CALLING ALL IMPROV TROUPES !!!

Improv Festival in June and July Seeking Improv Companies to participate in our four Week Improv Festival!!!

HEY NEIGHBOR IMPROV FEST

Epiphany Productions, in association with Hey Neighbor Improv and the Actors Workout Studio, is seeking Improv teams to host their own one hour time slot for four consecutive weeks Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays, June 24th through July 17th at the Actors Workout Studio in North Hollywood.

There is no fee though a $25 refundable deposit is required in order to encourage teams to commit to their time slot for all four weeks. (Please note that dates fall on Independence Day weekend, though the actual July 4th holiday falls on a Monday). Deposit will be returned at the end of the run.

Hour slots are:
Fridays @ 8pm (June 24th, July 1st, July 8th, and July 15th)
Fridays @ 9pm (June 24th, July 1st, July 8th, and July 15th)
Fridays @ 10pm (June 24th, July 1st, July 8th, and July 15th)

Saturdays @ 8pm (June 25th, July 2nd, July 9th and July 16th)
Saturdays @ 9pm (June 25th, July 2nd, July 9th and July 16th)
Saturdays @ 10pm (June 25th, July 2nd, July 9th and July 16th)

Sundays @ 7pm (June 26th, July 3rd, July 10th and July 17th)
Sundays @ 8pm (June 26th, July 3rd, July 10th and July 17th)
Sundays @ 10pm (June 26th, July 3rd, July 10th and July 17th)

Hosting teams that typically play for 30 minutes are encouraged to supply a second team of their choice to share the slot (though a second team may be provided). Teams that are comfortable playing for a full hour are also welcome.

One hundred percent of ticket revenues sold over 20 seats for that particular hour on any given night will go to that hour’s team(s).

Submissions are due 11:59 pm, May 31st. Please specify three slot choices, so that we may do our best to accommodate your team. Only choose times that you know your team can commit to. Scheduling will be made based in order of submissions. Please also include a brief description of your team and the names of its members.

For questions or to submit your team, please email heyneighbor10@gmail.com, or call James at 818-749-6855.

Deposits can be made via credit card or by checks payable to:

Actors Workout Studio
4735 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91602
818-766-2171

Play Readings at AWS

We will be having two evenings of play readings this weekend at The Actors Workout Studio, starring short one acts written by writers from First Stage.

FRIDAY 3/18/11 at 8 PM and SUNDAY 3/20/11 at 7 PM
ADMISSION – FREE
Reservations required – 818-506-3903

The Actors Workout Studio
4735 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91602

FRIDAY 3/18 at 8 PM
China Cup – By Dan Roth
Death For Hire – by Samuel Toll
Feeding Time at the Human House – by David Weiner
Hanging Around – By Samuel Toll
People’s Prada – by Felix Racelis
Snowmen – by Dan Roth
Swing – by Thomas J. Misuraca

SUNDAY 3/20 at 7 PM
Can We Talk? – By Samuel Toll
Driving Green – By Martin Blank
Educating Eddie – by Gregory Lawrence Stewart
Intervention Blues – By Samuel Toll
No Limits – by Chritsine Rosensteel
Revenge is Best Served Cold – by Samuel Toll
The Perfect Place for You – by Gregory Lawrence Stewart
Wet Asphalt – by Dan Roth

With Performances by:
Katy Pollock, Martin McSweeney, Mick Montgomery, Jenny Montgomery, David Dean, Bobby Martin, Andrew Benne, Marcia Newman, Ali Kendall, Adam Hockenberry, Karina Buettgenbach, Chris Shumway, Ken Matsui, George Griffith, Jim Pacitti, Vane Millon, Sheryl Kramer, Erika Heidewald, Rickie Peete, KC White, Conrad Dunn, Carlene Olson, Khaled Saab, Paul Respass, Marcie Barkin, Jeff Freeman, David Shackleford, Fran Montano, Ellen Dimler, Phil D’Amour, Stacie Wengryn, plus more..

AWS Member Presents West Coast Premiere of “Obamanologues”

Politics meets prose in the theatrical production entitled “Obamanolgues”, which opens in North Hollywood, CA this Fall. “Obamanologues” (pronounced Obama-na-logs) is the intersection of the two words Obama and monologues. Obamanologues is neither pro-democrat nor pro-republican; it’s pro-theatre! This theatrical play, which premiered last Fall in Washington, DC, makes its West Coast debut shortly after members of Congress return from their summer recess. Obamanologues comprises eleven chronological monologues — beginning with the 2004 Democratic National Convention Conference and ending with the Obama Administration’s first 100 days in office. Each monologue presents a different and unique perspective on Barack Obama and his historical journey to the White House. 

The play focuses on dynamic characters who depict palpable moments of euphoria and disappointment, anger and frustration, pride and joy. The monologues, which are presented by characters of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, political affiliations, and socioeconomic groups,  are delivered in styles ranging from comedic to rebellious; they depict the emotions and behaviors displayed by people in living rooms, classrooms, offices, and churches throughout the country. 

Mr. R.M. Peete, writer and director, developed the play in early 2009 with the objective of exploring prevalent themes heard within the public discourse during our most recent presidential election season. He felt it necessary to “artistically capture the many disparate voices shouting to be heard throughout the country, and then bring those disparate voices to the stage.” Also, he says, “the passage of time affords us a level of freedom for objectively reflecting on this very controversial period in our history. Hopefully, Obamanologues helps us in some way to gain a deeper understanding of that period and ourselves.”

Obamanologues runs at the Actors Workout Studio (4735 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA, 91602) on Sundays only (2pm and 6pm performances), September 26 thru November 14, 2010. Preview performances are on Sunday, September 26 @ 2 p.m and 6pm. For more information call (323) 207-6384 and go to: Obamanologues’s web site.

Different Levels of Actors in Los Angeles

Since there is no curriculum, or set pattern to make a career in this business, many actors feel helpless, frustrated, lost, and waste time and money trying to make the right decisions. Here is a sample guide. Monitor yourself, where are you and how are you doing. It is a guide only. Review your energy, check your strategies, and goals. Use it as a barometer, a guide, add and subtract according to your own situation, needs and desires.

Beginning Actor: (one year)

• Takes an acting class on acting craft and the process (at least once a week).
• Reads one play a week.
• Sees 1 to 2 plays a month.
• Sees 3 to 4 movies a month.
• Reads Backstage West each week.
• Volunteers or works in a theater (box office, lights, stage manager, etc), the purpose being to be around actors, see them work, observe, and learn about theater.
• Reads books of the nature such as “The Artist Way” by Julia Cameron”, “The Road Less Traveled”, by Scott Peck, etc.
• Reads acting books by other well known teachers and techniques such as “Respect For Acting”, The Meisner Technique, The Method, Harold Clurman, and biographies on their favorite actors, etc.
• Does something outside acting to supplement working on their instrument; yoga, voice class, dance, martial arts, singing, stand up, etc.
• Keeps a journal.

Intermediate Actor: (2-3 years)

• Takes a class at least once a week.
• Has two monologues prepared.
• Has 6 – 12 scenes that have been completed.
• Is involved in a theater situation where there are audition possibilities, play readings, and productions.
• Has a good headshot.
• Is building a resume of experience – plays, student films, videos, non union projects.
• Reads Backstage West cover to cover each week and submits for anything and everything.
• Auditions for everything, understudies, gets on stage as much as possible.
• Has or is seeking an agent or manager
• Has taken a commercial workshop and has, or is seeking, a commercial agent and auditions for commercials.
• Reads at least 2 plays per month.
• Sees at least 1 play per month.
• Sees 3-4 movies per month.
• Is working on ways to get tape on themselves, either by a project already worked on or self produced.
• Networks in showcases, theater, scene nights, play readings, and projects that can “put them out there to be seen and gain experience.”
• Works on getting featured and co starring roles in television and film.
• Is working on or has gotten in the Unions, SAG and AFTRA , and maybe EQUITY.
• Has a good resume for gaining work and representation.

Advanced Actor (5 years +)

• Has a great headshot and solid resume.
• Takes a class. Either in a class and/or is working on a job.
• Does 2 – 3 plays a year
• Has several current and good TV Credits
• Has been in several films (union or non- union)
• Has good tape
• Has a good relationship with their agent and/or manager and communicates on a weekly basis
• Participates in a theater where they can audition, perform, do play readings, showcases, scene nights and work out.
• Has a database of casting directors that they know, auditioned for, or worked for, and stays in touch with on a regular basis. (post cards, notes, stop ins, etc.)
• Knows every prime time show and who casts them. Knows every show they are “right for” and gets seen by the casting directors for them.
• Reads Backstage West, Hollywood Reporter, and Variety regularly.
• Has several projects on the side they are working on. (screenplay, play, putting together projects for themselves, pitching ideas, etc.)

OTHER TYPES

Some people are carving their own way and aren’t interested in conventional routes.

• Writer, producer, actor. Working on their own project, not interested or passionate about an agent, and the general route of auditioning for parts in TV, Film and Theater.
• Starts a production company and does their own thing.
• Buys a camera and starts making their own film or documentary.
• Runs or is active in a theater company and expresses their art there.
•  Belongs to a cooperative and creates with these people – theater, film, etc.
• Crosses over from another aspect of the business – makes contacts and “gets in” that way: Examples: stand up comedians, dancers, musicians, stunt men, writer/actor, improv troupe, director/actor, producer/actor, works at casting office, works at a production company, friend or family member is in the business and hires them.
• Writes a one person show or show for themselves – film, theater, series idea.
• These people may never even pursue and agent or audition.

 - Fran Montano, Artistic Director

The Actors Workout Studio

An Actor’s Work in LA

In order to succeed in this town you need to work on four things:

1. Training – You need to be a great actor. Yes – great, professional, and know your craft. You also need to know who you are and exactly what it is you’re selling. You must know how to prepare and be the best you can so when opportunities arise you will have your best shot. There is no excuse for not being well trained and prepared physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This is a competitive profession and you need to become an expert in your craft. The saddest thing to me is to see an actor get an opportunity and then simply not be good enough. They didn’t get the training they should have.

2. Work and Experience – Actors should be WORKING ALL THE TIME. There is no excuse for an actor not to be working, whether it is theater, independent film, TV, a web series, or a scene in class. Actors need to be working, staying in shape. Each working opportunity is an opportunity to grow, learn, gain experience, and add to your resume. You, as an actor, need to learn to CREATE your own work, not wait around for someone to give it to you. You need to have a mindset of, “There is plenty of work and I create my own”.

3. Get Your Work Seen – You need to have a plan to take action to get the people who are in a position to help get you work, to see your work. It sounds simple, yet this seems to be the most difficult thing for actors to accomplish. This is usually where they give up.

4. Love it – Yes, you need to enjoy your work, and enjoy the process. You need to be in touch with yourself, your passion, your creative artist, and enjoy the work. It sounds simple, yet this is where actors burn out, give up and lose touch with that part of themselves. We need to take care and nurture that part of ourselves.

At the Actors Workout Studio, there is simply no reason not to be working and moving your career forward. We have a strong training program & performance opportunities for all actors. We have been in business for over 25 years. Our reputation is well known, our facility fertile and inviting, and our location desirable and centrally located for industry to attend.

Fran Montano, Artistic Director

The Actors Workout Studio