Member Profiles in Creativity

With the pandemic still affecting our industry, we asked a few of our SAG-AFTRA New Mexico Local members what they were doing to keep their creativity flowing and sanity intact during these trying times.

Ginger Rex

“COVID brought changes to all of our lives, along with some blessings and gifts too. For me, I got to tackle the tricky art of the self-tape; I'm pretty good at it now. And a path opened to my inner athlete. I’m now more active as a skier, mountain biker, hiker and — after years of avoiding it like the plague — I’m dabbling in yoga. The practice helps me control my breathing, calm myself and deliver lines more fluidly. I also feel more spiritual, connected, present, confident and fully grounded in my body. I wish I'd given in to yoga before. Riding my mountain bike helps me feel fearless and brave. I give myself permission to take chances, and sometimes I’ll even take those ‘super sick’ jumps. When I get to ski, my sides go with me on the lift. I soak in the mountain’s beauty and learn my lines. Then I just let it all go and fly down the mountain.

“Hope is another way I deal with pandemic uncertainty. I am highly grateful to be an actor in New Mexico, and I am hopeful about increased opportunities. I can’t wait to bring my unique choices to new roles.

“Mostly, I am grateful this pandemic cured the ‘busyness’ that used to dominate my days. Of the many gifts I looked for from all those cancellations, having more time has been the greatest. More time with my husband. More time to take in all the enjoyable qualities I see in him and in my wonderful daughters.”

John Wylie

“I think it’s important to try and maintain a sense of balance in these weird and sometimes isolated times. First, keep physically active! I walk and play a lot of golf and tennis. I’ve also picked up the guitar and I’m currently working on my Post-COVID Open-Mic Tour.

“Keep reading and writing, if you like, and an ‘occasional drink’ never hurts! Stay in touch with your creative friends and go online for SAG-AFTRA or other trainings and podcasts. I think it’s important to think outside the box and keep prepping for a future that WILL come! It certainly may be a different one, but creative, energetic folks will be needed for sure. Singing is a great outlet. Explore the new audition types through SAG-AFTRA, so you can present audition tapes to casting agents that work. Look into Zoom-type shows at local theatres. I did one, and it was a blast! Shot the whole thing LIVE from my tub. Have fun out there and good luck!”

Ramona King

“For me, PAIN dominates this pandemic. No, really! Literally. It’s been four months, and I’m recovering from an adverse reaction to a new chemo drug. Nerve damage and a swollen hand awakened me in the wee hours, hollering for relief. It’s a wonder my pandemic neighbors didn’t call the police. My precious husband should win the patience award. Sharp waves of human electrical torture — and my body was doing it to itself … AAAAAH! The pain was so intense, I started speaking in tongues, making beautiful conversations with myself and God with no idea what I was saying. Yes, you saw right, I said ‘beautiful conversations.’ It was my expression, and I can imagine this is where my deepest sense of creativity sprung up. They were beautiful conversations because at some point during this maddening experience of me demanding normalcy, I fell into a place of acceptance.

“Acceptance. My acting career is founded on this word, and pain made me pay attention. Breathe deeply, that’s what I did finally. Moving through the space of my home and yard, allowing my body to express itself in whatever way it needed to, drop to the floor, roll, bow, rip off my clothes. These moments were freeing.

“This pandemic felt like a platform for self-discovery and reflection. When no one is around for me to complain to or dump my discomforts on, I’ve come to know my strengths. My body is healing. On those days of boisterous pain, when I scream and no one responds, I come to quiet acceptance. That type of acceptance tells me I’m alive, free and creative.”

Melissa Chambers

“Staying sane during COVID for me is much like staying sane at any other time. As an introvert, my life hasn’t changed much. I spend most of my time with my dogs and feeding the birds at my mountain home in Santa Fe. I do miss going into the casting director’s office for auditions, and I really miss being on set. I am happiest when I am working.

“When COVID hit in March, I was booked on a film and was set to shoot the day the state shut down. I have taken this downtime to turn my closet into a home recording studio and updated my self-taping equipment. Lights, camera, action!

“Although it’s not the same as being on stage or performing in front of a camera, these activities have kept my creative juices flowing and my sanity intact. Now, as self-tape audition requests are coming in weekly, I’m grateful I’m prepared and ready for whatever opportunities come my way.

“I look forward to being safely on set again in 2021 and seeing fellow actors and crew members.”

—    This item originally appeared in the New Mexico Local newsletter