Pimples Galore!

The one time I get to play a cheerleader, I have to be covered in fake pimples. If any of you caught that, yes, it was me in the locker room screaming with my fellow pep-squadders at the horror of our hideous white-head-zit-covered faces on "Hard Times of RJ Berger" (MTV)

New Scene Study Class!

As Ivana Chubbuck is one of Tasha Smith's mentors, I decided it was time to go straight to the source! I joined Deryl Carrol's class at the Ivana Chubbuck Studios.

Day to Dance!

Had a great time at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy today! The intensive included a little African Dance and Hip Hop. Good stuff!

Comedy Class

I'm so excited because I've just joined Todd Rohrbacher's comedy class at the Scott Sedita Acting Studios!

Ivy Bethune Awards 2010

What a lovely night! I attended the Ivy Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Awards at the Colony Theatre in Burbank.

Excerpt from www.aftra.com:

Veteran union member actor/artist CCH Pounder (Tri-Union honoree) is being honored for her global work with Artists for a New South Africa and her support of HIV/AIDS awareness programs; writer/producer Yvette Lee Bowser (AFTRA honoree), the first African-American woman to develop her own primetime television shows, Living Single, and later Half & Half, which were produced under AFTRA contracts, among other producing and writing credits, is being recognized for the success of her shows in encouraging a generation of young adults to reach their full potential and achieve their goals; Deaf West Theatre Company (AEA honoree) was selected in recognition of its work to re-conceive outdated definitions of deaf artists; Scheduled performances include actress/dancer Zina Bethune and wheelchair artist Lindsay Berkovitz in a signature work from Bethune TheatreDanse actors; Shoshannah Stern and Matt Jaeger; America’s Got Talent semi-finalist Hannibal Means; and performer Mylo Ironbear; Kal Penn (SAG honoree) will be recognized for his groundbreaking achievements as a pioneering Indian American actor in film and television, and also for his diverse advocacy work as a documentary filmmaker focused on malaria eradication in Ethiopia, his service on an advocacy Board of the American Red Cross, and his recently wrapped post as President Barack Obama’s Associate Director of Public Engagement, where he served as liaison to the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

The Ivy Awards were named in honor of actress Ivy Bethune, a veteran member of all three unions who has devoted more than 80 years of her life to civil rights activism and equal opportunity rights. Honorees are selected by a committee of members from each of the three unions.

"I know kung fu?" No, not really...

I had a great time today at the Film Fighting LA studio run by Robert Goodwin. It's no wonder Christian Bale trained with him for "Batman Begins". After some stretching and warm-ups, we did a review of European Sword Training as well as Kali Stick fighting. Watch out Maggie Q! I'm kicking ass and taking names!

A Day at the Shooting Range

Had fun at the LAX Firing Range today! Listened to the tutorial, then geared up with my ear and eye protection. I think I saw a couple actually there on a date!

Shot with a 9mm. What a rush! Man that thing has a crazy kickback. Next time, I might try a .22 so the recoil isn't so intense. It was funny, one of the shells bounced off the wall and hit me in the head. It was hot! The shell, I mean. It streaked a hint of soot on my forehead :) That's right y'all. Claire's a badass. Deal with it.

Crappy Waitress

While I've been served by a few of them in my time, I'm actually referring to MYSELF. Disregarding the well-known stereotype of the prototypical struggling actor/singer here in LA, I am here to say without any reservation that I SUCK AS A WAITRESS. I've tried my hand at hostessing at a Jewish Deli here and a Chinese Bistro there, but the restaurant business is definitely not my game.

First of all, as much as I love getting to know new people, that doesn't mean I always want to talk them or smile at them. Second of all, I don't drink so I'm not fully versed in all the many different types of alcohol there are out there. Third, if the bartender calls me "little girl", I'm not having it. I'm just not. I guess I should be amazed that I lasted a whole four days at The Cork Bar & Grill.

The security guard wanted to believe that was because I couldn't handle being around "all dem black folks" but for those of you that know me, you know that ain't it. Black, white or blue - I don't give a shit. If you're drunk, you're drunk. For me personally, that isn't a good color on anybody. I have little to no patience and a bad temper. I'm not gonna lie. I've learned from my time working in hotels that those qualities tend to work against you if you're in hospitality or customer service :)

Launching Website!

Finally, I'm a dot-com! Thank you to Brian Giboney for helping me get this starter site off the ground. I'm very excited to start developing it for all to share in my growing portfolio and news of progress and success!

TSAW

I'm excited to have joined the Tasha Smith Actors Workshop! Tasha's enthusiasm and energy is inspiring and her fellow instructors, Zenja Dunn and Brooklyn McLinn have been amazing. I've had the good fortune of getting to know some amazing performers. Being the only non African American actor in the class has also given me more insight and perspective culturally as well as in terms of ethnic casting in the industry.

DGA Awards 2010

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Directors Guild of America awards ceremony where I was able to see the DGA's finest recognized for their work in Television and Film. I truly enjoyed the Best Feature Film Director Nominees, Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), Lee Daniels (Precious), Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds), James Cameron (Avatar) and of course the winner, Kathryn Bigelow (Hurt Locker) each being honored for their amazing work this past year. It was funny to watch the awkward exchange when the emcee confused Jeremy Renner for Matthew Morrison (Jeremy does sing by the way, for those of you who don't know). Screw Morrison and all you Gleeks out there. I'll take Renner with those crazy eyes and big nose any day. Have you seen that body? So friggin hot. *Fanning myself*