My Christmas Traditions

                                     Christmas Memories for Every Year

As I look around this morning, I realize how many things I try to do each year at the holiday time.  Even though I don’t get to see my family this year I am blessed with my friends here in Los Angeles and my Iowa roots and my mother in me comes out at this time of year.

Of course, I start baking like my Mom and Grandmother would do.  I have, over the years, created my own baking traditions that my friends tell me that look forward to and frankly I b...Read more

Can you outlast a shrimp?

So I saw these scientists who did this study with shrimps on a treadmill,  you read it right, SHRIMP ON A TREADMILL.   Now what is impressive is the shrimps go for hours,  like 4 to 6 hours.  I want shrimp vitamins!   

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KskaUMuARR8

Movies and Theater in Los Angeles

            Movies and Theater in LA and Beyond

I saw Clint Eastwood’s film, the Changeling, and was touched by the performances of the actors and story.   Angelina Jolie, once again, takes on a difficult role.  And once again she handles it with strength and a truth to the character that I truly respect.   Seeing this film reminds me again how such a short time ago, women were dismissed, their words and their worth.

A couple weeks ago, I first went to see a dear friend and wonderful actress, Ann Ryerson, i...Read more

Texas Music Festival this weekend

Hey Friends, One of our AnD people is performing in Austin Texas.

Tara Sitser sings with John Zipperer and Friends at The World United Music Festival.  Here's the information.  You will love the experience!!!

JZ & Friends travel to San Marcos Texas

to appear at the World United '08 Music  Festival

JZ & Friends will be debuting a set of original tunes on Saturday, Nov. 15th at 3:00 PM on Stage 7 at this Music & Radio industry conference co-produced by the

Roots Music...Read more

Actors are People Too.

I have coached actors professionally for over 20 years. I am shocked still after all these years how people treated actors. Yes of course there are difficult actors but there are also difficult waiters, businessmen, clerks, politicians, CEOS (lots of them) and yet actors are put up to ridicule. I realize they have chosen to attempt this difficult career but there is no reason to treat them with such disrespect.

Actors are people too. They have their own fears, their own opinions and their own limitations JUST LIKE YOU. S...Read more

THE PERFECT CRIME!

You must see this short short mystery!!!! 

THE PERFECT CRIME!!!  OH YEAH!!!! Video: http://www.esharethis.com/admin/data/uploads//2630/Theperfectcrime.wmv

MUSIC IS BIGGER THAN BOUNDARIES

Video: http://www.myamericanprayer.com/video.html

Dear Friends,  I usually don't blog about politics and really I hope you will allow me some leeway today. 

I live in a country that offers their citizens the opportunity to voice their opinions and vote on their leaders.  For so many years I have been disappointed how few people have chosen to act on that right.

This year I am so happy that people are making a huge effort to ...Read more

Singapore go see Bill Jones

Hey Singapore,  go see Bill Jones sing with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in Singapore on October 27th and at Gentling Highlands on October 31st.  

Bill just joined Alivenotdead when I shared with him some of your fantastic blogs about our Acting Weekend Workshops.

I have know Bill for years.  He has a fabulous singing voice and if you love Big Band sound you cannot miss the Glenn Miller Orchestra.  And if you have never heard a big band live you must experience it.  I so envy Bill that he gets to sing with them but ...Read more

THANK YOU HONG KONG, ALIVE NOT DEAD & JASON TOBIN

THANK YOU HONG KONG, ALIVE NOT DEAD, & JASON TOBIN

Thank you so much all of you for a great time in your great city.

Thank you to all the students who came together for our weekend workshops and Monday night workshop.

Thank you for being so open and willing to try whatever I threw at you!

Thank you Alive Not Dead - all of you guys and gals who shared us with your world and supported us in every way while I was there.

Thank you Jason Tobin for your fabulous work ...Read more

Hong Kong Actors Really Amazed Me

I had the pleasure this weekend of working with some amazing Hong Kong actors.

 I was so impressed with their abilities, working in both English and Cantonese, and always bringing their  "A game" to the work.  It was truly a joy to come together with successful working actors who still are so open to learning more about their craft.  It once again shows that art and the craft of acting is universal.  It transcends boundaries like oceans and languages. 

I only wish I could have continued on and on ...Read more