Summer and Showcases and Sales, Oh My!

July 1, 2016

     It's July!!! 2016 is officially half over. Temperatures are heating up, and so is audition season. Are you ready? With school out, kids need a different outlet to release their creative energy. What better way than with the numerous classes and workshops offered throughout the city? A list of companies offering acting classes can be found here. Check back often - the list keeps growing!  

Events coming up this month:

Coaching a group of teens at The Second City and recording a Virtual Showcase - just for them! Rolling out some special discounts...stay tuned!

     The June Virtual Showcase has posted! What the heck is a Virtual Showcase, you ask? It's a great way for actors to be seen by more than 200 industry professionals with just the click of a button. To learn more, click here.

     Registration is now closed for the Teen Virtual Showcase: Second City Edition. I can't wait to meet these young actors, give them coaching and record their showcases. We're going to have so much fun!

     To learn more about the class, or to be put on a wait list, click here.

Happy Birthday, America!

     It's America's birthday, and with birthdays come presents! What's a better present than a little extra cash in your pocket? For the ENTIRE month of July, I'm offering $5 off all 1/2 hour self-taped auditions and coachings, and $10 off all one-hour tapings and coachings. Just mention "OHMYJULY" in your email to me. And check back on July 4 for a VERY special deal!

Audition Taping with Mercedez

June 30, 2016

Just finished recording an audition for Mercedez. She emailed this morning, and her agent needed the link TODAY. I'm so happy I was able to schedule her in at the studio. She taped her audition and her agent liked the link - it's a win-win!

Plus, she spells her name in a really cool way. :)

Another #TBT Bit Tank Audition

June 30, 2016

     Ever since I met these performers back in January during their Bit Tank auditions at iO Chicago, I've begun to notice them more and more on the audition circuit. Now, I'm not saying the two are connected, but...

     Here's a look back at one of my favorite auditions from that day. Enjoy! 

Editing Session: Kid/Teen Virtual Showcase

June 27, 2016

I've been sitting on the floor editing this month's Kid/Teen session of Matt Miller's Virtual Showcase. These kids are ADORBS. If agents don't snatch them up asap, I might just have to become an agent myself so I can sign them. So far during the session I've learned about street punks, nougat, safety patrol, and an entrepreneurial cookie salesgirl. I am laughing so hard there are tears in my eyes. Chicago Talent Agents: sign these kids! Casting Directors: call them in! Their showcase recordings can be viewed here once they have been posted.

Follow on Twitter!

June 23, 2016

Guess what? You can now follow Chicago Self-Taped Auditions on Twitter! Find out all the latest news and events. Just click on the link on the Home page.

Another Virtual Showcase Come and Gone!

July 23, 2016

Virtual Showcase

We had a smaller group than expected today (darn cancellations!) but they were fierce, nonetheless! I had a great time with these delightful actors; they came prepared and ready to record. I hope to see much more of them on the audition circuit SOON.

Update (October 22, 2019): Matt Miller’s Virtual Showcase is now known as the Chicago Virtual Showcase. The format is the same - actors prepare a slate, scene or monologue, one to two pieces of commercial copy and a brief interview, which I record and then send to Chicago industry professionals. The Showcase has been going strong for ten years and counting! It’s helped numerous actors find agents and book jobs. Interested? Send us an email at chicagovirtualshowcase@gmail.com.

Ahh Summer... and Showcases!

June 20, 2016

Summer is officially here, and do you know what that means? Time for swimsuits, sunscreen and showcases! There are two sessions for Matt Miller's Virtual Showcase happening within the next week, one for adults and one for kids. Time to brush up your audition monologues, scenes and commercial copy. I'll be in the studio recording the adults in just a few days, and I look forward to meeting these actors! There are a couple of spots left, but act quickly as space is limited. If you're interested in signing up for Matt Miller's Virtual Showcase, or simply want more information, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions (so far...)

June 16, 2016

Q: All of the videos on the site have Vimeo's markings on them (share buttons, names, etc.). What if I don't want any markings on my audition video?

A: There will be NO markings on your audition video. I am just using Vimeo as a means of  uploading videos to this site.

Q: What service do you use to send me my audition link?

A: Once I have edited and compressed your audition file, you will receive a link to it via WeTransfer.

Q: After I tape my audition, how long does it take to receive the link?

A: I can usually get the link to you within an hour.

Q: The videos shown on the site do not include the actors' slates. Would I have to get a separate link for my slate?

A: No, your audition will include your slate and all scenes on one video file. Of course, if your agent, casting director, producer, etc. requests files be sent separately, it's no problem!

Q: How many takes can I do of each scene during my taping?

A: As many as you want/need! It is my goal to make sure you leave your taping feeling confident with what we've shot; maybe that happens in two takes, maybe it happens in seven. You are in control.

Q: How long will my self-tape take to shoot?

A: I schedule self-taped auditions in half-hour and hour time slots. Kids/teens generally need an hour, as there is more coaching involved. Adults tend to take half an hour, unless they have several pages of sides and multiple scenes. When you schedule your appointment, I can help you determine how much time you will need.

Q: How far in advance do I need to schedule my audition taping appointment?

A: As soon as you get the request for a self-taped audition, you should schedule a taping appointment. Sometimes, the request comes in at the last minute and is due by the end of the day. THAT'S OK! I'm used to working with actors' schedules, and I know this business can get a little crazy at times. Same day appointments are sometimes available.

Audition Taping with David

June 15, 2016

     It might be 90 degrees and insanely humid outside, but you wouldn't know it because David Midura is just the coolest. Hehe, see what I did there?

     Thanks for coming in today, David. What a fun - and fast - audition taping!

North Central College Senior Showcase

June 13, 2016

     Tonight I had the pleasure of watching graduates perform in the North Central College Senior Showcase. I'm always inspired to see young people who are passionate about theatre put in the work to explore and to create. Theatre is so much more than dressing up in a costume and saying lines. It teaches us about the human condition, about empathy. It's where we learn to express what others are feeling, to understand what we might be feeling ourselves, and where we find a bit of calm amid the chaos.

     I wish these seniors well and look forward to their work as professional artists in Chicago!