Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
You've got an audition, now you need an acting resume
Your resume is a lot like a map; it renders a representation of you through a clear and focused list of your accomplishments. Jam it full of too much detail and it becomes indiscernible, too little and it is useless. How do you create a concise document that creates a useful and detailed "map" of you as a student actor? Begin as soon as possible.A map is not the territory it represents, but if correct, it has a similar structure to the territory, which accounts for its usefulness. - Alfred Korzybski
In her article Respect, Create, Learn, setting the stage in a new theater classroom (Dramatics Magazine) author and educator Gai Jones describes directing her students to track their theatrical accomplishments by logging details into a "“conflated” résumé":
Students often forget their past accomplishments until they are required to list them. This résumé should include every theatre performance, monologue, scene, original work, dance recital, and vocal performance they have completed in their lifetime in order from the most distant to the most current. They should also list every bit of theatre training they have undergone, every festival they have attended, and every honor and award bestowed upon them, no matter how mundane. This includes best smile, most improved, best runner, speller of the week, and so on. Encourage the students to type up a special skills section, specifying whether they are at the beginning, intermediate, or advanced level, and tell them to round out the résumé with accents, novelty talents, and athletic skills. Now they have a résumé that they can add to or hone down depending on their needs.But what if you need to compile your resume for a task right away?
Begin by sitting down and listing what you've been doing in the theater. Start with roles and plays, note where and when they were performed, and who directed them if noteworthy (Ms. Carter in 4th grade may have been very nice, but wracking your brain over her name and researching the play in which you played an owl won't win you any admiration).
As a high school student it is best to include any roles you have performed with your school program, classes held at the school that you have taken, and perhaps reach back to middle-school productions if necessary, but your grammar-school work is best left off of the listings unless there is something exceptionally notable.
If you have performed any work with community or other groups outside of your school programs, these should be listed along with making note about where and when these events occurred. They serve to illustrate your willingness to pursue your goals as a theater artist beyond the easy reach of school programs.
Do you sing in a choir? Perform in other ways like public speaking? Are there other places that you have worked or volunteered in a public forum? These are all possibilities for inclusion on your resume.
Make several lists of the various categories that your work could be organized under. Examples include School Productions, Classwork, Community Productions, Professional Productions, Technical Theater, Volunteer Work, Awards, or other choices particular to your experiences.
The website Ace Your Audition lists several examples of beginner and student resumes, and has this to say about composing your page:
Keep it simple. You'll notice there's a lot of white space. That's okay. Just make sure it's well formatted and attractive to the eye. Make it look professional. [...] [A]ny experience is experience. Were you a spear holder in Hamlet at your high school? Were you Joseph in your church's Nativity play? Done any children's theatre? Put it all on your actor resume. Had any training? Write it down. Put it in bold so that it draws the eye. Training shows that you're serious. And there's always the chance that your auditors know your teachers.You've made your lists, now look at the information and begin to organize it. What is the most important information you want the reviewers of your work to know? That goes near the top. Think about that map: what is the important information that is needed to include. You don't need to represent every tree on the road, you need to sort out the best information and make it concise but clear.
In his book The Actor's Audition (Vintage Original, 1990) theater director David Black describes the goal of a clear and well-organized resume:
The most important function of your résumé is to support the opinion of someone who has taken an interest in you. [...] If you do not have enough credits to fill up a résumé, list what you have done under the heading "Representative Roles." This allows you to put down parts you have performed in college, school, camp, and so on. Even roles you have studied or wish to perform can be listed under this heading. (pp. 94-5)He cautions against excessive padding, or listing false credentials, "What may seem , in a moment of poetic license, to be harmless padding can come back to haunt you and might even cost you a job rather than get you one." (p. 94)
Remember that you are drawing a map -- creating an easy to follow, informative representation of your history in theater. That history will indicate your intent as a theater artist and serve to point toward your continued goals. Remember that the people requesting your resume are interested in learning more about you. Make that process as simple and straight-forward as possible.
Make a map that the people interested in your work can follow, a map that represents your experience, your common-sense, and your accomplishments thus far as a theater artist.
Break-a-leg!
For more information and samples online check out these resources:
Ace Your Audition
Respect, Create, Learn, setting the stage in a new theater classroom by Gai Jones
Or get some books:
The Actor's Audition by David Black
I GOT IN! The ultimate Guide for Acting and Musical Theatre! by Mary Anna Dennard
Auditions conclude January 10th
Due to the cancellation of after-school activities on Friday, the final day of auditions for 6 IMPOSSIBLE THINGS BEFORE BREAKFAST will be held Monday, January 10th.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast auditions postponed!
The second day of auditions for our winter show "Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast" scheduled for Friday, January 7 has been postponed until Monday, Jan. 11 after school in the LHS auditorium. Please come prepared to perform a short monologue.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Audition Tips and online Info
Audition Techniques and Tips for Students Online
Want to know more about how to prepare for an audition -Checkout these online resources as eHow:
Acting Audition Preparations
For our auditions it is a good idea to come prepared with a short, memorized monologue. Your piece could be anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes in length. Checkout this monologue advice article on Ask.com all about Performing a Monologue.
How do you find a monologue to perform? Check out these tips on How to Pick a Monologue that Works.
And - of course - BREAK A LEG!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Standard Play Format
For online information about standard play format you can download the industry standard from Samuel French:
FORMATTING GUIDELINES
You can also get advice from The Playwrights Muse.
FORMATTING GUIDELINES
You can also get advice from The Playwrights Muse.
Playwright/Director Meeting January 4
There will be a Playwright/Director Meeting after school January 4th for 6 Impossible Things. We will be discussing the auditions and individuals' responsibilities for the production. Playwrights should bring any new works or rewrites to this meeting.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Who's this clown?
Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.
-Victor Borge
Don't forget your NOSES for the 2nd Clown Workshop this THURSDAY 12/14!
Friday, December 10, 2010
the eHow of AUDITIONING!
Want to know more about how to prepare for an audition? Checkout these online resources at eHow:Acting Audition Preparations
For our auditions it is a good idea to come prepared with a short, memorized monologue. Your piece could be anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes in length. Checkout this monologue advice article on Ask.com all about Performing a Monologue.
How do you find a monologue to perform? Check out these tips on How to Pick a Monologue that Works.
And - of course - BREAK A LEG!
AUDITIONS for 6 Impossible Things in January
The AUDITIONS for 6 Impossible Things Before Breakfast will be held
After school in the auditorium.
Prepare a monologue to perform. It is best if the monologue is memorized, but you may read from a prompt sheet if necessary. Be sure to rehearse the monologue by speaking it out-loud and reading through it many times before performing it.
Dress comfortably in loose fitting clothing that will allow you to move easily. If you have long hair, please have it tied back so that it does not cover your face.
Arrive on time and be prepared to stay until the late-bus.
Thursday, January 6th
& Friday January 7th
& Friday January 7th
After school in the auditorium.
Prepare a monologue to perform. It is best if the monologue is memorized, but you may read from a prompt sheet if necessary. Be sure to rehearse the monologue by speaking it out-loud and reading through it many times before performing it.
Dress comfortably in loose fitting clothing that will allow you to move easily. If you have long hair, please have it tied back so that it does not cover your face.
Arrive on time and be prepared to stay until the late-bus.
Last Drama Week of 2010!
The two meetings set for this coming week will be the final Drama Meetings of 2010. Where does the time go?
TUESDAY 12/14 - 6 Impossible Things Playwright/Director meeting.
We will continue the work of last week by reading plays, discussing them, and brainstorming about other possibilities for the show. Anyone interested in writing r directing is invited to attend.THURSDAY 12/16 - Clowning Workshop Part Deux.
More clowning exercises, this time more complex and more group work. Come dressed comfortably -- AND BRING YOUR NOSES!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Clowning Workshop December 9th
After-school on Thursday 12/9 we will be holding our first clowning workshop. This series of workshops is designed to prepare students for the spring production of SCAPIN by introducing the concepts of physical comedy. Come ready to move around - so wear comfortable clothing and sneakers or dance shoes.
FYI: These workshops will give participants a leg-up come audition-time for SCAPIN in January.
6 Impossible Things Playwright/Director Meeting 12/7
Playwrights and Directors will meet after-school on Tuesday 12/7 in the auditorium. Playwrights -- bring your writing projects! We'll be discussing the schedule, the goals of the project, and reading thru the new work together.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Dec. 2 Clowning Workshop Postponed until Dec. 9
The clowning workshop planned for Thursday, Dec. 2 has been postponed until Thursday, Dec. 9 after school. Anyone planning on auditioning for the spring play, Scapin, should plan to attend this workshop. Scapin calls for a lot of physical comedy and these workshops will help you learn how to improve your pratt falls! There will be 3 workshops in all so come on Dec. 9 and be prepared to do some moving!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday's 11/30 Playwright/Director Meeting rescheduled
The 6 Impossible Things Before Breakfast Playwright/Director Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 30 is rescheduled for Tuesday 12/7 after school.
If you have been working on a play and/or are interested in directing, please get in touch with Nurse Gwin to sign-up this week.
If you have been working on a play and/or are interested in directing, please get in touch with Nurse Gwin to sign-up this week.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Eurydice DVD's available
DVD's of both nights of Eurydice are available. Just bring $3 to Mrs. Gwin in the Nurse's Office or call 860-464-8940 and order yours today.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Read it on the LedyardPatch - Eurydice ROCKS!
'Eurydice' Opens Friday to Appreciative Audience
Challenging Production Demonstrates Range, Talents of LHS Drama
By Bill Thorndike "Eurydice," a contemporary adaptation of an ancient story, opened Friday to an appreciative audience, and demonstrated the range and considerable talents of the Ledyard High School Drama Club.
read the whole article by clicking here.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Friday, November 19th is Alumni Night
All LHS Drama Alums are invited to come see EURYDICE Friday, November 19th and get in for student admission price, PLUS put your name in for two alumni-exclusive give-aways!Show starts at 7 PM.
Hope to see you!
EURYDICE -- Nov. 19 & 20 at 7 PM
7 PM Tickets at the door
$4 students, $6 Adults, $10 Patrons
Friday, November 19th is LHS Drama Alumni Night
LHS Drama Alums get in for the student price
and special drawings for prizes for all LHS Drama Alums.
The classic myth of Orpheus reimagined through the eyes of its heroine Eurydice. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story.
Friday, November 12, 2010
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