Out With a Bang

Well, my friends… The ones that were supposed to be there showed up, and you helped me make history last night. Seriously. Oh. My. Gosh. What!?!? Six runs of this show, and that may have been the best performance I’ve ever given. I’ll say this much, from an actor’s perspective, I’ve never felt more connected with the material than I did last night. I amazed myself – and that’s never happened before. I’m typically satisfied or dissatisfied with a performance, but I’m never ‘amazed’ by anything I do. I figure with a little practice anyone could do it. But last night was different. It really was. And the energy was electric! Whoa! Good grief! I wish I were a more talented writer and had a better command of the English language so that I could accurately convey these sentiments, but ‘whoa’ and ‘good grief’ is about the best I can come up with right now. Man, oh, man… I’m super grateful, thankful, and appreciative for all the love you guys showed me last night. You really, really made my day – cause it had been a pretty rough one right up until I took the stage (more on that later). Catherine Hooper: thank you. Peet Montzingo: you’re an angel. Rane Laymance and Jaimyon Parker: you both have hung in there with me for three gosh-darn years, and I don’t take that lightly. Vince Palmieri: you may well be my number one fan and supporter. What in the world would I do without you? A chance meeting at a theatre has grown into one of the most special friendships of my life. I owe you so much, and I love you to pieces.

So for those that weren’t there? STEPPING ON A FEW TOES went out with a bang! Yeah, we did! It was a spectacular show, an incredible audience, and we couldn’t have been hosted by a better person. Bryan Rasmussen at the Whitefire Theatre…you’re attention to detail is insane and the show was better for it. Thank you everyone for helping to put a huge smile on my face last night. Six runs in three years…I could have never done it without you. Lots of hugs and kisses to all of my fans and supporters!

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

It’s Behind Me Now

Ok. Can I just start my saying kudos to me? Kudos to me for sticking to my plan to post every Tue/Fri. If no one else wants to pat me on the back, I don’t have a problem doing it myself. I’ve gotten quite good at that over the years. So good that I don’t even mind the sore shoulders anymore. So congrats to you, Jaz! And thank you for keeping your promise to post every Tue/Fri. Job well done!

Yeah, I know. Enough of that. It was beginning to sound a bit ridiculous and overdone. So I had a conversation with a dear friend last evening and he said something very simple, yet very profound. We were discussing some challenges he’d been dealing with and he mentioned that he was still dealing with them, but his response was, “…I’m just putting it behind me.” Those six words said so much to me, but most of all it screamed the word ‘choice.’ Though he was still dealing with some pretty crappy stuff, he’d made the choice to put it behind him, move forward and not dwell. Boy, oh boy…that’s a phrase that’ll be going up on my refrigerator for sure. Not even to get all “Tony Robbins” on you, but we’ll all get thrown some curve balls probably more often than we’d like. The questions have always been: 1)What do you with the curve ball? 2)How does the curve ball affect your mental wellbeing? My comrade has shown be very clearly that making the deliberate decision to put the curve ball and all it’s nonsense behind you delivers unimaginable benefits, and I’m sold! You can’t see me, but I’m waving a firm finger to all of my “junk,” I’m putting my foot down, and I’m moving on. Done and done.

What does any of this have to do with STEPPING ON A FEW TOES, you ask? Well if you’ve seen the show, you know very well what it’s got to do with; if you haven’t…well…ummm…you gotta see the show. But I’m not in Los Angeles, Jasmynne! Ohhhh, stop complaining. We have show supporter packets available to any and all who want them. For a small donation of $20 we will happily have one sent to you asap. Mail us a check or use our Paypal account and you’ll be days away from experiencing everything this show offers. For more info on how to get your packet send Noelle an email, and she’ll get you sorted out (soft_noelle@yahoo.com).

Yes, I’m aware that I’ll be on stage Thursday. Yes, I’m overwhelmed. Yes, I’m having a hard time focusing. Don’t judge me.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

A Week Away

My Marketing Strategy

OK, we’re about a week into this 2012 thing and I’ve got mixed feelings. This blog is neither the time or place to vent and go into what’s causing my ill feelings, but just know that I’m still getting my footing over here.

I’m wanting to get some “behind the scenes” video footage on Jan 26th, and I’ve had someone offer to do the filming. Though this person is eager he hasn’t been the most reliable of folks in the past so I’m not holding my breath. I will, however, continue to ask around to see if I can get someone (or more than one) to commit to capturing some footage for me. I think it’s probably the best way to give those that are interested a real taste of “the process.”

That’s really about it. I’ll be living in the town of Promote until Jan 27th. It’s a small, quaint place filled with smiling faces, warm handshakes, and parade floats. Everyone is a salesman here, and every product is the “next best thing.” Keep your fingers crossed that I can convince them all that they will die if they’re not at the Whitefire Theatre at 8pm on January 26th…

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

Stop the Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Noelle Ryan
Phone: 323/347-8554
Email: soft_noelle@yahoo.com

Jasmynne Shaye Returns with “Stepping On a Few Toes”
Show Will Be Featured in Solo Show Festival Presented by Whitefire Theatre

LOS ANGELES, CA – January 2, 2012 – “Stepping On a Few Toes” will be featured in the Solo Show Festival presented by Whitefire Theatre. The festival will feature a wide variety of over twenty solo shows performed by actors from all over the world. Each performer is given a single night to showcase their piece, and Jasmynne Shaye’s evening to shine will be on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 8pm. The Whitefire Theatre is located at: 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Tickets are $20 if purchased online (http://www.steppingontoes.com/) and are $25 at the door.

“Stepping On a Few Toes” is a dramatic autobiographical play that has been wowing audiences since it premiered in 2009. Written and performed by Jasmynne Shaye, the piece is an honest story of survival that follows the journey of a young child desperately searching for love and acceptance. This journey leads her to many dead ends forcing her to constantly retrace her steps and in many cases begin at square one all over again. Treading with much frustration and hopelessness, she somehow manages to cut a clear path. She finds delivery from the rainy days to which she’d grown accustomed and her new path leads her to the warmth and sunshine she’d always longed for. During the show Jasmynne shares with us her struggles on the often times rocky road to self-acceptance as she finally learns the real meaning of loving herself for herself. The show is a powerhouse of entertainment and was recently nominated for Best One Person Show by the National NAACP Theatre Awards.

Authentic…vivacious…and passionate… Those are just a few of the words that have been used to describe Jasmynne Shaye. Jasmynne is a North Carolina native and graduate of NC State University, where she studied Food Science and Nutrition. She is truly a multi-talented artist who has appeared in film projects produced in North Carolina, New York City, and Los Angeles. She has also been performing on the stage since age five, and is currently a member of Write Act Repertory Theatre Company in Hollywood, CA. She has written and produced her story for the stage in this fascinating autobiographical piece, “Stepping On a Few Toes.” Among her accolades, Jasmynne has been compared to academy nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe for the way she is able to completely transform herself and shed her true nature to take the audience on a ride down a, at times, very dark and frightening road.

Currently, Jasmynne can be found playing the role of THERESA in “Wind in the Willow Tree,” a new webseries written and directed by Jaimyon Parker. The webseries had a private screening last year, and is expected to go live later this month. Jasmynne is also developing a line of fingerless gloves through her company, Sassy J Designs (http://www.sassyjdesigns.com/) and she also works professionally as a certified nutritionist at Day One Nutrition (http://www.dayonenutrition.com/), a company she started shortly after graduating from college. As you can see, Jasmynne Shaye is a force to be reckoned with, as there really isn’t much she can not do.
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PRESS RELEASE

“Stepping On a Few Toes” Accepted Into Solo Show Festival
Show Will Be Featured in Solo Show Festival Presented by Whitefire Theatre

LOS ANGELES, CA – November 29, 2011 – “Stepping On a Few Toes” has just been accepted to participate in the 2012 Solo Show Festival presented by Whitefire Theatre. The festival takes place in January and will feature a variety of one-person shows from artists all over the country. “Stepping On a Few Toes” will be showcased on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 8pm at Whitefire Theatre (13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423). Tickets are $20 and will soon be available for purchase.

“Stepping On a Few Toes” is a dramatic autobiographical play that has been wowing audiences since it premiered in 2009. Written and performed by Jasmynne Shaye, the piece is an honest story of survival that follows the journey of a young child desperately searching for love and acceptance. This journey leads her to many dead ends forcing her to constantly retrace her steps and in many cases begin at square one all over again. Treading with much frustration and hopelessness, she somehow manages to cut a clear path. She finds delivery from the rainy days to which she’d grown accustomed and her new path leads her to the warmth and sunshine she’d always longed for. During the show Jasmynne shares with us her struggles on the often times rocky road to self-acceptance as she finally learns the real meaning of loving herself for herself. The show is a powerhouse of entertainment and was recently nominated for Best One Person Show by the National NAACP Theatre Awards.

Currently Los Angeles-based, Jasmynne Shaye is a member of Write Act Repertory theatre company in Hollywood. A North Carolina native and graduate of NC State University, Shaye has been performing on stage since age five. Most recently she can be found playing the role of THERESA in Wind in the Willow Tree (www.windinthewillowtree.com), a new webseries that she not only acts in, but participates in the production of as well. Shaye is owner and founder of Sassy J Designs (www.sassyjdesigns.com), a line of fingerless gloves that are featured in the webseries. She also works professionally as a certified nutritionist at Day One Nutrition (www.dayonenutrition.com), a company she began shortly after graduating from college.

Director Jaimyon Parker, a NAACP National Theatre Award nominee for Best Local Playwright for "James and Joseph" in 2009, left Houston for Los Angeles in 2004. He's since starred in several award-winning independent films including "Sweettooth" - a Telly Award winner and pick for HBO's Latino Film Festival, "Bar Moments" and "How Shaw Parker Fell in Love." He has directed four independent films, and performed on many stages in Los Angeles, including the prestigious Stella Adler Theater.

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Whitefire’s 2012 Solo Show Festival

I know it’s been a while. Please don’t crucify me. I told you if I’m not here you can always rest assured that I’m out THERE working. And I have been. Drum roll please………. STEPPING ON A FEW TOES will be a part of Whitefire Theatre’s Solo Show Festival in January 2012!! Yes! Our performance night is Thursday: January 26th at 8pm. Write that down, ‘cause it’s gonna be awesome! Absolutely fantabulous! The Whitefire is a wonderful space, and they’ve long catered to the needs of the solo artist, so it’s an honor to be included in this upcoming festival. Of course there will be lots to do between now and then, but that’s all part of the game (as you’re learning). Tickets are $20 and will go on sale late Dec/early Jan – and they will go fast. So to my one loyal reader, get your ticket early!

In other news, the promo brochure is being worked on, and I can NOT wait until it’s done. It’s going to serve as an incredible marketing tool for the show. Oh gosh!! How did I forget!?!? The show officially has its on toll free number! Exciting right??!! Tasty Chuckle Productions can now be reached at: 866-500-6007. We are official and legit. =insert happy dance= Let’s see, what else…Well I got the word on an April trip to Hawaii, so now we need to push to get a performance for a local venue out there. Yep – I need to get on top of that asap.

So that’s it for now. I had a great Thanksgiving (not that you asked), and I’m looking forward to gettin’ my grind on from now until New Year’s Eve. Stay out of my way if you’re not about being productive, and please take no offense if I’m not quickly returning your call. No harm is meant.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.