Broadway, a dream come true!!

Have you ever whispered something to yourself and then started to dream about it…..and then it happens? That is how I felt last week when my whisper became reality!!

Two years ago, I was afforded the opportunity to work on the taping of The Rickey Smiley Show in Atlanta. While taping I became friends with Ms. Roz Ryan (known for her role as Amelia, one of the sisters on the 80s TV show Amen!). Ms. Ryan was and is a wealth of industry knowledge and shared stories of Broadway performances and almost instantly I said, ” I want to work there”!

Shortly, after my move to NYC, I reconnected with Ms. Ryan who set up a meeting with the Head of Hair Styling for the Broadway musical Chicago (which happens to be the longest running show on Broadway and Ms. Ryan received an award this past October for the longest running actress to play the role of Mama Morton!). After meeting the Head, I was offered a swing position in the department and my dream became reality.

My first show was Friday, December 19, 2013 for the evening show. I was nervous and anxious at the same time. It was my job to style for the some of the leading roles including Mama Morton and Mary Sunshine, so I was to make very sure that their lace fronts were just as fabulous as their performances.

I arrive backstage and begin laying all of the tools needed to style and secure the wigs, pieces and lace fronts. I check the listing sheet and strategically plan for the evening. From dressing rooms upstairs to actual applications in my styling area, I had a plan that was going to make my evening run smoothly and impressively.

The curtains rise and as I watch the TV monitors in back, I am so proud of my work on stage and even more proud to be the first Black Hair Stylist* to hold this position!

What an amazing experience with many more to take place. So I say to all that have a dream, vision or aspiration…keep moving forward with that in mind. You can achieve it, you can make it happen. Believe in yourself, know your craft, keep a good character and know that your turn will come.

*Disclaimer: other actresses have brought in their own stylist but not another has been employed by the show to style all wigs)

First 60 Days!

So I made it through my first 60 days as a NYC resident. WHOO HOO!!!

This time has been amazing to say the least. From the much needed vacation till my first celebrity photo shoot. WOW is all I can say!

Lets start with the beginning. I arrived here in Harlem with anticipation of just mad craze, but I experienced kind and resourceful neighbors who were eager to guide me. I purchased a Metro Card with unlimited weekly rides and off into the concrete jungle I went. It was quite easy to maneuver through especially with the aid of Google Maps…lol. I have experienced just about every area of interest that there is with the exception of going over to the Statue of Liberty and going to her head!!

Im here for roughly 48hrs and I receive a call from celebrity photographer James Anthony about an upcoming shoot that he is doing for Upscale Magazine to feature the rapper EVE. Talk about honored and excited…yeah buddy!! So we arrive and get set up and in walks EVE. She is gorgeous, fun and engaging. Very easy to work with and extremely down to earth and pleasant.

Before the move, I had already confirmed that I would be working with celebrity hair stylist Brian C. Hawkins on the upcoming Full Figured Fashion Week here in NY. What an amazing event that turned out to be. I might some of the industry best models and show producers. It was an honor working on this time of skilled and professional stylist.

One day while walking around Time Square, I get an email from celebrity hair stylist Mann Nance-Morgan to come assist on a shoot with singer Cara Quici. This was an awesome experience to work with heavy hitters such as celebrity MUA Victor Amos and celebrity wardrobe stylist Shannon (known for her styling of Alicia Keys). I learned a thousand tricks of the trade and was honored to be assisting such a highly skilled team.

So I am now down to my last 5 days of vacation before I return to the salon setting as the new team member of The O…Experience NYC Salon, located in Brooklyn in the Crown Heights area. This is going to be life changing!!!! I will keep you guys posted on the progress of it all.

Love you all, mean it!!!