I Cast the Obamas First Date

by Tracy Twinkie Byrd

Well, kind of… My name is Tracy Twinkie Byrd and I’m a Casting Director in Hollywood. What is a Casting Director? A Casting Direction is the person or persons who audition and hire the best actors for roles Feature Film, Television web series etc.  My work can be seen in Fruitvale Station, Sparkle, Being Mary Jane and the Upcoming Film ‘Southside with You’ starring Tika Sumpter, Parker Sawyers & Vanessa Bell Calloway.

‘Southside with You’ started with a Beautiful Script, written by Richard Tanne. Tika brought the script to me at a dinner meeting  and asked me to read it and consider casting it. I read the script and I was IN!! A Script about our current President Barack Obama on a first date with then Michelle Robinson… Oh Yes!! I said. Then the real work started. Our fabulous writer became our Director and a meeting was set. I brought some wonderful actor names to the table and we talked strategy. How to find BARACK??

I put out the Breakdown (that is a Mass email to Agents and Managers) and started to meet a lot of Actors, many of whom resembled our President in many ways. I conferred with my director Richard Tanne and Producers Bob Teitel & Glendon Palmer regarding talent and set out on my work to FIND OUR BARACK OBAMA then the rest of my fabulous cast. 

Now I’m sure you have the Tika question. How did Tika become a part of this project? Tika is the brilliantly talented actress who also produced and starred. Tika and Richard were friends and she read his wonderful script. Now, if it were up to me to cast Michelle Robinson, would I have cast Tika Sumpter... YES, YES and YES!!! I would have cast Tika Sumpter!! I have done it three times before, ‘Stomp The Yard 2’, ‘Sparkle’ and the Pilot episode of ‘Being Mary Jane’. She is AWESOME! 

Back to Barack…numerous actors came through my Casting Doors. I had audition tapes come in from the US and UK.  Actors were auditioning from everywhere. The challenge was… Are they trying to act like the President of the United States or are they being Barack or Barry as he was sometimes called. Some were doing an impression, how could they not? Our President is one of the most Brilliant Speakers in the world.

Richard, my director, and I watched tapes and held auditions. Strong Actors, but none were Barack. Then we went to the tapes. One Actor in particular, stood out to me, but Richard was not convinced. He stated, “his voice, he is doing an impression of Barack Obama and I just cant take it anymore”. I watched that tapes again and there was something…Something Special in his eyes. A Sparkle! A Feeling.

I asked my director,  please watch it again, give him a chance and this time watch it with the volume turned off. He said, No Volume? I said Yes. Watch him then give him notes if you like him. What do you know?  Richard did just that. He watched it without the Volume and Voila'! He saw what I saw! Richard gave him Great Notes and Parker sent back a tape. The Story doesn’t end there… we have to set up a Chemistry Read with Tika.

We set it up and The scenes were so Beautifully done I felt like I was watching the Film in front of my eyes. My eyes filled with Tears. Richard nodded. Glendon smiled. Bob agreed.  We found our Barack.

On to the Local Actors and Parents of Michelle Robinson. Vanessa Bell Calloway was shooting her show, Shameless, in Chicago and she would be PERFECT to play Michelle Robinson's mother, Marian

Robinson. Vanessa said YES!! Now lets work her into the schedule.  Phillip Edward Van Leer is a pillar of the Acting Community in Chicago. His tape was AWESOME. The response was YES!

Chicago is filled with Brilliant Local Actors and through the advent of the Internet and On-Tape Auditions, I found then we had callbacks in person with Richard. Phillip Edward Van Leer, Jerod Haynes, Gabrielle Lott Rogers, Tom McElroy, Stephanie Monday, Taylar Fondren, Fred Nance Jr., Preston Tate Jr., Deborah Geffner, Deanna Reed-Foster and Donald C. Harper.

I look forward to the world to watching ‘Southside with You’. I feel like it’s one of the most beautiful First Date Movies Ever.

About me 

Currently I’m embarking on my Directorial Debut for a short film entitled The Counter-1960. It’s a Story about the Student Sit Ins of the 1960’s with a Twist. Please help us tell this story. DONATE today at 
www.TheCounter1960.com

My Two Favorite Words!!

Audacity & Tenacity are my two (2) favorite words!

Had an Awesome Day, sharing one of my gifts, with others. GIVE THANKS 🙏🏾 💋

Twinkies Hollywood Monologue Slam Winner 2014 - Please Meet Makeda Declet

What is your full name? Makeda Declet

Where are you from? Brooklyn, New York

When did you fall in love with acting? I used to love watching Xena: Warrior Princess and Buffy the Vampire Slayer and wanted more than anything to be on those shows. I loved all the cool costumes and the fight scenes. I have an older brother who would always pick on me so I figured I'd become an actress, learn to fight, and then kick his ass! More than that though i fell in love with the idea of being able to play all these different characters who go on all of these different adventures. It brought a lot of hope to me as a little girl growing up in East New York, Brooklyn.

Are your Dreams and Goals different than those of your friends? If so, were they supportive? Was it challenging to be different? I think dreams and goals are unique by definition. I have my own path to follow even if it might look as though I’m moving in the same direction  as someone else from the outside. I don’t think it’s challenging to be different but there is a challenge in learning to accept and love my differences no matter what. I have a lot of close friends who are actors, writers, directors or otherwise creatives but we all try to remember that everyone’s journey to success is different. One of the best things i've done is surround myself with people who can support me as well as be supported and who challenge and love me for who I am. It’s incredibly satisfying to be able to collaborate with my peers and see each other climb the ladder. I also have two best friends from high school that I adore: one is in her last year of medical school and the other just moved to Australia. I learn a lot about hard work and adventure from them! It’s nice to have friends outside of the industry who can offer varying perspectives.

Who is supportive of your dream? How do they support you? My mom has always been extremely  supportive of me. She's done everything from drive 30 miles a day to take me to a performing arts high school to showing up at every one of my performances. I particularly love how genuinely curious she is about everything I want to do in life. Whether it be acting, hiking or learning to rock climb, my mom always has my back.

What are the steps you took to turn your dreams into action? Including study... Studying was a huge part of it for me. My early exposure to the arts came from learning about theater in school. I attended Philippa Schuyler School for the Gifted and Talented in Bushwick during middle school and “majored" in theater. It was the first time I had studied monologues and scenes and learned where Upstage Left was. I remember we did West Side Story in the 7th grade and I was really rooting for them to keep the Officer Krumpke song but of course they had to cut it out! My family moved out of New York a little before I started high school and I  attended Tri-Cities High in Atlanta, Georgia and they had an awesome magnet program that I was accepted into. I had my first experience being up on a big stage when I played Molly Cunningham in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone in the 9th grade. It was an experience I will never forget. Doing anything August Wilson is incredibly challenging but I knew that I wanted to be a serious actor so I auditioned for the role, won the role and then followed through with the work. I had my first on-stage kiss in that show! The summer before my Senior year of high school, I was accepted into the Governor’s Honors Program, which was a program that put high school kids up on a college campus and let them do a six-week intensive in their area of specialty (amazing program!). It was my first experience working with an acting company made up of people I didn’t know, learning about everything from Grotowski to downward dog and living away from home. G.H.P. inspired me so much that I started studying Mary Overlie’s Viewpoint technique which was a huge selling point to college admissions officers and I went on to earn my B.F.A. at NYU- Tisch School of the Arts where Mary was a professor. I’d heard stories of actors who had never studied acting becoming quite successful but I knew that studying was the way to go for me. 

After graduating, I found that creating my own work was not only a rewarding expressive outlet but could become building blocks for my career as well. I wrote, produced and starred in my own Web series called Just Makeda - It’s about a girl who lives in a world where alter-egos exist as manifest themselves as puppets (I built all the puppets myself by hand!). Check it out at justmakeda.com.  La La La, doing creative stuff, yeah! 

When and Why did you make the move to Los Angeles? Were you afraid? How did you push thru your fear? I moved to LA in 2012. I decided to stay in New York after graduating from Tisch and I booked a recurring guest star on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne a few months later off of a self-tape. I felt like I had a pretty good launching pad with the show on my resume and something told me that I needed to explore outside of my comfort zone. I became obsessed with moving to LA and within a month, I had given up my apartment in Flatbush, reached out to a friend in LA to sublet her place, and got on a plane with two suitcases and my mom’s favorite Ankh around my neck. A lot of my college friends were either natives of LA or migrated here over time, so I instantly felt like I had a community.  I was definitely nervous but to quote The Alchemist (because I'm reading it at the moment and getting my mind blown),  “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams.” Moving to LA when I did felt right and supported. My mom was also living in New York at the time and made it very clear that I could always come home if i needed to.

What made you enter Twinkies Hollywood Monologue Slam? I was excited to meet Twinkie because she's a great casting director and a fellow Brooklyn gal. I was also working on a Monologue at the time and really wanted to share the character I'd created. It had been a while since i’d been on stage and from what i’d read on the Slam, it seemed like a powerful and magical event. I mean, how often do you get to go on stage at the Chinese Theater in front of a room full of folks who are there to support you?

 What was your favorite Memory from the Slam? The Monologue Slam was such a cool experience!! I loved being interviewed by Twinkie’s team before-hand and hanging with the other contestants backstage. Everyone was so excited to be there and the positive vibrations were almost tangible.  I have to say that performing my second Monologue and feeling the audience being so incredibly open and receptive to me was the highlight of the evening. It was as though I had already won them over with the first monologue and they trusted me enough to sit back and enjoy my performance. The room was filled with calm, loving energy. It’s that moment where things align beautifully and you just get a series of affirmations and congratulations for doing good work. When Michael Ealy (who served on the panel of judges) said “see you on set”, I almost melted. It gave me chills!

How has life been since the Slam? An exercise in 'one day at a time'. 

Were the Prizes Helpful to your career? Yes! Yes! Yes! I was awarded Bonnie Gillespie’s book ’Self Management for Actors’ and it is a must-read! I don’t have theatrical representation at the moment and reading this book has given me so much hope and self-empowerment! The prize of exposure has also been incredibly helpful. It can be challenging to overcome anonymity within an artistic career so I am very grateful that this opportunity allowed me to showcase some of my unique  gifts. The most invaluable and unquantifiable prize, however, was gaining Twinkie as a mentor. Twinkie has been kind enough to show me some of her wisdom, grace, and patience which are qualities needed to have a long and prosperous career. She is an incredible mentor with a huge working knowledge of the business as well as of life. I’ve also had the pleasure of having Niecy Nash (who was in the audience at the Slam) take me under her wing.  Both Twinkie and Niecy are incredible role models of how to be a strong, woman of color  in this industry! This is something that I didn’t realize I was missing but that has been great  nourishment for my soul. 

Whats next for you? Well… I just flew back from Atlanta where I was shooting a recurring role on a huge TV show!!! Woohoo! I am so excited to tell you guys more about it when I get the thumbs-up to do so! 

AND in the spirit of creating my own work, I am directing a staged reading of a play I wrote called "Nothing Left to Lose” on at The Michael Woolson Studio in LA . Come check it out!

Also, follow me on Twitter and Instagram @WhosMackieMarsh

Director Millicent Shelton Answers Questions from my TwinkSTARS

Greetings All,

We are Blessed. I say this all the time and its so true "My Network is my Net worth!"

Welp, this time it has lead to questions Answered from my FB Fan Page or my TwinkSTARS!

These Questions are answered by Award Winning Director (and friend) Millicent Shelton! Thank you Millicent for your attention to this.

We appreciate you!



1. Joseph Alvarez How was it going to school at Princeton University? Princeton

was where I discovered that I wanted a life in the creative arts.  I worked Props

for the Triangle Show and toured during winter break.  I loved it.   Does the

industry treat you differently when they find out that you’re from Princeton? Not

really.  It just lets people know that I am book smart.


2. Drea Wright Thompson What are the best things parents can do to prepare

children for this industry? I think all parents should support and help

their children achieve their dreams whatever those dreams are.  Tell them that

they can achieve anything if they work hard enough.  Nothing worth having

comes easy.  Encourage your children to believe in their dreams while they are

young so that when they are 11 &13 they will start actively taking steps in the

direction of achieving those dreams.


3. Sashani Nichole What is one piece of advice you can give other talented up and

coming female directors to help them break into Hollywood or work with

someone like yourself? You will be challenged, often and without remorse, so

stay strong, stay smart, stay cool and never give up.


4. Ellen Schoeters How did it feel when you got your first directing job? Scary and

exhilarating all at once.  I am always confident on the outside but inside I had to

remind myself “I can do this!”  Do you feel that amazing energy running through

your body when you are working? Yes, even on the toughest days, I am thankful

to be blessed to be able to make a living doing something I love.


5.  Love Rose: What keeps you inspired as a director even in between projects? My

goal is to be better, hone my craft, and do more exciting projects.  I always see

room for improvement that’s what inspires me.


6. Patricia McRae As an established Television Director would you consider having

Job Shadow opportunities on set for people interested in directing?  Yes, a lot of

people have shadowed me and gone on to do great work.  When I first started, I

was given an opportunity to shadow other directors and that opened doors for

me so I pay it forward.  If so, what would be the process for applying? The

producers of a show have to give their approval before I can allow someone to

shadow me.  I only have shadows on shows that I am returning on.  Send me a

resume and get on the list.  It’s a very long list.


7. Adrienne Renee Who is your most important mentor and why do you consider

him/her to be that? My mother is my most important mentor in life.  She dared

me to follow my dreams and gave me enough confidence to believe that I could

achieve them.  Paris Barclay is my mentor in career.  He allowed me to watch

him direct for 3 years.  It was like a Master class in Television direction!  He is

always there to support me no matter how busy his life has become.  I admire

his craft, his intelligence, and his lightness of making it all seem easy when it’s

not! I also wanted to know what you think will define the evolution of female

directors over the next few years?  We have an Oscar winning female director,

Kathryn Bigelow, and plenty of other Emmy award winning female directors in

comedy and dramatic television directing.  If that’s not evolution, I’m not sure

what is.  We have to continue to work and to do good work while pushing for

better hiring numbers.


8. Dolann M. Adams What draws you to your projects? I love projects that have

rich, complex characters. Do you prefer directing comedies or dramas and why? I

love both. Having experience in both dramatic and comedic shows has made me

stronger as a director.  I can give drama a little levity when necessary and all

great comedies must have heart. Have you found and directed the project that

made your heart sing?  One of my all time favorite shows that I directed was

MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE.  Working with Andre Braugher, Scott Bakula and Ray

Romano was truly special.  I loved working with John Ridley again on AMERICAN

CRIME.  The cast was amazing and John creates such deep characters that it

creatively challenged and inspired me.  How do you work with actors on set?  I

like to see what an actor gives first.  Based on that, I give notes to bring out what

is working and create subtle changes with them to shape a scene.  I embrace the

collaboration.  Do you prefer lots of one on one rehearsal or are table reads

sufficient?  When working on episodic television, there is not a lot of time for

rehearsals.  We run through it for blocking once or twice then quickly have to

find the pulse of the scene during filming.  The performance evolves take after

take.  The Producers determine whether or not there is a table read.  I find table

reads to be very useful.


9. How have you mentored the next generation of women directors? Directors

have mentored me and I believe in paying it forward by looking for up and

coming female directors to help.  Many female directors have shadowed me but

often it’s being a sounding board and offering advice that helps the most.  What

kind of projects would you refuse to direct? I don’t direct what I can’t get

creatively behind. What kind of projects are you dying to direct? I would kill to

direct Idris Elba in LUTHER on BBC.

10. Nicole De Do you think there will ever be more black sitcoms like the 90s era?

Shows like Empire and Black-ish are doing very well.  Viola Davis just won a SAG

Award for her performance on How to Get Away with Murder.  If people keep

watching, networks will make more of these types of shows.


11. Joshua R. Lamont TV moves so fast, what do you need the most from your

actors, crew and assistants on set?  Everyone has to be on his or her “A” game

including me.  We don’t have the luxury of time. The actors have to know their

lines, the crew has to work fast, my assistant needs to be supportive, and I need

to have my homework done. What is the one thing you’ve learned from actors

while being on set?  Actors have taught me to listen and watch openly. How do

you establish your own style while keeping within the tones of the show? In TV,

I’m a guest director.  I have to keep the established language of the show yet

work my vision in it.  I embrace their style and make it my own.  I begin by

watching lots of episodes of the shows that I direct prior to working then read

the scripts leading up to my episode so I know all the back story.  After that, I

relax and daydream my script.

Director Millicent Shelton 

Thank you again Millicent and Thank you TwinkSTARS for your Awesome Questions!! 

More to come... Stay Tuned!! 

Twinkie takes New Orleans by STORM

Casting Locally in New Orleans


So Thankful!!

I'm Blessed to have the opportunity to Cast a film locally in New Orleans, this winter. WOW!! What a Wonderful Experience.  While in New Orleans running in Audubon park, I had an epiphany.. Okay well my Actor friend Lance Nichols with his beautiful wife Zardis helped me put it together. They are wonderful!

Running in Audubon Park

So we put the word out there to get the ball rolling. Lance and Zardis are Awesome!! While getting the word out I received an email regarding my workshop and a interview for WGNO News With A Twist!! Yay!! Seriously!! My Actors B.S. Workshop is hapening in New Orleans!! The Big easy!! Hollywood has come to Hollywood South!

The Interview was Awesome. Shout out to Jabari Thomas for his Audacity and Tenacity! (my two favorite words)  GREAT JOB!

After my interview, I donated my time to speak to High School students at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA). WOW I was completed taken aback by their wonderful reception and turnout!! It was Awesome!! The Students are very Bright and articulate. I loved listening to their questions and point of view.

 I figured I would start off wiht who I was and what I was doing there. Welp, they stopped me with Ms. Twinkie, we already know who you are. We did our research. Oh My.. Okay lets get into it then..

We moved on to the Q&A portion of the afternoon. My first question floored me.. Yes, I said, whats is your question. This adorable young lady asked "What have you sacrificed to be in this business and to get where you are today?" WOW!! Gulp.. I was speechless.. What have I sacrificed... well, to be honest, marriage, children, funerals, weddings, Thanksgivings, Christmases, Easter, quality family time, friends, baby showers etc. you name it and I have probably missed it, therefore sacrificed it. Its challenging and I try not to give it too much thought.  Casting is my Gift from God, so I'm sure there is someone very special in store for me. From there the questions become even more on point and insightful.


These kids are no joke but I loved it. We discussed Type Casting, Attitudes, Likability, Lack of Actors of Color, TV versus Film etc. We discussed the industry in general and then some very real specifics. Such a Great speaking engagement. Thank you to Ashley Nicole Williams for utilizing your network for me. I was so full after leaving that school, my feel didnt touch the ground.

A Day at NOCCA

Thank you NOCCA!! You were Awesome!! 

Next was a Radio Interview with Samantha Beaulieu at WBOK in Nawlins!! Thank you Samantha!! 

Last but definitely not least was my workshop!! Actors B.S. happened in New Orleans and Special Thanks goes to LaZardis Productions!! Lance and Zardis made sure to assist me in any way they could, which included putting the good word out there for my workshop!!

Guess who stopped by, Director Oz Scott!!! LEGENDARY!! I ran into Oz while at the Valet waiting for my car. I saw a Production Van and wondered "Who is here and getting into that Production Van?" None other than Oz Scott and his producer. Oz was in town Directing an Episode of NCIS New Orleans. After a Big Ol HUG!! Oz asked what I was doing there.. I shared I was Casting a Feature Film and decided to do a workshop to impart some valuable information to Actors. Oz said.. IM IN.. I said wait.. what?? He said.. I will come by if you want. I was Floored!! Totally Floored!! This is Oz Scott!! He IS "For Colored Girls who have considered suicide when the Rainbow is Enuff! I was speechless.. I said Yes Sir!! Thank you Sir.. Thank you!! 

I just cant believe he is here!! Ladies and Gentlemen, OZ SCOTT!! 

Thank you Sir! Thank you.. Lets Chat...

MY NETWORK IS MY NET WORTH!! New Orleans was so Good to me!!  Thank you James Lopez, Lance Nichols, Zardis Nichols,  Janee Tucker (Mama Gee), Robert Doqui and the City of New Orleans!!

Its all about Nawlins Beybee!! 

Our Obsession with "THE LEAD"

It's time to have the discussion. Maybe we should start with a question...

Are we obsessed with being THE LEAD??

If so, what is this about?

Please allow me to elaborate.I've been teaching a class on Actors B.S. (to be discussed later) and I'm learning so much.

During my class, I work on Type. The Typing process made some actors "feel" some type of way about how they are being typed. So we discuss it.  I learn that many actors want to be Leading Men/Ladies. When you say they are character actors or types, their faces got all scrunched up and eyes rolled around in their heads. Truly not happy about being typed as a character actor, the question is asked.. Why cant I be the "Lead"?? I see myself as a Lead and I want to do Lead work.

I wonder..what are we equating with the word or term  "Lead"?

My questions then become..How do you feel about yourself? Do you need to be the Center of Attention? What does Lead mean to you? Does being the Lead, validate you in some way?
Denzel dreams? Halle Berry wishes?
Do you have a Passion for this Industry? Do you truly have a passion for The Craft? Does the Lead make more money? If yes, are you sure?

You reveal alot about your Ego when LEAD roles are your obsession. One young lady compared herself to Paula Patton saying she is "mixed" so therefore she should be a Lead. (SERIOUSLY!!!)

For this particular Blog, I'm truly interested in Comments from the Acting community.  Can you guys answer some questions for me please? Post others as well.

Looking forward to your thoughts and Feelings!

Update: Lets be clear that it should NOT be about proving yourself as

worthy, able or talented. That should exist in your spirit already. The Craft is the Craft. work towards being the Best you can be. Lead does NOT mean Best.

WINNER OF TWINKIES HOLLYWOOD MONOLOGUE SLAM 2013 SPEAKS

HI, please state your name: Kyla Victoria Garcia 

Where are you from? Hoboken, NJ 

When did you fall in love with Acting? It started when I was very young.  One of my earliest memories is of watching The Wizard of Oz.  I would learn the lines and act them out for my family.  As I grew older, I started a love affair with books and reading.  Everywhere I went I would always have a book with me.  At nine years old, I got cast in a student production of Macbeth as Lady Macbeth.  I fell in love with the combination of reading and performing on a stage.   And I haven't stopped since. 

I was also inspired by my older sister.  She was always singing, dancing, or acting, and because I looked up to her so much, she paved the way for me in the arts. 

Who is supportive of your Dream? How do they support you?  I am very, very lucky because my whole entire family is supportive.  My Mom has always said "Do what you Love."  For as far back as I can remember, she encouraged me to follow my dreams.  My Dad is also a huge supporter along with my Aunt.  They both flew across the country to see me in my one woman show, 'The Mermaid Who Learned How to Fly,' this year which was the highlight of my summer. I come from a very creative family who did not have the blessing of support and encouragement to follow their artistic dreams, so they always encouraged my sisters and I to follow ours.

I am also surrounded by an incredible support system of friends.  Before I made the move to LA, my boyfriend and best friend threw me a surprise going away party.  All of my closest friends and family were there to see me off.  It was one of the happiest days of my life.  To have so many people I love sincerely giving me their blessing on the next chapter of my life in California, even though they knew I would be 3,000 miles away, filled my heart with even more courage for the move. 

How did you turn your dream into Action?  When I was 10 years old, I starred in my first play which was called "Destiny."  I had an angel of a teacher named Margo Singagliese, who saw me play Lady Macbeth at 9 and supported and guided me as an actress throughout my adolescence.  She directed me in "Destiny" and helped foster the confidence I needed to pursue this path.  From that moment on, I got this idea that I needed to excel in school to get a scholarship in order to go to a prestigious acting program.  Even at that age, I had an awareness that I did not come from a very wealthy family.  My parents worked very hard to give us everything we needed and then some, but I instinctually knew that I would have to create a college opportunity for myself.  I continued doing plays throughout high school (under the direction of yet another amazing mentor Alex Perez) while also taking academics very seriously.  After my senior year, I got into my dream acting program at Rutgers University on a full scholarship.  Under the stellar guidance of Barbara Marchant and Kevin Kittle, I was able to learn more than I ever had before about my craft and truly immerse myself in acting.  I decided very early what I wanted and I saw it through.  

Where have you studied? I received my BFA at Rutgers University, studied Shakespeare at Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare's Globe in London, and went to UCB for comedy and improv in both NY and LA.  

When did you make the move to Los Angeles? Why?  Everything was going well in NY.  I was working consistently; performing in Off-Broadway plays and commercials frequently, I was surrounded by everyone I loved, and had a great side gig right next to the Equity building in Times Square.  On the surface, it seemed like I should stay.  But, my intuition said I needed to move to LA. I initially had that feeling the first time I visited it in 2007.  But, it wasn't until 2011 after a chance encounter that I finally decided I needed to make the move.  On New Year's Day of 2011, one of my customers at Havana Central asked me "What do you need to do this year to make you say on New Year's Eve of 2012 that 2011 was a good year?" The first thing that came out of my mouth was "move to LA."  This angel of a man made me promise to move to LA within the year.  I promised him, saved money from making A LOT of mojitos, and made it to LA within the next six months. 

What made you enter Twinkies Monologue Slam?  When I moved to LA, I began researching casting directors who were working on films that inspired me and that I knew I was right for.  I also started following some of those casting directors on Twitter.  Twinkie was number one on my list.  One day I happened to see the announcement for the slam on her Twitter feed.  I've always loved monologues and I thought it would be a great opportunity to be seen by one of the casting directors I admired most. 

You are Puerto Rican and you entered a Monologue Slam at the (then.. Hollywood Black Film Festival) Were you Intimidated? What were you thoughts??  I was not intimidated.  From watching Twinkie's massive repertoire of films, I knew that she specialized in diverse casting.  I knew that there could be a place for me in one of them if I tried.  I didn't let the name of the festival get in my head.  She encouraged actors of all ethnicities to apply, so I figured I had nothing to lose in taking the risk and putting my work out there. 

How has your life been since the slam??  Wonderful!  I have not stopped working since last October.  And I don't plan on it!  Every since that magical night, life has been on overdrive.  I've returned to the theatre in LA and had the opportunity to work on "Se Llama Cristina" by the prolific Octavio Solis at one of my favorite LA theatres, The Theatre at Boston Court.  One of the casting directors for Marvel saw me in that performance and cast me in my very first TV role on ABC's Marvel Agents of SHIELD.  I also shot several commercials, wrote, produced, and starred in a one woman show that debuted at the Hollywood Fringe Festival this year, and returned to my musical theatre roots in the West Coast Premiere of Stile's and Drew's "The Three Little Pigs" at the Lewis Family Playhouse working alongside incredible actors and performing for young audiences. It has been an inspiring year.  Knowing that the work I am doing may inspire another little nine year old to realize her (or his) dreams early on, means everything to me.  

Were the Prizes Helpful to your career?? Very much so.  The prizes were very generous!  I was able to have a glam make up session with the lovely Melissa Hibbert and photo shoot with the amazingly talented Zsanae Davis.  I've also put my Actors Access gift certificate prizes to good use!  Bonnie Gillespie's book "Self-Management for Actors: Getting Down to (Show) Business has also been a wonderful tool.  

But, for me, the greatest prize was finding a mentor in Twinkie and the relationships I made at the slam.  It seems my career has been led from the very beginning by connecting and working with inspiring people who believe in me and became my mentors.  Now, I have the privilege of calling Twinkie one of those special people in my life.  I also am still very much in touch with the other finalists.  They were all so very talented and it is a gift to call them friends. Those priceless relationships will go on for the rest of my career and I am forever grateful.

Lunch after The Slam! 

Whats next for you?  My one woman show, "The Mermaid Who Learned How to Fly" will return for One Night Only at the Theatre Asylum on November 8th at 8PM.  (FYI Tickets can be purchased here:  https://www.theencoreawards.com/projects/1887?tab=tickets)

I plan to take this show around the country and eventually around the world.  I also plan on taking screenwriting classes and learning how to adapt the staged work I've written for film.  I have found that the greatest freedom in the arts comes from creating your own work.  Once I got a taste of it, I became hooked and want to continue shaping original stories of the type of strong female characters I love to play.  Rather than wait for someone else to give me those opportunities, I am creating them for myself. 

What is your wish for the Next winner of Twinkie Byrds Hollywood Monologue Slam?  My wish for the Next winner of the Slam is that their experience fills them with the confidence and joy they have always had since the moment they chose to pursue this dream. Sometimes along the way, we forget our own power.  The Slam reminded me of mine.  It empowered me to never let it go.  I hope that the next winner is inspired in this way and allows the experience to remind them of their wings.  Once you remember you have them, there's no telling how far you will fly.  

Love,

Kyla

INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS - Oh The Emails...

I receive tons of emails during the course of the days and weeks. I try to answer them all but it unfortunately time escapes me. In an effort to address these questions asked or the questions that Should be asked. I decide to make another entry in my Blog!! YAY!!!

My Hope and Prayer is that you are OPEN to these Tips:(disclaimer these are just Tips, Feel free to use what you need and discard what you don't)

Tip#1:  EDUCATION NEVER ENDS (for all of us)
Please Educate yourself on THIS Fabulous, Frustrating, Elusive, Challenging, Exciting Wonderful Business. This Industry is Everything You Want and Don't WANT it to be. Therefore there are a Few Things we should Discuss.

*Read Ladies and Gentlemen! There is NO WAY Around it! Do Not be opposed to READING. Learn to Enjoy RESEARCH?? DO you WANT to know?

Be THIRSTY for knowledge!

I receive emails with questions about this Business that can EASILY researched..WHY??
Question in my Head: Google Much?? Please do your research and look for the Answers.
Where should I go to Study Acting??
Do I need to Study first or Just go out for Auditions?
I'm naturally talented and I can memorize/imitate real good (real question)

STUDY THE CRAFT! Are you Studying?? IF Acting is your Passion?? YOU WILL STUDY IT!

*Get in Class. Theater Group. On camera Class, Scene Study, Character Analysis, Clowning, Improv*

Be Informed means.. READ THE TRADES!! READ THE TRADES!! READ THE TRADES!! 

Read Books on this Industry. Read Scripts. Join Theatre Groups and Foundations. BE in the world of your Business. There are a number of Organizations out there to become a Part. Find one that is right for you and Become A Member. Attend Film Festivals, Panel Discussions. Ask Good Questions an TAKE NOTES!

*Learn how the Business REALLY works, as opposed to how you think it should work*

Tip#2: DO THE WORK

Lately, I have received some interesting  Emails such as "Keep Me in Mind for Future Projects". Also some SPAM Tweets "Here is my Picture, I'm an Awesome Actor. Ready to be your next Diamond."

When emailing, Be Strategic. "Keep Me in Mind for Future Projects"??? Seriously, are you giving ME work to do? Build REAL relationships. Introduce me to Who You Are!
Share information on upcoming performances. Plays. Where can I catch you next?  Build a reel of strong work, you will be Remembered.  If you wish to Introduce yourself.. Thats Awesome. It also requires thought and intention.
I introduce and Re-Introduce myself ALL the time. I am Human just like you!

Understand that it will ALL come together in time. Sometimes when we RUSH.. we make a HUGE Mess. I've learned to Breathe before pressing the send button. (sometimes I fail) Ugghh

"Here's my Picture, I'm an Awesome Actor. Ready to be your next Diamond." If you haven't built a True Relationship with me, you might want to think about being more Strategic in your approach. When I say Strategy, I mean Do your research and make Smart Choices. For examples.. Read My Book!! (coming soon)

I understand its the Social Media Age, therefore this seems like the Best way to get Noticed,Become a Star or whatever you are Striving for.  Social Media may help you Initiate a Relationship or Continue the Evolution of an Existing Relationship. Nothing beats Building REAL Relationships!! NOTHING!! 


Tip#3: GROW WITH YOUR PEER GROUP 

This may be with your Acting Class, your Theater Group or those who are around you auditioning. You see each other all the time. You smile, wave, have coffee or even attend the same plays and workshops. You have starred in their Short Films, Student Films, Spec Commercials etc. This is Good!! It could be a Director, Producer, Writers, Acting Students, Production Students. You will Grow with your Peer Group. While listening to interviews of Actors, Directors and Producers who are successful in their craft, they all attended the same Schools. They were College or Conservatory roommates, attended acting classes or workshops together. Became Friends when times were lean. Believed in each other when No One else would. Helped each other finish projects! That peer group grew and supported each other. Beautiful Thing!

Look Around You!! This may be your Peer Group. In 3 years.. See who is still beside you. Pushing you! Supporting You!! Make a Mental Note!! This is gonna be GREAT!!

Lets SHIFT!

Speaking to Anger & Frustration

Lately I've come across some ANGER & FRUSTRATION about this Industry and this Business. As many of your know, I cast Feature Films, TV,  Biopics and short films. I also attend, Workshops to give audition technique, instruction and witness up coming talent. I truly enjoy attending workshops! They are Educational, inspirational and informative for me and all who attend. I enjoy my work as well. 

From time to time, I have come across Anger and Frustration and lately its been MAJOR!  Whoa!!

So somebody tell me what is going on?  

Firstly, I met a man in one of my workshops who was Angry from the Moment it Started.. I asked the group of 24 or so "What Do You Want?" he yelled out.. I Want My Shot!! I replied.. "You've got your shot! You are in the room with a Casting Director! This IS your shot.  His Anger and Frustration was palpable. Next up the scenes. He was First and while in the scene, his Anger/Frustration prevailed, so much so, the scene was ineffective due to the lack of emotional availability. His inability to showcase his objective and therefore, access his substitutional circumstance lead to a Loud Angry Scene that evoked NO FEELING other than those of Confusion and Fear.

Secondly, I have come across a number of VERY Angry emails with regards to Auditioning for certain roles. One young lady started off with Adoration of my work, her Love of God and how she was BORN to play this particular Role.. When I did not comply with her wishes of granting her an Audition.. She became Quite ANGRY!! Cursing and Vowing that I will not stop her in her endeavors. Whew... and Thank God. I Don't want that kind of Emotional Instability on my set. Would you like it on Yours? Someone who can flip at any moment?? Nope... Not if I can Help it! 

Good Strong Mental Health is Truly an Asset a Blessing. I work towards that Every Day! I'm open to the work that comes for me.. Even if it doesn't look like what I hoped or dreamt it would look like. I'm open to the process. 

What I want.. is Finite! What God has for me, for us, is Infinite! The Possibilities are Infinite! 

ARE YOU TRULY OPEN TO WHAT YOU SAY, YOU BELIEVE?  Even if it does NOT Look Like what YOU want it to Look Like? Hmmm??

I remember having this anger/frustration many years ago.. Its my YOU GOT SERVED story. Look out for it in my book! 

'Stomp the Yard was a Dream Job but not my ONLY job. I was Born for More.. Much More!! I'm evolving! I continue to Grow. Not because I have everything I ever wanted.. Because I Do Not! Thankfully.

Acting should be your Passion! Not just portraying One character or Role. Something you Love. Something you work towards. Something you THIRST for. Whether it be Shakespeare in the Park, School Plays, Short Films, Indies, Studio Features, Television, Conservatory, Broadway, Off Broadway.. etc. 

Look at all the Wonderful Women Angela Bassett has portrayed:
Tina Turner
Rosa Parks
Katherine Jackson
Corretta Scott King
Dr. Betty Shabazz
A First Lady of the Church
A Mother 
A Wife

Denzel Washington has portrayed:
Malcolm X
Rubin Hurricane Carter
Frank Lucas
Melvin B. Tolson
An Angel sent by God (Preachers Wife) 
Steven Biko (Cry Freedom)
A Private in the Army (Twice) 
A Lieutenant in the Navy (Twice)
A Trumpet Player

You Job is to Breathe Life and for some of you.. it may evolve into Writing, Creating & Telling Stories.

Imani Hakim was not just Born to play Gabby Douglas. She was Great in it at the time. I'm sure there is more for her.

Jamaal Woolard was not just Born to play Christopher "Biggie" Wallace. He was Great in it at the time. I'm sure there is more for him. And So on and So On.

You may be looking to this industry.. For Validation?? For FAME?  For Acknowledgement? For Love? For "I Told You So"? For Money? To Buy Your Mama a House? To Buy Yourself a House? 

If you are not getting what you want. Maybe you need to Shift your perspective. 

Wow!! What a Shot you have. To Inspire, To Learn, To Grow. It is an Evolution.. In time we all evolve. Prayerfully towards the Good! Take your time..Work towards inner happiness. Read and Learn about this Business. Enjoy the Steps because they inform the next Step. This is what I have gleaned. 

Continuing to Shift My Perspective.

Be Well.. Mentally, Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually... BE WELL!!

New to Me or New to You???

Now this is the Question or Comment that I receive and hear a ton!

Why aren't ANY New Actors in Films or on TV Shows?? Translation..When is someone gonna give me a shot?  My answer  to the Question is a Question..(sorry)... New Actors?? Hmmm New to Me or New To You??  Now, do you mean..In Lead Roles in a Film?? or Television?? Hot Film or Number 1 Hit Movie? What do you mean by New?

Questions truly is: Are you Paying Attention??  When, are you paying attention and what is it that you truly mean and want. Write me in the Comments Section.

Did you pay attention to Columbus Short on E.R.?

Did you pay attention to Sufe Bradshaw on Southland?










Did you pay attention to Aisha Hinds in Medium?

Did you pay Attention to Aldis Hodge on Judging Amy?

I'm sure their Parents and Family Members were paying attention....Crowded around the television to catch a glimpse of their loved one...In their Gift. Having Parties, eating, talking and Everything!

Where does this Question Stem From??

An Actors Career is just that.. A Career. It may start as a child or as a One Liner in a Feature Film or TV Show.

Yes, there are the Lupita Nyongos' who auditioned, worked on a Great Project then WON an Oscar. AWESOME!! But that is not Everyones Life!!

Most are Studying. Auditioning. Working on Soaps. Doing Commercials.

Nate Parker was in the TIDE Commercial. Cocoa Brown is in a Progressive Commercial. Tyrone Brown is in an Ikea Commercial. Robert Ri'chard in a Kia Commercial. Wayne Wilderson is in EVERYTHING


Does that Mean..I'm a Great Actor and I wanna be a Lead??  When is My Shot?? Ooohh, I digress.

Okay lets get to the real conversation. Somebody tell me something. There are NEW ACTORS EVERYWHERE. Check for the Cop in the Scene. The Waitress. The Teacher. The Cashier. The Brother who is the Teachers Assistant (Arjay Smith on Perception). So basically, what Im saying is... Enjoy this Journey!! Try to Work Smarter, NOT Harder. Be strategic with your career. Pray for Discernment!

Your Time is Now!! Every opportunity is an Opportunity to Learn! Grow! Its So Awesome!!

“He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying. ”

― Friedrich Nietzsche


PEACE YALL!!