How Mrs. Claus Changed My Life - A ThreeDogProductions.com exclusive

Do you believe in miracles? Have you ever noticed that you did not know a miracle happened until a much, much later time? Well, that's what happened with Mrs. Claus and me. Yes, I am talking about THE actual Mrs. Claus from the Macy Day Parade!

After leaving my day job a few years back, I decided to pursue my other favorite love - music, specifically singing. I always thought I would have done well during the Renaissance time. So after finding an instructor, I began voice lessons. Now in my mind, all I needed to do was rest up from my previous job and I would be a great singer! Well, no. It takes a lot more work than that. My instructor was very patient. After a couple of years, she suggested I learn how to act to add a few more 'layers' to my singing. 'Sure' I said to her and to myself 'what the hell are layers?'

Knowing so little about actors and acting, I figured theatre and the big screen are where it's at. So I started reading Stella Adler's acting book and jumped right in. I learned and fretted over wording for the perfect introduction email for auditions. Scanned Art Voice, the Buffalo creative magazine, pulled up my big girl pants and whatever confidence I could muster and auditioned for a few productions. Nothing.

So I continued reading, this time Sanford Meisner, even taking an online Master Class. We'll talk more about that class at a later date. Again, pulling up my big girl pants, my palms sweating, my heart racing, thinking I may actually die of a heart attack up here as I stood in front of directors reciting my monologue or given script. Nothing. (Slight aside, I did get a role for a theatre where everyone who shows up gets a role. More on that later.)

Finally, I read an ad in Art Voice for extras for a movie. Somewhat disgusted that my journey has been essentially a crash and burn course, I again fretted over the introduction email. Trying to sell my unsuccessful self was hard. It took me about an hour to write, which including proofreading with my husband to make sure it sounded at least ok. Finally, after waiting another 20 minutes or so, and looking nervously at my husband, I hit 'send.'

Literally, 5 minutes later I received a response email for which I thought was just a programmed 'thank you for submitting' email. So I opened it up and to my surprise, it asked 'Are you available?'

My husband was as shocked as I was. I'm in! Thus started my friendship with Gail Golden who wrote, directed, and acted in the movie 'Give and Take.' She owns a casting business called Dramatic Solutions and we have continued to work together specifically as simulated patients. I've come to realize that there is so much more to acting than just theatre and the big screen and have done quite well over the years as a simulated patient working for the local dental and medical school along with D'Youville.

What about Mrs. Claus you ask? Well, it turns out that Mrs. Claus of the Macy Day Parade for about the past 8 years or so is none other than Gail Golden. So Mrs. Claus really opened up my acting career - the miracle! Unfortunately, due to COVID, she is unable to perform at Mrs. Claus in NYC this year but hopefully, she will be back!

My acting resume. Look at all that empty white space! LOL. I don't even think I had a head shot back then!

Next week is our week off. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Stay healthy and stay safe. See you in December.

Season Finale!

Well, it's here, our season finale. No worries! Although Bedtime Stories is going on the shelf for a short time, we have a number of other videos and blogs coming including some exclusives which will only be seen here!

Thank you all for joining me on this journey! So grab your blanket, grab your pillow, maybe even a glass of wine, and enjoy our season finale.

Ok, ok I'll admit it.....

I'll admit it,

today was such a beautiful day, sunny and just about 70 in November, I spent most of it outdoors! Thus I'm a wee bit late on posting this weeks Bedtime Story! Next week will be our season finale. So sit back and relax for this week's story.