Classes

James Cagney Boardroom- Lobby Level 
5757 Wilshire Blvd. – Lobby Level
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Parking will be validated.

This popular workshop taught by veteran character actor David Dean Bottrell (Modern Family, Blacklist, Mad Men, Boston Legal) addresses how to make the most of your three minutes in the room. We will review 10 creative and practical approaches on how to prepare sides, work with bad readers, overcome nerves and make a solid impression every time you audition.

About David Dean Bottrell
Bottrell has taught for the UCLA Professional School of Acting, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Temple University, the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory and the former AFTRA Member Education Program. Bottrell is the author of Working Actor: Breaking In, Making a Living and Making a Life in the Fabulous Trenches of Show Business published by Ten Speed Press and available now on Amazon. www.WorkingActorTheBook.com

You must RSVP to attend. Spaces are limited.

Seeing this on your app? Please click here to log into the website and RSVP

Questions? Contact the Member Education department at (323) 634-8277.

Audio and video recording is not permitted, but written note taking is welcome.

This workshop is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. Unfortunately, no guests allowed. All performers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. SAG-AFTRA members, PLEASE BRING YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD OR DIGITAL CARD ON YOUR APP (paid through April 30, 2019) FOR ADMITTANCE. This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for the advice of other industry professionals. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.
 

Nationally renowned audiobook narrator and teacher Sean Pratt will be sharing his technique and insights with Miami Local members in Orlando. 
 
Day 1
 
Sean will offer a special Friday night workshop Tell Me A Story – Nonfiction Audiobook Narration Technique for working voice actors. He’ll dig deep into such techniques as the “The TED Talk” performance concept he uses; how to find the “spine of the paragraph”; how to find clues in the book’s language to create variation in your narration; and how to use the “four voices of nonfiction” to sharpen your narrative. Nonfiction narration makes up 25 percent of the audiobook market. Thus, it stands to reason that a narrator should master this genre in order to expand possibilities for working in the audiobook industry.
 
When: 7 – 10:30 p.m., Friday, March 22
 
Where: Nova Southeastern University (NSU)
4850 Millenia Blvd.
Room # 126
Orlando, FL 32839
(For directions, click here.)

Cost:

• $150 general; $120 for SAG-AFTRA and AEA members. Paid by check or PayPal. Limited to eight people who will read with Sean.
• If you wish to audit the class: $75 general; $60 for SAG-AFTRA and AEA members. 

RSVP: Contact seanpratt@comcast.net. Please write “Tell Me A Story” in the subject line and let him know if you’re a SAG-AFTRA member.

Day 2
 
Sean will present Let Me Tell You a Story – An Introduction to Audiobook Narration. This 3.5-hour workshop will cover the basics of recording audiobooks for commercial publishers. He’ll discuss the basic equipment you’ll need to do the job and the art, effort and attitude of narrating audiobooks. Materials will be provided.
 
When: 1 – 4:30 p.m., Saturday, March 23

Where: Nova Southeastern University (NSU)
4850 Millenia Blvd., Room # 232
Orlando, FL 32839
(For directions, click here.)

Cost:

• No charge for SAG-AFTRA or AEA members.
• $40 for both Saturday and Sunday (Day 3) sessions for non-members.
• $25 for either session for non-members. 

RSVP: Contact Susana Carrillo at (305) 663-7092 or susana.carrillo@sagaftra.org.
 
Day 3
 
The talk turns to Building Your Home Narration Studio – How to Do It Without Going Broke! In this 3.5-hour workshop, Sean will guide the beginner and budget-conscious voice actor through the process of setting up a studio at home. You’ll walk away from this session with an understanding of all you need to know in terms of equipment and your work environment to get you started.
 
When: 1 – 4:30 p.m., Sunday, March 24

Where: Nova Southeastern University (NSU)
4850 Millenia Blvd.
Room # 232
Orlando, FL 32839
(For directions, click here.)

Cost:

• No charge for SAG-AFTRA or AEA members.
• $40 for both Saturday and Sunday (Day 3) sessions for non-members.
• $25 for either session for non-members. 

RSVP: Contact Susana Carrillo at (305) 663-7092 or susana.carrillo@sagaftra.org.

Mr. Pratt has been a working actor for over 30 years and an audiobook narrator for 20 years (a.k.a. Lloyd James), recording over 1,000 books in almost every genre. He has earned eight AudioFile Magazine Earphones Awards and five Audie nominations from the Audio Publishers Association.

Tom Todoroff, acclaimed New York producer, director, actor and acting coach, comes to Miami March 16-17 to lead his two-day acting intensive. 

When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, March 16 – Sunday, March 17

Where: The Vanguard Theater 
1501 S. Andrews Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(For directions, click here.) 

The intensive will focus on scene study, monologue study, audition technique and career counseling. Both mornings begin with a voice and speech class. Performers will work on prepared pieces and receive personalized coaching from Todoroff thereafter. All attendees will learn to transform nervousness into intense excitement; be expressive rather than impressive; strengthen and find their true inner voice; think like a producer and much more. Walk away with a deeper understanding of the art, the business and the spirituality of acting.

Enroll as a performer to work one-on-one with Todoroff or sign up to observe.

Cost: SAG-AFTRA members receive 20 percent off tuition.

Performers (work with Todoroff directly): $359 ($287.20 with SAG-AFTRA discount)

Returning Observers: $99 ($79.20 with SAG-AFTRA discount)

Newcomer Observers: Just $20 (Newcomers are those who have not attended a prior Tom Todoroff event.)

To register visit, click here. 

Questions? Email FLintensive@TomTodoroff.com.

Learn more about Tom Todoroff and TT Studio training, visit www.tomtodoroff.com.

Todoroff has acted opposite, directed and/or coached Peter O’Toole, Harrison Ford, Samuel L. Jackson, Liam Neeson, Sasha Alexander, Allison Janney, Tony Goldwyn and Claire Danes among many others.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement by the union nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

Presented by Brenna McDonough,

This workshop will include exercises designed to help you make very quick choices for on the spot or self-tape auditions. Your participation will fuel the workshop with your imagination and sense of adventure. The ideas presented will include commercial, corporate and film improv situations.

This is a safe acting zone.

Brenna McDonough has been a full time professional actor and proud member of SAG-AFTRA since 1973. She started her career in Chicago and studied with Paul Sills at Second City. She continues to study improv with Mario Baldessari in WDC. Her studio On-Camera Training is 22 years old and is dedicated to serving the on-camera acting community of DMV. She has taught her on-camera classes at NYU, UMD and is a faculty member of Theatre Lab and Shakespeare Theatre.

 

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete form below to RSVP. Please note that you must be logged in to RSVP.

Seeing this on your app? Please click here to log into the website and RSVP.

Presented by Ty Ford      

Ty Ford provides clues for deciphering a script to bring the writer's voice to life.  He also points out some of the simple mechanics that help make you sound like you know what you are talking about.

 

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete form below to RSVP. Please note that you must be logged in to RSVP.

Seeing this on your app? Please click here to log into the website and RSVP.

Presented by Kathryn Klvana

Learn how to use the equipment in the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Room to self-tape an audition. We now have a Canon HD video camera with a shotgun mic and lav mic, and good lighting and background to help you look your best. Kathryn Klvana will explain how to reserve the room, use the video camera, edit your audition and upload it via WeTransfer while you are there. Be prepared next time you are asked to submit a taped audition!

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete form below to RSVP. Please note that you must be logged in to RSVP.

Seeing this on your app? Please click here to log into the website and RSVP.

Presented by Lance Lewman

With hundreds of national narrations to his credit, Lance Lewman, known for National Geographic's top rated series, Taboo, Maryland Public Television's popular series Outdoors Maryland, and countless WGBH Nova programs, will guide you through the "dos" and "don'ts" of narration recording, from mic technique to making that elusive connection to the listener that keeps clients coming back for more.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete form below to RSVP. Please note that you must be logged in to RSVP.

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Presented by Mary Naden

Alexander Technique is a psychophysical process of postural and movement re-education that frees your body and voice to work to its best capacity with the least amount of strain and tension. It’s taught in all major acting schools and conservatories to promote comfort and ease in performance.

In this introductory class, participants will learn the basic thinking and procedures of the Technique, and take away a small practice they can use at home. All are welcome whether you’ve never tried Alexander Technique or you need to revisit it for a tune-up!

Mary Naden, M.F.A. Acting and A.T.I. certified, began her teaching career as a Linklater Voice coach. Over time, she realized the important relationship between Alexander and voice, and trained for three years at the Philadelphia School for the Alexander Technique, then furthered her studies with John Nicholls of ATNYC and other esteemed teachers. She teaches Alexander in the Benjamin Rome School of Music, Drama and Art at Catholic University, and is also the staff teacher at the GW Center for Integrative Medicine. She maintains a lively private practice at her studio in Takoma Park, and can sometimes be found playing bass and singing in Big Hillbilly Bluegrass. www.performancealexandertechnique.com

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete form below to RSVP. Please note that you must be logged in to RSVP.

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Presented by Towanda Underdue

Towanda Underdue is an award winning performer and voice actor and has appeared on national TV shows such as CBS' Bull, HBO's HUNG, The Corner, and the upcoming mini series Night Shift, which she booked using her smartphone to self submit. Learn the basics of recording, editing and submitting your audition using your smartphone.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete form below to RSVP. Please note that you must be logged in to RSVP.

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Presented by Vanessa Meadows

​Do you struggle to learn lines?  In this workshop, you'll come away with a unique variety of memorization strategies that will not only help you learn your lines more efficiently, but will also guide you to your character faster, help you become more self-aware, increase your confidence and make auditions more fun!  After all, acting is supposed to be enjoyable!

An actress, instructor and speaker, Vanessa Meadows has been acting and performing for over 25 years. Throughout her career she has been involved in over 50 productions on both the stage and screen, and has taught musical theater (Syracuse Children's Theater), been a casting assistant on an award-winning film (TRI), produced and much more.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete form below to RSVP. Please note that you must be logged in to RSVP.

Seeing this on your app? Please click here to log into the website and RSVP.