big break.”) You can see my individual posts here.

With that, I am committing to writing more on this blog too, as well as my coaching blog, Bite-Size Business for Actors. I adore writing, and I find that when I am in a show, I stop writing because I am trying to balance making a living and doing my art. But writing makes me feel fulfilled, and I love the interactions I have with my readers. So, stay tuned for even more juicy information from the life of Erin. :)

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

2010 In Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:08:00 +0000

I am full on stealing an idea from the ever creative and inspiring, Bonnie Gillespie. Every year, this casting director answers the same batch of questions, and I’d like to start that tradition for myself (traditions are glorious!) I journal all the time, but I have never answered these kinds of questions for myself, and it’s high time I did.

So, without further ado, here is a recap of my year...

What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
I moved into my first New York apartment... solo. I have lived alone before, but not in NYC and certainly not with this price tag. It’s also the first apartment I chose without anyone else’s opinion. I saw the apartment by myself, and made the decision by myself. Very grown up -- very gratifying.

I know, I know. I like color.

Did you keep your 2010 resolutions? Will you make resolutions for 2011?
I always have the same resolution - “This will be the best year of my life.” I came up with this on New Year’s Eve 2000/2001 (holy crap- 10 years ago.) I had listened to the old song, “Summer of 69” by Bryan Adams, and there’s a refrain that says, “Those were the best years of my life.” I realized that I couldn’t claim this -- I had no “best years” and, by god, I wanted to create some. The years since have been pretty frickin’ incredible.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
My best friend Dean’s wife (Adele) gave birth to the most gorgeous baby girl, Sophia. I am hoping to meet her in a month or two.

Did anyone close to you die?
No one close to me, thank goodness, but a few people I was acquainted with. What is so sad (and, truth be told, terrifying) is that these deaths were sudden. No signs of illness, and these dear souls were taken away from us. It’s frightening, and humbling, and I feel so, so lucky that I have my health.

What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
February 14- The date of the break up of my 4.5 year relationship. Luckily, we’re still very, very good friends. See?

Tom & me on my birthday. What goofy face?

What countries did you visit?
Sadly, none other than the US. But I did spend last Christmas on a cruise to/from Mexico, so I felt like I had already gotten my travel on.

What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Higher paying work as an actor. I was lucky to be involved in the development process of several wonderful projects, but these projects have not yet yielded dividends. I would like to have a few well-paying acting jobs to balance out the budget a little more.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
• On October 14, I was asked to be a last minute replacement on a play that has already opened. On October 22, a mere 8 days later, I had mastered the script, developed a meaningful character, and somehow managed a new British dialect. I proved to myself, once and for all, that I am an actor - a real actor. Not someone who got lucky. Not someone who’s simply got more stamina and heart than other people. A real actor who deserves her shot, and finally believes in her ability.

• Some runners up: My company was featured in TimeOut NY, I was asked to be a panelist at Backstage’s Actorfest, and I was quoted in the Wall Street Journal. That rocked ass.

My feature in Time Out New York

What was your biggest failure?
I might say the break up, since it was a failure of the relationship, but the break up was also the success of release. It’s a gift to be able to release yourself and your partner back into the world to find love. And it helps that I adore my ex, just as a friend nowadays.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thank goodness. I watched some of my friends deal with some scary stuff, though.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I won’t be naming names, but I have been really shocked by the lack of professionalism by a handful of actors this year -- those who have no idea what it means to have integrity and stand by their word. Producing is hard, and it depends on so many small but important elements coming together. I have explained the importance of being accountable time and time again, and still some actors choose to bow out last minute or throw tantrums. I am all for standing up for one’s self, but there is a limit and these folks tried my patience.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
• My NY best friends Candice & Lee - they put up with a lot of changes in me over the year, and never made me feel like a crazy person. They celebrated with me my growing pains and successes, and downplayed my abject failures.

I heart Candice!

I heart Lee!

• I also want to salute all of my students -- taking control of one’s career through coaching is daunting and can seem a gamble. I honor their commitment to their dreams, and am thrilled that they have asked me to be a stand for their success.

Where did most of your money go?
Rent. Yikes - I have, arguably, one of the more amazing deals for an apartment of my size, but I am paying 50% more to live here than I did in the place I shared with Tom (my ex.)

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I think I did the biggest happy dance when I found out my application was accepted for my apartment. It was an amazing relief. Wait... Nope -- I’m wrong. My first kiss (and subsequent makeout session) several months after my break up was the best moment. I’m not gonna lie, it was very, very exciting.

What song will always remind you of 2010?
Strangely, I think it is “Empire State of Mind” - it plays over and over at the karaoke bar I spend time at, and it seems iconic for the kind of year I’ve lead: “Concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there’s nothing you can’t do, now you’re in New York...”

Compared to this time last year, are you:

happier or sadder? Much much happier. Oh man, I feel pretty great.
thinner or fatter? I think I am about the same. I fluctuate about 5 lbs every few months, but I stay in the same neighborhood of weight.
richer or poorer? Poorer, for sure.

Who did you miss?

My dad. Every single day I miss him. I miss Jessa, my dear friend who left NY a few years ago for San Francisco.

Me and my Pappy, RIP

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercise. I find all kind of excuses to not be active, and none of them make that nagging feeling or worthlessness subside.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Um, my students -- cover your eyes.... Procrastinating. It’s easy to do when everyone around you sees your success and hard work paying off. You can hide behind the success and not reach your fullest potential. I’m infinitely lazy with spurts of genius. Imagine what I could do if I managed my time better?

How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas with my mom, who came to NYC with her friend Pam. We had lots of fun sampling the city’s food, drink & nightlife! And for the first time in my life, I got her to sing karaoke. Twice.

What was your favorite TV program?
Still on the air: Fringe. Please watch it - it’s in danger of being cancelled. Off the air, and I’m pissed: Flash Forward.

Did you fall in love in 2010?

Yes- with myself. It’s about time.

I love myself, warts and all...

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No- there are very few people I have ever hated in my life, and no one achieved that level this year. :)

What was your greatest musical discovery?
I didn’t have any, sadly - I am way, way behind on knowing current music. Anyone want to help me?

What did you want and get?
I wanted my emotional freedom, a place to live, and to build a strong network of friends I could rely upon. I worked very hard on all three and am so thrilled to that that I got them! I also got a new coffeepot for Christmas- and my students are thrilled.

What did you want and not get?
• The iPhone 4 - still saving money to buy the one I want.

• I gave up a new relationship with one particular boy I was falling for. I cut it off early when I realized I wouldn’t get what I wanted from him. Standing up for my needs is a new commitment of mine, and one of the harder things I’ve ever had to do.

• I also did not hear from my sister all year -- she has chosen to remove herself from our family, and despite my efforts to reconnect (and the fact that her quarrel is not with me, but with my mother) she has not responded to me. It’s been almost 3 years since she left, and it still hurts.

What kept you sane?
Oh dear, my friends. Candice, Lee, Carolann, Anita, Christine, Marissa. Twitter -- and the social networks in general. I have met some incredible people through the power of the internet, and I definitely think that has kept me sane (in particular, because I tend toward introversion, and the social networks give me a link to the outside world when I feel like I can’t see people.) Top Tunes Karaoke, The Salon open mic, The Seeing Place Theater, Nab-A-Date and my own producing efforts have kept my artistic self sane.

We're singing "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" at The Salon open mic. I'm on the left.

What was the best book you read?

I really enjoyed the autobiography of Ellen Burstyn: Lessons in Becoming Myself. The fact that I have been reading at all is a coup. I have been working really hard to round out my cultural obsessions between films, TV, theater, music, photography, dance & reading.)

What was your favorite film of this year?

“Exit Through the Gift Shop” - what a fun, unexpected little film!

What did you do on your birthday? How old were you?
This year, I turned 26-33 age range. (You never ask an actor her age!) I gathered with a group of my friends at a pub in the West Village. It was mellow but fun.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I had had some friends from out of town come to stay with me. Maybe I need to send out an invite to them - what a neat idea! :)

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
I am a big fan of the mix and match, and being an avid thrift store shopper I can do this with ease. I love skinny jeans with cute dresses over them, topped with a funky sweater or blazer. Then top it off with high heels or boots, and fun jewelry. I’m all about being the girl next door with a funky edge.

In my friend, Dean's military helicopter helmet. I look damned hot.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don’t really think of celebs that way. Isn’t that sad? What’s wrong with me?

What political issue stirred you the most?
Proposition 8 in California. I felt powerless to help.

What valuable life lesson did you learn in 2010?

That I absolutely have to open myself to hurt if I want the possibility of greatness. I have been protecting myself for so long, and I didn’t realize that it was keeping me small. Now I know that it’s safer to experience the little hurts along the path of success rather than steeling myself against everything that’s possible and making larger mistakes in the long run. That said, I have experienced a year with far more drama than I ever thought possible -- more tears, more triumphs, more disappointments, and more happy dances. :)

Who was the best new person you’ve met?
Oh my, there have been a few. It was awesome to meet Marissa through Twitter, and now we co-host the official NYActorsTweetup. We have also become good friends. :) It has been really fun hanging out with Steve Englebrecht at karaoke (he makes me laugh hysterically, and encourages my dirty mouth.)

Me and Marissa. And a pizza coming out of my head.

What song lyrics sum up your year?
“Me” by Paula Cole

I am not the person who is singing
I am the silent one inside
I am not the one who laughs at people’s jokes
I just pacify their egos

I am not my house, my car, my songs
They are only stops along my way
I am like the winter
I’m a dark, cold female
With a golden ring of wisdom in my cave

And it’s me who is my enemy
Me who beats me up
Me who makes the monsters
Me who strips my confidence

I am carrying my voice
I am carrying my heart
I am carrying my rhythm
I am carrying my prayers

But you can’t kill my spirit
It’s soaring and it’s strong
Like a mountain
I’ll go on and on

And when my wings are folded
The brightly colored moth
Blends into the dirt
Into the ground

And it’s me who is my enemy
Me who beats me up
Me who makes the monsters
Me who strips my confidence

And it’s me who’s too weak
And it’s me who’s too shy
To ask for the things I love
And it’s me who’s too weak
And it’s me who’s too shy
To ask for the things I love

That I love
That I love...

I am walking on the bridge
I am over the water
And I’m scared as hell
But I know there’s something better
Yes I know there’s something better
Yes I know, I know
That I love...

And... here's a look back at 2009...

Shhh... Pipe Down!

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 16:09:00 +0000

On December 26, I was lucky to see my favorite musical of all time, “West Side Story” on Broadway. This was in the height of “Snowmageddon”, the big blizzard in New York City at the end of 2010. I was thrilled to see that the theater was full -- inclement weather has a tendency to keep people in their homes and hotel rooms, but the theater was buzzing with excitement.

I arrived at the theater with my mother and a friend about 20 minutes before the show started. We immediately headed over to the bar, and as I contemplated the purchase of wine (to warm my frozen insides), the server told me that I could take my drink inside. Score! Bonus points for giving me my wine in a souvenir sippy cup:

As I got into the theater, I noticed that in the box seats directly above the stage, there were musicians getting ready for the show, in addition to the orchestra in the pit at the foot of the stage. It occurred to me that I had never gotten a chance to hear this amazing score with a live orchestra, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the show to begin. As the lights dimmed, the conductor was announced by name -- how cool was that? I clapped as hard as my little hands could and settled back into my seat. The curtain flew up silently as the overture began - that delicious overture with solos and duets of strings, then drums, then brass, occasionally playing along with each other and chiming in with the actor’s whistling and snapping. It’s a quiet overture that slowly builds as the Jets & Sharks gangs become more and more threatened by one another.

It was a luscious opening of an amazing show, and it would have been even better if the girl 1 row down and 3 seats over had not been -- wait for it -- eating popcorn out of a cellophane bag.

Instead of instruments delicately playing notes, I heard the sounds of a mouth chewing popcorn. Instead of hearing the actors’ feet lightly graze the dance floor, I heard the crinkling of a snack bag. Could the theater have actually sold this monstrosity to the theatergoer, and did she honestly believe it was ok to eat during the performance?

As my inside voice quickly turned to an outside grumble (“This is not a movie theater... this shouldn’t be happening”) I knew something needed to be done -- my body knew what to do before my brain could catch up. I leaned quickly to the right, putting my weight across the unsuspecting laps of my mother and her friend, reached out and tapped the offending girl on the shoulder, and said, “Could you PLEASE not do that?” She looked shocked that I confronted her -- I’m not sure if it was shock at being caught, or if she just didn’t know the etiquette. Either way, she ate a few more bites and then dejectedly put the bag away. I prepared for some heated words to come my way at intermission, but the first act is around 90 minutes, so I’m guessing she forgot all about it.

I choose to believe she just didn’t know that live theater is not a place to eat, nor chat, nor text, nor do any of the myriad of things that people like to do when they’re seated with their friends. It would be amazing if every playbill came with a page of guidelines, like of like the “Courtesy of Contagious” campaign on the NY subways. Perhaps most people want to play by the rules but they simply don’t know what they are. So, as a public service, here are a few of the rules I abide by when going to the theater:

1) No talking during the show
2) No photography of the actors or the stage. (You can take pictures of the theater before & after the show, though.)
3) No video recordings. Ever.
4) No eating during the show.
5) If you know you’re going to cough, and need a lozenge to quiet the cough, unwrap it ahead of the show so that the wrapper doesn’t make noise.
6) Don’t talk to the people on stage (exception: “Rocky Horror Picture Show”)
7) Don’t sing along when watching a musical (exception: “Rocky Horror Picture Show”)
8) Don’t throw things at the actors (exception: “Rocky Horror Picture Show”)
9) If you’re in the front row, don’t put your feet on the stage.
10) If a cast member is coming through the audience, don’t trip them. (exception: “Rocky Horror Picture Show”) (kidding)
11) Turn off your ringer, and don’t text or accept calls during the show.
12) Try not to bad mouth the production, and certainly not an actor, while you’re in the theater. You don’t know whose mother you may be sitting near.
13) Don’t leave trash on the floor.
14) Recycle your program

I’m a sure there are rules I have missed. Can you think of any you’d like to add? Leave them in the comments section!

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

Thanks to My Team

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 19:05:00 +0000

One of the fun things about blogging is being able to promote some of my favorite people/services to the actors who read my posts, thereby helping those who have helped me over the course of my career. So, in honor of Thanksgiving, I thought I would give a warm thank you and special shot out to my team who has made my coaching & acting career possible.

My Acting Teacher: Alan Gordon, of the Alan Gordon Acting Studio
I met Alan at a workshop for actors, where we both brought on as panelists to give actors a little bit of advice for their careers. After we both heard each other speak, we realized that our philosophies were very much aligned, and we started an easy friendship. We then began to refer students back and forth to one another, and finally began working together in the classroom. Alan is nurturing but tough, and challenges me every week using the techniques of Sanford Meisner. Not only is he a great teacher, but he is also a great friend.

Honorable Mention: Larry Singer Studios, and Art & Soul Acting - both studios who I’ve highly recommended to students.

My Voice Teacher/Vocal Coach: Carolann Sanita
I met Carolann originally through her husband, an actor with whom I did a show. One of the first things that I noticed when coaching with Carolann is how positive the sessions were. Working on the voice can be a stressful and arduous process, but every time I leave lessons with Carolann I feel empowered and accepted, and that my voice has a place in the industry. Not only that, but I have deepened the power of my voice, raised my confidence, and she introduced me to Craig Carnelia, with whom I’ve studied Acting for Musical Theater since June 2009.

Honorable Mention: Michelle Hakala, Bill Zeffiro, Anita Vasan, Joan Barber - All of whom I have sung with and I highly recommend.

My Dance Teacher: Christine Cox
Christine started out as a coaching student, but very quickly I joined her as a student in her classes as well. Christine is very passionate about training actors & singers ways to express themselves on the dance floor, and is an excellent private teacher for actors who are preparing for a big audition. She’s youthful, quirky and fun, and very supportive.

Honorable Mention: Jessica Leigh Brown - Jessica is a friend and marvelous teacher as well, with several Broadway credits under her belt.

My Accompanist/Transcriber: Cory Hibbs
I have known Cory for years and years, since we did a show together in San Diego. In the show, not only did he act, but he was our show’s on stage accompanist and the arranger for all of our songs. This guy really knows what he is doing. In your session, he can easy play your music, and can arrange transpositions and do transcriptions, so virtually anything is possible. Oh, and he has a PHD in Music Composition.

Honorable Mention: Bill Zeffiro, Tony Colombo, Jeff Caldwell - I have sung with all three of these gentleman, and I just adore them.

My Dialect Coach: Pamela Vanderway of Dialect 411
Pamela and I first met via Twitter. That’s right, Twitter. We shared advice back and forth and helped promote each other online, so it became natural for us to start working together to support each other’s businesses offline. I highly, highly recommend her blog, Dialect 411. As for coaching, she normally works as a consultant on major feature films & TV shows, but she takes on private clients on a case-by-case basis. At the very least, she’ll be able to point you in the right direction.

Honorable Mention: Gerritt VenderMeer - an amazing talented actor, and gifted voice/speech technician.

My Photographer: Matthew Sussman Photography
There was something very special about my time shooting with Matthew. Perhaps it is because he started his career as an actor before transitioning into teaching & photography, but there is a very relaxed way he approaches the headshot session which brings out the very best in actors. Almost without exception, the students I have sent to Matthew have been blown away by the shots he’s taken, which is why I will continue to promote him.

Honorable Mentions: Bluface Photography, Peter Dressel - I have shot with both of these photographers and have loved their work.

My Graphic Designer: That would be ME!
At the risk of patting myself on the back too much, I think I have done a heck of a job designing my materials, as well as the materials of dozens of other actors across the country. To see samples of my designs for websites, business cards & postcards, visit my site by clicking above.

My Life Coach/Mentor: Rhonda Musak of Art & Soul Coaching
I met Rhonda at a fundraiser event, where she and I had donated our services for the evening to any of the guests who wanted a little bit of coaching. Who knew that 3 years later we would be working together supporting each other’s careers? Rhonda’s life coaching is much different than therapy - instead of focusing on therapeutic methods to solving problems, her life coaching uses brainstorming and visualizations to help reach peace, set and achieve goals, and find happiness. It has been wonderful having her as a part of my life.

Honorable Mention: Visceral Coaching - Robert is a very good friend and talented life coach. I worked with him when he was getting his certification several years ago.

My Massage Therapist: Bryant Lanier
Bryant is a dear, dear friend of mine and an amazing massage therapist. He does classic Swedish massage and also deep tissue, and he throws in a little Alexander Technique and Reiki. He is actor friendly, and is willing to work out a rate if you are short of his hourly rate (but don’t push it, he’s an artist just like we are!)

My Hair Stylist: Linda, with Hair Shapers
When I moved to NYC, I was a bit fussy about my locks. After all, I had gone from a really dark brunette to a light blonde, and I needed to make sure my hair looked natural and would easily be maintained. So, my first month in NYC, I traveled from my apartment in Astoria to Manhattan, where I assumed good hair styling would be. Of course, you can get amazing service in Manhattan (they even serve wine!) but at a price point of $500 and up, and a snootiness I couldn't stomach, I returned to Astoria, dejected. Then my roommate told me about Hairshapers, which was one block away from my apartment, and I gave them a shot. I have been a faithful client of Linda's for 5 years now, even after I moved to Manhattan in 2006. I have sent dozens of people to her, and everyone has been thrilled with her great work, friendly service, and low prices. Please mention my name if you stop by.

Some other folks you may want to add to your team:

Production Services: Michael Roderick, Small Pond Entertainment
Michael is an amazing resource for anyone who is interesting in producing a show. Not only can you hire him to take on one or more production aspects of your project, but he can also teach you the tools to handle these things on your own.

Demo Reel Editing: Reel Spiel Productions
Allison and Chris, with Reel Spiel, are absolutely wonderful to work with, and they turn out reels that my students love. They also have a successful production company, producing shorts, web series, and feature length films.

Legal Services: Nance Schick
Nance specializes in employment law, and typically works with employers to help them draft policies and practices that keep things legitimate and working smoothly. But she has a soft spot in her heart for artists, and having worked as a sports agent she has lots of great advice for actors who need support in legally pursuing their business as either an employee, or independent contractor. She is especially useful for actors who own side businesses, and for those who are producers as well.

Contract / Legal Services: Michael Bond
In January 2010, Michael will be starting his law practice, specializing in Entertainment Law / Contracts (as well as LGBT issues.) If you ever need a contract review, Michael is a wonderful person to contact.

Financial Education: Abundance Bound
I have known Miata and Adam for several years now, and really admire and respect the work they do for actors. They take the phrase “starving artist” and turn it inside out, helping actors take control of their finances and plan for their futures.

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

Happiness List - Thanksgiving Style

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 23:38:00 +0000

For those of you who have been following my blog for a while, you know that I have often posted Happiness Lists - things that, no matter what is happening, will always bring a smile to my face.

This month, I will revise this slightly and make this is list of things that I am grateful for.

Friends

This kind of goes without saying, but I have made some fantastic new friends this year and deepened old friendships. Notably:

Best friends, always: Candice Oden, Lee Cavellier, Dean Samaniego, My Mom
Friends I’ve met through Shows/Shoots/Classes: Christine Cox, Anita Vasan, Carmen Gill, Anna Marie Sell, Lexi Windsor, Elyssa Samsel, Zach Wobensmith, Steve Engelbrecht, Rhonda Musak, Quinn Vogt-Welch,
Old Friends who’ve become better friends in 2010: Brandon Walker, Kevin Stocklin, Bryant Lanier, Carolann Sanita, Gerritt VanderMeer, Richard Watson, Bobbi Owens, Nance Schick, Tom Tillotson, Tom Davis, Bill Zeffiro, Alan Gordon, Stephen Wilde
Friends who I don’t get to see enough: Jessa Watson, Henry Price, Jim Ellis, Julie Sachs, Courtney McLean
Friends through Twitter: @MarissaMutascio, @LanceCarter, @Dialect411, @AliciaYing, @PilateYourBody, @SierraRein

A roof over my head

I am very lucky to be able to live in my own apartment in the world’s greatest city. I even love the fact that my shower is in the kitchen and my bathroom is in the hallway. These quirks make it possible to live by myself on a self-employed salary, in Manhattan. I sit in my apartment at night, with the lights off, to allow the red neon lights to spill into my window from both the hotel and parking garage across the street. Magical.

The world’s greatest dog

My pride and joy, and my occasional frustration (“Do you HAVE to sneeze right in my face?”) She entered my life on November 27, 1995. When I went to take her home, I initially transported her inside a carrier, but she kept falling over as I drove the twists and turns through Malibu Canyon. So, I pulled over, took her out of the crate, and put her in my lap. Of course, having her in my lap as I drove wasn’t the safest plan. But the memory of her lying there, with her head on my arm looking up at her new companion, is absolutely priceless.

The best “day job”...ever

It is an an incredible gift to be able to run my own business and support/inspire hundreds of actors in the pursuit of their careers. I started this journey almost 9 years ago when I quit my (very lucrative) day job to pursue acting full time. I took on a side job as a membership & marketing director at a small non-profit for actors, and got to spend the next 3 years guiding and supporting their careers on a community level. When I moved to New York, I knew I wanted to do something similar, and found that my many years in marketing and acting, plus the work I did at the non-profit, made me uniquely primed to start this coaching service. The Actors’ Enterprise will be celebrating 4 years of operation in April 2011 - and this is thanks, in no small part, to all of the students who have trusted me with their careers. For that, I am humbly thankful (learn more here.)

Reaching a larger audience

That said, this year I made huge strides in getting the word out about my coaching, and I could not be more thrilled. I was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal and Time Out New York, I was a panelist at Backstage’s Actorfest, and was the special guest of a hour-long interview/radio program called “Coaches’ Corner with Andrew Poretz.” I was also named one of the “2011: 40 Women to Watch in Social Media“ by Scott Bryant. I am hoping for even bigger and better things next year.

A very successful year of acting

This year, I did an Under 5 on “One Life to Live”; shot a comedy short that has already won awards at film festivals; recorded a studio demo of a brand new musical and then did several fully staged readings of that show for industry guests; had the world premiere screening of a feature film that I starred in; became an associate artist of a theater company and starred in one of their shows... the list goes on and on and I am so excited for what’s to come (see the list here.)

Health Insurance

I’ve been lucky, thus far, to have had enough health insurance to cover the things that I have needed: medication for severe allergies, surgery for minor skin cancer, annual check ups. Not everyone has this, and I feel very, very fortunate.

Social Networking

I know a lot of people dislike the idea of being plugged in so much, but I have benefited tremendously (both personally and professionally) from my time on Facebook and Twitter. Not only have I gotten to know some really neat people that I, otherwise, would not have met, but I have gotten a chance to hone and perfect the kind of person I want to be in the world. The social networks hold you accountable for who you say you are, and are unforgiving while doing so. The trick has been to understand the difference between public and private life, and I am thankful I have (thus far) bene able to separate the two.

Other things that make me happy, today

• The colors of changing leaves - the reds and oranges take my breath away
• My special coffee, with flavors like “Chocolate Hazelnut Heaven” and “Banana Foster Float” (sound yummy? buy some here.)
• Writing. I adore writing.
• Being inspired. I am grateful for inspiration every day.
• Pizza.
• Cheese whiz. Especially the spicy kind.
• Guitar Hero.
• The possibility of true love.
• Taking a stand about who I really am.
• PaperbackSwap - love that I can get nearly any book I want for next to nothing.
• Vintage clothes & jewelry.
• Making a difference.
• Movies that make me weepy.
• Music from my high school/college days.
• Crispy Bacon.
• Meeting new people.

And... I am happy that you have taken the time to read this blog! So... what are you thankful for, and what brings you happiness? Feel free to leave a comment and share. Or better yet, start you own happiness list and post a link to it in the comments section. I’d love to read it!

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

Erin takes on Cue & A

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 04:21:00 +0000

Playbill.com has a series of interviews they do with well known theater performers, so I thought I would take on the same questions! Here are my responses:

Full given name: Erin Quinn Cronican

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio, baby!

Audition song: “Will He Like Me“ from She Loves Me.

Special Skills: Naming the 50 US States alphabetically in less than 30 seconds.

First Broadway show ever saw: Noises Off. ADORE Faith Prince in any role!

First West End show: Jesus Christ Superstar. Ah-mazing.

If you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be?: Original cast of West Side Story.

Current show you have been recommending to friends: Rock of Ages. C’mon, I’m a child of 80s/90s hair metal.

Favorite show tune: Egads, how the hell can I narrow that down? I know, I’ll check my iPod’s play count... Winner is ”Still Hurting“ from The Last Five Years. Hmm... that can’t possibly mean anything.

The one performance – attended - that you will never forget: When I saw Jesus Christ Superstar in London. It was magical.

MAC or PC?: I’m a Mac user from way back (thanks, Brent!) I have 2 laptops, an Apple TV, iPhone and an iPod.

Most played song on your iPod: Non-musical is ”Morning Song“ by Jewel.

Web obsession: Statcounter - where I can see what brings people to my websites and what pages they visit. Yes, I am a super geek.

Last book you read: Just finished ”The Last Picture Show“ and am starting Eckhart Tolle’s ”A New Earth.“

Must-see TV show: ”Fringe.“ Holy bejeezus, that’s a good show.

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Bernadette Peters

Pop culture guilty pleasure: COPS (filmed live on location with the men & women of law enforcement!)

First CD/Tape/LP you owned: Well, technically they were the Disney records I listened to as a young child. But the first cassette tape I bought was Whitney Houston’s self titled album.

First stage kiss: Hmmm... probably ”South Pacific“ in high school.

Favorite or most memorable onstage role as a child/teenager: Definitely Gloria in ”Wait Until Dark“ - I got to throw all kind of pots, pans, silverware, plates
and made a mess on stage. Brilliant.

Favorite pre-show/post-show meal: Pre-show - coffee. Post-show - buffalo wings

Pre-show rituals: I always get to the theater super early, read through my script & warm up, and then sit in the theater and think.

Worst costume ever: My first ever play at the age of 9 - ”Charlotte’s Web.“ I was the Gander and had my first experiences with spirit gum... on my chin (for the beak!)

Who would play you in the movie?: Naomi Watts on my dramatic days, Amy Adams on my quirky days.

Worst job you ever had: Working as a personal assistant for a crazy woman. I actually did that twice -- never again.

Leading lady role you've been dying to play: Amalia in She Loves Me or Glinda in Wicked. I also have always wanted to play Sandy in Grease.

Favorite team/athlete: San Diego Padres!!!! Keep the faith!

How you got your Equity card: Good story. At holiday time in 2000, I was out with some friends looking at Christmas lights and we decided to stop by a restaurant to get something warm to drink (which, looking back, is silly because I lived in San Diego and it was probably 60 degrees.) While there, a man I’d never met pointed at me and said, ”You - are you a member of Equity?“ I said no, and he scoffed, saying that he needed someone ”just like me“ for a gig at the San Diego Repertory Theater. He said, ”I don’t even know if you can act, but you look perfect.“ I reminded him that he could, in fact, audition me and then offer me my card, but he said he did not want to have to Taft-Hartley anyone into the union. So, I smiled and gave him my business card, and told him to call me if he changed his mind. A month later I received an audition appointment, and 2 weeks later the role (and my card) was mine.

Worst onstage mishap: Egads, there have been so many. Probably my biggest lesson was to avoid eating a huge meal before I go onstage, especially in a musical. When I did the national tour of Suds, one of the venues was a casino and we got the ”all you can eat buffet“ added to our contract. My character has to do a dance that ends up with her body upside down (vertically!) in a washing machine, being ”agitated.” I nearly barfed up a lung in that performance. Never. Again.

TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: Shooting my very first episode of “Veronica Mars.” Being on my first network TV set was magical.

Three things you can't live without: My dog, contact lenses, and my iPhone.

Artist you would most love to work with: Raul Esparza

I’ll never understand why…”: People let others determine their destiny.

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

Journey Back to the South Pacific

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:28:00 +0000

As most theater folks know, August marked two landmark events - the closing of the amazing Broadway production of “South Pacific,” as well as the live broadcast of the show on PBS’s “Live at Lincoln Center.” Many actors my age have a long history with the show, and I am no exception. I’ve done it twice, and prior to watching the PBS broadcast I thought it was 2 times too many.

I first did South Pacific when I was a senior in high school. From the beginning, it was wrought with drama. First off, just prior to auditions I somehow contracted chicken pox, even though I had had chicken pox in 3rd grade. I mean, c’mon- you’re only supposed to get that once! The day before auditions I was still contagious, because I still had these pesky little blisters all over my body. “When will I stop being contagious???” I asked my mother. “When you no longer have blisters,” she said. Hmmmm.... being ever resourceful, and even more determined to make it to the auditions, that evening I painstakingly popped all of the blisters. ALL OF THEM. The next morning, I presented myself to my mother, blister free, and she had no choice but to let me go to school, and to the audition. Little did I know, popping chicken pox leaves pretty deep scars. So, each time I look in the mirror I see evidence of how passionate I am about this business. :)

The audition went well...but not well enough. Despite starring in almost every show at school, this time I was cast as the offstage understudy (meaning: I didn’t even get to be in the show.) It was devastating. I spent 1.5 months sitting at rehearsals watching someone else play the role I was dying to play. But I have already given away the ending - I did end up playing the role. The original actress got a part in another production off campus, and with only a couple of weeks before opening I was offered the leading role. It was an understudy’s dream come true!

That's right- my natural hair color is brown!

The show was great- I got some fun reviews in the local paper, and I got my first taste of leading a major musical. But the themes of the show didn’t really resonate with 17 year old me ... and my fellow actors and I started calling the show “So Pathetic.” I swore that I would never, ever do the show again.

Fast forward 13 years and I was approached to audition for the show again. This time, I had no chance at the leading role because the role had already been cast. But I had been dying to work with this director so I was happy to take on the role of a nurse. Of course, throughout the rehearsal process I sat watching the leads rehearse and thought, “Man, I wish that were me!” I have an amazing memory for dialogue, so I would unconsciously mouth the words as our Nellie went through her scene work, remembering what it had been like to deliver those same lines so many years earlier.

Can you spot me? Remember that I used to be a brunette!

During our last tech rehearsal, the day before we brought in the full orchestra, I noticed that the production staff was huddled in the corner with worried looks on their faces. They were talking in hushed voices and looking around the room nervously. I saw the director look my direction, and when her eyes locked with mine a look crossed her face as though a light bulb went off. It wasn’t long before she called me over, and explained what the hub-bub was about. The actress playing the lead role of Nellie had unexpectedly left town - her father had fallen ill and she asked to be released from the show until his prognosis improved -- which could take hours, days or weeks. Trouble was, we were opening in 4 days (with an invited dress in 3 days) and the production did not employ understudies. They were in danger of closing the production unless they could find someone to temporarily cover Nellie... and quickly. So... why was I called over? Well, the director remembered that I had played the role before and she thought I would be the perfect person to bail them out of this sticky situation. And, of course, I said yes.

My first rehearsal as Nellie was the full orchestra rehearsal. The most nerve-wracking part of it was not the actual singing of material - that was easy. It was walking onto the stage, grabbing the microphone and dealing with the incredulous stares of the other principal actors... because the director had not yet made an announcement that the lead actor was out of town! So, it was quite awkward to stand there with these actors, with whom I had never rehearsed, while they wondered what the heck I was doing there. Once that was ironed out, singing through the show with the orchestra was thrilling! Rodgers & Hammerstein has created an amazingly beautiful score, and our large amphitheater (which seated almost 3000 people) sounded incredible.

At the end of the rehearsal, the director and music director expressed how grateful they were for my help, and then gave me an update. The lead actress still had not returned, and they needed me to do the first full dress rehearsal the next day. The pressure was on - dress rehearsals involve so many things - costume changes, blocking, choreography, entrances & exits, and not to mention being off book. But remember that I had been watching rehearsals with an eagle eye, and luckily the blocking and lines came to me easily. I was on top of the world - talk about the illusion of the first time! The last part of the show, of course, was the curtain call, and Nellie has the final bow after all of the other actors. That day, after performing the role for the very first time with no prior rehearsal, I went down to the front of the stage to take my bow, and the enter company erupted into applause and cheering. They surrounded me with hugs, high fives, and huge smiles, and the production team stood in the audience, on their feet, and cheered along with them. I have never felt such powerful appreciation in my life, before or since. It was incredible.

The good news for the production (but bad news for me) was that the actress came back right before the show opened. I really wanted to be able to do the run of the show, but was so thrilled that I was asked to fill in last minute. And it really proved to me that I can do just about anything I set my mind to. I will never forget that production.

So, as you can see - this show holds a special place in my heart. Prior to watching the Lincoln Center production, I thought the show was far behind me. But after a bunch of people contacted me telling me how much they were reminded of me while watching Kelli O’Hara... now I am thinking that I’d like to play the role again. This time, I’d like to earn the role from the start! ;)

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

Nabbed a role

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:03:00 +0000

At the tail end of 2009 I was fortunate enough to perform in the first ever revival of Subways Are For Sleeping, a Broadway show that had its only NY run in 1961-62. Through this show, I met lots of incredible people, including fellow actor, Lee Cavellier. One night after a performance we were enjoying one of the great benefits of working at The Duplex Theater - free drinks at their bar for the remainder of the evening. At some point, Lee turns to me and says, “ So, I’ve written this musical and I was wondering if you’d be interested in recording a demo for it?” Now, I meet a lot of composers and I have often said yes to proposals like this only to find that the recording never happens. So, I said yes even though I fully expected nothing to come of the idea.

Luckily for me, Lee is dedicated, talented and infatigable and, by golly, we did get that demo done! And, thus, an original musical was born, and it was named Nab-A-Date! (Check out some of the demos we recorded here.) The cast that Lee (and his producer, Steven Engelbrecht) assembled for the demo was so cohesive and winning that he has offered us the roles for the next phase of production, which is to shop the show to Off-Broadway producers. If all goes well, a commercial producer (or team of producers) will option the show with its current cast. From our website, the show is described as:

At a performance of Nab-a-Date!, you're viewing a "live taping" of the world's first and only musical dating show, where three bachelorettes battle for the heart of one lucky man through song, dance, and some very personal questions.

Smooth-talking host Kelly Lee is your musical matchmaker, inviting our bachelor, Tommy, to carefully assess the voices and vices of the lovely ladies to determine which of them can steal his heart and satisfy his longing for love. But of course, nothing's ever that simple... The show's producer has a burning desire for the spotlight, and things get ugly when he shows he's willing to sabotage the taping to get what he wants!

With side-splitting humor and jazzy, upbeat music by writer and composer Lee Cavellier, Nab-A-Date! will have you snapping your fingers and laughing till it hurts as you realize, along with the contestants, that it's all about love.

In the show, I play Meaghan, also known as Bachelorette #3, and the rehearsals have been a blast. The music is challenging and exciting, and we have all become very good friends, which is a crucial part of developing a strong ensemble. Of course, you can have a great show where the cast is merely cordial with one another, but an intimate cast makes for a special evening of theater.

If you’d like to be invited to the exclusive readings in November, go to their Ticketing Page. If you are a producer and would like to receive a promotional packet, please head over to their website and sign up.

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

100 Random Facts About Me

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:33:00 +0000

A special thank you to Corina MacKay, who inspired me to do this 100 Random Facts list. Thanks, Twitter buddy!

Without further ado, here is a list of 100 Random Facts About Me:

1. My name was almost Colleen. It was my parents’ 2nd choice, and coincidentally, the nurses at the hospital randomly assigned me that name to me via the bassinet name card. But Erin won out.

2. My middle initial is Q. Stands for Quinn.

3. People always think I am taller than I actually am. And yet, I am almost always too tall for my musical theater scene partners. Murphy’s Law. (I’m 5’5“)

4. I was born a super dark brunette. With a widow’s peak. I looked like Baby Dracula.

5. I’ve owned 5 businesses, and been a mid-high level manager at 3 different companies.

6. I’ve owned 2 properties, the first before the age of 25.

7. I get really excited when the mail comes. And if my box is empty, my heart sinks.

8. I often sing songs to my dog, and put her name in the song. Like, ”Sweet Denver Dog, (bah bah bah!) Good Times Never Seemed So Good (so good so good so good!)"

9. I have an irrational fear of grasshoppers.

10. I adore alphabetizing. And sorting of all kinds.

11. I am really good at hanging pictures perfectly straight without a ruler or tape measure.

12. I have a crapload of family I have never met.

13. I love buying cosmetics. Doesn’t matter how many bottles of lotion or tubes of mascara I have, I always want to try more.

14. I have been a Mac user since 1995, and I am a diehard fan. I don’t yet have the iPad, but I have an iPhone, MacBook and an Apple TV. And my old iPod, which I still use.

15. I am extremely introverted, which no one guesses because I can be very personable, expressive, and attentive. But I then disappear for days because I have to recharge. This is why some of you have yet to receive return phone calls and emails. Oops.

16. I’ve finally realized that I have been lying to myself all of my life- I DO want to be swept off my feet like in the storybooks.

17. However, I don’t want kids.

18. My dog is nearly 15 years old, and I have had her since she was 10 weeks old.

19. I feel things very quickly, and very deeply, but have a huge wall that appears when I am with others. Over the years I have slowly been able to lower the wall bit by bit.

20. Spaceballs (Mel Brooks) is my favorite movie. Ludicrous Speed- GO!

21. I had a basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) removed in Oct 2009.

22. People look to me for guidance and direction, but most of the time I am just making shit up.

23. I have a tendency to fold things when my hands are idle. Give me a napkin and I will fold, unfold and fold again without even noticing it.

24. Shows/movies about redemption makes me blubber like a baby.

25. I write 2 blogs, and am a contributing writer to 4 more.

26. I’m really behind on those blogs (see #15.)

27. My mother knows just about everything about me.

28. I don’t like to leave things unfinished, so I will probably write all 100 of these things in one sitting. (Postscript: It took me 3 hours, but I did it.)

29. I want to donate my organs, because those who outlive me will be able to see me live on in others, and it is the only way I can guarantee that I will make a difference in this life.

30. My left eye is much stronger than my right eye.

31. You can’t see it in most pictures, but my eyes have a brown ring around the pupil, and depending on my mood or what I am wearing, the rest of my iris can be green, blue/green or hazel.

32. I am incredibly intuitive/empathic and take on the feelings of those around me. Thus, people who get really angry or upset can inadvertently make me feel those things too. It makes me a good coach but bad when I’m near people who are fighting.

33. It kills me that my father never got to visit me in New York before he died (his birth place and my home.)

34. I was horribly unpopular when I was a child. I was routinely bullied and often beat up.

35. I find filling out surveys like this strangely therapeutic.

36. I’m a lot older than I look.

37. I don’t believe in God, but I love that other people do.

38. My sister has big boobs and it was devastating when I realized I would not grow up to be like her.

39. I love camping, but only where there are outhouses. I will not do my “business” in the woods. It’s just about the only girlie thing about me.

40. I dated someone with kids once- I am not sure I can do that again.

41. I always paint my apartments with bright colors.

42. One of my acting jobs is as a standardized patient (SP)- I do improvised scenes with medical students to help them practice their clinical skills. These SP exams are required elements for medical school, and I’ve been doing this for more than 7 years.

43. I’ve never had a nickname, but I’ve always wanted one.

44. I taught myself graphic and web design in the late 90s, and now I offer these services to actors.

45. “Groove Is In The Heart” (Dee-Lite) is my theme song, and would be in the opening credits of the movie of my life. “Happy Phantom” (Tori Amos) would be the closing credits.

46. My brother and sister both have intense ADD. So does my nephew. I don’t.

47. I enjoy reading astrology descriptions. Not predications, but the personality outlines. (PS: I’m a Scorpio.)

48. Red meat gives me massive stomach ache, but I’ll suffer it for a good Philly cheesesteak with mushrooms and cheese whiz.

49. When I was a kid, my sister and I used to sit with coffee and cherry pie and watch Twin Peaks.

50. My sister (see #38, #47 & #49) has disappeared, and no one knows where she is at. Worse than that - her disappearance is intentional.

51. I HATE the sound of people eating. Chewing, slurping, smacking of lips. It gives me all-over body convulsions and it makes me want to get violent.

52. I could eat eggs at any hour of the day. I love breakfast!

53. I stay up until 3am most nights (mornings?)

54. I am rather addicted to thrift store shopping.

55. I lived in Brussels, Belgium for kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grade while my father worked at NATO.

56. I have a strange affinity for marketing, and have lots of creative ideas for promotion. These ideas often keep me up at night (see #53.)

57. I inherited my observational humor and penchant for puns from my father.

58. Being from SoCal, I should have taken Spanish in school but instead I took French. (see #55)

59. I avoid most political conversations, but the issue of gay rights makes me nearly militant. I endorse love between consenting adults.

60. I adore singing in harmony.

61. I giggle every time I hiccup. The more I hiccup, the more hysterical the giggles get.

62. Unlike many actors, I like to watch myself on film and listen to myself on tape. I will no longer feel bad about this.

63. I have had braces twice, had my jaw realigned and had 10 baby teeth pulled when they wouldn’t fall out on their own. I don’t heart the dentist.

64. I won the high school talent show singing, “Somewhere” from West Side Story.

65. Unless I am on stage, I hate having the focus on me in public. HATE. So, please never sing Happy Birthday to me or propose to me with people watching.

66. Alec Baldwin once told me I have beautiful eyes.

67. I am close friends with most of my ex-boyfriends. I chose them for a reason- they were good people and worthy of keeping in my life.

68. I am particularly sensitive about people being taken advantage of (especially me.) I am normally pretty low-key and easy going, but if I think someone is trying to use/disrespect me or my friends, my blood boils and I get into fight mode.

69. I love spicy food, and am afraid for the day that I get too old to eat it.

70. I own a lot of DVDs that I have never watched.

71. I did a 2 month European tour when I got out of college.

72. I’ve been engaged, but never married. Thank the baby Jesus.

73. I adore watching baseball, but have backed off the game since moving to the East Coast because I can rarely watch my Padres and it depresses me.

74. In my first play (at age 9), I played a Gander in “Charlotte’s Web.” Then I played Grumpy “Snow White.” I went on to play many, many more male roles until well after college.

75. I look better in skirts and dresses than I do in pants.

76. I named my dog after a character in the book, “Beloved“ by Toni Morrison. Her name is Denver.

77. If there is cheese dip on the menu, I’m ordering it.

78. The first inspirational quote I ever put to memory was the Chinese proverb, ”Talk does not cook rice.“ It really speaks to me about motivation and action.

79. I really, really like things to be even. Like, if things come in pairs, do not separate them. I skim ice cream evenly in the carton. And I’ll straighten anything that is askew.

80. I have never smoked cigarettes.

81. I find it immensely satisfying when a cat likes me... even though I am allergic to them.

82. One of my favorite words to use is ”delicious.“

83. I have no tattoos, partly because I am deathly afraid of needles.

84. My very first official job (besides babysitting) was at a double feature movie theater.

85. I am an amazing parallel parker, but I am still terrified of rolling back on a hill with a manual transmission.

86. It has never mattered to me how much (or how little) money my boyfriend makes.

87. The first thing people tend to notice about me are my eyes, and I really like that.

88. In high school and college, I took summer school to get ahead- I wanted to take as many classes as possible. I also took a ”zero period“ weight lifting class in high school, which happened before school started every day. Super geekdom.

89. I was the best girl’s tennis player in my high school for 3 years running, and the only freshman varsity player. It must have been all of the weight lifting (see #88.)

90. Italian food is my very, very favorite cuisine, but I crave smoked salmon or salmon sushi almost daily.

91. I am super, super, super liberal, but came from super, super, super conservative parents. Strangely, my mother is more liberal now that she is retired.

92. I’ve never had a one night stand.

93. I am right handed, but I shoot pool left handed.

94. For my next big vacation, I want to take a road trip and not plan where to stay until I find a town that I want to stay in. It terrifies and excites me all at the same time.

95. I am terrible at remembering jokes, but most people find me extremely funny.

96. I really, really love taking pictures, but I am afraid that if I get a good camera and learn how to use it, that it will be yet ANOTHER thing that occupies my time and I may never sleep (see #53.)

97. I think Twitter is just about the most amazing networking tool that actors have at their disposal.

98. I have a ”Wizard of Oz“ Barbie in my living room because I once played Glinda.

99. People LOVE my coffee-making skills.

100. This list has just helped me formulate 100 things to talk about when I start dating again...

And... a special section of questions from some folks on Twitter & Facebook

@KevinScottT asks: What made you leave CA?

A couple of reasons. 1) I wanted to know what it was like to pick up and move to a new place, because I’d spent nearly my entire life in SoCal. 2) I needed to be in a larger acting market than San Diego, and because I had already lived in LA, I decided to try the next best option- New York City! Moving here was like coming home.

@JenPonton asks a few questions: Favorite flavor of ice cream? Biggest pet peeve? Biggest simple pleasure? Favorite thing about Denver?

I love Coldstone’s cheesecake ice cream with Butterfinger as a mixer. That is, when I eat ice cream, which is not that often (I am more of a salty snacker.)
I have a hard time with people who are mean to others.
My favorite simple pleasure is waking up with my dog and snuggling with her, and kissing her dry nose before she wakes up and it gets wet again.
That dry nose is my favorite thing about her.

Ed Hofmeister asks: Where were you born?

I was born in Virginia - my father was in the Air Force and was stationed at Langley Air Force Base. We lived in Newport News for the first 2.5 years of my life. (city of birth withheld - lots of places use it for security purposes.)

Ashley Wren Collins asks: What is it that makes you feel like you definitely should have been born a blonde?

People definitely talk to me more as a blonde, which forces me to be more social and helps me stay engaged and connected to people. I also find that I seem more complex, because they expect me to act like a blonde and instead I act like a brunette. I also love telling people about my natural hair color (see #4.) And finally, it just feels right.

Rich Fromm asks: Who should win the epic battle between Werewolf and Vampire? More importantly, who would win in a fight between Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning?

I think the vampire would win because all he would have to do is thrown down Beggin’ Strips and the werewolf would lose his shit.
Who would win a fight between Kristen and Dakota? The men watching, that’s who.

Mary Lahti asks: Is there anyone else in your family that does what you do? When you aren't so focused on your business/craft, what do you like to do for fun? Do you have any A/C yet?

No, there are no other actors in my family anywhere. My brother may argue that LARP is like acting, but I really don’t think it is.
This is a tough one, because so many of my hobbies are related to my career (watching movies, singing, etc.) I like to go thrift store shopping, take pictures, hang out with my friends at wine bars or the park, and playing with my dog.
Yes! I have AC! =)

Chris Ritter asks: Cake or Pie?, Puppies or Kittens?, Batman or Joker? Favorite place outside America? Barbie Dolls or Rock em Sock em Robots? Favorite Body of Water? Number of degrees you are from Kevin Bacon...? Favorite Ethnic Slur? Any Civil War Ancestors? The most unusual celebrity you ever met was...? The volume of Cheese-Whiz you've consumed in your lifetime is...?

Cake, usually.
I want to chew on both of their paws equally.
Batman. He’s hot.
Edinburgh, Scotland or the beaches of the Caribbean.
The answer will always be robots.
A spa.
My Kevin Bacon number is 2, because I did a movie with David Straithairn, who did a movie with Kevin Bacon.
I don’t have one- they make me feel really bad.
Nope, no Civil War Ancestors. My ancestors were over in Ireland.
Oooh... good one. My college had a professional theater on campus, and Helen Reddy came through doing ”Shirley Valentine.“ I worked for the theater, and was selected to be her ”personal assistant“ for the production, which means I obeyed her every whim. This included being her dresser, and I would help her put her pantyhose on. She seemed really old to me at the time, though she was probably only in her late 50s, early 60s. Still, there was no reason for me to be that close to her crotch.
Should I answer in gallons or pounds?

Anyone else have questions? Post a comment and I’ll answer them. If you have responses to my random facts, please leave them! =)

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

15 Movies

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 06:42:00 +0000

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Just saw this posted by my friend, Jason, on Facebook, and I thought I’d take a stab at it here:

Fifteen Movies
Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen movies you've seen that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes.

In no particular order -

Spaceballs
The Shawshank Redemption
Lost in Translation
Beaches
The Princess Bride
Little Children
Rachel Getting Married
Shakespeare in Love
Raising Arizona
Airplane
The Notebook
Ghost
The Making of Miss Saigon (documentary)
Charlotte’s Web
West Side Story

These were the first 15 films that popped into my mind, with no editing. And now that I am done, more and more are coming to mind, like:

Austin Powers
500 Days of Summer
So I Married an Axe Murderer
Waiting for Guffman
Best in Show
Steel Magnolias
The Exorcist
Nightmare on Elm Street (all 5 that were out when I was a kid)

I’ll consider adding more as time marches on...

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

In memory of Danny Aiello III

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:52:00 +0000

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Those of you who follow my coaching blog regularly may remember a blog I posted about the power of networking when on set. The subject of that blog “not sucking up” and referred to a great conversation I had with Danny Aiello III, who was the stunt coordinator over on “One Life to Live.” I just watched the season premiere of “Royal Pains” and at the end of the show, there was a “In loving memory of” placard for Danny, which is how I find out that he passed away May 1, 2010.

This has really hit me hard, because even though I only spent one day with him, he had a special spark that made everyone feel loved and valued. I was inspired by him, and my time at the studio was made better because he was there.

You can read about his passing here.

You can read about his life/credits here.

And you can read my blog post about when I met him here.

Rest in peace, Danny. And much love to your family and friends who have survived you.

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

How Much Would They Pay...?

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 17:52:00 +0000

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I just saw this audition notice, and just HAD to share:

We’re looking for 2 Female patients. Both should be attractive and in shape. If you book this, you will need to use the product (syringe) with saline solution. It is completely packaged, medically safe, and non-painful (tiny needle) but you will have to self-inject needle. MAKE SURE HANDS LOOK GOOD. There'll be close up shots of you holding the product, and then you'll lift blouse to expose bottom part of belly only, pinch stomach and inject needle. On casting you will NOT be injecting a needle. Just giving the illusion that you are. Just on the shoot day if you book will you have to self-inject. NO copy. This is all MOS for you.

Um, yeah, so I hate needles. I wonder how much they’d have to pay me to make this shoot worth it?

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.

1 Door Closes... and then some

noreply@blogger.com (Erin Cronican) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:57:00 +0000

You know that old saying, “When one door closes, other opens”? I usually gag whenever I hear that reference, because any time something unfavorable happens, people try to cram optimism down your throat. But there is something to be said for optimism coming from a place of confidence and self-worth. Optimism that says, “This setback is just *what happened* - not a comment on how good I am or my place in the industry. Let’s see what other projects I can rock now that this project has been laid to rest!“

I had a recent audition experience that was, well... odd, to say the least, but thank goodness I had it.

A director/producer saw me perform at a cabaret event, and sent me an email afterward raving about my work and inquiring about my availability to work with him on a project. This had never happened to me before, and I was thrilled! The project, he said, initially Off Broadway in the 90s and he was looking to do a revival, and felt I would be perfect for one of the female leads. He promised to keep me apprised when/if it ever came to fruition. About 4 months later, he contacted me and said a fundraiser reading of the project was moving forward in anticipation of a full run next year, and would I be interested? He had assembled a cast of his favorite choices, and asked us to send him our schedules so he could book some a date for a read through.

As fate had it, no one’s schedule matched, so he had to put the rehearsal on hold. He asked for schedules later in the month, and said he would get back to us with a firm date. Instead, a few days later I received this email:

”Sorry for the short notice, but an opportunity has come up for us to have a "casting party" this coming Sunday from 4-6pm. The Musical Director and I will bring together a couple of ideal choices for each role, pass out a few scripts and scores, do some musical sight reading, give you character/scene breakdown, do a little cold reading and make our final decisions on the cast. Different? Yes! But, an ideal way to introduce you to the show, each other and the fun of the project in a much less competitive atmosphere than your typical cattle call.“

Hmmmm..... not only was this new plan a bit different than what an Equity actor would normally expect, but it was obvious that I was no longer a shoo-in for the role. But I had already won the director’s heart, so now all I needed to do was win the musical director’s heart, and I’d be in business. I committed to attend the ”casting party.“

Well, after learning 3 songs and a monologue, I think it was safe to say that I ROCKED THAT AUDITION. I am a good sight reader, so I learned the music accurately and quickly. I was also able to infuse the character with my unique brand of charm, and I felt relaxed and in my element. But as most audition stories would have it, being good at what you do often has no bearing on the casting decision. This became evident when I was asked to stand side by side with a young man who was being considered to play my love interest. The minute I stood next to him, I knew I was done for. He as quite a bit younger than I, and no taller than me. There was no way in the world that I was going be cast opposite him. Just no way. No matter how much the director loved me. No matter how well I performed.

And I was right- I got a very nice email that evening from the director thanking me for my talent and professionalism, but alas, the part was not meant for me. And while all audition experiences can have value squeezed out of them, this one felt a little like 2 hours of my life that I could not get back... if you know what I mean.

And then I remembered something... While we were working music, the musical director mentioned that he was considering us for more projects than the one we were auditioning for. So, I pulled out his business card (which i was sure to get while at the audition) and wrote him a thank you email:

”Hi, Chris! It was so nice to meet you at the casting party for [name of show redacted] this weekend. I'm sorry that we won't be working together this time, but I hope that we get to work with each other on something in the near future. And please keep me posted on your projects in general - I would love to come out to support your work!“

I received a kind email from him saying that he was sorry they couldn’t use me for the show (in fact, I was his top choice.) And wouldn’t you know it - he had a project he had composed, and asked me if I would be interested in being a part of it. SCORE!

Which brings me to last night... Monday evening, after about 4 rehearsals, I performed in a concert version of his song cycle. I sang along side several Broadway and Off Broadway performers, and got the chance to learn some great new music (and got to know the composer in the process.) When considering this concert versus the original show I auditioned for, I’d say I traded up!

In the end, talent and professionalism always win, even if they don’t win you the part you wanted. Opportunities are always available to those who prepare for them and grab them when they fly by. I’m looking forward to the next door that slams in my face, because who knows where I’ll be headed next?

Though, if the door leads to being cast in Wicked, I’d rather walk through it. =)

Erin Cronican's career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.erincronican.com.