Hard to believe, but we've wrapped filming for I Married Black, my film project this summer. It's been a really fun ride working with this dedicated and talented cast and crew, helmed by the unmatchable Elliot "El" Porter. The script is super fun and I had a blast jumping into the role of "Jill" they well-meaning leader of the IMB support group. Our leads totally crushed their scenes as well, and we were all pleasantly surprised on the final day of filming when the role of Officer O'Malley was filled by none other than Ryan Chiaverini, co-host of Windy City Live! He did a great job "serving and protecting" as a Chicago cop on our set and I can't wait to see the final product. We'll have an official screening in Chicago on September 23rd, and the film will be submitted to festivals including Sundance. 

​Check out some on set photos below!

How is it mid July already? 

Summer is in full swing and there's plenty to get excited about beyond the street fests and beach days.

First and foremost.....new headshots and a totally revamped website! While the site structure is essentially the same, I wanted to update the visuals and theme to be a bit cleaner and more consistent, and flow better on mobile. I also moved the Reviews section under Media to help declutter the navigation a bit. Take a look around! Check out my new headshots by PopioStumpf photography below and on my Headshots page. 

I recently wrapped up my stint as backstage manager for the Congresses for Future Medical, Science, and Technology Leaders. The event went super smoothly this year and I loved working with the pros over at Royster Productions again. I don't do backstage work super often, but if I'm going to do it this is truly an amazing opportunity I'm honored to return to year after year. It's incredibly inspiring to watch these speakers, who range from genius teens and young adults who invented things like advanced robotic life-like prosthetics for kids to Nobel Prize laureates in Physics and Medicine, to inspiring individuals who help these high-achieving high schoolers unlock their potential, drive, compassion, and creativity in amazing ways. Definite highlights this year were Richard Browning, "the real Iron Man" demonstrating what was essentially a jetpack, the live-streamed robotic surgery of a hysterectomy (fun fact, the lead surgeon and the doctor on site at the Congress were both women of color, the operating room was 80% female, and student delegates at the congress were between 60-65% female.... the future is female!!), and getting to hear from Dr. Sylvia Earle speak about her journey and the vitality of our oceans. I didn't know who she was at first, and now that I do, I am in awe of her achievements and she is truly a living legend (and a great speaker). Look her up, she's worth a quick Google! 

Up next:

• Headshots to the printers!
• Filming my final scene for "I Married Black", hoping to screen this fall
• Table read of "Life and a Lover" by Natalie Meisner at Pride Films & Plays - the goal is to have the play read by professional actors aloud so that the playwright, who will be live-streamed in from Canada, can get some collaboration and feedback on the script.
• Starring in a new live radio play The Phone Booth on Sixth Street, part of the Whiskey Radio Hour - episode 17, produced by the Whiskey Rebellion Theatre 
• Lead protagonist in Shadowcatcher episodic podcast - recording late summer/early fall
• Continuing to record Hushed into Silence the audiobook sequel to Whispers in the Cove

Meanwhile, if you're a follower of my husband's career, be sure to check out Avenue Q at the Mercury Theater in Chicago, running through September (but shhh it's extending to Nov 4). Jonah plays Trekkie Monster and it's...hysterical. After that he'll return to the Goodman Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol as Mr. Fezziwig. So proud of his accomplishments and booking some amazing work in his first year as a member of Actor's Equity.  

Onwards & upwards!

-Amanda