Sold Out

October 8, 2019

The October Virtual Showcase is now sold out. Thank you to everyone who signed up! This month’s recording will take place on the 23rd, with a November date TBA. Although the industry slows down around the holidays, it’s actually a great time to record a showcase. Agents have a bit more time to view the audition footage. So if you didn’t get a spot this month, no worries! We have a growing wait list for the next round of registration. Sign up now at chicagovirtualshowcase@gmail.com.

Aaaand We're Back!

January 13, 2019

I hope everyone had a joyful and peaceful holiday season. It can be hard to get back into the swing of things, but I can officially say all my holiday decorations are finally put away. Progress! And with the new year comes a slew of new auditions as pilot season ramps up. Those self-tape requests are rolling in, and I look forward to meeting new actors as well as working with my regular clients.

Listed under the Resources tab of this website are a variety of studios, schools and organizations that I think can really benefit Chicago actors. Many offer classes and workshops geared toward nailing the audition, prepping for pilot season and brushing up your cold-reading skills. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

I want everyone to have a successful year, and the best way to do that is to be proactive. Enroll in a class, watch your self-tapes and learn what makes one better over another, add to your audition repertoire so you always have appropriate material ready to go, and just keep at it. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

HAPPY 2019!

Back in Business

January 2, 2018

     The holidays are over, and it's time to get back to work! I hope everyone had a lovely winter break, and am eager to see what 2018 brings to all you dedicated actors. Pilots are gearing up and auditions will soon start rolling in. Make sure you're ready! Interested in a new acting class? Check out my Resources page for a list of reputable schools and studios offering a variety of classes. Many offer on-camera workshops to help you prepare for your upcoming film and television auditions. When you need to put something on tape, contact me! I'm happy to help, and look forward to seeing you in the studio.

Happy 2018!

Second City Training Center: Teen Workshop!

August 13, 2017

     It was a small but mighty group today at the Second City Training Center, for another round of the Coaching and Virtual Showcase workshop for teens. Students took turns practicing on camera with monologues and commercial copy, as well as rehearsing their slates to make that memorable - and positive - first impression. They began to realize that commercials, even though they are only a few seconds long, are much harder than they seem! For most of the students, it was their first time seeing themselves on camera - something every actor should get comfortable with. What a fun day!

     Next week they will come in to record their Virtual Showcase, and a link will be sent to all the agents, casting directors, producers, etc. in the Chicago area. I can't wait to see how much more confident they become after having a few days with the material at home and applying all their notes from today. Woot woot!  

Registration Ends Soon - Sign Up at The Second City

September 12, 2016

There are only a few days left to sign up for the Coaching and Virtual Showcase at The Second City! This is a class designed for the advanced teen actor, and focuses on preparing commercial copy and scenes for an online showcase. Get all the details HERE.

To Prop or Not to Prop

August 24, 2016

     When preparing for an audition taping or showcase recording, I've had actors ask me whether or not they should use props. My first question to them is this: "Is the prop crucial to the scene?" 

     Generally speaking, if the prop is necessary for the scene and small enough to fit in your pocket, then it is probably fine to use. However, let's say you're auditioning a fight scene, and the stage direction reads: pulls out knife; do NOT assume you should bring a knife in to your audition. The moment a weapon comes into play, everyone in the room is immediately nervous, including the casting director and your fellow actors. Typically, the action in those types of scenes will be mimed in an audition situation. This applies to both on-camera and theatre auditions.

     Let's look at another example: your character is sitting at a restaurant with friends, so you'd like to sip on a glass of water during your audition. Ask yourself this: Does drinking the glass of water add to the scene, or detract from it? Would the scene be just as effective, if not more so, if you did not drink the glass of water? If it is imperative that your character be drinking, then use a bottled water. Bottles of water are easy to transport in your bag, and you won't have to worry about a glass breaking.

     Don't hesitate to ask the person running the audition about prop usage.  There are situations in which props are necessary, like in commercials where you are selling a product. Clients need to see how you handle their product, and in these cases the prop is likely supplied for you. 

     When in doubt, just ask. You'll be doing yourself, and the others in the audition room, a favor.   

Coachings Complete! Up Next: Showcase

August 20, 2016

I spent the morning and afternoon coaching teens on their commercials, scenes and monologues. I love meeting new actors! They were eager to work and gave it their all. I saw some really strong choices today, and I can't wait to see what they bring to the showcase recording tomorrow. Woot!

Gearing Up for the Weekend

August 18, 2016

     It's storming out now, but hopefully that clears up by this weekend. Not only is it the Air and Water Show here in Chicago, but it's also the Teen Coaching and Virtual Showcase at The Second City Training Center! Speaking of the Air and Water Show, parking could get a little nutty for all you parents out there trying to drop off your kids. Please plan accordingly.

The camera set-up in Donny's Skybox for the July Coaching & Virtual Showcase.

     Headshots and resumes, along with lots of questions, are starting to pour in from parents and students. So just a couple of things: if you are unsure which headshot to use, send me what you have and I'll choose. You will not be able to use set pieces in your scene. If you are using a prop, it should be small enough to fit in your pocket, like a set of keys or a cell phone. Your info sheet MUST be signed by a parent before I record you. No exceptions. You will have a 45-minute lunch break on Day 1, so feel free to bring a lunch. Otherwise, be sure you have money to buy food from one of the  nearby restaurants.

     That's it for now. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you this weekend! 

August is SOLD OUT, but September Dates are Coming Soon!

August 15, 2016

     Let me just say, you guys ROCK. Thanks to your awesomeness, my August workshop at The Second City Training Center is completely SOLD OUT. If you didn't make it in to the class this month, don't fret: September dates are in the works!

"What is this workshop, exactly?"

     Great question! The workshop is an on-camera class for teens that takes place over the course of two days. On the first day, I coach students on commercials, scenes and monologues. We talk about the business, practice slates, work on material the students have spent a week preparing, and review everyone's work. On the second day, students record a "virtual showcase," where they perform their pieces on camera as well as give a quick interview. The showcase is then posted on Matt Miller's Virtual Showcase, and the link is sent to more than 200 industry professionals including agents, casting directors and producers, to name a few. 

"Who is Matt Miller?"

     Matt Miller has been on the Chicago scene for many years. He began his career in casting, then moved on to directing plays and commercials. He is currently the executive producer of Teachers on TV Land. But why take my word for it? You can view some of his work here. 

     Sound cool? Keep checking back for further information regarding the next workshop. I hope to see you (or your talented teen) there!

"I need an agent, but agents want to see footage, but I don't have any footage, so I need an agent..."

August 11, 2016

     It can leave you feeling helpless: you're taking acting classes, you audition for plays whenever possible, yet you can't seem to get your foot in the door with any of the film/television casting offices. I need an agent, you think. But most agents want to see some of your work - ideally your on-camera experience - before they decide to take you on as a client. That can be difficult, since the way to get on-camera auditions is typically, well, through an agent.

     In your ideal world, you have multiple clips in varying genres that you can compile into a reel. In reality, you have a blurry iPhone video of you dancing at Lollapalooza that doesn't exactly scream "Oscar."

"So how do I get footage if I don't have a reel?"

     Back in the olden days (aka 2006), submitting a reel required you to download your footage to a disc, which you then mailed out to a list of agents in the hopes that a) the disc didn't break in the mail and b) the agent actually opened it. Times have changed. Now a reel can be emailed in seconds via a link, and agents can view it with a simple click of the mouse.

     Guess what? Audition footage is viewed the exact same way. Preparing a few quick scenes to tape as you would a self-taped audition gives you footage. And that's all the agents really need to see - footage. So why not try taping a few scenes and commercials to compile into an "audition reel," so that if an agent asks, "Do you have anything on tape?" you can answer, "Yes."

     I'm not talking about audition footage you shoot at home on your phone (reread the Lollapalooza comment above). I'm talking about professionally-shot footage you tape at a studio, with a reader and proper lighting.     

     Another incentive to having professionally-shot audition footage is that agents get an idea of what to expect from you when they send you to the casting office. They can see and hear you slate, notice how you dress and present yourself, and assess your on-camera technique through your read.

     So why not try it? If you're interested, click here for more information - I'm happy to help!