Goodbye 2010

So we are almost out of here 2010. You have taken me on a rollor coaster this year.  From almost loosing my mother in Jan to becoming her care giver this whole year. It is crazy to watch someone who has been sooo independant and full of energy slow all the way down to the point where I had to cut up meat on her plate at times.  It has been the biggest acting challenge of my career, acting like im ok day in and day out. Acting like I dont just want to scream or punch a wall when I see my mom so sick all the time but trying to keep her spirits up by disguing my fear and sorrow for her.  We have come a long way to look on the bright side. I did not loose her she is and always will be a fighter.  She always shocks the doctors thats her style lol. She can be having a normal conversation with you with a 290/90 blood pressure.  Some of my friends say im so strong, i dont feel that way some days I feel like all of my sunshine spirit all of my bubbly personality has been sucked dry, sometimes I dont want to smile or engage. Other days I feel like I am the luckiest person in the world to still be pursuing my dreams.  It will only get better 2011. Im coming for you full steam ahead.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6mLd11yxCc&sns=em

The Plight of the Starving Artist

     Just had a wonderful conversation with one of my close friends today who is also an actress.  We were talking about our financial struggles and how actors rarely ever share the hardships of the business.  You just know folks are going on auditions booking small projects here bigger projects there but the inbetween time the in the meantime is where it can get challenging.  The crazy thing about this business is that you can make $100,000.00 one year and $9,000.00 the next.  Even though there are millions of starving artist out there this is not really a business where being close to broke will help you move at a faster pace up the latter to your career goals.  Headshots cost, Workshops and Classes cost, Gas to and from auditions cost, keeping your beauty up (which is part of the job) cost and the list goes on and on.  So many of my artist friends have the challenge of finding "regular" jobs that will pay enough to keep food in their mouths but are not so time consuming that they have to put acting on the back seat.  Agents dont want to hear I cant get to that great audition because my boss and my regular job says I cant leave today.  Although there are many making a solid living soely from acting the rest of the bunch are struggling personally while making positive upward strides in their artisitic careers. I know some actors who have put acting on the back burner just so they can catch up financially to breathe and i know some actors who struggle and are determined not to let anything take priority over their dream and are damn near homeless.  Where is the middle ground for the starving artist?  Sleeping on friends couaches, sleeping in cars, moving from apartment to apartment because of late rent payments, filing for unemployment or even food stamps forget its hard out here for a pimp its hard out here for a starving artist. I know an actor who booked a film, but you know it takes a while for those checks to roll in , had to cancel one of the shoot days because she didnt have gas money nor money to take the bus. 
     So we ended the conversation wishing that more actors would share with each other and be honest about their situations.  You would be suprised at how many people are going through exactly what you are going through or have been there at some point.  Closed mouths dont get fed is a fav quote of mine.  Actors please lets stop thinking of each other as competition and start thinking of ourselves as a community.  More collaborations, more support groups, more mentors- less haters, less selfishness, less judgement. God is LOVE. So lets LOVE.

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I want to share 'Conversations with...Jimetta Rose' with you

Hi!

I thought you would enjoy this video: http://vimeo.com/7527154

Come out and see me in "A HAUNTING SECERET" August 7th 2010 at El Camino College Theater

You can buy tickets at http://www.jnjproduction.info/  One night only Performance August 7, 2010 4pm at El Camino College Theater

niketacommericalreel

Niketa REEL

Going on as kiswaana brown in Women of Brewster Place the musical at Celebration Theater in Los Angeles CA

My First Time Being A Swing in a Musical

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Wow what an experience. Covering four roles in the Los Angeles premiere of Women of Brewster Place the musical was quite a challenge. Learning four different character arcs, with their own solo songs different harmony parts, different choreography and being ready at a drop of a hat to go on. I went on as Tee twice and Kiswana Brown twice, two completely different women and I enjoyed every minute of it. My first time on I had 10 days to prepare for the part but with the help of the choreographer and assistant director I pulled it off and surprised myself. When faced with a challenge the important thing I learned is to breathe and realize that this is what i do and I can do it. As soon as I hit the stage it all flowed through me and I felt like I was on fire. The Cast of Ladies were wonderful and helped along the way. So many talented ladies in one space and not one diva attitude in the building. It was a big family and I hope to work with all the ladies again. I love the stage!

The West Coast Premiered of Women OF Brewster Place played at Celebration Theater on Santa Monica Blvd.

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Niketa Calame performing Monologue

Women in Hats (Watch and Vote)

Help our film get win a screening at the DGA (Directors Guild of America)

watch "Women in Hats" When you get to website: http://film.chapman.edu/Cecils/Login/asp please do a quick registration and then Log in to the site. Next click on
view and rate films. Look for Women in Hats Thesis and enjoy, then VOTE!!! Pass along to your friends and family to do the same.

Wrapping shoot today on the scifi film "Reawakenings" in the role of Nurse Aubrey. Screening late April 2010