You made it past the tax deadline. Now invest in your career...
TRU ACTORS RESOURCE NIGHT
(AND "SPEED DATING")
Instead of being relieved at how little you paid in taxes, make plans to earn more money in 2010!
Invest in your career by checking out our great lineup of resources.
And no, it's not really a date. Just a way to meet some really helpful people.
Including manager Christopher Silveri of Prestige Management
and cvasting directors Brooke Cebonis and Kevin Kennison!
Produced by Theater Resources Unlimited
in association with Weist Barron Studios and Jaye Maynard.
Tuesday evening April 27th at 7pm
Weist Barron Studios,
35 W. 45th Street, 6th floor
Reservations required: email TRUnltd@aol.com
So what's this about "Speed Dating"? Is this a fix-up? Nah, it's nothing romantic. Is it an audition? Nah - no monolog slam, or need to be "on." You don't even have to sign up for "Speed Dating" to party with us.
But it's a chance to introduce yourself to our eleven sponsoring hosts (including Robert Blume, producer of the Drama Desk Awards who has opened an artists' management company and agency; and actor manager Michael Katz). Click here for the lineup of sponsors.
Oh, we have to charge. But it's only $15 (but still FREE for TRU members), and you've gotten your money's worth with two glasses of wine and a plate of cheese, right?
• ABOUT SPEED DATING. How does it work? Okay. There are ten or eleven stations each manned by a sponsor who offers you a service. We put you in a group of ten or eleven, each of you starts at a different station. You spend three minutes finding out about your "date." Or telling them about yourself. Or asking for advice. Or cvetching. It's your three minutes. We let you know when 30 seconds remain, and then we let you know when three minutes are up and you have to move to the next station. As a thank you, your "date" will give you a coupon for a discount or special offer (these offers are given only to people who go through Speed Dating.) At the end of a thirty minute (approx) circuit, we bring in the next group of ten or eleven. While you're waiting, you can drink and socialize. Join the Discussion Group. Have your headshot retouched. Or primp for your dates:
Valerie Adami of Weist-Barron Studios
Jodie Bentley and Kevin Urban of The Savvy Actor
Robert Blume of Stepforward Entertainment Group
Laurie Eliscu, acting coach
Walter Gowens of AAAA, financial planner for artists
Bobby Holder of the Actors Project NYC
Michael Katz of Michael Katz Talent Management
Alexa Kelly - artistic director Pulse Ensemble, coach
Paul Michael of The Network
Paula J. Riley - acting coach
Blu Toth of Bluface Photography
lineup subject to change due to availability of participants
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• BACKROOM DISCUSSION GROUP.
We will also be offering headshot evaluations and consultations, as well as audition protocol discussions, with TRU Literary & Casting Director Catherine Lamm and TRU photographer Ellis Gaskell. |
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• In addition to the dating stations, there will be other actor resources to meet on your own. So bring lots of headshots to give out. We turn people away at every one of these, so please reserve early by emailing TRUnltd@aol.com with the header "I wanna Speed Date!"
MAKE A (3-MINUTE) DATE WITH OUR HOSTING SPONSORS
(• denotes Speed Date; others are co-sponsoring "floaters" who also want to meet you) |
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• VALERIE ADAMI - Owner/Director Weist-Barron Acting for Film & Television Casting Director WB Casting. A Musical Theatre background changed into Voice-Over and Soap Opera work after she studied at Weist-Barron in the 1980’s. Valerie was asked to join the WB staff because of her excellent people skills and a genuine desire to help actors fulfill their goals. In 1985 Weist-Barron created WB Casting to expand the schools services and Valerie became the on-site casting dir. Although her principal job is running the school, she casts for corporate videos, commercial print, and the occasional student film. In 2006, Valerie was given ownership of Weist-Barron by Bob Barron’s widow. She considers it a scared trust to continue what Bob and his partner, famed announcer Dwight Weist were the first to create. Valerie also developed “Getting the Biz’ness” one of the first patented seminars dealing with the logistics of pursuing a career in Acting. In addition she teaches “Cold Reading for Film & TV” and directs the much- admired Weist-Barron Film & Television Showcases.
Weist-Barron has been training, guiding and show-casing actors specifically for work in Film and Television since 1956. Our goal is to make sure actors feel confident of their on-camera performance and understand how to direct their career path. Our courses are informative, rewarding and affordable (no membership fees) and are always free to visit. A short film about the school can be accessed on our very comprehensive website www.weistbarron.com |
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• JODIE BENTLEY & KEVIN URBAN, the co-owners of The Savvy Actor have almost 20 years combined experience in the acting business. They are both signed (and working!) with legit and commercial agents, and book consistently in all areas. Kevin has a degree in PR/ Marketing Communications, and prior to The Savvy Actor, Jodie built her own NYC based Marketing and Sales company from the ground up. This is the knowledge and know how they bring to The Savvy Actor.
TheSavvyActor.com is the one stop website for the business of acting developed by working actors. It's time to work smarter, not harder, and build your acting business with marketing, branding and business principles that guarantee success! |
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• BLUFACE PHOTOGRAPHY - Blu has worked internationally with the ELITE modeling agency, traveled the globe, and worked with some of the best photographers of our time. She has appeared in numerous ads, as well as publications such as French Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar, L'Officiale, Marie Claire, and other magazines the world over. She was the face of Ray Ban and Christian Lacroix's first fragrance "Cest La Vie". Blu always had a keen eye for beauty but her time in Paris defined her sense of style and aesthetics Blu studied acting with William Esper, Tom Todoroff , Julia Carey and voice and speech with Shane Ann Younts. She has appeared in the Major Motion Picture "Fur" opposite Nicole Kidman , and on All My Children .
"My love for acting is equal to my love for actors. I admire anyone who takes on such a difficult and challenging profession. I cant even tell you how blessed I feel to be able to work with these beautiful people called actors every day. There is nothing else I would rather do. My passion for photography led me to study at the International Center for Photography and my love for actors led me to create my latest incarnation and passion." |
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• ROBERT R. BLUME has been a theatrical/entertainment Producer for over 25 years, and is now in his 12th year as Presenter/Executive Producer of the annual DRAMA DESK AWARDS (the “Golden Globes of the theatre”).
His most recent productions include a New York concert co-production with The Swiss Society of New York, Sue Mathys Sings Broadway & Piaf at Weill/Carnegie Hall, and as Associate Producer of an off-Broadway thriller Mindgame that starred Academy and Tony Award winner, Keith Carradine and directed by film legend, Ken Russell at the SoHo Playhouse.
In addition, Mr. Blume is the Managing Partner of Step Forward Entertainment Group Ltd., a talent management company which also features career education & talent marketing. The company currently represents over 28 active clients for Film, Theatre and Television including the award-winning original star of Broadway’s The Lion King, Tsidii Le Loka, and International renowned Cabaret Star, KT Sullivan. Step Forward Entertainment Groupalso manages actor/models under a co-management agreement with Richard Francis Representatives.
Currently Mr. Blume is Producing a play, Blacker by Russ Weatherford to open on the British stage in 2010 prior to an American debut; is a Producing partner on a worldwide multi-media entertainment project promoting peace through music entitled “The Awakening” in development with the Duke Ellington Center For The Artsand Actress/Choreographer, Mercedes Ellington; and is launching a new “theatrical party business” rotating the hit off-Broadway musical Let My People Comeand theinteractive musical comedy, You’re It!,bothby Earl Wilson, Jr. He is also a Consulting Producer on a musical slated for Broadway, Judah Ben-Hurand a touring concert version of the Broadway-bound musical,Angels. |
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• LAURIE ELISCU, Acting Coach / Director is the Artistic Director of Hudson River Repertory Company and is presently casting two new musicals. Laurie loves working with actors individually on monologues and scenes and has had great success - her actors have gotten into Yale School of Drama, regional theaters, and now Broadway! She has taught acting at SUNY-Purchase and several other colleges, has both performed and directed in Equity and non-Equity professional productions, and has an MFA in Theatre from Sarah Lawrence College. She tailors her technique to the needs of the individual actor and, with a discerning eye, builds each actor's skills and confidence in a positive, supportive, and fun-loving environment. |
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ELLIS GASKELL (TRU photographer) is a New York photographer specializing in theater-related work, and the author of "An Actor's Guide: How To Get The Best Headshot." Copies of his book will be available at a 1/3 discount off the book store/internet price. |
• WALTER GOWENS - Actors, Artists, Athletes & Authors - is a full service year round tax, accounting and financial consulting business for the entertainment industry. Actors can take full advantage of deductions they may not know of and get advice on business and personal financial planning. Walter Gowans is the principal owner and has an MBA in Finance and is a Certified Financial Planner. Very Actor Friendly!
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• BOBBY HOLDER is the Artistic Director of The Actor's Project NYC (TAPNYC), a unique theatre company that assists its members in landing agents and getting work through industry showcases and plays. TAPNYC is casting AVANT-GARDE, MOSAIC, FANTASY, and ABSTRACT, four full-length theatrical showcases of music, scenes, monologues, and sketch comedy, all original works created by TAPNYC company writers. The company is also casting other Season 17 productions: an all sketch-comedy showcase and an original play. Past productions have been attended by producers (Broadway, Off-Broadway & off-off-Broadway, film, and TV), agents (commercial and legit), talent managers, and casting directors. Bobby Holder, prod.-dir. Performances in June in NYC.
For more info as well as clips of past productions, visit www.theactorsprojectnyc.com. Please Note: TAPNYC is a Membership Company. Membership dues are $250 per season (less than $65 a month) and includes agent & manager coaching, résumé workshops, bio workshops, and writing workshops; after three seasons actors have the option to become lifetime members, who are not required to pay dues. Possible pay provided; actors cast in company plays share 60 percent of the profits (you must be an accepted member to participate). Nonunion.
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• MICHAEL KATZ of Michael Katz Talent Management, is a personal manager for actors. He graduated from Middlebury College in 1977 with a degree in theatre arts and English literature. He trained formally as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. For 10 years, Michael worked steadily as an actor in New York . But he also developed an interest in becoming a talent representative. He was first franchised as a talent agent in the commercial arena at Don Buchwald & Associates. Later, he went on to head the commercial department of Artists Group East. In the spring of 1997, he launched his own business, Michael Katz Talent Management. |
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• ALEXA KELLY, Acting Coach, is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director for Pulse Ensemble Theatre.
She has worked as an acting teacher and director for the past 30 years.
She taught acting and directing at the University of North Carolina,
University of Michigan, Alliance Theater Acting School, Walnut Street
Theatre Acting School, Harlem Theatre Company. Since being in New York
City, Alexa has directed extensively at Pulse Ensemble Theatre, Adelphi
University, and Tisch School of the Arts, Playwrights Department.
She coaches acting for graduate school admissions, scene work and play
performances. Her acting coaching focuses on all aspects of the craft:
the voice, the body and the technique. She works extensively with acting
coaching for Shakespeare, and has made many students who thought they
could not handle Shakespeare at all say “Wow! That really was easy!”
www.AlexaKellyDirector.com, 212-695-1596 |
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CATHERINE LAMM literary & casting director of TRU, is a director and private coach who has trained with the Royal National Theatre (Edinburgh), the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, and the American Film Institute. She was formerly the casting director for the Chelsea and West Side Theaters. Catherine is also a feature writer and reviewer for Stage Press Weekly and British Theatre Guide . A veteran theatre professional, she has worked with The Players' Guide , Samuel French, and Broadway producers Mordeccai & Associates, and is a sometime dramaturg/literary consultant to various NYC-based theatre companies and producing organizations. A former professional actor with Off Broadway and West End roles to her credit, Catherine has been teaching actors about the business of performing since 1986. www.catherinelamm.com |
| • PAUL J. MICHAEL - Executive Director of The Network, is a veteran stage director, having directed numerous productions in New York City over the past 16 years. Paul has worked at many Off-Broadway theatres, including Ensemble Studio Theatre, Circle Rep and The Actor's Playhouse. Paul recently directed Harley Adams' Play %233, which was the winner of the Samuel French Festival, as well as Eugene Gyrgo's Graduation, which placed as a semi-finalist in the Strawberry Festival. Some other directing projects include The Naive Artist based on a real life experience of Lanford Wilson, Heterosexuals in Crisis, The Cradle of Maybe, and Minus Some Buttons, which was also published by Samuel French as a result of that production. Paul is the Co-founder and Artistic Director of Olympia Theatre Company, which has produced numerous plays over the past decade. He has trained as a director at the MFA program at Mankato State University in Minnesota, CW Post University on Long Island, Daemon College, Circle Rep under Michael Warren Powell and extensively as a television director at Video Associates under Gordon Rigsby. Paul holds a Master's degree in Directing from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.
The Network is a place where Metropolitan area theatre and film artists and the agents, managers and casting directors looking to work with them can meet, communicate and connect in a safe and creative atmosphere. Through weekly seminars and Q&A sessions with some of New York's top entertainment professionals, we provide an opportunity for actors, directors and playwrights to get some "face time" with them, with the goal of harboring a working relationship. With an open door policy, The Network serves as a hub that can be used to seek out advice, information and coaching from our staff and associates. We strive to maintain a level of integrity, honesty and a commitment to the needs and success of the individual that is unique to any other service of its kind. |
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PAULA J. RILEY - For over 35 years Paula has acted, directed, taught, coached and produced in New York City.
Her aim is to help the actor achieve the greatest possibility for the existence of nuance, through the profound understanding of character development and its inevitable progression. Her workshops and private coaching have helped beginners as well as professionals, toward a deeper understanding, and therefore a more organic rendering, of their work. |
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