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.

Staying On Track

I have begun to meditate with   10 day actor challenge.
I am very much enjoying the time I spend meditating.  The daily exercise, starts with breath control at and is very relaxing.  Next, is a guided meditation link .  Meditation has been less than 10 minutes thus far on a specific topic.  Followed by a writing exercise on the same topic as the guided meditation.  There is no pressure to come up with any answer  on the topic, but anything is welcomed that may pop as an answer or not.  A focus on locating where that emotion lies, is an added reflection.  

I have noticed that since I started the challenge, I feel better the next day.  I mediate at 11:20 p.m.. I am looking up more.  I'm noticing the sky.  The clouds. I notice their shape and beauty.  I feel better about myself.  And it requires like 20 minutes of my time. Not any time at all for someone like me.

As a result of this new discipline I have also began to draw, yesterday I did one of my first pieces of

art titled  "ANGER".  I really enjoyed putting it down on paper.  I just started and I am happy with what I have accomplished as my first master piece.  It shows the emotion of anger and how it can be healthy to express in some ways it can be destructive in others.  Yet even at its more  chaotic state its beautiful to watch.

All circles represent thought and the coils within them or around them are spinning on that thought.  As you can see these circles are everywhere.  That is anger to me.

I highly recommend The BGB Studio 10 Day Challenge. www.bramongarciabraun.com

respect our individual talents and levels. No one else will.

I find myself around some folks that are all about dropping names.  They have worked with this person and that person and they have done this play and that play.  And they have read this play and that play.  And then they turn and criticize others on their work on stage.  Without finding out what background that other person may have.  I feel that no matter what.  There has to be a mutual respect for all actors within actors.  If we don't respect our individual talents and levels.  No one else will.

I find myself guilty of doing this and  to my defense only after hearing comment after comment on my character.  I too have a boiling point.  I am upset with myself that I even fell into this trap.  I am not like anybody else I am unique.  I am different than you and you are different than me.  That is what makes us all special.  But I do have to stay away from people that are this way.  I don't want to be a part of it.  So what does this make me now, weird, hard to work with.

I have found myself waiting a long time for the cast to arrive, each one arriving one after the other.
And I of course than issimilate this behavior.  I catch myself and put myself on track.  I have to remind myself that over and over I have to be there on time.  And even if I get labeled,  I must rehearse.  People don't let me finish my lines before they are spitting them at me.  I am so frustrated.  I need to think my lines through. I am the character I need to know why I am doing what I am doing.

I have to get myself out of this mind frame.  Because I have to perform the way I know how.  The way I was taught and the way in which I learned in my experience.  I love to do this.  This is me.
I tell stories, I am a storyteller.  I am a catalyst for art.  I am your movement.  I am the story.

One thing this has done is ignite my fire.  Thank you very much for that. I know I am the best on what I do for sure now.  For sure.  

Thank you Baby Jesus.

I AM A LUCKY GIRL

I am one of the luckiest girls I know.  I can't tell you how my day is filled with joy and exciting times.
If you are just reading this blog today, Adventures in Actor Land is about my life and what I am passionate about, Acting.  My day begins with happiness and throughout my day the butterflies fill my ears with good and happy thoughts.  I am a playful and most of the time a happy person.  I am creative so I make up stories and I like to talk, communicate, express myself.  I am of course dramatic because, HELLO, I am an actress.  So drama comes along with me.  If you are up for that you are in the right place.

I like to share my experiences in hopes that whatever creative endeavor you are pursuing you will reach, and perhaps I can share an experience along the way that will help you, WIN!.  And I do encourage you to follow your dreams.  I am.

I am surrounded by beautiful people who support and encourage me.  Which means a lot to me.  Its been hard to acknowledge I am a creative being.  Finally realizing that I am creative,  is scary but rewarding.

I require lots of sleep and time to think.  I like to think a lot.  My brain races a million times a minute, or at least very very very fast.

I am in a play called Clase A Medias at the Frida Khalo Theatre in Los Angeles.  You are invited, art trancends all language barrier.

Sweet Memories - Best Mom Ever

Sweet Memories

by JC Cadena

As I write this I can't help but become overwhelmed with emotion. Today I remember, not the pain, hurt or loss, but my mother's love and the joy we shared together.  Though she may not have said the words “I love you” before she left, the universe reminded me that she loved me everyday.

I stopped acknowledging Mother's Day when I lost my mother to ovarian cancer. Mother’s Day had become a reminder of her suffering and my loss, so in protest, I declined any invitation to celebrate the day. Instead, I curled up on the couch with my favorite blanket and the company of my dogs.

One morning, a few days before Mother's Day, I had breakfast with a friend in Hollywood at a comfy, spacious 1950's style cafe that had mirrors along the wall.

Breakfast was delish, portions were large and beyond sufficient. Done. I put my sunglasses on. I sat there with my Hollywood attitude, impatient, waiting for the check, but still glancing at the dessert menu.

The restaurant made cupcakes fresh daily.  “Das Cupcake,” a German cupcake called out to me. The waiter informed us we had to wait five minutes because the cupcakes had just come out of the oven and they needed to cool down. “Fresh out of the oven, sold!” I thought.

When Das Cupcake arrived, I eagerly split the cupcake down the middle. Half for my friend and the other half with the pecan  for me. I took my first bite into the most amazing cupcake; the chocolate, the coconut frosting, the heavenly clouds of soft delicate flavor! As I finished, I bit down on the last single pecan that adorned the cupcake.  Instantly, I was reminded of my mother. This cupcake had her spirit, her heavenly complexion, her soft delicate nature and her honest and giving attitude. I was transported to a time when my family was happy and together.   My mother had taken my two sisters and me to a café similar to the one I was sitting in. We sat in a booth and shared the biggest chocolate German cake three little girls had ever seen. My mother was young and healthy and we were happy.  I had forgotten that my mother always brought home German cake and how much I loved it.   I thought I loved it because a child loves sugary sweets. But now years later, I realize that I loved this German cake because my mother took great pleasure expressing her love with food.  At that moment, I felt like the most loved person in the entire universe.

My mother cooked fresh, healthy, delicious food for me everyday. How I miss my mother and her cooking. I went home and cried, remembering all the sweet memories instead of the pain. I remembered she was the best Mom ever.

Today, I celebrate Mother's Day for all the mothers who love and nurture their children.