i am SUPPOSED to be writing a press release for Time Out New York at the moment, but since inspiration has yet to strike and an incident from last night has been burning my ass all day, i figured i'd take the time out to write to you instead.
in the past i know i have made reference to the issue i'm about to bring up. in fact, i wrote a list of "Performer Dos and Don'ts" at some point last year (which, OF COURSE, i can't seem to find anywhere now) covering everything from showing up on time to having your act together to acceptable behavior. apparently not enough people got the message.
it always blows my mind when a performer (burlesque, gogo, acting, etc) decides to treat other performers in a less than pleasant manner, on stage and off. in the years i've been "on the scene" i've encountered this numerous times, and each time it happens i shake my head, laugh to myself over how ridiculous it is, and then move on with my life.
what i'm getting at is you never know when something will bite you in the ass. the performance community is VERY small, even here in NYC (and i'm talking acting, storytelling, comedy, burlesque, dance, etc - each of these scenes overlap and believe me when i tell you i know/have dabbled/have friends in each!) and people talk. that gogo girl you decided to trash talk that one Friday night on the town? she may know the producer of the storytelling show you're dying to get into, and believe me, there is such a thing as bad press! no on wants to hire or work with someone who is known to be a diva bitch. in my own show i will not book someone who's a known troublemaker. i don't need the drama. on top of which in any industry NETWORKING is huge - burlesque and gogo are no different.
this doesn't mean you need to (nor should you) kiss everyone's ass and pretend to be their friend. people can smell phony friendliness just as easily as they can cattiness. professionalism (even in a club/bar!) can go a long way and believe it or not, may one day be what makes or breaks you getting booked for that gig!
remember, you don't have to LIKE who you're working with, but you should at least respect them (and yourself) enough to conduct your behavior like an adult!
enough said!
i stumbled across some images of a painting by artist Charles Malinsky that i modeled for last year. the series of paintings is called "The Black Coat Project", and i'm so very lucky to have worked with someone as talented and charming as Mr. Malinsky.
detail
and a short video explaining the series:
enjoy.
