An Actress in Waitress Clothing

It's only been a few times, but I have been told emphatically that "You're an Actress!" And my reply is usually the same: I point to my apron and extend out my tray and say, "Yup!"

I was working at the Eclectic Cafe when a hipster told me he knew me.  I laughingly assured him that he did not, as I was a dork and did not hang with hipsters on a regular basis. He squinted. "You auditioned for a music video for me." And I had. About nine months prior I had thrown some foam shapes around in a room for casting director Billy DaMota. That's so weird that he remembered me....Was my audition that good? I hadn't gotten the part. "Who's your agent?" he asked.
"Oh," I sighed. "I'm free agent." I was going through a rough patch with my career. I wanted it, but it felt like it didn't want me.
Billy reached into his jacket and gave me his business card. "Call me," he said. "We'll fix that."

He met me for lunch with an Agency book and asked if I had a reel. I just so happened to have brought my laptop (this was way before smart phones) with my reel set up. He watched it while I pretended to peruse the menu. "You can act." he said when finished. He then went through the entire Agency book with me, highlighting who he knew, who he recommended, who he disliked and told me to make sure I mentioned that he told me to submit to them, and to write "Referred By Billy DaMota," on the envelope so that they'd be opened.  And then he paid for lunch.

WHAT CASTING DIRECTOR DOES THAT!?

So of course I have a special place for him in my heart, because, seriously, again, who DOES that?

He's brought me in a few times, once for a music video Jason Alexander was directing ("Lira, Jason absolutely loved you, so I have to put you on avail [a term meant for the actor to clear their schedule in case all pieces go together to get booked.] but, he really wants Marcia Brady to play the role, and....he'll probably get her." He did) and again for an episode of America's Most Wanted which I booked.

He's the top tier of what it feels like to be recognized. Here's the other.