Hello, Golden Divas!

I have someone I would like for you to meet this week.  I had the pleasure of meeting this ‘AGELESS BEAUTY,’ fabulous actress (a theater powerhouse) and author with a unique name back in June. My husband and I interviewed her for Chicago Defender entertainment regarding an awesome play that she is currently starring in called ‘Beauty’s Daughter.’  

She is the solo performer of this production and a dynamic force to be reckoned with, so without further ado let me introduce to you the one-woman  show-stopper ‘WANDACHRISTINE!’

I am so happy that I had the chance to sit down with this fascinating woman to interview her this time around for Club Fifty regarding ‘Money and Work!’  

Get ready because Wandachristine is infectious, vivacious, and full of zest for life, and guess what I simply LOVE IT!!

WANDACHRISTINE SEZ…

Although this is my first novel, trust me when I say, I write from a viewpoint of over forty years’ experience in the entertainment industry. I’ve done it all from “stand-up” to “stand-in”.  Let’s see… jingle singer, copywriter, producer, director, sound designer, costume designer, model, and for a while I was even the #1 Lottery Ball … (a girl gotta do, what a girl gotta do)!

I’ve graced the small screen in some memorable guest-starring roles, and some starring roles on the large screen…oh, how I love those residual checks. And as for the “bright lights” of the stage…my brilliant mind has memorized many “long-winded” monologues while showing up for eight shows a week; even when my tired feet and aching body said…

“WHERE’S THE UNDERSTUDY?” 

In the interest of not making this bio go on forever, I starred in such notable productions as “The Vagina Monologues,” “Gees Bend,” and the touring company of “Fences,” just to name a few. However, I will brag about my prestigious nominations for my role as “Quilly” in the Writer’s Theatre SOLD OUT production of “The Old Settler.”  I garnered both a Supporting Actress nominee for Chicago’s equivalent of Broadway’s “Tony Award” (The Joseph Jefferson Award); and the Best Actress nominee for the noted Ruby Dee/Black Theater Alliance Award.  And did I cry when I didn’t win? 

ABSOLUTELY!!!!

Yes…Yes…Yes…that was indeed my unique, sexy, alto voice you heard selling many  McDonald’s hamburgers and so much more.  I’ve even helped some political candidates (who shall remain anonymous) get elected. I had the best time providing the voices for animated TV shows and video games. It was all in a day’s work.

My career has taken this incredible turn.  You can now call me an Author and a Playwright!  Well, that’s what happens when you decide you’re going to travel the globe and meet new people.  You write your travel, and then you write some more.  Last year, I traveled all the way to Loyola University when they commissioned me to write a One-Act play.  “Welcome Home” premiered in their new Bob Newhart Theater.

 Now I’m starring in the American Blues Production of Dale Orlandersmith’s, “Beauty’s Daughter.”  In this solo production, I portray over 6 characters from an East Harlem neighborhood; where they share their good days and their bad; but all very memorable.

I guess I’ll probably NEVER give up acting.  Aaaaaaaaah…WHAT A LIFE!

In Conversation with Wandachristine

C50: Why is it important to you to continue acting at the age that you are now?

WC: I find it important to me to perform; because it helps keep my mind sharp. As we mature; parts of our body mature as well, and for women of a certain age, our brain has to fight the effects of menopause…where you’re lucky if you can remember where you left your keys last night. I pride myself on my “awesome brain skills.” But trust me; I’ve had many moments on stage or in a film where I’ve had to call… “LINE PLEASE!”

C50: If ever, when do you think you want to retire from acting?

WC: I don’t know if “retire” is the word; because that to me would mean that I’m “letting go” of a part of my life and who I am. I may not play certain roles anymore; like the “young ingénue,” but I will continue to perform and write until it no longer gives me joy.

C50: What would you say you know now about living a happy and successful life that you didn’t know when you were twenty in the world of acting?

WC: When I was twenty-one and I first started acting, I was blessed to have many mentors to help guide me not only as an actress; but as a businesswoman as well.  I think for me; because I was a single mom, money always came first.  I didn’t get a chance to really enjoy my career in the early years; because I needed money to pay rent, to put my son through private school, food, clothes…the necessities of life were more important to me. I think that my career suffered because of that too, but it wasn’t until I decided to enjoy myself and to always remember…”It’s just a play!”…now a moment doesn’t pass where I don’t say…WOW…”Thank you, God!”

C50: What are the valuable lessons you have learned from your experience in the workforce that you wish to pass on to younger generations?

WC: Throughout the years, I’ve had many experiences that have taught me to have “tough” skin in every aspect of this business. At times, the welfare of the actor becomes compromised, because people are more concerned about making money.  The most important message that I try to instill into young actors is to always remember…

“IT’S YOUR MONEY…AGENTS WORK FOR YOU!” 

Sometimes, there are those out there, that take advantage of young inexperienced actors and they feel that they have to say “yes” to everything. That is NOT the case; if you are ever uncomfortable about ANYTHING, the audition, a casting director, your money, an agent, your money!!!!  Talk to an experienced actor, and get their opinion on whatever it is; don’t ever say YES to anything, if your gut is telling you NO!

C50: As you look back over your life, do you see any “turning points,” that is, a key event or experience that changed over the course of your life or set you on a different track in your career?

WC: All through high school, I planned on being either a teacher or a court reporter. I went to court reporting school and it was near the end of the term; where I was about to take the State exam and become certified.  But my husband had just walked out on me and our 1-year-old son and I became devastated to the point where it affected me physically.  So a friend took me to see a play that some friends of hers were in; then she took me to the cast party; a week later, I threw my stenographer’s machine in the air and enrolled in the city college and any and everywhere I could study dance, drama, voice. Had he not walked out on me, I shudder to think what I would have become.

C50: What’s your secret to staying happy and working at this stage of your life? No pun intended!

WC: My secret to staying happy and energetic in this “wonderful” life is WALKING.  I love to walk.  I sold my car years ago.  I live downtown which makes it a bit more scenic; but everywhere I’ve ever lived, I always WALK!  I love walking it’s my form of meditation.  It’s how I work on lines or when I’m trying to get ideas for a writing project.  And when I walk, I “feel” beautiful and when you feel beautiful, you can be “any” age.

C50:  What are some of the important choices or decisions you made in your career that you have learned from?

WC: The most important decision I made in my career was to leave Chicago and my family to pursue a career in Los Angeles. That was a courageous move for me and for my husband as well.  We both are from Chicago and neither one of us had ever lived anyplace else. Chicago was our security blanket, and to leave in your 40’s to try and have a career was “CRAZY” to say the least.  But while I was there I was so courageous; I did things I would never have done while living in Chicago.  I turned 50 while I was living in California, but I flew myself to Hawaii to celebrate alone on an island; then when I returned my husband threw me a big bash in Vegas. I have so many wonderful memories from living and working there; but had I not left Chicago; I don’t think that I would have grown to be as courageous and fearless as I am now.

C50:  Any suggestions on how a Golden Diva can achieve success so late in the working world if they had to start over?

WC: My advice to anyone of ANY age that wants to try something new and different…BE PASSIONATE about whatever it is.  If you really enjoy doing something and it puts a smile on your face either while you’re doing it, OR after it’s finished…THEN DO IT!  Don’t concern yourself with making money, trust me, if you enjoy doing it…THE MONEY WILL COME!  You have to realize that we are all here as Angels to have fun and to help one another achieve our dreams; whatever they may be and at whatever age.

Angels are AGELESS!

 C50: What would you say are the major values or principles to live a fabulous golden life on the other side of fifty?

WC: The best way to live a fabulous life is to take care of yourself.  Pamper yourself every day in some way!  Put yourself FIRST, we as women forget that and we MUST be reminded of this daily!  Do whatever it takes to make you feel special, and last but not least…LAUGH MORE!  Laughter is the cure for everything; YES EVERYTHING!  When you laugh; you not only bring joy to someone else; but to yourself as well; so LAUGH GIRLS…LAUGH!

C50: What are some major projects you’re working on?

WC: Right now; I’m working on a play, called “One Day” about 4 actresses in their 60’s and older; that have gotten tired of not working; so they decide to take a Casting Director, an Agent, a Writer and an Advertising Executive hostage; they make a national statement to say the very least.  As they say in the literary world…”Write about what you know!”

C50: Where can people find you on stage in Chicago doing what you love to do?

WC: Please come and see my solo performance at The American Blues Theater

“Beauty’s Daughter”

Stage 773 1225 West Belmont 

Chicago, IL

Thurs-Saturday 7:30 PM

Sunday’s 2:30                                                                                                               

Box Office 773 -327-5252

Running until August 5, 2017

Golden Diva’s the play was phenomenal. Please support and go check it out. Wandachristine wants to introduce you to some of her friends (she plays 6 different characters).

Bonus Question:

 C50: Where can we purchase your book? (Ladies it is a good, easy, fun entertaining read)

 WC: Wandachristine
The author of…“I Love You More…Than Shoes!”
Available at Amazon.com on Kindle & Paperback

Click on the book and you can purchase her novel at Amazon.com 

A glimpse between the pages  

 Welcome to the world of four Hollywood actresses, over 50, who are not yet ready to retire. There’s Deborah Elizabeth, the “Choppomatic Queen” of late-night television; Candy Thomas, an Ex-Broadway Diva now known as Tina the “talking turkey” on a PBS kiddie show; Peggy Diamond, a fearless stuntwoman, and Nila Garrett, an unemployed actress that no one wants to hire.

The glamour of Hollywood has changed for all four of them.  But when a stunt goes wrong, the untimely death of a powerful Hollywood agent and a life-threatening illness leads to marriage; they suddenly find themselves consistently saying to one another…“I Love You More…Than Shoes!”

NOW THAT’S LOVE!                

“I LOVE YOU MORE…THAN SHOES!  A lighthearted phrase was spoken, that gives dimension to an unmeasurable devotion.”  

  Al Hawkins

TV & Film Director                         

Thank you Wandachrsistine for the lively, very honest, and much-appreciated interview regarding ‘Money & Work.” There you have it Golden Diva’s, I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I did until next time.