Ask A Stage Goddess - What Is A Table Read?

A table read is when actors sit around tables and read through the script aloud. We don’t have to have our lines memorized or act full out, but energy and giving the flavor of the character is important. Our audience is typically made of the entire creative team: writers, producers, studio & network executives, many other departments and of course the director.
The reason for a table read is so that everyone can hear how the project plays and often adjustments are made afterwards. Writers will often re-write scenes to improve the flow of the script or discuss how to punch-up the dialogue in a comedy. 

Personally, I love being invited to table reads. There’s always a nice meet and greet with a yummy lunch.  Then you look around the table for the placard with your name on it which designates where you sit. There you will find your script, a highlighter, pencil, bottle of water and a notepad. It’s a good idea to get there early to go through the script and highlight your lines in case there are any changes. Before we actually start reading, the director introduces everyone and then we’re off! It usually takes no more than an hour and it’s a lot of fun.
Two of my most exciting table reads so far have been the one that led to an offer for a recurring role and the first one I attended as a series regular.  It’s a great way to connect with all of your co-creators on any film, play or television show.

P.S. - Norman Buckley directed me in an episode of Switched At Birth.

An Actor's Life - FROM DRIVE BY TO DRIVE ON

Today is my anniversary. 30 years. No, not of wedded bliss, but the anniversary of a dream come true. I've wanted to be a professional actor for as long as I can remember and on March 13, 1985, I moved from Queens, New York to Inglewood, California to pursue that dream. I had about $400. in my pocket, no job and no car. My first job application was at Universal Studios to become a tour guide. I would be sitting in the front of a tram full of tourists with a microphone in hand pointing out designated highlights of the back lot while sharing interesting stories of movie making magic. I went through the week long in-class training program and on the day of the "final" we were to give a mock tour on the tram to our fellow students and instructors. Once everyone had finished, we gathered in front of the classroom and was told that that if our name was called we would go back inside to fill out the paperwork for our new job. If our name was not called, we were to stay outside. One by one I watched my classmates cheerfully enter the building until the last words I remember were along the lines of, "Thank you very much, you can go now." I stood in front of the door devastated and oblivious to the others standing there with me. At the time I was taking the bus from Inglewood to Universal, so I slowly walked to the bus stop with tears in my eyes, got on the bus, let the tears flow and cried all the the way home.

Cut to: March 13, 2015
This morning I drove onto the Universal lot, parked in my designated parking spot outside of the sound stage where I began rehearsals for my very first job as a series regular actress on a TV pilot written by the creator of Hot In Cleveland. Every seven minutes a tram full of tourists pass by my car close enough that if the driver veered off just a little, he would scratch it. As it approaches, I can hear the tour guides on their microphones reciting the script that I learned 30 years ago. Every seven minutes I'm reminded of how far I've come, how many times I've wanted to give up and how blessed I am for each and every step that I took to arrive at this magical place in my life and career. Today I cry tears of joy not tears of disappointment.

I wanted to share all of this with you not to brag, but to inspire and to express deep gratitude. I don't take any of my successes for granted. I've worked hard, stayed dedicated and have built amazing relationships in the 30 years that I have lived and worked here in "Hollywood".  To anyone who has a dream I encourage you to never give up. And to anyone who has been following me as Stage Goddess, you already know my six favorite words:  
Be A Star Where You Are.

Ask A Stage Goddess - TIP OF THE DAY

I have been inspired by author and producer Nikki Woods to video myself doing a behind the scenes Tip of the Day.
I got so excited by the idea that I offered myself a challenge: 30 Tips in 30 Days. It's becoming a glimpse at various moments and activities in my day to day life in Hollywood.
In this tip, I mention one of my favorite charities, A Window Between Worlds.
These little spots are short and sweet. I wouldn't mind if you took  moment to SUBSCRIBE or leave a comment on my YouTube channel and while you're there why not take a tour and enjoy some of my other videos.
Thanks for watching!