Author: Jessica Leigh Smith

Jessica Leigh Smith can currently be seen running around town in her yoga pants, toting her two little girls everywhere she goes. Being a mommy has played into Jessica’s latest projects, Mommy Parodies. The first is a parody of a song from the movie Frozen, which has reached almost 40,000 views (and climbing) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86FY-AEdizA. Jessica’s most notable acting roles are co-starring roles on One Tree Hill and Drop Dead Diva. Coincidentally, Jessica was toting her daughters in those roles as well, since she was pregnant both times. In addition to acting, Jessica has co-produced an educational series for actors, called The Dinner Project, putting actors and casting directors face to face. Episodes can be found at http://thedinnerprojectshow.com/. For more about Jessica, the actress, please visit her website, http://www.jessicaleighsmith.com/, and follow her on Twitter, @JessiLeighSmith.

“Shattered dreams are never random…They are ordained opportunities for the Spirit to awaken, then to satisfy our highest dream.” –Larry Crabb I wrote this in my prayer journal in December 2013. I don’t remember why this statement spoke to me because I certainly was not experiencing “shattered dreams.” The year had been one of my best in terms of bookings. Less than one month later, I began a dry spell that to this day has yet to pick back up. I have chronicled some of my journey as a mom to two little ones in this blog before. Today’s blog…

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In July 2014 I submitted a tough blog for me to write. It was difficult because of how open and honest it was about my personal struggle of how to have an acting career and still be the mommy my little girls need me to be. When I wrote that blog post, I was still muddling through the fog in my heart of what were the correct next steps for me. In the last nine months, the fog has lifted and I now see more clearly the journey I have ahead. Like most everyone else, I don’t know what my…

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Before having kids, I completely believed my mommy friends when they told me how tired and busy they were, but I couldn’t understand it. I know more than a few women who are about to step into the Mommy world for the first time and I have been trying to help them understand how it is about to be oh so different. As an actress, your life is last minute. You find out you have an audition tomorrow. You must learn the sides, find your outfit. If you have a job, you call in. Then you maximize your time until…

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Let me first admit that I have never cast anything. Well, my own projects, sure. And I have helped out with a few readings. But as for actually being involved in a true casting, no, I have not been. But that does not stop me from thinking that I would be great at it. Don’t we all think we would be awesome at casting (please indulge my sarcasm a bit). Even though I am not a casting director, I do believe I hit upon something recently that puts it into perspective for me. I was in my kitchen baking some…

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I’m guessing that at least one resolution this new year for many of you probably had something to do with self-producing your own starring vehicle. I love that we live in an age of the industry where if no one else is going to hire me, then I can just hire myself! If, like me, part of creating your own show starts with researching other web series, then take a look at this list for a few to check out. Last year I did a two part interview with the female co-creator and star of an excellent and highly successful…

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I heard a beautiful quote the other day. I can’t remember the exact wording, but it went something like this: “It isn’t important that you know what God’s plan is; it’s important that you believe He has one.” Most surprising was where I heard it—on a commercial for an ABC Family show. I don’t even watch the show. I would expect to hear something that stops me in my tracks from any other number of outlets, but not from that channel. Not that I don’t love that channel, because I do. But I don’t usually go to ABC Family for…

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Hilary Swank made news this week asking for more compelling roles and stories for women. A beloved American icon, Bill Cosby, is the talk of the nation with a myriad of alleged sexual assault accusations leveled against him. Even as an Oscar winner, Octavia Spencer had a tough time getting offers for roles that she deserved, simply because of her minority status. What do I take away from this? Mainly, I take away “Blah, blah, blah. What’s new?” And I think it is horrific that I think this, not because these are real issues, rather the reason why these issues…

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When you’re on Inside the Actor’s Studio (or something like it) and you’re asked what inspired you to become an actress or producer or director, etc., do you know what you’ll say? Of course you do. We all have the beautiful answers about seeing someone’s moving performance and wanting to create that, or of always having a strong desire to tell stories and inspire others. Or whatever your reason… But put all that aside just once and have a little bit of fun with me today. What is it that you love about this career that is just plain fun…

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Someone asked me recently how do I make time for the work? I tried to give good answers like, “Well, on Mondays I do such and such early in the morning, but on Tuesdays, I have time at 9 a.m. for this other thing over here…” But the truth is that I don’t know; I don’t know how I do what I do when I do it. I do know that I don’t always feel very successful. But I think that is a struggle for all of us who like lists. I currently have my life compartmentalized into 16 different…

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I may be one of the few bloggers on this site not living in Los Angeles or New York City. My acting home is Atlanta, Georgia. Well, actually my home is Georgia; I’m one of the few natives and I love my state. Maybe you’ve heard of our tax incentives and of the incredible number of films and television shows coming here to film. Maybe you have a friend who has moved to a smaller market in order to chase opportunities. Maybe you’ve been thinking of making the move yourself. If being a big fish in a little pond sounds…

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Last time, I shared with you a confession about my life as a mom and an actress. Some of you thought it was daring and brave of me to say some of the things I said. I simply wanted to be honest. I think the online lives of other people can sometimes fool us into thinking that we are the only ones who don’t have it together. And I believe it is important for us to be vulnerable and honest with each other so we can inspire each other to live fuller, more peaceful lives. The times that I am…

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I don’t have it in me to be a full-time actress. Wow, I never thought I would ever say that. I cannot believe I’m letting it slip out there into the world for everyone to see, either. There’s a finality to that and wow, it’s actually very freeing and cathartic to admit this. Pursuing our career goals requires an insane amount of time. We’re running our own business here—that requires marketing, public relations, networking, budgeting (and figuring out how to earn the money that will flow into the budget), and, of course, education and growth of talent. Oh, and don’t…

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Submissions Only Season 3 Finale Airs, Following Tony Awards I’m not sure if I made myself clear in last month’s column. You should be watching the amazing web series Submissions Only. The show airs on BroadwayWorld.com and had a very special premiere of its season finale…with its lead in being The Tony Awards. This finale episode opens with a fantastic scene featuring Judith Light (you know, Angela Bower). The last episode, which aired two weeks ago, opens with Audra McDonald, who just recently took home a Tony Award. James M. Igleheart, also a winner from the awards show, has also…

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Submissions Only was recently dubbed by Entertainment Weekly “The best show not on T.V.” I was introduced to this fantastic web series during its freshman season via a Facebook post. I thought, why not give a little web show a shot? By the end of the 22 minutes, I was hooked. I couldn’t believe that ONLY 22 minutes had passed and I wanted more. The writing, production, acting—all was fantastic quality. I discovered that behind Submissions Only is a group of friends in NYC, all actors, who did what we should all be doing—created their own project, to showcase their…

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