Advanced Commercial Audition Acting Class

Hi everyone! I just finished another acting class with Donna Marrazzo in NYC called “Advanced Commercial Audition”. The class was very helpful, adding to the things we learned in the regular Commercial Audition class last fall.  We went more in-depth about the audition process, what things we might (and I did!) encounter during an audition. Donna gave us very simple yet practical advice on how we can not only do our best to emotionally prepare for an audition, but also what clues/direction from the casting directors to look for and to  make sure that we pay attention to those directions as that may be what makes the difference between being considered or cut immediately.  If you happen to be currently enrolled in the regular Commercial Audition class I highly recommend you taking the Advanced Commercial Audition class next.

I love meeting and getting to know all the other actors in these classes!  (I really just love people in general!!!) So far in the classes I have taken not only were there actors from the NYC metro area, there have been people who come up from Philadelphia and one man actually came down from Boston.  Currently, I’m enrolled in another session of Technique Camera Class. It has been a challenge to try to break down some “walls” that I have built up over the years and learn how to emotionally connect with the character that I am portraying.  This class is very helpful because as actors the last thing we want to do is just read the words in the script. We need to become that person. We learn how to analyze the script, and prepare both emotionally and physically to become that person.  It’s amazing to watch the other actors transform into a completely different person during class!  For more information on the classes that Donna Marrazzo Studio offers, you can visit her website at www.donnamarrazzostudio.com

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Taco seasoning, pico de gallo, fajitas & quesadillas

Everyone who knows me really well knows how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE tacos. Did I mention how much I love tacos????!!!!???? Seriously, it’s an absolute addiction. I make them at home all the time and I eat them out pretty much everywhere that serves them. Right now I’m trying to be very conscious about what I eat and only eat whole foods so I am cooking at home more. I found this easy recipe on  AllRecipes to make my own taco seasoning mix. I made it several times and it’s very good although it can be a little too spicy for some people, so if you don’t like heat, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes. The link for this recipe is: Taco Seasoning I or for ease I’m posting it here too along with a very simple recipe for pico de gallo.

Taco Seasoning I

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp crushed red tsp red pepper flakes
  • ¼ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp sea salt1 tsp black pepper

In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container.  

Pico de gallo

Pico is super easy to make! I don’t ever measure anything, It has 3 simple ingredients.

  • tomato
  • onion
  • cilantro

I just start chopping up the tomato, onion, and cilantro and mixing it together in a bowl. It’s really up to you how much of each ingredient you use depending on if you like one more or less than the other. I personally LOVE cilantro so my pico has a lot of cilantro in it! 

How I use the taco seasoning mix  

Today I just added this mixture to  1lb of browned ground bison to make taco meat. Last time I used this mixture (which is about 3 TBSP worth) plus added 2/3 cup of water to 1 lb of browned ground beef ( just like you would if you were using a packaged mix). 

Some members of my family do not like things super spicy so I have to leave out or cut down the amount of red pepper flakes.  Using the amount listed in the recipe makes it SUPER SPICY!!!

Fajitas & quesadillas

 I also used the taco seasoning mix to season some chicken to make fajita chicken and quesadillas. I cut up chicken breast into small strips, sprinkled some of the taco seasoning mix on it and cooked it on a cast iron skillet along with some white onions.  I added the fajita chicken and pico de gallo to some green leaf lettuce for a healthy dinner for myself. For my husband, I put some of the same chicken and cheddar cheese between two flour tortillas and grilled them on the cast iron skillet. 

Do YOU like tacos and tex-mex food as much as I do? If so, I think you’ll enjoy trying out these simple recipes! Comment below with any questions!

Technique Camera Class

I just finished a 6 week acting class with Donna Marrazzo Studio in NYC called “Technique Camera Class”.  We explored script and character analysis, cold reading technique, emotional preparation, truthful response, the externals of a character, and developing a relationship with the camera. I really loved this class! Donna has another session starting in January so if you want more information you can visit her website at http://www.donnamarrazzostudio.com/index.html

Commercial Audition Class

I’m currently taking a Commercial Audition class with Donna Marrazzo at Donna Marrazzo Studio in NYC. My husband and two daughters are in the class with me, and we are having a blast! You can find out more about Donna’s classes at www.donnamarrazzostudio.com

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