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PREVIOUS SEMINARS

The Art of Solo Performance - click here
Networking Techniques to Bring Social Media to Life - click here
Building Your Reel - click here
Lights, Camera, Taxes / Walter Gowens - click here
How to Get and Keep an Agent / Lisa Gold - click here
Fearless Cold Readings & Audition Technique / Karen Kohlhass - click here
Acting Success Now with Robert & Michelle Colt - click here
From Scratch to Script with Paula J. Riley - click here
Revolutionize You Career / The Savvy Actor - click here

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The Art of Solo Performance
with Gretchen Cryer, Cheryl King and Kathryn Rossetter
Sunday 1/30, 5pm-7pm
GRETCHEN CRYER met Nancy Ford, and the two forged a friendship that eventually lead to a number of professional collaborations as the only female composer-lyricist team in New York theater. Their first professional New York production was Now Is the Time For All Good Men (1967), followed by The Last Sweet Days of Isaac - with Austin Pendleton and Alice Playten - in 1970, winning not only rave reviews, but the Obie, Drama Desk and Outer Circle Awards. Cryer and Ford's most notable success was I'm Getting My Act Together And Taking It On The Road (1978), based on Cryer's life experiences. Gretchen not only co-wrote the piece, but performed in it as well. Producer Joseph Papp moved it from his Public Theater in lower Manhattan uptown to the Circle on the Square theater, where it ran for three years. Gretchen's additional work as a performer included roles in Little Me (1962), 110 in the Shade (1963) and 1776 (1969). A musical adaptation of Anne Of Green Gables written by Cryer and Ford opened in March 2007 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in NYC, and a national tour began in September 2007. Their latest musical, Einstein and the Roosevelts, premiered at DePauw University in October of 2008.

Gretchen teaches "Writing For Solo Performance", an eight-week introductory class that will help you get your act together and take it on the road.

CHERYL KING is the creator and producing director of Stage Left Studio, in NYC, was resident acting coach at All My Children from 2007-2010, and is a playwright, director and actor.  Her solo show "not a nice girl" enjoyed extended runs in NYC & Los Angeles. She is the curator of Sola Voce, Estrogenius, the Left Out Festival, The Women at Work Festival and the Mama Drama Festival.  She directed Frank Blocker’s Drama Desk nominated “Southern Gothic Novel” and is currently directing Theresa Gambacorta’s new solo show and at work on a one-act called the Dubbers with TC Corwin, which will open in March 2011 at Stage Left Studio.
Cheryl works with solo show creators on all aspects of the work and is available for an hourly fee to brainstorm ideas, craft the text, put the work on its feet, and get it produced. She even has a venue that’s perfect for solo shows. www.cherylkingproductions.com, www.stageleftstudio.net
KATHRYN ROSSETTER is an actress/ writer/ teacher/director. Broadway: opposite Dustin Hoffman in Death Of a Salesman, Time Of The Cuckoo at Lincoln Center and many off Broadway Productions, Much television, including “Law & Order SVU” and “Full House” and many films, including, Death of a Salesman, Whatever, Speed 2.

In Spring 2005 she received  a Tennessee Williams Theatre Fellowship for developing and teaching the art and craft of the One-person show. She currently teaches acting in the MFA Program at the New School for Drama, where she is also the head of the department, NYU Tisch, Marymount Manhattan College and coaches  privately in Manhattan.

 

The Savvy Actor presents
Networking Techniques to Bring Social Media to Life!
Saturday 12/4/10, 4pm-5:30pm

Networking…..or as we like to call it Enriching Your Support System. There’s an art to it. But how do you learn how to network from an authentic place?

Building, creating and maintaining relationships is really what show business is all about. Social Networking is a free way to do that. Casting Directors are using it to cast. Producers are using it when finalizing casting. But how do we incorporate social networking as an actor and use it to book work?

Doug Shapiro and Christina Shipp, Career Coaches with The Savvy Actor, will show you how to enrich your support system through one-on-one meetings, social media, and networking events that will empower you to get out there and network!!
DOUG SHAPIRO, a career consultant with The Savvy Actor, takes great pride in helping clients master their careers. He is renowned for his ‘FODapalooza’ networking events and monthly e-newsletters. Doug's eight years with Right Management, a company that provides career management services, provided the foundation for his expertise in self-marketing, interviewing and networking techniques. Doug is a guest lecturer on the business of acting at colleges extending from the University of Southern Maine, to Villanova University to Virginia's Shenandoah Conservatory. As a performer, Doug is an expert at creating multiple characters for musical and voiceover projects and his other work ranges from performing with a fifteen piece 1940’s big band to voicing several characters for Disney’s Finding Nemo: The Musical. Doug graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in Musical Theater, Vocal Jazz, and Stage Management and has been working steadily in the New England and New York City markets ever since.  
CHRISTINA SHIPP, a self proclaimed “ideas man”, is a professional actor and now a career consultant in NYC. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, as a teen she went to the Youth Performing Arts School and worked at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. Her romantic soul took her even deeper south for school, and Christina graduated from the College of Charleston in South Carolina with two degrees: one in Theatre and one in Sociology. She credits her Sociology background for success in both her fields: the rigorous training of data analysis and the sociological perspective have led to her holistic approach in both her acting and with her coaching clients. That social science vocabulary coupled with her training in The Lucid Body Techniquehave sharpened her instincts, opened her awareness, and reinforced her intuition. Christina also studies improv at The PIT, is an ensemble member with The Flux Theatre Ensemble, and runs with the Pack: Packawallop Productions is a film and production company in NYC. She is dedicated to expressing the ideals of gratitude and curiosity, sharing her joy, and perpetuating success.

Free for TRU members. $15 for non-members.
Ripley Grier, 520 Eighth Avenue - 16O
4-5:30 - room opens at 3:30 for check-in


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Annie Chadwick,
career consultant
Brette Goldstein,
casting director, coach

TRU/WEIST BARRON
ACTOR WORKSHOP
Tuesday, September 28 at 7pm
Building Your Reel
with Annie Chadwick,
Brette Goldstein and
Jeremy Handelman

Weist-Barron Studios,
35 West 45th Street, 6th Floor
Jeremy Handelman,
video producer
One of the single most important weapons in an actor's arsenal is his or her demo reel. "How long should it be?" "What type of footage should I include?" "I have a great scene but it's poorly shot. Should I use it?" "I don't have enough footage for a reel. Should I shoot a scene or do a slate?"

Three industry experts take you through the process of building your reel from a creative, technical and marketing perspective. You'll hear what casting directors look for, what footage works best, how to stand out from the crowd, what to expect from a video editor, the pitfalls to avoid, and how to best distribute your reel. The workshop will include:

- Presentations by:
   • Annie Chadwick - actress, founder of Up To Date Theatricals, and career consultant
   • Brette Goldstein - casting director for film, commercials, industrials and theater; audition coach
   • Jeremy Handelman - commercial theater and video producer and founder of Wag That Reel
- Examples of actual reels
- Evaluation of attendees' reels (see below)
- Q&A

• ANNIE CHADWICK is a professional actress, founder of Up-To-Date Theatricals, author of "ShowBiz Bookkeeper," a contributing editor for the “Show Business Directory,” in which she writes a monthly Showbiz Strategies column and a theatrical career consultant.  In addition to her private one-on-one career consultation work for actors, Annie produces an ongoing business of acting workshop series for the Drama Book Shop. Her most recent performance work includes:  Lead Singer with the popular bluegrass band, the NYCity Slickers; JETBLUE web spot with director Josh Nussbaum; CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC, playing John Lithgow's wife, Mrs. Edgar West; TURKEY BOWL, Indie Film with director James Malki, Twenty First Films. AEA, SAG & AFTRA

www.AnnieChadwick.com  www.UTDTheatricalServices.com  www.NYCitySlickers.com

• BRETTE GOLDSTEIN - has cast over forty independent films, one hundred plays and was the resident casting director at Washington, DC’s Folger Elizabethan Theatre for ten seasons. Films Brette has cast have won awards and been official selections at Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca, LA Film Festival, Hamptons, Woodstock, Woods Hole, Clermont-Ferrand, DC Shorts, Philadelphia, Boston, Austin, Great Lakes, Sante Fe and the IFP Film Market to name just a few. Brette is the former Co-Producing Director of Washington Jewish Theatre, Production Manager at Washington Shakespeare Co., and Associate Producer of the Washington Theatre Festival. In addition to casting indie films, commercials and industrials, she coaches audition technique, as well as consulting actors on marketing and business management. Brette teaches acting/ audition technique in NYC and several universities. She has also be the on-set coach for several films and television shows

• JEREMY HANDELMAN is both a commercial theater and video producer. His video work includes “Wag That Reel,” providing professional actor demo reels at reasonable prices. Samples can be viewed at www.WagThatReel.com. Jeremy also is teaming up with casting director Brette Goldstein to provide custom actor reel consultations. Other video services include commercials, promos, PSA’s, video projection, and event coverage (www.OffTheLeashProductions.com). Jeremy’s most recent theater producing credits include  (with Tuc Watkins, Peter Scolari, Betty Buckley and Christy Carlson Romano), and the award-winning rock musical comedy F#@king Up Everything (NYMF), which is being developed for commercial production.

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LIGHTS, CAMERA ... TAXES
A Performer's Guide to Income Taxes
Thursday evening February 18th, 7pm to 9pm

I. Classification Matters: Employee (W-2) vs. Independent Contractor (1099)
   A. Which is "better"?
   B. Employer withholding - Is it enough?
   C. Estimated tax payments ... Do you really have to?

II. Estimated Tax Payments
   A. Due dates
   B. Late penalties and interest ... Oh thank Heaven for the safe harbor

III. Multiple States or Localities
   A. Know the state or locality used for withholding
   B. Keep track of the number of days spent in a state or locality

IV. Claiming Deductions
   A. Qualified Performing Artist
     1. What are the requirements?
     2. New developments/Become proactive
   B. Employee business expenses
   C. Self-employed profit and loss statement

V. Home Office/Rehersal Studio
   A. Space must be used strictly for business, i.e. NO personal use
   B. Benefits of qualifying use

VI. Tax Breaks
   A. Earned income credit
   B. Education credits
   C. Tuition and fees deduction
   D. Student loan interest
   E. Health insurance
   F. Retirement savings credit
   G. Child tax credit
   H. Daycare/Adult care

VII. It's Never Too Early To Think About Retirement
   A. Types of plans
   B. Eligibility

VIII. Should I Become An Entity?
   A. Corporation, LLC, DBA
   B. Which one is right for me?

Walter Gowens, President
Prudential Vanguard Financial Services, Inc.
Actors, Artists, Athletes and Authors Division
212-869-9090 <> AAAA@prudentialvanguard.net

FREE for TRU members, $25 for non-members
Reservations required: trunltd@aol.com
Precision Photos 36th Street Studio, 260 W. 36th Street, 3rd floor

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WEDNESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 4TH, 7PM :
How to Get and Keep an Agent
A FREE TRU Seminar
led by Lisa Gold, President of Act Outside the Box
and Owner/Partner of Actors Connection

What is an agent evaluating when considering you for representation? If you think it's strictly talent, think again!

In this seminar you'll start to understand the marketplace, the money, where your talent fits in, and how to "promote" what you uniquely have to offer. You'll also discover how to "brand" yourself so that you create a great first impression with both your headshot and resume as well as in person at an interview. Learn the 6 essentials you MUST have in place BEFORE interviewing with an agent and EVERYTHING else you every wanted to know about finding the right agent for you! Lisa is a professional actress and singer with over 30 years experience and has been a partner at Actors Connection for almost 10 years, watching and listening to hundreds and hundreds of casting directors and agents! This collective background on both sides of the biz makes Lisa an EXPERT in the area of marketing for actors. Remember it's show BUSINESS, not show ART! By attending this seminar you'll get a valuable education in how to position yourself for maximum effectiveness when trying to attract the attention of agents...and it's FREE! How great is that?

FREE for TRU members, and everyone ... but
TRU members will receive a gift workshop valued at $39!
Precision Photos 36th Street Studio, 260 W. 36th Street, 3rd floor

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TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 17TH, 7PM:
Fearless Cold Reading
and Audition Technique
A FREE TRU Introductory Seminar
led by Karen Kohlhaas

WHAT IS FEARLESS COLD READING?

Stop holding back in auditions out of fear of making the wrong choice! “Fearless Cold Reading” is a 10-point, fun, and adventurous cold reading technique and set of principles that works for ALL kinds of reading auditions. The technique promotes truthful, connected, and specfic acting—even when you don’t know much about the scene. In this part of the class you learn:
* Principles to rely on at every audition, so you can relax & have fun
* To take effective chances—instead of playing it safe—in cold reads
* To involve your audience so much they forget you’re holding a script
* To be “reader-proof”—how to work well with both good and bad readers
* How to be a good reader
* "Defensive cold reading" to deal with unexpected direction & partner choices
* How & when—and when not—to use movement in an audition
* To turn both cold and prepared auditions into adventures instead of ordeals!

WHAT IS FEARLESS AUDITION TECHNIQUE?

Make every moment of your audition work in your favor. “Fearless Audition Technique” deals with all of the non-acting parts of any audition. Learning how to handle yourself confidently under pressure is a skill you will need the rest of your career—even if you get successful enough to stop auditioning! In this part of the class you learn:

* How to enter and exit auditions with confidence, graciousness and ease
* How to easily answer common—and unexpected—industry questions
* Powerful grounding techinques that help you deal with nerves
* To STOP commenting negatively (or neutrally) on yourself and your work
* How to stay positive even with difficult or hard-to-read auditors
* How to chit-chat effectively in the audition room, and when to stop

FREE for TRU members, $20 for non-members
Precision Photos 36th Street Studio, 260 W. 36th Street, 3rd floor

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TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 16TH, 7PM

ACTING SUCCESS NOW
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP
WITH ROBERT & MICHELLE COLT

Acting Success Now combines neuroscience, quantum physics and the creative process to help actors get out of their own way.

You'll learn:

• The crucial dividing line between success and failure
• The insidious box of limitations
• What's "really" standing in the way of your acting success

Plus...

• The NEW power quantum physics and brain science plays in your success

"I booked my first national tour playing the role of my dreams, purchased my own condo AND I just booked my first Broadway show (my ultimate dream come true!). People ask me what I've done; It's all right here at Acting Success Now!" - Wendi Bergamini, Actress, Singer (South Pacific - Broadway Revival)

FREE for TRU members, $20 for non-members
Precision Photos 36th Street Studio, 260 W. 36th Street, 3rd floor

THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 28TH, 7PM

PAULA J RILEY SEMINAR
“FROM SCRATCH TO SCRIPT”

An Introduction to her On-going
Three-Month Acting Workshops

Do you like to Improvise or want to learn how?
Do you want to be the best actor you can be?
Do you want it said of you that your performances are honest and convincing?
THEN From Scratch to Script workshop will help you achieve that and more….

Paula has acted, directed, produced and coached throughout her thirty-five year career. Her workshops “FROM SCRATCH TO SCRIPT” offer an extensive look at, and application of, the craft of acting, from basics to production.

Her seminars are encouraging and inspiring, offering many examples of her particular acting process called; “The Primary Principles of Acting”. This process takes you through The ABC’s OF ACTING:

ABANDON

You must be able to act without self-consciousness. Therefore an actor must adopt a sense of comfort on stage. This is a very important tool, without which, I believe, there can be no “genuine” performance.

BELIEF

An actor’s Belief is of great importance. Not a religious belief, as one might practice in life, but a faith in what is essential to the character. When an actor becomes certain of WHO they are as the character, what follows is the “natural”, inevitable progression of that character.

CREATIVENESS

Strengthening the actor’s creative muscles, through observation and imagination, using actions and images, to ignite the desired emotions of the character.

At issue here is developing several inherent qualities the actor will need in his craft, among which are:

• Honesty
• Imagination
• Concentration
• Senses

This is merely an introduction to the workshop and what will be explored in greater detail through exercise and discussion. The result of which will be a performance before an invited industry audience.

  • Anyone who applies for her three-month workshop on the day of the seminar will receive a 10% discount.

FREE for TRU members, $20 for non-members
Precision Photos 36th Street Studio, 260 W. 36th Street, 3rd floor

MEET THE COACHES
Sunday February 28th, 5pm to 9pm
at The Players Theatre, 115 Macdougal Street

Come meet 6 monolog coaches and 6 vocal/musical coaches and hear a little bit about them and how they work. Because the most important thing about a coach is the chemistry you have with them, and we want you to meet these guys and get the vibe. Then network, socialize with wine and refreshments. This event is FREE for all actors who have registered for the Annual TRU Combined Audition Event which will take place on April 4-5, and is specifically geared to prepare you for your audition. You'll be seen by over 40 theater companies and producers, and we want you to do your absolute best! CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS AND LIST OF 2009 ATTENDING COACHES.

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