Auditions

An audition is a "job interview" for actors.

Your suitability for a role in a show depends on several factors:

1. Your gender, age, body type, facial characteristics,

vocal quality, ethnicity and apparent health.

2. Your reputation, your experience, your cold reading skills,

your interpretation of the scene and your assigned character,

your ability to project your voice and play to the director

as well as the other actors in the scene.

(For a musical, your singing voice and your ability

 to learn & perform choreography.)  

                                                                        

3. Your overall personal skills in working with other people.

4. Finally, the Director's efforts to assemble a balanced cast

                                                           that fulfills his/her "Vision" for the show.                                                           

 

Topics discussed:

Auditions defined, preparing for an audition, creating a resume,

audition applications, what to expect at an audition, audition segments,

questions from the director, tips for auditioning well,

the casting process, casting etiquette, methodology and peculiarities.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are the process of building a show; practicing do a show. 

 

Topics discussed:

Rehearsals defined, rehearsal obligations, rehearsal practices, first rehearsal,

on-Book with blocking notes, off-Book with prompting, off-Book without prompting,

taking stage / Load-in Day, Acts / Scenes, costuming, props & make-up, full runs,

press night, running lines, technical rehearsal, “Hell Week”, dress rehearsal,

music, choreography. Blocking Notations. Memorization Principles & Techniques.

Character Development

The keys to all character portrayals are self-subordination

and internalizing emotions. 

Topics discussed:

Character Development defined, Emotions, Emotional empathy,

Actor’s Process, Character Study Questions, Character Decision,

Primary Character Traits, Character Hierarchy, Character Descriptions,

Self-Subordination, Interpretive Imitation,

Experiential Substitution (The Method), Intuitive Acting.

 

Stage Presence

The key to a competent stage acting performance 

is primarily executing conventional stage acting techniques--and not violating them! 

Topics discussed:

Stage Presence defined, Personal presentation, Developed talent,

Actor Tools, Actor Actions, Actor’s Technique. 

Performances

Putting it all together--onstage and backstage. 

Topics discussed:

Performance defined, Pre-arrival, Upon arrival, Prop & Costume pre-sets,

Dressing Rooms, Backstage, Onstage, Post-performance, Opening Night, Closing Night.