When the going gets tough, the tough get going

When the going gets tough, the tough get going
I had been feeling so overwhelmed recently.  I just finished my play, where I played the lead in Clase A Medias.  I finished an infomercial.  I also shot a couple of shorts.  I've been feeling anxious.  And honestly,  I've had a few anxiety attacks.  Also I just finished a stage reading. All of these require heavy emotional commitment.
I am open to that.

After speaking with a close friend, he and I both suggested I needed to take a break.  My emotions were completely out of whack.  Friends don't understand sometimes what it means to be an actor.  Its a blessing.  And its emotional!

I really thought that was the answer - to take a break.  Not to submit to castings ... no classes ... and ...  I was actually going to this.  Then suddenly I thought, what am I doing?  This has happened to me before. And what do I do, I almost give up.  I am giving it up, by slowly taking a break, when things get a little bit tough.

You say, "oh come on JC. Its just a little break".  Well that is how it starts.  Its a little break that could  become a routine and then years could by when I don't follow through with my passion.  I don't want this to happen to me again.  So experience has taught me that this is not the time to take a break!

Just when I made that decision wouldn't you know a friend of mine called and gave me the lead on his short film.  I had worked with him in the past.  And then I got two paying gigs.  So my decision was the right one.

Of course I can always take a break but when I plan to and not when things get tough.  Remember, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Happy Father's Day

I have a great relationship with my Father, now as an adult.  We talk every week, he lives in Virginia and I live in California.  He has been very supportive of my acting career choice.

He has endured my endless questions about why things happened in the past.  I am happy to have such a great relationship with him.

I know I'm a real diva sometimes, but he has endured all my breakdowns.

Happy Father's Day, Dad and Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there.

Love Ya.

Acting is about Discoveries

Acting is about discoveries.  I had the opportunity to apply for the Sherwood Award in which I answered a few questions about me.  I felt so passionate about it, I feel I also wanted to share it with you my readers.  You need to know this about me.  I made a few discoveries writing about myself which I loved to find.  Here they are.

When I was a child I was influenced by Mexican cinema. In Virginia I was influenced by American television.  In California my influence came from Mexican playwrights. My first opportunity on stage was from a local director named Gonzalo Garcia in a comedic role in a two-act play titled “Guele a Gas” (Smells like Gas). I went on to work with this director in 5 different plays all from Mexican playwrights.  And recently I returned to work with him in “Clase a Medias”, by Jorge Galvan where I play the lead, Gudelia. Though I am not Mexican these projects provided me with an opportunity to soak up all this culture I was missing and yes be influenced by its playwrights.

JC Cadena  - As Gudelia in Clase A Media

However, I felt I was still missing the history of theatre, a technique.  In 2012 I attended American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles.  For two years I focused on my craft.  I learned about the Theatre of Ancient Greece, Egyptians, Moliere and Shakespeare. I fell in love with the art.

I found my voice, in a peculiar place, between classical playwrights such as Shakespeare and contemporary types, like Mexican playwright Jorge Galvan. 

This is what makes me unique, makes me different.  No one else can express and emote the way I can.  No one else can guide you through an experience in theatre like I can.  I am a catalyst, a vessel, through me the truth is told, I give myself freely to pass culture down to a new generation.  That is my agenda to teach culture through theatre.  To cry the tears of those who could not shed one drop of emotion.  To give myself freely to expose the truth, to let the waves of emotion guide you, safely back to shore.    

*Goodbye "Gudelia"  you were critiqued by many, no one understood you, but you touched their heart.  You were great.  

What's Next

Everyone is asking me what's next after the play, Clase A Medias is over.
The play will be over on Sunday June 14th, 2015.

I am sad the play will be over.  It has been challenging.
It has been insightful.  It has been rewarding.  I'm sad, but I'm ready to move on.

What's next, here is a list of of what's next for those of you are inquiring.


-Deadline for Sherwood Award Application

-Shoot Bus Stop
-Rehearsal for Stage Reading
-Early birthday celebration

June 18th Birthday Celebration

- Stage Reading  & Audition

- Audition

-Performance Stage Reading
-Shoot True Love

I will be spending my birthday in the happiest place on earth.  Yes. I can't wait.

I'm so exhausted.  I need one day for relaxing and having fun.  Just fun.  not fun with acting.
But I just need one day.  After that I will replenish enough to go at it again.

Push harder, push forward, strive, persevere, fight, ACT.

p.s.  you are all invited Tuesday June 23rd 7 p.m.  If the Shu fists  - stage reading.

Taking Criticism Like a Champ

JC Cadena as Gudelia at the Frida Kahlo Theater

Taking Criticism Like a Champ

It is difficult to take criticism like a champ sometimes.  Its difficult to hear it.  Colleagues pointing out my mistakes. When in honesty, their cues to me were incorrect.  Trust me I can start pointing out people's mistakes.  But that is not what its all about. I know the mistakes I've made.  I know them.  I heard them and I more than anyone else is extremely, painfully beating myself up for it.

Time and time again I hear these comments, even at the rehearsal process. Rehearsal is had for the discovery of the character.  At least that is my tactic, that is how I work.

Its very disappointing for hear a fellow actor time and time again walk straight pass me and talk about my performance.  Really, you are talking about my performance and what I did wrong.  I'm very happy you are looking at my performance.  But shouldn't you really look at your own personal performance.  Trust me I'm looking at mine.

JC Cadena as Gudelia 

After every play, I go home and I dissect what went wrong and how I can fix it.   I have to tell you mistakes are sometimes fun.  But of course my goal is to have the most amazing performance, mistakes and all ( if any).

The personal toll that this criticism takes on me, hits my heart.  Like an arrow, straight through it.   Its hard not to think that there is something wrong with me.  Its sad that this is the way I must work with some actors.

Its not fun being the odd man out.  Then all the other actors start bonding over "expectations." Its so difficult to not be part of this complaining group.  I have to distance  myself from this and in turn I have to distance myself from people.  I have to 1) focus on my performance 2) i'm the lead, so i have to keep the rhythm of the play 3) keep moving, get up move and the lines easily flow.

But I have to learn to take criticism and take it for what it is.  I can grow from it.  It fuels me, it makes me work harder.  It makes me see people for who they really are.  It makes me a better person, a better actor and a better friend.