A Great Teacher

George DiCenzo, my first acting teacher, died recently and suddenly.
I met George when I was 16 and took an acting class with him in Philadelphia. My Aunt Mimi, an actress herself, would pick me up from my mom's house and we'd drive over the Ben Franklin Bridge to Casting Director Mike Lemon's studio, where George's class took place. I had only taken children's acting classes before and this was a class of adults, led by George who often used the F-word and was ruthless about "the truth." He petrified me.
But George and I lasted years together. He taught me so much about choice and truth and moment-to-moment. I followed him to NY where I took his class at The School for Film and Television. He wrote my letter of recommendation to NYU and then I took a decade hiatus from being his student. After a 7 year stint in LA, I returned to NY and to George's class at the Actor's Playhouse.
I've had many teachers in my journey so far. Some taught me a few tricks. Many have been hacks. And only 2 have been so crucial to me that I can honestly call them mentors. George will forever be my first. My first mentor, my first real teacher. My first bright lighthouse in the thunder-storm of a career choice. And the wonderful thing about a great teacher is that they are never truly gone. George will forever be sitting on my shoulder, saying in his famously raspy growl, "Do the work."
Thank you George. I will miss you.

Work Hard, Play Hard

It's how my mama told me to live my life: Work hard, play hard. The past few weeks have been a raging example of this motto.

In July I was accepted as a member of Glass Beads Theater Ensemble, helmed by Mari Gorman. This endeavor, to work in new ways, with a new company, three times a week has proven to be my FAVORITE thing right now. Mari Gorman has theories on the art of acting that have rekindled my love, my passion, my commitment to myself and to the art. I mean really, I think I summoned this woman. Anyone who knows me well might have heard my rantings over the past year: "Where is the modern-day Stella Adler? Stanislovski? Meisner? Where are the teachers who can inspire, who can teach me something new??" Mari Gorman is her name, people. I've landed on a gold-mine and I'm pitching my tent.

July was also the month for READ MY MIND.

It was a zany play by wonderful playwright Damon Heath Sager. I played a girl who after being dumped, realizes she's telekenetically distraught. Hilarity ensues in a cocktail party I throw to prove my powers. Dream Quests. Zombies. Suicidal Pigeons. Bent Spoons. Facebook. Although the rehearsal process was a bit frustrating(due to the incredible technical challenges of the play), I collaborated with some great people and in the end, felt really good about the final performances.

August began with a bang with the biggest Kate & Kula shoot yet.

On August 4th Namakula and I worked with 16 actors in 2 locations. It was a huge feat and went off without a hitch. Stay tuned, we'll be posting the episodes sooooooon!!!!

I've also begun shooting a new web-series for young artists called Careers in Photography. In the past few weeks I've interviewed some of the great photographers that are working today: John Hall (architectural photography), Tom Schierlitz (editorial photography) and I also had a big shoot at MOMA and interviewed Curator, Sarah Meister and some of her colleagues. When those videos are uploaded to the web, I'll provide a link for viewing. In the meantime, my latest video features ballet star Jacques D'Amboise (my second project with him!) and his students: click HERE to view.

And now for the straight up "play" part of life.... Jack and I are off to Amsterdam to celebrate 3 amazing years of marriage!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxxoxoxox

Hope everyone is having a great summer!!

K