Olivia Killingsworth exhibits pinball-like energy and vocal imagination in Michael Bernstein’s solo piece Robot Girl.

– Ethan Kanfer, Show Business Weekly

Aw, shucks! Thanks, Show Business Weekly.

“…’Robot Girl,’ a brisk post-apocalyptic monologue performed with hip-hop intensity and vernacular by Olivia Killingsworth.”
– Mitch Montgomery, Backstage

Photo Credit: Michael Bernstein

As you can see from the reviews of my current show, The Shelter Presents: Art, I am dynamically frightening. So come see me in it… or else! Mwah hah hah hah hah…

We’re at the Flamboyán Theater on the Lower East Side through this Sunday, April 29. Tickets are just $18, so get ‘em now at www.theshelternyc.org.

**If you want to come tonight (Wednesday the 25th) or tomorrow (Thursday the 26th), use discount code FRIEND to get $12 tickets!**

Photo credit: Michael Bernstein

Previews start tonight! Get your tickets.

Photo credit: Michael Bernstein

My show opens this week! Get your tickets now.

Spring has definitely sprung in New York! I got so excited about the warm weather that I went and bought my first pair of “skinny” jeans. Now I feel all thin and springy!

The Shelter Presents: Art
I’ll be appearing in Robot Girl, part of The Shelter Presents: Art, April 19-29 at the Flamboyán Theater on the Lower East Side; get your tickets now! It’s an evening of four original plays that asks: What is “art”? What does it mean to be an artist? If you can’t come, please consider making a donation to support fresh, innovative art — even $5 helps!

Uncle Doug Can Help
Speaking of artists: If you’re a creative person in a corporate environment, or if you’re just looking for a better way to deal with a difficult boss, I highly recommend dougsguides. It’s a site run by a friend of mine, “Uncle Doug” Kalish, and it’s a fun resource for dealing with common workplace problems.

Thanks,

So the weather here continues to be ridiculously schizophrenic, with rain and sleet one day and sunny skies the next, but it’s been fun watching New Yorkers continually find new ways to spice up their mid-winter wardrobes.

Betty Buckley
I just finished taking a wonderful Song Interpretation class with the amazing Ms. Betty Buckley — yes, the same Betty Buckley who won a Tony for singing “Memory” in Cats on Broadway (and who also recently got into a bit of a Twitter feud with American Idol judge Randy Jackson over his tendency to criticize contestants’ voices as being “too Broadway”)! Ms. Buckley inspired and encouraged me to embrace my singing voice and my passion as an interpretive artist, and I feel so much more confident now, both as a singer and an actor.

The Green Room
If you’re an entertainment industry professional (or even if you’re not), I highly recommend checking out The Green Room Blog. It’s a fun blog featuring posts from a variety of industry artists who share their experiences, goals and struggles in the biz of show. My favorite feature so far is their “Movie Musical Monday” series!

Cheers,

Is it hot in here or is it just the global warming?

Whoa. We’re certainly having a pretty mild winter here in the northeast – apparently last month was the hottest January on record for the world overall. What’s the temperature been like in your neck of the woods?

Shelter Sundays
Despite the weird weather, I’m continuing to make my way every Sunday night to Shelter Sundays, my theatre company’s weekly workshop where actors, writers, and directors challenge themselves and each other to refine their respective crafts. If you’re in New York and would like to join us, visit www.theshelternyc.org for more info – your first visit is free!

Bhi Bhiman is Awesome!
If you’re looking for some new and fun music to add to your playlist, check out Bhi Bhiman. I just love his voice, and some of his lyrics are pretty hilarious. He’s featured on Spotify, if you’re on that awesome music service; you can also listen to his album on Rdio - signup is free.

Cheers!

Maybe the Mayans were right? Guess we’ll find out soon enough…

Greetings from sunny California, where Santa (wearing huaraches and board shorts) has come and gone, which means it’s time for new year’s resolutions! This year, I’ve decided to be more me: I’m going to let my authentic self shine through more in my career, craft, and personal life. That’s why I’m calling it “2012: The Olivia-en-ing!” (it’s even got its own theme song) – what’s your theme for 2012?

Fairy Tale Reviews
In case you missed it, I directed a play that was part of The Shelter‘s Fairy Tale, which got great reviews and was Critic’s Pick in Backstage. Here’s one of my favorite press quotes, from Theatre is Easy:

The Shelter is to be applauded for the work it’s doing — developing new theatre and building creative relationships at a time when small theatre companies are dropping like flies. Its approach to making theatre is both practical and optimistic.

The Actors Fund Channel
And if you’re looking for some inspiration or guidance to help you stick to those new year’s resolutions (!), check out The Actors Fund channel on YouTube – they’ve got a bunch of great videos, podcasts and interviews featuring lots of great info and cool people like Joel Grey, Al Pacino and Julia Murney: http://www.youtube.com/actorsfundorg

Here’s to a happy new year!

So I’m definitely feeling the holiday spirit coming on, like a nice hot cup of apple cider, warming me up from the inside… Can’t wait to get back to California and share these warm fuzzies with my friends and family. What are your plans for the holidays?

Fairy Tale
Life is feeling especially happily-ever-after right now, because my show opens this weekend! I directed Terror on Haxos 9, one of five original plays being performed as part of The Shelter‘s Fairy Tale at the 45th Street Theatre, tonight through December 11th. Fairy Tale features five classic fairy tales re-imagined in a grown-up world; for tickets & info, visit www.theshelternyc.org.

Gimme Shelter
Check out this awesome little video by The Shelter! The piece features an inspirational poem, performed by several Shelter members (including me!): www.indiegogo.com/theshelternyc

Happy Holidays… see you in the New Year!