Jessica Madison

Shot National ANDERSON Commercial Yesterday!

2010-06-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

Had a great (if topsy turvy) time shooting an Anderson commercial yesterday - we shot at the historic Conneaut Lake Park in northern PA (home of the famous "Blue Streak"). One scene was us riding a roller coaster and 10 or 15 takes later, I decided it would be awhile until I'd be riding any rides again : )

Will post the commercial when I receive a copy!

Rue21 Web Campaign

2010-05-25T09:53:00.001-07:00

2009-12-18T10:26:00.000-08:00

Shot Indie Film in Pittsburgh

2009-11-30T07:50:00.000-08:00

Was cast as lead female in independent film shot in Pittsburgh - had a great time working on this project, will post pics and video soon as I get it!

Signed with Docherty Talent!

2009-11-24T10:35:00.001-08:00

Exciting news, have just signed Docherty Talent for my PA representation! Was thrilled to get an audition for a leading role on a new tv pilot shooting in Pittsburgh on the very first day I was signed with this awesome agency!

So far, so good!

www.dochertyagency.com

Jewelry Catalog Shoot!

2009-10-27T07:21:00.001-07:00

Just got some images back from a jewelry catalog shoot I worked on in Marina del Rey - will scan the catalog pages I'm featured on when I get it in the mail!

*A special thanks to "I Love Bracelets" for all the amazing jewelry, also...it's gorgeous!!*

Another Great Time Modeling for Chinese Laundry in Vegas!

2009-09-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

Whoooops....have been working like crazy lately and haven't taken time to update my blog for quite a while...lots of news to catch up on!

First off, had a great time modeling recently for one of my very favorite companies, Chinese Laundry! They are always on the ball with the latest in hot shoe, handbag and denim trends...check them out at www.chineselaundry.com!

Pics coming soon : )

TJ Maxx Commercials: Live on the streets of LA!

2009-05-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

Had a ball performing in live TJ Maxx commercials around all the hotspots of LA yesterday: The girls and I were miked up and dressed to the 9's and re-enacted the TJ Maxx commercials that are currently airing nationwide. One of those days where I could say, only in LA!!

Great review in "Backstage!"

2009-04-09T01:36:00.000-07:00

Backstage has given "School for Wives" a great review and described my role as "spectacularly naive and innocent," stating that "Madison makes Agnes' naiveté a perfect foil"...!

Reviewed by Neal Weaver
Monsieur Arnolph (Bo Roberts) has a pathological distrust of women, but he wants to marry, despite an abiding fear of being cuckolded. To assure his marital bliss, he latches on to 4-year-old Agnes, makes her his ward, and sets out to mold her into a perfect wife. He has her educated in a convent, cloistered and free of all knowledge of the world. Now Agnes (Jessica Madison) has reached marriageable age, so Arnolph moves her to Paris, intending to marry her at once. She's spectacularly naive and innocent; but far from protecting her, her unworldliness makes her a sitting duck for the first handsome blade to come along. She spots young Horace (Dave Mack) in the street, he sees her, and in a trice, they are smitten with each other. Unfortunately, Horace chooses Arnolph for his confidante, unaware he's the girl's guardian and intended husband. Endless confusions and complications ensue, but love will find a way, aided and thwarted by Arnolph's dimwitted servants (Cynthia Mance and Kenneth Rudnicki).

This new translation-adaptation of Molière by director Frederíque Michel and production designer Charles A. Duncombe is clever, colloquial, and far more actable than most recent versions. Michel gives the piece a coolly elegant and stylized production, emphasizing the play's rueful wisdom as well as its comedy. Duncombe provides a simple but handsome set, while costumer Josephine Poinset effectively blends period and contemporary costumes. Roberts nimbly sketches the shattering of Arnolph's smug self-righteousness and his ever-growing frustration and desperation, while Madison makes Agnes' naiveté a perfect foil for Arnolph's manipulations. Mack brings considerable charm to Horace, but the stylized movement sometimes renders him a bit epicene.

2009-03-31T20:01:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to everyone at City Garage theatre for winning 3 prestigous awards at last night's LA Weekly Theatre Awards 2009!

COSTUME DESIGN: Josephine Poinsot, Les Bourgeois Gentilhomme
SOUND DESIGN: Paul Rubenstein, The Mission (Accomplished)
MASK DESIGN: Charles Duncombe, Les Bourgeois Gentilhomme

Frederique and Charles were awarded the "QUEEN OF THE ANGELS" Award in recognition of their amazing contributions to the theatre community of LA. They were introduced by LA Weekly theatre critic Steven Leigh Morris who said they were receiving the award:
"For decades of directing and producing scintillating, politically
charged theater that challenges audiences to reconsider their
assumptions about the nature of politics, and the nature of theater
itself. Given with gratitude and respect by the critics of the LA
Weekly. March 30, 2009."

On a sidenote, I was thrilled to attend the 50s themed awards ceremony and wore a dress formerly belonging to Lucille Ball (she wore it on "I Love Lucy!!") All in all, an incredible night for City Garage.

Good Review in LA Times!

2009-03-28T16:54:00.000-07:00

The LA Times calls School for Wives

"an adroit and intelligently directed revival"

and notes that

"Mack and Madison in the roles of the young lovers seldom try to be funny and deliver some of the most endearingly comical moments of the evening."

“The School for Wives,” City Garage, 1340 ½ 4th St. (alley), Santa Monica. 8 p.m. Saturdays; 5:30 p.m. Sundays. Ends May 31. $20. (310) 319-9939. Running time: 1 hour, 55 minutes.

SCHOOL a "Go" in LA Weekly!

2009-03-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

Great news - first review is in and LA Weekly calls our production of "School for Wive" a "GO!!"

NEW REVIEW GO THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES The central character in Molière's comedy, here translated and adapted by Frédérique Michel & Charles Duncombe could be and often is a punching bag. But not here. Arnolphe is another in a stream of Molière's aging, patronizing nitwits (like Orgon on Tartuffe) who presume that they can control the devotions and passions of young women in their care. In Tartuffe, when Orgon's daughter protests his insistence that she break her wedding plans to her beloved suitor in order to marry the clergyman he prefers, Orgon figures her rebellion is just a impetuous, child-like phase. In The School for Wives, there's a similar mind-set to Arnolphe (Bo Roberts), who has tried to sculpt his young ward, Agnes (Jessica Madison), into his future wife. He's known her since she was 4, and he's strategically kept her closeted, as though in a convent, hoping thereby to shape her obedience and gratitude. Just as he's about to wed her, in stumbles young Horace (Dave Mack) from the street below her window, and the youthful pair are smitten with eachother, soon conniving against the old bachelor. Horace, not realizing that Arnolphe is the man keeping Agnes as his imprisoned ward, keeps confiding in the older man about his and Agnes' schemes, fueling Arnolphe's exasperation and fury. Perhaps it's the use of director Michel's tender, Baroque sound-tracks, or the gentle understatement of Roberts' performance and Arnolphe, but the play emerges less as a clown show, and more as a wistful almost elegiac rumination on aging and folly. Arnolphe tried to create a brainless wife as though from a petri dish, an object he can own, and the more she rejects him, the more enamored he becomes of her, until his heart breaks. - The pathos is underscored by the obvious intelligence of Madison's Agnes - an intelligence that Arnolphe is blind to. The production's reflective tone supersedes Michel's very stylized, choreographic staging (this company's trademark). The ennui is further supported by a similarly low-key portrayal by David E. Frank as Arnolphe's blithe friend and confidante, Chrysalde. In In fact, when lisping, idiot servants (Cynthia Mance and Ken Rudnicki) keep running in circles and crashing into each other, Michel's one attempt at Commedia physicality is at odds with the production rather than a complement to it. Company costumer Josephine Poinsot (surprising she doesn't work more) provides luscious period vestments and gowns, and Duncombe's delightful production design, includes a gurgling fountain, a tub of white roses, and abstract hints of some elegant, Parisian court. City Garage, 1340½ Fourth Street (alley entrance); Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 5:30 p.m.; through May 31. (310) 319-9939. (Steven Leigh Morris)

Still from "School for Wives!"

2009-03-18T23:11:00.000-07:00

...featuring two West Virginia actors!...

"School for Wives" opens this Friday!!

2009-03-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

My new play "School for Wives" opens this weekend at City Garage Theatre in Santa Monica! I am playing the tough but rewarding role of Agnes and can't wait for the show to open! Call and reserve your tickets today!
March 20 -- May 31, 2009
Sat. 8:00pm
Sun. 5:30pm
Admission $20; Students/Seniors $10
Sundays "Pay-What-You-Can"
Box Office/Reservations: (310) 319-9939

10 Days in Vegas with "Chinese Laundry!"

2009-02-23T11:36:00.000-08:00

Spent 10 wonderful & lively days in Vegas modeling for Chinese Laundry - I can't tell you enough how much I love their shoes, handbags and accessories! Thanks to Chinese Laundry for the amazing shoes & sunglasses and a special thanks for being such entirely wonderful people to work with!
www.chineselaundry.com

Blake Lively of "Gossip Girl" in a hot Chinese Laundry boot!

Modeling for Lucky Brand!

2009-02-20T23:11:00.000-08:00

Had the wonderful opportunity to model here in LA for Lucky Brand Jeans - they are coming out with an amazing shoe line and let me tell you, the shoes and boots are to die for!

Special thanks to Lucky not only for the great time, but also for the super hot jeans! I love them!

City Garage Nominated for 6 LA Weekly 2008 Theatre Awards!

2009-01-20T12:21:00.000-08:00

The LA Weekly Theater Award nominations are out, and City Garage has been once again nominated for an astonishing number of awards!

On top of all that, City Garage's founders Frederique and Charles are being honored with the "QUEEN OF THE ANGELS" award! This is a special recognition award that the Weekly's theater critics present each year to people they feel deserve to be singled out for their contributions to theater in Los Angeles.

Can't wait until the awards ceremony on March 30th!

Cast as Agnes in "School for Wives!"

2009-01-08T14:07:00.001-08:00

Some exciting news - was cast as Agnes in Moliere's "L'ecole des Femmes" (School for Wives).

We start rehearsals on January 19th at City Garage and on a sidenote, I'm happy to say that one of the other lead actors in also from good ol' West Virginia!!

Happy 2009!

2009-01-06T16:59:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and had fun ringing in the New Year...

I really think that 2009 is gonna be one incredible year!!

"French Play in LA": Great Review!

2008-12-15T14:50:00.000-08:00

Here's another great review of the show, including a clip of writer/production design guru Charles Duncombe talking about the show. Check it out!

"Backstage" loves the Bourgeois!

2008-12-04T13:09:00.000-08:00

The Bourgeois Gentilhomme
December 04, 2008
Reviewed by Neal Weaver
(excerpt)
High style and low comedy merge in this new adaptation of Molière's classic tale of nouveau riche Parisian shopkeeper Monsieur Jourdain (Jeff Atik), whose ambition to mingle with the aristocracy leads to his being swindled by shady Count Dorante (Troy Dunn), humiliated by his daughter's suitor Cleonte (Garth Whitten), and deceived by all.

But fortunately for him, he's too self-obsessed to notice he's been hornswoggled. In their free adaptation, director Frederíque Michel and designer-managing director Charles Duncombe have added unexpected elements to the 17th century classic — including a martial arts instructor (Mariko Oka) for M. Jourdain, a transvestite cooch dancer (Matt Cooke), raunchy one-liners, and a handful of songs by Duncombe and John Gregory Willard.

Though Molière's stock-in-trade was the combining of extravagant artifice with down-to-earth commonsense, director Michel's penchant for stylization sometimes results in her treating artifice a bit too artificially, but the prevailing wit, buffoonery, and slapstick provide necessary grounding. And Michel has assembled a large and able crew of farceurs.

Duncombe has created the handsome set, and Josephine Poinsot deftly mingles lavish — and sometimes loony — period costumes with modern dress.

Presented by and at City Garage, 1340-1/2 Fourth St., Santa Monica. Nov. 7-Feb. 22, 2009. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 5:30 p.m. (Dark Fri. 8 p.m., Nov. 28. Also Dec. 22-Jan. 8.) (310) 319-9939.

Santa Monica Mirror Loves "The Bourgeois Gentilhomme" too!

2008-11-21T14:28:00.000-08:00

Comedy can be a lot of things, but sometimes it’s just plain silly. Moliere’s reputation as the classic playwright of France has modern Americans thinking that Moliere plays are really deep. Truth is, Moliere wrote comedies with roots in the broad farces of the ancient Romans and the Italian comedia dell’arte, usually revolving around a character who’s too foolish to see reality.
The Bourgeois Gentilhomme (gentleman) is one such play, an episodic farce about a man who aspires to being high-society. In City Garage’s production, it’s almost like a Marx Brothers movie – but then again, the Marx Brothers are but another link in the unbroken chain of comedies about stuffed-shirts who get their comeuppance...

City Garage is known for staging experimental and politically radical plays, more often than not featuring bare flesh. The Bourgeois Gentilhomme is tame material for this company, but director Frederique Michel has found opportunities to make the 17th century comedy feel more modern without glaring anachronisms. The translation and adaptation of the text, by Michel and Charles Duncombe, uses modern colloquialisms and a healthy dose of risque epithets. Many of the performances are appropriately broad and cartoon-like, especially Atik as the title character. Don’t be misled, though, by the ease with which Atik seems to play this foolish man – the role requires much energy and is undoubtedly physically exhausting...

The play also features songs, by Duncombe and John Gregory Willard, with a strong flavor of Monty Python, especially the “Food” song that closes the first act. The Bourgeois Gentilhomme is two hours of guilt-free enjoyable silliness.

-Lynne Bronstein, Mirror Staff Writer

Critic's Choice

2008-11-19T14:38:00.001-08:00

Proud to say that our show just got a prestigious "Critic's Choice" nod in the LA Times! Congrats, everyone!

Another GREAT review: LA Times!

2008-11-14T14:25:00.000-08:00

Excerpt:

"A 'Gentilhomme' for our times"

With a generous soupçon of witty anarchy, "The Bourgeois Gentilhomme" tumbles into Santa Monica. This sleek City Garage take on Molière's deathless satire of nouveau riche pretensions and aristocratic machinations is nominally avant-garde, mainly an unguarded hoot.

First performed in 1670 before Louis XIV, "Gentilhomme" concerns Monsieur Jourdain (the riotous Jeff Atik), his father a wealthy merchant who retained middle-class contours. Hopelessly oafish Jourdain thus obsesses over not just the trappings of nobility, which elude him despite the fawning efforts of a slew of tutors, but over trapping the nobles...

Conceived by Molière as a comédie-ballet, "Gentilhomme" carries many wicked analogies to modern mores. Director Frédérique Michel and designer Charles Duncombe slyly tailor our times into their tart adaptation, complete with anachronisms, nonstop postures and purposely limp songs by Duncombe and John Gregory Willard. The design scheme seamlessly weds the red-black-and-gilt elegance of Duncombe's set and lighting to Josephine Poinsot's splendid costumes...

Goaded by Atik's clueless climber, equal parts Bert Lahr, Don Rickles and a tea cozy, the nimble cast has a stylized field day...

Actually, their devotion to the detailed concept sometimes halts the antic fizz. Nonetheless, if full abandon is still finding its way, this hardly diminishes such a gracefully loopy soufflé.

-- David C. Nichols

"The Bourgeois Gentilhomme," City Garage, 1340½ 4th St. Alley, Santa Monica. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30 p.m. No performances Nov. 28 and Dec. 22 to Jan. 8. Ends Feb. 22, 2009. (310) 319-9939. $20. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Great Review in LA Weekly!

2008-11-12T00:10:00.000-08:00

The LA Weekly has called "The Bourgeois Gentilhomme" a GO!

"You'd think, from reading the world press, that racism and, by extension, classism, had suddenly been vanquished from the nation – overnight, by a stunning national election. Such is the power of symbolism and hope. Sooner or later, we will settle into a more realistic view of who we are, and were, and how we have evolved in ways perhaps more subtle than the current “we are the world” emotional gush would lead one to believe. It's in this more self-critical (rather than celebratory) frame of mind that Molière's 1670 comedy – a satire of snobbery and social climbing – will find its relevance renewed. For now, however, Frederique Michel (who directed the play) and Charles Duncombe's fresh and bawdy translation-adaptation serves up a bouquet of comedic delights that offer the caution that -- though celebrating a milestone on the path of social opportunity is worthy of many tears of joy -- perhaps we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves with self-congratulation...Michel's visually opulent staging features scenery (designed by Duncombe) that includes a pair of chandeliers, and costumes (by Josephine Poinsot) in shades of red, maroon and black. Michel employs Lully's music in a nod to the original. Michel also includes a lovely ballet by performers in mesmerizing “tears of a clown” masks, a choreographed prance of the fops, and she has characters bounding and spinning during otherwise realistic conversations, in order to mock style over substance...In fact, I haven't seen a comic tour de force the likes of Atik's Monseiur Jordain since Alan Bomenfeld's King Ubu at A Noise Within."

Opening Tomorrow: The Bourgeois Gentilhomme

2008-11-06T12:30:00.001-08:00

This weekend, City Garage Theatre presents the world premiere of a new adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy "LeBourgeois Gentilhomme (The Bourgeois Gentleman)"...

About the Play: Wealthy and foolish Monsieur Jourdain is in love with the Countess Dorimène and aches to be what he is not: a member of the aristocracy. Determined to overcome his low birth with an "education" in high style, he unwittingly surrounds himself with charlatans and swindlers who gleefully take his money and prey on his innocence. Ingenious servants, pedantic masters, devious nobles, and earnest young lovers all propel this delightful satire of nouveau riche social climbers. In the end, is the "nobility" to which Jourdain so ardently aspires all that admirable?

The Friday premiere is already sold out. Call now Saturday reservations. (Sundays are "pay what you can" with no reservations.)

November 7 - December 21, 2008
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm -- Admission $20; Students/Seniors $10
Sundays 5:30 pm -- no reservations, "Pay-What-You-Can"
Box Office/Reservations: (310) 319-9939

Directed by Frédérique Michel
Production Design by Charles A. Duncombe

Cast:
Jeff Atik
Matt Cook
Ruthie Crossley
Troy Dunn
Michael Galvin
Lejla Hadzimuratovic
Deborah Knox
Edgar Landa
Jessica Madison
Cynthia Mance
Max Molina
Alisha Nichols
Mariko Oka
Ken Rudnicki
Trace Taylor
Garth Whitten
John Willard

VOTE!!

2008-11-03T14:54:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to get out there and vote tomorrow...
I can't wait to proudly cast my vote for Barack Obama!

Congrats to my agent Jeremy Apody!

2008-10-29T15:03:00.000-07:00

picture courtesy of www.talentmanagers.org

My agent Jeremy Apody at Abrams Artists Agency was recently awarded the prestegious 2008 Seymour Heller Award as the "Youth Commercial Agent of the Year"....CONGRATS Jeremy!!!

Spokesmodeling for Disney in LA

2008-10-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

After having such a great time working here in LA and traveling to NYC to work as a Disney spokesmodel and present the new Blu-Ray "Sleeping Beauty" to the media a few months back, I was really excited to get asked to work at Legends Plaza at the Disney studio lot in Burbank at a celebration of the official DVD launch on October 7th.

"Sleeping Beauty is also the first title to launch Disney’s new internet-connected BD-Live experience. For the very first time in history, consumers will be able to combine some of today’s most popular interactive communications platforms – chat, video streaming, online messaging, communal gaming and more – with their most treasured home entertainment experiences with this revolutionary, new Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Disc."
Source: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Audition for "Couples Retreat"

2008-10-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

Auditioned at the renowned Finn/Hiller Casting for a role in the upcoming Vince Vaughn feature "Couples Retreat"...went great!

New Headshot!

2008-10-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

Ivana Chubbuck Studio!

2008-09-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

On the recommendation of my manager Omar at GEL, I officially started scene study at the renowned Ivana Chubbuck Studio yesterday. My first class was awesome, I can tell I am in for a great challenge and am really excited to put up my first scene!

Jonas Brothers video

2008-09-18T14:17:00.001-07:00

Look for me in the upcoming Jonas Brothers video for "Love Bug!"

It was a great time filming out on the water at sunset. What a day though with paparazzi swarming our boat, little girls screaming and crying for autographs....! I guess it's all in a day's work for those guys. On top of it all, we got all costumed up in 40s style looks which was a blast!

Signed with Manager Omar Mayet at GEL!

2008-09-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

Fantastic news - just signed with manager Omar Mayet at GEL Entertainment!

"The Bouregois Gentilhomme"

2008-09-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

Great news! After auditioning last week, I have been invited into the acclaimed City Garage Theatre Company in Santa Monica. I will be understudying the role of Lucile in their upcoming production of "The Bouregois Gentilhomme" by Moliere. Upon the show's January extension, I will be taking over this exciting, lively and challenging role!

A little about City Garage:

"The company at City Garage devotes itself to producing neglected plays, often European classics with an expressionistic bent. Unconcerned with current trends or commercial appeal, City Garage is blessedly devoid of the showcase mentality that permeates so many of Los Angeles's smaller theaters -- a determinedly pure artistic pursuit."
-- F. Kathleen Foley, Los Angeles Times

"I am constantly and consistently amazed by the work done by City Garage."
-- Anne Louise Bannon, Back Stage West

A September 2008 Los Angeles Times Arts and Books story about theater venues in L.A. remarks that City Garage's "recycled interior suggests a palimpsest of the building's multilayered past. Before a word of dialogue is uttered or dreamy gesture extended, your unconscious has been stealthily primed by the cryptically coded surroundings."

www.citygarage.org

Viva Las Vegas...Again!

2008-09-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

Who says there's a thing as too much Las Vegas?

I made the trip back to the desert for another Chinese Laundry modeling job and had a ball! www.chineselaundry.com

Enjoying a scrumptious meal at the Mirage with my friend Stephanie!

My Appearance on "CW Now"

2008-09-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

Stills from Wisconsin Set

2008-08-19T23:47:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots from the set of a 50s period movie I worked on in Wisconsin a while back - video clip coming soon!

Back in the Big Apple!

2008-08-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

What a whirlwind month this has been! Right after I returned to LA and modeled at the X Games, it was time to hop on a plane again - this time bound for the Big Apple! It was great to be working in Manhattan again this summer, and I had a great time modeling at the brand's NY showroom with fellow models Yasmine Kugelman and Briana Gibson.

(Yasmine Kugelman & Me)

After a week of East Coast fun, though, it was back to good ol' Hollywood!

X Games!

2008-08-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

Had 4 days of fun in the sun modeling for Mattel at the 2008 X Games in Carson, CA. In addition to getting a great tan, got to meet some amazing athletes and would like to thank New Balance for the pair of their new "Zip" running shoes!

VEGAS!

2008-07-31T08:26:00.000-07:00

(L-R, Sara Fletcher, Me, Rachel Rednik, Yasmine Kugelman)

I am back from a week in VEGAS! Was modeling for the ever amazing and ultra fabulous "Chinese Laundry." We had such a great time!! More exciting news - the company has asked me to fly to NYC on Monday morning for a week of modeling at their Manhattan showroom...I'm thrilled to get to head back to the Big Apple again this summer!

Over 60,000 hits!

2008-07-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

Found out that jessmadison.com has gotten over 60,000 hits so far this year - thanks so much & don't forget to keep checking in for more exciting news from Hollywood!

Comp Card

2008-07-07T00:37:00.001-07:00

SoapNet

2008-06-29T22:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I worked on a SoapNet promo that shot at the Poodle Parlor film studio in downtown LA - it was so much fun! I stood-in for Elizabeth Berkley (yes, *the* Jesse Spano!) and Jamie Anderson (professional snowboarder, sponsored by Billabong). I have to say, it was hard not to make any Saved by the Bell references, but it was awesome watching Elizabeth work - she has amazing presence and was really sweet to everyone on set. All in all, another good day in Hollywood!

NYC

2008-06-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

NYC - there's no place quite like it!

Just flew back into LA last night after working all week in Manhattan...had a truly wonderful time, Disney treated us girls like rock stars and let me tell you, when you're rolling around the city in limos, staying in amazing hotels, eating spectacular meals and they call that work...well, it wasn't tough, to say the least. Of course, as much as I love the energy and hustle bustle of New York, I am as always glad to be home sweet home here in LA!

Thanks to Disney for the incredible week and a special thanks to Panasonic for the surprise gift of a super cool new *pink!* digital camera - you guys are the best!!

Neutrogena Skin ID

2008-06-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

It was a very cool experience working on an infomercial spot for Neutrogena's newest skincare line, Skin ID, a few months ago - here is a screenshot of the website I am featured on (sorry for the poor picture quality...better still images and video are on their way very soon!)

SpinDaily.com

2008-06-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

From SpinDaily.com

(Video Coming Soon to my Blog!)

Byu-t i Salo n's ANDI SCARBROUGH was featured on SpinDaily and showed audiences 3 quick and easy updos - I was thrilled she chose to feature me as her model for the "Altar Ego" style - she describes this look as a wearable "ballerina chic" updo.

Seychelles & BC Footwear

2008-06-09T22:55:00.000-07:00

Had a great time modeling for Seychelles and BC Footwear at the Transit show at CalMart here in Los Angeles last weekend - it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it! ; )

Sleeping Beauty Spokesmodel

2008-05-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

Great news! I have been selected to go to New York City as a Disney spokesmodel, presenting the new Blu-Ray "Sleeping Beauty" to the media! I am excited ...it's going to be a blast!

Here's a little about the October-released Platinum Edition of "Sleeping Beauty":

"Disney wants to awaken sales of the Blu-ray Disc format, and the studio knows it'll take more than a kiss to get the job done. In October, Disney will release its first animated classic on the high-definition video format, Sleeping Beauty, with high-tech viewing options not possible with DVD.
Using a new technology known as BD Live — which connects to the Internet — viewers will pop in the disc and get a customized version of the famed castle that serves as a backdrop for the menu. The sky will reflect weather conditions in the viewer's hometown.
Once viewers begin watching, they'll be able to chat with friends right on the movie screen, using a laptop, BlackBerry or other PDA, through Disney's protected network. They'll be able to insert customized video messages anywhere in the movie and send them to friends or family members via a "movie mail" feature.
They'll be able to play trivia games with fellow viewers across the country. And when they're done, they can get a constant supply of new trailers, plus trade in "reward" points, collected by using many of these features, for ringtones and wallpaper.
Sleeping Beauty "will revolutionize the way people will interact with and view movies in the home," says Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. "We pulled out all the stops in launching this technology.""

-USA Today

Commercial Auditioning Class

2008-05-18T23:05:00.000-07:00

Commercial auditions - there's nothing like 'em!

Wanting to brush up on my audition technique, I asked my agent for a recommendation for a great commercial class. He kindly pointed me in the direction of Jon Smet & Jan Bina, who hold Commercial Audition Technique day intensives at Lien Cowan Casting.

Arriving on Saturday morning at 10am, I really didn't know what to expect but ended up having a fantastic day of fun and acting! Each of the 15 actors in the class, including myself, went through a series of four on-screen commercial audition scenarios. Getting to watch feedback from each exercise with our classmates and receive valuable critiques from the kind and knowledgable duo of Jon & Jan was an incredible experience. By the time I headed back home to Santa Monica at 5pm, I was tired, smiling and feeling ready to knock 'em dead at my upcoming auditions!!

Pangea Day

2008-05-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

On May 10th, I was able to see some amazing performances and films at the 1st annual Pangea Day, which is described a global event that brings the world together through film - I was at Sony Studios in Culver City but locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro were linked with this location for a live program of powerful films, live music, and visionary speakers and was broadcast – in seven languages –worldwide.

Presenters included Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Meg Ryan.

Check out more on Pangea Day here.

A night of Shoes!

2008-05-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

Last night, Seychelles and BC Footwear teamed with WeSC clothing to throw a fabulous party complete with complimentary makeovers by Smashbox, manicures by OPI, great tunes, food and drink...not to mention killer deals on pieces from all three lines! I love doing shoe modeling for Seychelles - the shoes are unbelievably comfy while still being super cute. Coming home with awesome new shoes, Smashbox makeup and a hot outfit from WeSC was the icing on the cake of a great night! I can't thank those guys enough.

With fellow Seychelles model Meredith Molinari.

Check out http://www.seychellesfootwear.com/ and http://www.wesc.com/ for more.

New Pictures!

2008-05-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

Got some new pictures last week, it was such a pretty day in Santa Monica that the shoot was a lot of fun!

(Jacob James Photography)

Sarah Jessica Parker doubling

2008-04-17T00:02:00.001-07:00

It was such a cool experience working as a Photo Double for Sarah Jessica Parker - getting to spend time with Dennis Quaid & Thomas Haden Church at Smashbox was definitely up there in my favorite Hollywood moments thus far! I stood in for her at the shoot for the poster above.

Welcome to my Blog!!

2008-04-15T21:37:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by - this is my first go at blogging... I hope it will allow me to keep all my latest news up to date. First & foremost I really want to thank everyone who is so supportive as I pursue my career as an actress out here in LA!

(Already Dreaming of Hollywood!)

Having grown up in small town West Virginia, it's definitely a different world, living in California. It's true what they say, the traffic & smog are no fun - waaay more importantly though, it's also true when they say that Hollywood is a place where dreams can and do come true everyday!

Before moving here, I lived in the gorgeous Wrightsville Beach, NC (if you haven't been yet, GO! it's amazing!). Wrightsville Beach neighbors Wilmington which is another town where lots of actors find themselves in great classes, work and an overall fabulous artistic community. I was lucky enough to get myself the great agent Alisa Harris of the former ImageBlend talent agency and began booking national commercials. Not only was this a great learning experience and a whole lot of fun - after booking my first principal role, I got my SAG card!

In addition to film work, I was able to keep my acting chops working by doing local theatre, playing such roles as Corie in "Barefoot in the Park," Babe in "Crimes of the Heart," and Abigail in "The Crucible." Studying with the dedicated guidance of Mick McGovern of the American Studio of Acting and the pratical on-set knowledge of Tammy Arnold of TAPS, I look back and can really see how vital my time in NC was for me as an actor.

(Corie in "Barefoot in the Park)

(Babe in "Crimes of the Heart")

When I decided to make the move to LA, I was torn between feeling like "I'VE BEEN DREAMING OF THIS MY WHOLE LIFE...IT'S HAPPENING!!" and some secret nagging thoughts of "....I hope I can do this..."

As I type this right now, I can't help but smile - it's been a LOT of hard work and a pretty crazy journey, but I can say that since moving here I have made my living as an actress and been booking work reguarly. I signed with the great agent Jeremy Apody of the renowned Abrams Artists Agency and couldn't be happier with where this life in LA is heading!

(With the Hollywood sign)

Stay tuned....