Projects

In addition to booking Equity full-paid productions and being involved in new musical works, my goals this year are a continuation of some projects I have yet to complete. For my benefit and your information, they are (in no particular priority):

1. Compile professionally recorded audio and create a "demo" of my many vocal styles. 1 minute, tops.
2. Finish a music video I shot 2 (!) years ago - here in New York, actually - utilizing a song called "Playground in New York." Written by Erin Kamler, it's the thoughts of a young girl coming to New York for the first time. Hmmm...think I can relate?
3. Revamp "Ridin' High," my one-woman cabaret. This'll take a bit of reworking, editing, reorchestration and work with a new pianist...not to mention finding the venue.
4. Create a video demo reel of all stage footage I have, just so I can put it online and submit myself through casting company websites.
5. Write and record with John Seput, who is a composer in Los Angeles. GarageBand and email will be our friends. Also, when UCLA-mate Phillip Kelsey returns from Germany, I will be working with him on a few songs.

Those are the basics so far. Still have to truly set up my digital office so I can edit and record video and audio easily - so I guess that'll be my #1 TO DO on my list. Check back for more updates in the future. In the meantime, I put pictures of myself in "Great Expectations" at the Hudson Theater from last May on my website, http://www.sierrarein.com/. I'll be putting more audio from a recording session for a movie musical as well.

Cheerio! -- Sierra

Did it!

It's now a beautiful day, sunny but moderate in the shade (probably boiling in my apartment). Eating leftovers from my Mr. Bento box outside the NY Public Library on 5th Ave. Celebrating. I had my first NY audition this morning in this, the new chapter of my life.

My sleep last night was atrocious, it being incredibly hot in the apartment. It didn't cool down until 4 or 5 in the morning, so I relied on the big fan, frozen washcloths and nudity (!) to sleep. In any case, a cold bath and coffee helped me wake up at 7:30 am to leave by 8:30 am to get there by 9:30 am.

I made it to the audition location on West 54th by 9:10, carrying my purse and rolling bag.* The audition process itself was exactly like those in Los Angeles. The girls looked the same, I did my song the same. I was happy to see that about 1/6 of those signed up for the audition showed up (I was told earlier by a regular auditioner that this is common in New York), so my number fell from 191st to only 37th in line. I checked in, warmed up in the hallway and the elevator, changed and then stood in line when the 20-40 block of numbers was called.

My audition itself went exactly as it would if I was in Los Angeles. However, there was something wonderful to have the view of grey and red-tinted New York buildings outside as I sang. A reminder - I was in New York!

I finished and thanked the people in the room. As I picked up my music book from the piano, I couldn't resist saying "And I have to let you know, this was my first New York audition. Yes!" The older woman in the room said "Oh! Congratulations!" and then looked at my resume again with a more curious look on her face. One might think this gesture of mine as unprofessional, but I just felt I needed to claim my experience and not hide my new life from myself or anyone else. It just felt good to say it, and if my enthusiasm belied my lust and zest for this craft, then all the better.

I was out of there by 11 am. Now, I'm sitting and listening to old recordings of Barbara Streisandon my iPod. Have called both Mom & Dad to leave word about this "landmark" (dramatic word, I know) day of mine. Soon, it's off to drop off my timesheets to my temp agency (#1 of 3) so at least I'll have money on Weds. The grind continues, but at least this career of mine is heading in the right direction.

Damn, Barbara Streisand can sing!

*see earlier blog for a description of my "Audition Kit"