Somethin' Every Day...

Bring it, 2012!

2012-01-04T22:53:00.001-05:00

The past year was an eventful one, in love, in art, in New York.

In love, I got married in August to this stand-up (no pun intended) guy, Sean Donnelly. We honeymooned in Hawaii and were about to give up everything to live there. "I could learn how to captain a boat." - Sean, during a sunset sail. Bad case of honeymoon brain - or Hawaii brain. Either one - it was a beautiful dream.

In art, I was thrilled to be cast in Alba, an experimental adaptation of The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico Garcia Lorca. I was cast as Martirio, a role that had been haunting me for years when I did it in a scene study class. It was by far the most emotionally raw, physical performance of my career and I am so thankful to have been alongside the wonderful actress, Kelly Zekas, who performed the same role, at the same time, on the same stage. It was quite an experience with an amazing group of women.

In NewYork, I took up a new hobby, one that I never imagined I would start to enjoy - running. Yes folks, I can say that I started running. I ran my first half marathon (which was also my first race ever) this past May. I ran the Brooklyn Half with my best friend, and matron of honor, Sarah. We finished right around 2 hours and 15 minutes. I am still shocked. Since then I've ran a 10K and just found out that I will be running the New York City Half Marathon this March. And I still want to run the Brooklyn Half again, so it looks like I'll be running for a while this coming year.

We also welcomed a new addition to the Donnelly family. Meet Rickles.

Rickles just turned 5 months old and has his own twitter hashtag #MrRickles.

What's Coming Up...

I'm really excited for 2012. I'm excited to do some original, fun film work with friends. I'm excited to get back into writing. I'm excited to run. I'm excited to have that "fresh start" feeling you get with every new year.

I don't set resolutions, but if I was to set one for this year it would be to Unafraid. Unafraid to fail, to take chances, to go balls to the wall, to speak up, to be confident.

I hope everyone has a 2012 filled with a lot of love and laughs and hugs.

3 Performances left of ALBA!

2011-11-15T13:23:00.000-05:00

It's been quite a run, and we're almost done. Only 3 performances left of ALBA. Saturday night is SOLD OUT, but there are still tix available for tonight (Tuesday 11/15) and Sunday (11/20)!!!

Tuesday @ 8pm

Sunday @ 2pm

24 Bond Street, NYC

ALBA - Opening Night Sold Out!

2011-11-02T11:36:00.000-04:00

Running through November 20th! Please come out!

The Gene Frankel Theater

24 Bond Street

Nov 5-20

Sat @8pm

Sun @ 2pm

Mon & Tues @ 8pm

$18 - For Tickets go here

Benefiting Safe Horizons

Balm in Gilead Wins Outstanding Production of a Play!

2011-09-23T15:53:00.000-04:00

This past Monday, the dream team of Balm in Gilead, attended the NYIT Awards, where we took home the award of the evening - Outstanding Production of a Play. The award was presented by John Patrick Shanley to our producer, Barb Kielhofer and director, Peter Jensen. Here are some photos of the evening. So proud I was a part of this production, from beginning to end, it has been a blessing.

Producer, Barb Kielhofer with John Patrick Shanley

My girl, and Outstanding Actress nominee, Jill Bianchini

My other fave girl, Stephanie Seward

Cast of Balm in Gilead, after party!

Lowell Byers & Stewart Villilo (& Sebastian Montoya giving us the eye)

Our award!!

Cast as Martirio in 'Alba' - Nov 5th -20th

2011-09-13T23:58:00.000-04:00

I'm proud to announce I have been cast as Martirio in Alba, an adaptation based on The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico Garcia Lorca. Rehearsals have started and I can already tell it's going to be a fun ride and a great production.

Alba runs Nov 5-20 at the Gene Frankel Theater in NYC. More details to come...

Day by Day

2011-08-29T17:22:00.000-04:00

Godspell is making its way back to the Broadway stage and I need to be reminded to take things "Day by Day" more often than not.

Mahalo Hawaii...

2011-08-16T17:06:00.000-04:00

All About August

2011-08-02T14:05:00.002-04:00

August has rolled in and there is a LOT happening (like my wedding in 3 days, wow!)

This just in! T. Schreiber's production of Balm in Gilead, where I had the honor of performing the role of Kay, has just been nominated for 7 NYIT Awards including Outstanding Overall Production & Outstanding Ensemble!! I'm so proud of everyone!

BIG Cast w/ Lanford Wilson

Will also have some exciting news on an upcoming fall show - details TBA soon!

That's all for now folks. Off to get married and then.... Hawaii!!!

What's New?

2011-06-23T12:43:00.000-04:00

Wow, June is almost over. How did that happen?? These past few months have FLOWN by. Planning a wedding is no joke! In the midst of it all, I seemed to have kept my sanity, for now.

The staged reading of Martirio for the Planet Connections Theater Festivity was a huge success. We had a packed house and received really positive feedback from the audience during the talk-back session. I'm very excited to see this production get on its feet at the end of October... more to come.

I was honored to be invited to attend a inViolet Rep company meeting a few weeks ago. For those of you who don't know about inViolet, you need to know them. They are doing some amazing work. I've been attending their productions and staged readings of new works for the past couple of years, and each time I am blown away by the talent & honesty they leave on stage. I had some of my writing read aloud by company members which totally opened up a whole new creativity bug. Right now inViolet is holding their annual fundraising drive - if you love theater and like to support new work, please visit their site www.invioletrep.com. Or attend their upcoming reading series on July 11 & 12!

And now, it's time I prepare for the big show, the most important of my life so far, my wedding day. A little over one month to go!

New News

2011-05-17T10:55:00.000-04:00

Started rehearsals for Martirio as Martirio, an adaptation by Glory Bowen of The House of Bernarda Alba by Frederico Garcia Lorca. It will be performed as a staged reading in Planet Connections Theatre Festivity on June 14 @ 2pm, with a full production scheduled for an Oct/Nov run!

Finished filming of Flip Cup, written and directed by Jim Boyett and will be in a reading one of Jim's plays, The Victim, as Grace, a conservative, successful New Yorker who reconnects with April, an old high school friend. Little does Grace know that April is about to drudge up painful memories Grace thought she had buried for good.

Excited to meet with director, Gary King, in a couple of weeks to discuss his new Web series project. I've worked with Gary on his feature films, What's Up Lovely? and How Do You Write a Joe Schermann Song?

Rewriting my Webisode, hopefully shooting the first one end of this month, beginning of June!

My Running Story

2011-05-10T14:22:00.000-04:00

I just wrote this email to a friend of mine who was asking me about how I started running, where do I find time to train, etc and realized that my ramblings may benefit those who have always kinda wanted to start running but just didn't know where to start... copy/pasted email below.

Ok girl,

My running story. I always hated running, hated it. Thought it was boring, didn't understand how people could run longer than 2 miles without going crazy, BUT, when it comes to working out, I also like challenges, and I also like setting goals for myself and accomplishing them. My thought is, if you sign up for it, paid money for it, you have to do it. If you shout it from the rooftops, tell all of your friends that you're gonna do this, you have to do it. I have to make myself accountable. So that's what I did with this.

I have always found time to go to the gym, whether it's before work, after work or even during my lunch break. So for me, finding time is not an issue. I just have to MAKE myself get up early and do it or drag myself to the gym after work. Once I'm there, I'm good. It's just getting there that's hard. But if you really want it, you can find time and adjust your schedule. If that means going to bed an hour earlier so you can get up and run an hour earlier, than so be it. But everything can become routine if you do it enough.

Surprisingly, I didn't start running to lose weight (I say surprisingly because in the past, I've always started stuff w/ the intention of losing weight), this time I did it to do something different and figure out that I could do this. About a month in, I noticed my body was changing. I have lost weight, not a ton, but my body has definitely changed.

Next thought, you need to run how you want to run. Yes, I took advice from avid runners friends on "how" to run (heel to toe), the right way to breathe (in through the nose, out through the mouth) - but when it came to pace, timing - I did it all at my own speed. I'm not running this race for time, maybe next time I do one, I'll try to beat my old time, but for now, I just want to finish. If you want to run w/ music, run w/ music - I can't run w/out it. Some runners don't because it messes up their pace - whatever - do what you want.

Attached is my training schedule for the 1/2 marathon. It is very doable and not overwhelming. (see below)

To map out my runs, I use www.mapmyrun.com. It's awesome. You go to "Map a Run", enter in your address, and then from there, you can click through the map to see how far you ran or to map out a route before you run.

XOXOXOXO

Mariel

1/2 Marathon Training Schedule

This is what theater's about.

2011-05-06T00:22:00.000-04:00

Just came back from seeing Tony nominated revival of The Normal Heart on Broadway. A play about the AIDS epidemic that started in 1981, and is still going on today.

You MUST go see this play. Not only was my whole face wet with tears by the end, but I haven't been to a play in a long while that actually made me want to DO something. Something to just stop it. THIS is the true power of theater. The way it can change your whole mindset, even if only for a brief moment.

The writer, Larry Kramer, was handing out letters to the audience after the show - letting us know that these stories, these people, were real, and wanting to be heard. And also reminding us that this fight is not over. Four of them have passed away since the original Broadway opening.

The acting on that stage had me in chills for a good majority of the time. A sparse stage allowed the actors to fully sink into every facet of their character, no room for props, scenery. Just pure, raw, in-your-face human emotion.

Yes, this is a story we have heard before, and Kramer knows it's a story that we need to hear again and again, so we don't forget that HIV/AIDS is still taking lives and that there still is no cure.

Exciting Updates!!

2011-05-02T11:39:00.000-04:00

Just cast, along with Kelly Zekas, as Martirio in Martirio, an adaption of The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico Garcia Lorca, to be performed as a stage reading June 14th as part of the Planet Connections Theater Festivity. A full production is scheduled for late fall!

Also, wrapped up shooting of Flip Cup, directed by James Boyett, in the role of Rachel, a girl who's at her wits end with flaky roommate.

Just Breathe.

2011-04-22T14:29:00.000-04:00

This week, in between episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer -Season 7, I continue to plan my wedding, train for a 1/2 marathon, work my office job, go to auditions, & memorize Shakespeare monologues - and yet, last week I was having a panic attack because I felt I was in a creative slump. Actors - we're weird creatures. And we need to remember to breathe (thanks Page Clements - if you need a vocal coach, she's the one, let me know).

Some fun stuff coming up that I'm excited about:

-Next weekend shooting the short film "Flip Cup", written & directed by Jim Boyett.
-Meeting with commercial agents next week
-Wrote the first mini-episode for my upcoming Web series, featuring my sidekick Sebastian Montoya (yay!)
-ONE month until I run the Brooklyn 1/2 marathon! My first one ever!

Spring Cleaning the old Noodle

2011-03-30T11:07:00.016-04:00

I hate running.... and I've been in training for a 1/2 marathon for the past 5 weeks. I know. Doesn't make sense. I've always wanted to for some odd reason, and I am a person who needs deadlines and accountability to finish all the projects swarming around in my head. So as I force myself to run and shout it from the rooftops (accountability), I am surprisingly enjoying myself and the process. I run to music because I cannot and will not listen to my own breathing for more than two minutes. Apparently it's better not to, because there is this thing called pace and timing, but I am not a "runner" (yet) and so I don't care about those things. I care about finishing the run and how my body feels afterwards. My brain is also getting a good workout. Here are a few of the golden nuggets my brain has come up with in the past couple of weeks:

"That stick would make a great stake to stab a vampire."

Looked just like photo above. I'm on Season 5 of Buffy, ok?!

"Oh shit, pit bull is off leash. He has a punk rock sweater on. He's running towards me. Steady... steady..."

He was actually quite sweet and licked my face off .

"I need a new project. I need to sit down and re-write my web series idea and my play I started last year. I need to take baby steps...oh, maybe I should start a running blog about how I hate running. I bet there already is one. Oh wait, I have a blog, so I guess I could write on there... God I love this Britney song. I want a dog. Biggest Loser was such a tear jerker last night. I wonder how many Girl Scout Cookies are left in the fridge?"

Brain rumblings as I ran up Frost Street in Brooklyn at 7am.

If nothing else, running is making me mentally flush out all of my ideas/thoughts/worries. I'm doing a Spring Cleaning of my brain. And it feels good. My brain feels... lighter. Now back to those Thin Mints.

What's New

2011-03-01T09:49:00.003-05:00

Some new things coming up:

-Re-signed with Dmand Talent Management, excited to see what the new year holds!

-Recently cast in the role of Hannah in Mia Zifkin's new play being workshopped, Bus to Boston. Got to use Boston accent finally!

-Headshot session with Eric Bondoc went great last week! New ones coming soon!

-New Web series is underway - in the writing stages. VERY excited. Will be a lot of fun.

Thou Shalt Veg

2011-02-15T13:24:00.011-05:00

Be Lazy.*

Last thing you think an actor would or should be saying, huh? Well I'm saying it. Get on your couch with beer, a snack, dog or cat (if you have one), favorite pillow, pop on the boob tube and live in that moment. Doesn't it feel good? Doesn't it feel.... relaxing?

Living in New York is quite the juggling act, and when you're an actor, it's a full-blown circus. In the midst of auditions, work, networking, taking class, and so on and so on, it's easy to become run down, disorganized, and even disenchanted. Sometimes you forget to just VEG. I'm sorry, but passing out on the couch to Season 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is... well, heaven. Let's be honest. In actor world, vegging = laziness. You shouldn't be on the couch, you should be working on a monologue, reading a play, going to see a play, making connections, networking, taking a class, I mean, the list of what you should be doing doesn't end (and never will).

And YES, you really have to do all of those things, those things are important, but, there is no reason why you can't take a couple hours out of a Sunday afternoon and just be L.A.Z.Y. Laziness means different things for different people. Whatever "vegging out" means to you,

you should do it, and the most important apart - don't feel guilty about it!! It's like shutting down your computer. Do it the right way, and you won't damage your hard drive. And your hard drive needs rest in order to work to its potential.

So get in zombie mode on your couch, or fall asleep reading a good book (or Us Weekly) in the middle of the day, or get into a Facebook time warp - but the trick is not to feel guilty doing it. Enjoy the laziness, soak it in, because before you know it, you'll be back in that circus tent trying to tame the lions.

*Disclaimer: This blog is meant for the artists who are busting their asses every day in order to do what they love, not for already lazy people.

A look back... and forward.

2011-01-03T14:58:00.002-05:00

Recap of the cool stuff that happened in 2010:

-Produced and acted in a show of one-acts in the Planet Connections Theater Festivity, which won multiple awards (NewGround Theater Co.)
-Co-stage managed LAByrinth Theater Company's Celebrity Charades benefit event.
-Performed the role of Kay in T. Schreiber Studio's 9 week sold-out run of Balm in Gilead, which brought in great reviews and audience members like Edward Albee, Chris Noth, Holt McCallany and none other than the famous playwright himself, Lanford Wilson. This was a truly magical experience.

Looking forward to the cool stuff coming up in 2011...

-taking class with stage/screen actor Cotter Smith
-taking part in a reading of a new play, which I'm really excited about - details to come very soon!
-Attached to a screenplay in LA - details to come in Summer of '11

Playwright Lanford Wilson Attends Balm in Gilead

2010-12-13T11:56:00.005-05:00

The one and only, Lanford Wilson, was in the audience at our Sunday matinee yesterday (see pic above). Wow. What an honor to perform his work in front of him. After the show, he sat and talked with us for a good 45 minutes about his inspiration for writing Balm in Gilead, his first play and kick-starter of the Off-Off-Broadway movement. He said we did "fantastic work" with the piece and just a "remarkable" job. Another unforgettable moment with this cast that I will remember forever and ever.

Only 3 more performances - 12/16-12/18 @ 8pm.

Extended for 3 more shows!

2010-12-11T13:44:00.006-05:00

Due to 32 sold-out performances, Balm in Gilead has been extended for 3 more nights!!

Dec 16, 17, 18 @ 8pm. Click HERE to get your tix!

BALM IN GILEAD - EXTENDS FOR 2 MORE WEEKS

2010-11-30T14:13:00.004-05:00

****NOW CLOSING ON SUNDAY 12/12/10****

"The show is a visceral experience - astonishing in every detail and desperately authentic" Karen Tortora-Lee, The Happiest Medium

I couldn't be more excited to continue working on this amazing piece of art with this AMAZING cast. If you haven't checked out the show - now is your time. Due to high-demand, we were brought back for 2 more weeks!!

Balm in Gilead

By Lanford Wilson

Directed by Peter Jensen

THURS - SAT 8PM

SUNDAYS 3PM

T. Schreiber Studio

151 wEST 26TH ST.

7TH FLOOR

NY, NY

Current Project

2010-10-29T10:45:00.006-04:00

KAY IN LANFORD WILSON'S BALM IN GILEAD @ T. SCHREIBER STUDIO

This show is HOT and has been selling out every weekend! I'm proud to be a part of the 29 person cast! Come see us before it's too late!

INDUSTRY COMPED.

"The company he's (Peter Jensen) assembled is without peer on any stage in NYC right now."

-Martin Denton, nytheatre.com

Click here for tickets or call 212.352.3101

en·sem·ble

2010-10-19T11:14:00.008-04:00

Definitions of "ensemble"(pronounced ahn-sahm-buhl.):

-a group of supporting entertainers, as actors, dancers, and singers, in a theatrical production

-all the parts of a thing taken together, so that each part is considered only in relation to the whole

-the entire costume of an individual, esp. when all the parts are in harmony

I'm proud to currently be a part of a true "ensemble"with the cast of T. Schreiber Studio's Balm in Gilead. With 29 people in the cast, you would think egos would flow rampant, conflicts would arise, you know, the usual things that happen when a big group of actors get together. But I have to say, I love each and every one of my fellow cast members. We are a true ensemble cast on and off the stage.

The Balm in Gilead script is a plethora of interlocking/overlapping lines, or as our director points out during certain scenes, "It's not interlocking, it's not overlapping... it's a combination of both." The majority of the play consists of simultaneous scenes where actors are taking their cues not off of who they are talking to, but off of a conversation across the stage. It takes trust in your fellow actors, trust in the script and director - it takes an ensemble: all parts being in harmony; each part being considered only in relation to the whole.

Our cast has truly found harmony. We trust together, listen together, love together, and most importantly, we bow together.

Balm in Gilead runs through Nov. 21st

T.Schreiber Studio

151 West 26th St., 7th Floor

NY, NY

Thurs - Sat @ 8pm

Sundays @ 3pm

Call 212.352.3101 for tickets

BALM IN GILEAD OPENS OCTOBER 14TH!

2010-10-05T15:53:00.004-04:00

Balm in Gilead, Lanford Wilson's play that catapulted the Off-Off-Broadway movement, opens October 14th!!
29 actors, one stage. It's gonna be fun - come check us out!

When: October 14-November 21st, Thurs- Sat @ 8pm, Sundays @ 3pm

Where: T. Schreiber Studio, 151 West 26th Street, 7th Floor (bet. 6th & 7th)

How: Get tickets HERE! **Industry Comped!** Contact Studio for details 212-741-0209

Something that makes Complete Sense

2010-09-30T16:05:00.005-04:00

Whether it's exercise, food, breathing properly, thinking positive - I've been tryin' to figure out this "instrument" I have to cart around every day. One of the hardest things to realize is healthy can actually be easy. We all make it seem like it's a chore, "I have to go to the gym, I have to eat a salad...", the list goes on and on. I'm finally realizing that when you put so much stress into doing the "right" thing, you end up doing the wrong thing.

If you're thinkin' along the same lines as what I'm thinkin', you have to check out Complete Sense, a brand new Health and Wellness company designed to assist and promote a connected body and mind. They are AMAZING. They design fitness programs and menus that work for you, not what worked for Britney Spears or worked for that woman with the amazing flat stomach you pass in the gym on a weekly basis (damn her!). See? Comparisons start to fly - that has to stop, but girls will be girls... anyways - I totally love these guys and you will too.

What do you get when you combine a Yoga, Core Sculpt and Strength Instructor, a Chef and a Health Counselor? You get Complete Sense. AND if you contact them and set up a session before the end of 2010, you get 15% off!! Just mention my name when you call or email completesense@gmail.com; 917-217-0758.

Got canned heat in my heels

2010-09-28T13:29:00.004-04:00

I'm constantly looking for music to workout to, especially to run to. Let's face it, it's much easier to run to Flashdance that it is listening to yourself huff and puff and eventually blow yourself over.

I thought I'd help those that are looking for a great workout mix, as I'm always on the hunt for new fast-paced tunes. This one helped me through a 5k on the treadmill last night at a steady pace of 6.5mph... with some sprints thrown into the mix. Hope it helps!

Poker Face - Lady GaGa

23 - Blonde Redhead

Stoned - Dido

Sand in My Shoes - Dido

Headlock - Imogen Heap

**Canned Heat - Jamiroquai

Have You Got It In You? - Imogen Heap

Things Come and Go - Mya & SeanPaul

**Canned Heat is my favorite

I'd love to hear what your favorite playlists are! Please send them along or feel free to post it here in the comment section! Happy Workout!

The Town

2010-09-21T11:43:00.010-04:00

I went to see The Town last night, and I have to say, Ben, it's good to see you again. Affleck really gets the heart of Boston, from the locals he casts, to the constant Boston sports references on clothing, to the pans of Fenway and the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge - it's refreshing to see a director so in love with a city that it becomes another character on the screen.

And the acting wasn't shabby either! There is a scene in the community garden, where Doug MacRay (Affleck) tells Claire, played by Rebecca Hall - who is stunning and simple in her work, the story of his mother leaving him as a child. His acting is unaffected and raw, and brought me back to that great scene in Good Will Hunting:

"Every day I come by your house and I pick you up. And we go out. We have a few drinks, a few laughs, and it's great. But you know what the best part of my day is? For about ten seconds, when I pull up to the curb and when I get to your door, 'cause I think, maybe I'll get up there and I'll knock on the door and you won't be there. No goodbye. No see you later. No nothing. You just left. I don't know much, but I know that."

As actors, we all strive to find a bit of ourselves in the characters we play, no matter how different from us they may seem, so that we can find it easier to relate, but also so that the character is believable. In Good Will Hunting and now The Town, I believe Affleck hits the nail on the head.

On to Jon Hamm as FBI agent Adam Frawley - basically this guy can do no wrong by me, but, having said that, I did find it hard to believe him at points. Now, Don Draper is a no-bullshit man and doesn't have a lot of redeemable qualities, and Hamm plays him with perfection, but seeing Hamm play a hard-ass FBI agent in Charlestown (thank God he didn't have an accent) - something just didn't click.

Anyways, I rarely write reviews on movies, 1. because I don't go enough and 2. who really cares what I think? , BUT for some reason, I felt the urge to write about this one, and so here I am... I just hope he sticks with Boston 'cause it looks good on him (very good - he's been working out).

Balm in Gilead Publicity Shots!

2010-09-14T17:21:00.003-04:00

Costume fittings have started, the set is in the midst of being built... there is one month to go before previews for Balm in Gilead begin! With a cast of 29 actors, this show is truly going to be an experience, and I am thrilled to be a part of it all.

Check out our publicity photos HERE.

Theater - Gym for the Soul

2010-08-25T11:06:00.006-04:00

I read a great Huffington Post article by Ashley Wren Collins entitled, "The Play's the Thing": Getting Butts in the Seats.

In a world of reality TV and movie remake after movie remake, it seems as though theater is on the back burner. Now, more than ever, theater is important.

"You're in it. You're in a space with other human beings... you want your
mind engaged."

Let me just get this out of the way before anyone gets confused. "Hello, my name is Mariel Matero, and I'm a reality show addict." There, that's done. And I know it seems strange, being a stage actress and all, that I get a kick out of these shows. It's pure mindless entertainment, and I adore it, BUT when I start rushing home to catch the New Jersey Housewives, I know I'm in trouble. I feel like Mike Teevee. At any rate, please know I'd rather be rushing to a show at a theater.

Bad theater is a reality show on stage. I have the same reactions. I get uncomfortable, kind of wishing it was over, but somehow still entertained because it's a literal train wreck in front of my eyes. But when you see good theater - there's nothing like it. You feel all the energy and attention in one room. Live, real people are performing in front of you - anything could happen, a fumbled line, a set disaster, electrical outage, it's endless. And the audience becomes a part of that. Audience's energy feeds actors on stage. And this is why I love theater. It's the buzz you feel, the whispers you hear while you're in the wings before it's time to go on stage, it's everything, Live & Real.

By the way, everyone ready for the New Jersey Housewives Reunion on Monday night? I mean, unless someone has tickets to a show...

Your Body is Your Instrument...NOT a Wonderland

2010-08-18T13:51:00.007-04:00

Your body is your instrument (and not a wonderland because I dislike John Mayer). You must take care of it. You must feel comfortable in your own skin. As an actor, you hear this all the time. I've always listened and tried my best to stay active, eat properly, etc. But for some reason, it never really sunk in. All of a sudden, last night, as I was running mile 2 on the treadmill, it hit me. I'm not sure why it happened when it did, why it took so long for me to figure it out... maybe it was the endorphins, maybe it was the song I was listening to (Seek Up by DMB), or maybe it was the fact that so much has happened to me in the past 6 months, that I realized, whoa, this is growing up and I need to step it up. I know, I'm in my late 20's, it sounds weird, but let me explain.

First let me just say, I always LOATHED running. I just hated it. So the fact that I had an epiphany strong enough to write a blog about while running, amazes me. I never thought I was good at it and it felt torturous to run on a treadmill with nothing to look at, or run outside where you never know what the air is going to feel like (is it too hot? too cold? raining?). Yet, even though I loathed running, I've always been a fan of taking a challenge. So when a good friend asked me to run a 1/2 marathon with her, I accepted the challenge. It was time for me to step up my game and kick running in the ass. So I started training. God, did I hate it at first. It was rough. But thankfully I had the support of my friends and co-workers, a lot of whom are avid runners. I literally made myself run. And what do you know? I got better and the best part - I started feeling better. I never have been a fan of getting on the scale, I just don't do numbers. I go by the way my clothes fit and how I feel. Anyway, I digress.

One of the best things about running is you have time to actually give your brain a rest (while the rest of your body is working) and you get to reflect on, well, just about everything. So as I ran the treadmill last night, my mind started wandering... six months ago I started a new job, which I love and which I know is a blessing because a lot of people can't say that. I know I couldn't for the past 6 years I've lived in New York. I got engaged to a funny Irishman with a beard, I am in the midst of moving into my first "real" apartment in Brooklyn (meaning I'm actually painting the freakin' thing), and I just got cast in a show with an amazing cast and director. I'm not trying to say that my life is all lollipops and roses but because of all the juggling that comes with these huge happenings in my life, I'm realizing that life is happening at a rapid pace and we have take time to enjoy the good things when they happen and take time to care for ourselves, because you never know what is gonna happen tomorrow.

I also realized the reason I was so blocked off from the "your body is an instrument" diatribe, was because as an actor, you get bombarded with so much white noise - "you're not our type", "you have to lose 20 pounds", "remember, the camera adds 10 pounds", "she's really easy on the eyes" - I was ignoring how important my body was, almost as a defense mechanism. The thing is, as an actor, your body is all you have. And I'm not saying that taking care of your body means losing 20 pounds - I mean it in whatever way makes you comfortable in your own skin, so that you are at your ultimate freest state when performing. It took me a long time to realize this - I always was stressing about how I'm going to lose weight before the big audition, why did I eat that whole ROW of Thin Mints, "well they should like me for my talent, not my looks", etc. God, I would drive myself crazy. And it wasn't fair. Last night, I realized the ambient noises had been turned off without me even realizing. It was gone. Probably not for good - I don't think I can ever get rid of it for good, unless I do an Eat, Pray, Love type thing and go to a monestary to meditate for years. But I do know how it feels to be free of it, so I'll remember that feeling and make sure to remind myself.

Ok, what a rant. Should I say something dramatic to end this? Like "Namaste" or something? Or some prolific quote that you will hold carry with you throughout the evening as you go about your routine? Should I play you Britney Spears song, "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman"?

I'll just say what Jason in Ghost Hunters says to his clients at the end of each episode...

"Come on, let's get outta here."

Just Cast as Kay in Balm in Gilead!

2010-08-10T11:07:00.003-04:00

I have just been cast as Kay in Lanford Wilson's Balm in Gilead! Opening October 14th and running through November 21st at T.Schreiber Studio, NYC, NY.

A little description of the play:

Balm in Gilead, Lanford Wilson's first full length play, captures the lives of the disenfranchised, the lost and the derelicts who hang out at an all-night diner on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Joe and Darlene, two young people who desire better lives, are at the center of the maelstrom, caught in the crosshairs of the turbulent 1960's.

Award Winners for PCTF 2010

2010-08-04T17:19:00.002-04:00

NewGround's production of 'Clandestine' won some fantastic awards at the Planet Connection Theater Fesitivity Award Ceremony on August 1st.

Lying Naked - Outstanding Overall Production of a Short Play, One-Act or Monologue

Rosebud Baker - Outstanding Actress in a One-Act Production

And yours truly won a Planet Activist Award!

Updates!

2010-07-14T12:24:00.003-04:00

I know, you haven't been hearing from me lately, but things ARE happening. (PS. Mad Men is starting up again 7/25... just wanted people to know I'm very excited about this)

On the Theater front:
-The award nominees are out for the Planet Connections Theater Festivity and I'm happy to announce that Clandestine, the night of one-acts I co-produced and acted in, was nominated for Outstanding Overall Production of an Entire Evening of One-Acts, along with other noms going out to some of our great actors and writers!!

On the Film front:
-Saturday, 7/10- I got to work on Gary King's new independent feature film musical, How Do You Write a Joe Schermann Song? Once again, it was a pleasure to work with Gary, cast and crew. Lots of laughs, lots of improv on camera - can't wait to see its transformation to the big screen!

-Saturday, 7/17- I will be playing a news anchor in Gentleman's Club, a new Web series brought to you by the guys who run the hot monthly show, Don't Touch Me There @ Karma Lounge.

On the Audition front:
-I have to write my own piece on race for a comedy show on Comedy Central. This should be interesting - maybe when I'm done, I'll post here. Maybe.
-Auditioning on 7/26 for T.Schreiber's production of Balm in Gilead, directed by Peter Jensen, who I studied with for 2 years at the studio. Pretty excited about getting in front of him in the audition room.

Coming Up...

2010-06-25T11:53:00.002-04:00

Well, Summer has arrived in New York, and though everyone is moving at a slower pace, now that 'Clandestine' has closed, it's time to book another project. I have some great auditions lined up and I'm shooting a short comedy with my good friend, Armando Merlo, in a couple of weeks. So I'll be keeping you posted... until then, enjoy the summer!

And it's a wrap

2010-06-21T10:46:00.002-04:00

I believed in UFO's and the Planet Serpo... I was also a hardcore Republican, who realizes she's a lesbian after a steamy kiss with a co-worker... Clandestine, our show in Planet Connections Theater Festivity at the Gene Frankel Theater, closed Sunday 6/20, to a full house. We had an amazingly lively audience and the feedback was great. Click here for a review!

Thanks also to our writers, Jonathan Wallace, Glory Bowen, Alex Goldberg, Nandita Shenoy and Duncan Pflaster - for their wonderful words.

Thanks to our directors Luke Harlan, Rachel Klein, Michael Schwartz & Cindy Kawasaki for their vision and for being truly fun to work with.

Thanks to Nicole Smith, our saint of a Stage Manager. Saint.

And thanks to all the actors who put in 100% and made this show come to life and be hilarious and dramatic all at the same time. And for working with the sofa bed from hell. It's all about adapting...

And the show goes on...

2010-06-08T21:53:00.003-04:00

'Clandestine' has opened at the Gene Frankel Theater on 24 Bond Street. It's been an interesting ride, hope you can check out one of our last 4 performances.

Thurs 6/10 @ 5:15pm

Mon 6/14 @ 5:45pm

Wed 6/16 @ 8:30pm

Sun 6/20 @ 2:30pm

Chaos & Art

2010-05-12T21:53:00.006-04:00

I haven't written in a good solid month, BUT in my defense, I have been extremely busy producing and acting and watching Housewives of New York, New Jersey and LOST. So, back to business.

Clandestine opens June 3rd, with a fun sneak-peek June 2nd!

Producing a show is always a beautiful nightmare. A nightmare of scheduling, conflicts of interest, different personalities and of course, the green stuff, money. It's beautiful because in the end, when everything is said and done, you have this amazing piece of art that you can proudly call your own.

"The creative process requires chaos before form emerges." -Marilyn Ferguson

So come check out our form.

Running time: 100 minutes, no intermission

Venue: The Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street

Performance dates:

Inner Voices

2010-04-14T17:16:00.005-04:00

Last week I was fortunate enough to see a great piece of theater @ 59East59 Theaters. Inner Voices is an evening of two one-act solo musicals performed by brilliant two amazingly talented actresses. First of all, Heidi Blickenstaff is my new hero. Her performance in Mosaic, not only capitivated the audience with humor and an amazing voice, but her ability to live truly through each moment on stage was compelling. Blickenstaff plays Ruth, a women vlogger who vlogs in real time about birth, love, Diet Coke and cancer. This performance was by far one of the best I have seen in a long time. I was not watching a "show" - I was watching a "slice of life". I really cared for this character.

The second one-act, Whida Peru: Resurrection Triangle featuring Judith Blazer, was a hilariously dark story about a transsexual Puerto Rican agoraphobe who is still holding on to her one true love who passed away six months ago. She speaks to him, and others from the grave, forcing to choose her life or her husband's death. Blazer must be exhausted after this piece. Not only is it a wildly physical role, but it is also wildly emotional and she does not miss a beat.

Check out a Sneak Peek!

This runs thru April 24th, so get your tix soon!

Go Green

2010-04-12T14:52:00.003-04:00

This weekend I attended a "Green" Meeting for our show, Clandestine, coming in June. Each production in the Festivity has to show sustainability in some way, shape or form. How is our show going green you may ask? Well here are a few things we are going with:

- All our scripts will be printed on recycled paper

- In lieu of programs, we will have our bios/headshots/other info, projected on a screen as people walk into the theater

- We will try to use as many recycled materials as we can for props, set pieces, etc.

For more info on how you can "go green", check out Planet Connections Blog!

Revlon Walk for Women (NYC)

2010-04-05T14:54:00.004-04:00

On May 1st I will be running a 5k in the Revlon Run/Walk for Women's Cancer with Planet Connections Theater Festivity.

By clicking HERE, you can join me in this fight by making a donation. Many of us know people who are fighting the battle against cancer. Many of us know people who have lost the fight. Every year more strides are being made and it's up to us to have that continue. Every dollar will bring us closer.

Thank you!

Clandestine

2010-03-26T11:24:00.002-04:00

So it's official! NewGround will be producing a show at the upcoming Planet Connections Theater Festivity. Check out Clandestine coming in June! It will be a night of 6 one-act plays. I will perform in two of them. Fabulous by Glory Bowen and UFO Weather by Jonathan Wallace.

This production will also be benefiting WIN (Women in Need).

Audition Etiquette

2010-03-14T23:03:00.002-04:00

Wow, I can't believe I spelled etiquette right on the first try.

Today I had an audition and left happy with how it went, but also mortified by people's behavior as I waited to go in. Let me give some tips to the people I was fortunate enough to run into today.

Dear Frazzled Women

Please don't come rushing into an audition, flustered and wet from rain, saying "I'm the sick girl that called before but I made it. Can I squeeze in?" , then proceed to give the monitor an attitude when he politely tells you the time slots are backed up but he'll try. Please, don't do that.

Dear Man Who Drove a Long Way,

Ok, so you drove to the audition and because of the weather, you were late and missed your time slot. Bummer. Next time, #1 - leave earlier, and #2 - don't ever threaten the monitor by saying you will kill him if he doesn't get you in because you came a long way to be here and then say you're joking when we all know you said aloud what you meant to say in your head.

Basically the key is to just be nice and professional. It makes it a pleasant experience for everyone involved, even your competition sitting across from you.

Upcoming Auditions

2010-03-07T16:18:00.003-05:00

It's 53 degrees in NYC and it's Oscar night! Good little Sunday I'm having, complete with laundry and taxes. I'm also prepping some monologues for two upcoming auditions, one of which is for the play Proof, which I'm excited about... and that's all she wrote for now.

Updates!

2010-02-28T12:15:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone,

It's been a crazy week. I gave notice at my job two weeks ago and start anew this Monday with a great company that values their employees and creativity. I feel like this is a great move for me, especially in regards to my creative life.

I also recently finished the class "Crafting the Truth" with Charles Goforth, a member of LAByrinth Theatre Co. We had an Invited Evening on Friday night where we invited friends to come as our audience and watch us work on the scenes and monologues we've been working on. I learned a lot about myself as an actor and met some amazing people.

Today I am going to a producer's meeting for Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. NewGround has a spot in the June festival! We have 6 performances (dates TBA). Our show is called Clandestine and is a night of 6 original one acts. I will be performing in Jonathan Wallace's UFO Weather and Glory Bowen's, Fabulous. More details to come!!

The Bachelor... and more important stuff.

2010-02-15T22:16:00.005-05:00

I am working on writing for a production meeting tomorrow with NewGround (inspiration? The Bachelor, because right now, it's a sick guilty pleasure of mine). In this meeting we are bringing original pieces to review so we can put something together to submit for the New Orleans Fringe Festival. We just got accepted into the Planet Connections Theater Festival for June! This past weekend I also had two auditions for student/independent films - both went well.

This week is full of rehearsal, LOST, class, training for my NEW JOB, getting ready to leave the old one, a reading for a friend's screenplay and a video sketch premiere with DTMT this Friday night @ Karma Lounge, NYC!!

Festivals

2010-02-07T23:09:00.003-05:00

Just to keep everyone updated on my resolution, I have been doing something every day, I just don't blog about it every day because you would be bored out of your mind. But, whether it's going to class, an audition, submitting for things, working on my monologue or scene for class... I'm still plugging away.

Met with the NewGround ladies this week. We are submitting five original one acts for a spot in Planet Connections Theater Festivity in June. This amazing theater festival is run by our very own Glory Bowen! Check it out. We are also working on writing our own piece for the New Orleans Fringe Festival in November.

Stay tuned for our "open mic night" (for actors & writers) - details coming soon!!!

LOST

2010-02-03T12:53:00.002-05:00

I was going to write last night but unfortunately had to put my life on pause so I could watch the season premiere of LOST. It's the final season... so, anyway, here I am.

Class tonight - working on a scene from All This Intimacy by Rajiv Joseph. Showcase will be Friday February 27th!

Got called in for a student film audition for Saturday.

Meeting with NewGround tomorrow night.

Oh Hello February

2010-01-31T22:41:00.004-05:00

This week is a busy one... class with Charles Goforth from LAByrinth on Monday & Wednesday, NewGround meeting on Thursday... audition on Sunday.... oh wait, Tuesday night @ 8pm... LOST season premiere... very exciting.

This weekend was quiet. Read a play, worked on my monologue... went to a packed lil' Seany Show @ Ochi's Lounge. Gonna get some more auditions this week.

Tomorrow starts the beginning of February.

NewGround

2010-01-28T21:54:00.002-05:00

Tonight I met with the girls of NewGround Theater Collective - a theater group of which I am a co-founder. We met in the LAByrinth Master Class in the Summer of '08 and recently finished a very successful reading series at the Bleecker Street Theater. We will be producing 4 original one-acts from this reading series this summer (dates TBA)!! Click here for our blog! We will also be putting on some "open mic" nights for any artist that would like to come out and share work that they have been working on. When I get details, I'll post them here.

Oh hello

2010-01-27T16:45:00.004-05:00

I decided blogging was strange to me, so I deleted my last two posts. Then I realized the whole point of this blog is to hold myself accountable, so I decided to go back to posting an update each night. The last two weren't exciting. To recap: I submitted for auditions, got called in for one, went to the gym and realized I was too invested in The Bachelor. But I have still done something every day. This blog is now linked to my web address marielmatero.com When I get a real website, this will turn back into a regular blog, but for now, it's my website/blog. Thank you.

Resolutions

2010-01-24T21:15:00.003-05:00

24 days after New Year's and I have decided on a resolution. A working actress was once asked how she got to where she was and she answered, "You have to do something every day. Doesn't matter how small. You just have to do something toward your goal every single day."

So that is what I am going to do. Every day.

So let's see how this goes...