Lights, Camera, Action!

Most pageant contestants don’t compete just to win a great crown and sash; many see pageantry as a stepping stone to a successful career in broadcasting, modeling, or the entertainment industry. Join Valerie as she talks with Marc Durso, ActTrue acting coach, Jenna Edwards, Miss Florida USA 2007, and Janice McQueen Ward, Mrs. United States 1999 about how you can work your pageant skills at your next audition. You’ll learn the dos and don’ts for getting an audition, landing your first job, and building your resume. If you’re having trouble getting that first audition or need help landing your first professional job you won’t want to miss this show!

Episode Segments:

Acting Coach Marc Durso Marc shares his acting background, how he became an acting coach, and how he coaches contestants to make the transition from pageants to the stage. He also discusses some different acting techniques he uses, and the first steps you should take if you’re considering a career as an actor.
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Miss Florida USA 2007 Jenna Edwards Jenna talks about the similarities between the pageant & entertainment industries, and the difficulties in overcoming the pageant stereotype in Hollywood. She has some tips about getting into the entertainment industry, and also gives some info on her new Spike TV series, and her “Queen for a Day” charity.
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Mrs. United States 1999 Janice McQueen Ward Janice talks about the pageant skills that have helped her themost in the entertainment field, and about some of the harsh realities of Hollywood. She also gives you her three most important pieces of advice if you want to try & make it in entertainment.
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Janice McQueen Ward Janice McQueen Ward is a spokesperson for Lung Cancer Awareness and is proactively working towards increased research, funding, and awareness both as an advocate and phone buddy with Lung Cancer Alliance and as an advocate with National Lung Cancer Partnership. Janice serves on the Advisory Board for National Lung Cancer Partnership’s Advocacy Summit and is an active Advocate and Lobbyist. Having lost both her mother and uncle, the legendary actor Steve McQueen, to this killer, Janice brings a very personal passion to her platform. Lung cancer has the highest death rate of any cancer nationwide, and Janice continues to partner with NLCP and LCA in her vision and fight to bring cancer issues to the forefront in every state. As Mrs. United States 1999, Janice traveled the nation as a spokesperson for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The American Cancer Society and The American Heart Association and was a special guest of President and Mrs. Clinton for Mother’s Day and the Million Mom March, May of 2000. Janice studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts, the University of North Carolina, and Elon University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music. She is a professional actress, flutist, pageant coach, pageant stylist and fitness instructor. Janice and her husband Tony celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary this year and are the very proud parents of son, Cameron. Since moving to Los Angeles, California, Janice has guest starred on many shows, including Veronica Mars, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Passions. You can currently see Janice in National Commercials for Ashley Furniture, Reclaim, Hollywood Secrets, Bare Minerals and Meaningful Beauty with Cindy Crawford. Janice has 2 movies coming out in 2009 and a Reality Show with Carrot Top - stay tuned!!! Click here to visit her website

Marc Durso Marc Durso's ActTrue Actors star on Broadway, primetime TV, Teen sitcoms, American and Latin soaps, indie films national commercials. ActTrue brings proven, professional NY creative acting process to actors in NY, LA, Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando and Miami. The Hagen Acting process reveals Truthful Human Behavior: NO TRICKS, NO GIMMICKS, NO HOLLYWOOD ATTITUDES! Join us to discover your unique and powerful creative Truth. Click here to visit his website

Jenna Edwards Competing since the age of 7, Jenna has achieved many successes through pageants. From Sunburst International and America's Cover Miss to Miss Teen All American, Miss America and Miss USA, as a judge, competitor, emcee and coach, Jenna has experienced all levels of pageantry. As Miss Florida 2004 and Miss Florida USA 2007, Jenna became only the 3rd woman in the Florida's history to represent the state at both the Miss America and Miss USA competitions. No stranger to the national stage, Jenna also won Miss Teen All American 1999 representing her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. Jenna believes that pageants are one of the most efficient tools available to young women to gain life skills and to prepare them to reach their fullest potential. She also believes competing is part of a bigger picture and the end result should be about more than simply winning. For instance, as a result of Jenna's childhood pageant competitions, she accumulated a number of tiaras. Jenna used her tiaras to crown pediatric cancer patients as "Queen for a Day" complete with makeovers and manicures, thus beginning the Queen for a Day organization. Queen for a Day is now an international 501c3 non-profit organization utilizing over 200 volunteers through more than 25 local chapters Click Here to Become a Fan of Jenna on Facebook