Tag: actor

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Tola Talks – First Three Weeks

Hot, current and definitely on the edge, Tola Talks is broadcasting live on the radio this Tuesday from 4-6pm (ET) on Hamilton-Radio.com (Channel 2). So tune-in and treat yourself to my “21st Century Talk for a No-Bullshit World”, not to mention some really cool and inspiring conversation with an assortment of celebrity guests…here’s our guest list for the first 3 weeks:

January 5th – Actress Troy Titus-Adams and Chef Lizette, Founder/Host of The Chef Network

January 12th – Comedians Lynne Roberts & Lauren Huffman and Fitness Guru Mandee Miller

January 19th – Recording Artist/Producer Moses Stone and Dancer/Yoga Teacher Jen Wycykal

Plus, I’ll be taking listener calls throughout the show, so feel free to give us a shout! Peace – R

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Conscious Living: 10 Years & Counting

This morning I read an article by psychotherapist Bonnie Katz about the emotional roller coaster ride Actors are subject to throughout their careers – especially those of us auditioning for that break-out role – and what it takes to be The Conscious Actor.

RichTola2007Whether or not your life’s calling takes you on that rather lonely path of emotional ups and downs filled with countless auditions resulting in countless silent rejections (which I more colorfully address in my memoir), then take Bonnie’s advice when she says, “Be your own best friend and take care of your emotional life. Stay away from people who are negative and not supportive of you. Be around people who lift you up, not pull you down.” No doubt.

Most importantly – at least I think so and something I’ve been blogging about since I started this website 6 years ago – and as Bonnie says, “Keep yourself in top mental and physical shape.”

Interestingly enough, this week marks my 10 year anniversary of practicing the “Conscious Living” Art of Yoga. Talk about keeping you in excellent mental and physical shape…not to mention spiritual, Yoga is an amazing way to level off those emotional ups and downs no matter what path you’re on. For the past 9 years, I’ve taught more than 20,000 students and there’s no question that every single one of them has benefited from taking at least one class.

Positivity not negativity. Strong body and a clear mind. Believe you can and sit tall in the saddle. Never judge yourself, just do the best you possibly can and delete excuses from your repertoire. All things I recommend no matter what you do in life. And workout every single day while incorporating the principles of Yoga into your everyday life.

It’s worked for me and it will certainly work for you. Peace – R

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Practice Makes Perfect…Otherwise Hit the Gym

Another show under my belt and another reason to go back to the drawing board. Because practice makes perfect, or at the very least, gives you the opportunity to evolve whatever you’re doing. If that’s not working, then hit the gym and get your workout in…that always helps!

Rich Tola at Flappers Comedy Club
Rich Tola at Flappers Comedy Club – May ’15

This past weekend  I performed again at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank, CA and tried all new material that was funnier than my previous show – that’s a good thing! Because with stand-up comedy it’s all about delivering your jokes with as few words as possible and with as much attitude as possible, then refining them soon thereafter to get them to work. And for those jokes that are already working, i.e., everyone’s laughing hysterically, then don’t change a thing. So they say…whoever “they” is.

Either way the key is to keep improving your stand-up comedy act to one that flows seamlessly and effortlessly while you’re simply having a conversation with the audience. Something I’m progressing with, a task much easier said then done.

Hope to see you at my next Flappers show on Father’s Day, June 21st in the Main Room.  – R

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Stand-up in the East Village NYC & next show in LA

eastvillecomedy clubHappy Cinco de Mayo everyone…hope you’re having an awesome day!

I’m looking forward to returning to NYC next week and will be performing at the EastVille Comedy Club on 85 E. 4th Street next Tuesday, May 12th starting at 6p.  My next LA show will be at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank on Saturday, May 23rd from 7:30-9p in the YooHoo Room.

Good stuff all around as I continue to write new Stand-up material and learn that just because you have a great Topic and a Premise, doesn’t mean you’ll have a great joke. Thus the need to keep re-working your material again and again, once you’ve tried it in public.

Like I did at my recent Flappers show on April 24th. It’s always a rush when you get when you get up on stage, plus you learn a lot about what jokes are working as well as get accustomed to both hot and cold audiences. Quite a journey, and one that gets better with each performance.

Keep believing you can & sit tall in the saddle. And don’t forget your daily workout! Peace – R

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Tola Talks Dakota Johnson’s SNL skit & Will Smith’s Focus

Tola Talks about the luckiest man alive who survived free falling unconscious at 4,000 feet, plus all the furor over SNL’s skit with Dakota Johnson heading off to join ISIS and a RIP tribute to Leonard Nimoy, aka Mr. Spock. It’s also Movie Monday so check-out my review of Will Smith’s new film, Focus…with some talk about my return to stand-up comedy tomorrow night in LA.

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