Queens Theatre Offers Virtual Training for Deaf/Disabled Actors

Applications are now being accepted for the fourth round of the Theatre For All (TFA) training program. The free, two-week program presented by Queens Theatre (QT) is offered to Deaf and disabled theatre professionals to hone their skills and practice their craft through targeted workshops. Due to the pandemic, this year's workshops and events will be hosted virtually.

Virtual workshops - taught by disabled and non-disabled industry professionals, including actors Brigid Brady, Christine Bruno, Clark Jackson, Diana Jordan, and Marilee Talkington - run from Sunday, June 20th through Thursday, July 1st, and will focus on auditioning, acting, improvisation, musical theatre, voice, and movement. Registration for the Beginner-level Introduction to Acting, Early Career-level, and Working Actor-level programs is open to individuals who identify as Deaf or disabled, ages 18 and up. The program will culminate with a public sharing and an industry showcase performance for the Early Career-level and Working Actor-level programs.

“Our goal is to support skill-building and to help actors of all abilities cultivate relationships with their fellow students and industry professionals,” said QT Director of Inclusion Gregg Mozgala. “Offering these workshops remotely gives us the opportunity to welcome more actors from the Deaf and disabled community throughout New York City and the nation, who otherwise would have faced barriers to participation based on economics or geography.”

Queens Theatre is committed to working with artists, adults, and children from the Disability community and doing more to fully reach audience members with disabilities from Queens and throughout New York City. The Virtual Training program is one component of the larger Theatre for All (TFA) initiative, an international effort that includes community conversations, national convenings, and artistic programming.

“As the theater, film and television industries evolve to become more inclusive and intentional about representing the lives of Deaf and disabled people authentically on stages and screens, we want to provide high-quality, accessible training and networking opportunities for disabled actors who will fill—and even create—those roles. As theater producers ourselves, we are always looking to grow our artistic family. With every round of our Theatre For All Training program, we have been building an incredible network of talented people. We are invested in the success of all of our Theatre For All alumni,” said QT Executive Director Taryn Sacramone.

This year’s Theatre for All Training program is made possible with support from The Richmond County Savings Foundation. For more information about the program and to register click HERE

Workshops

Introduction to Acting for Beginners:

This two-week course is designed for students who are interested in learning the fundamentals of acting. The program includes Preparation Exercises (breathing, relaxation, voice, and speech), Script Analysis, Monologue study and workshops in Improvisation and Voice. No previous training or experience necessary. Introduction to Acting for Beginners will culminate in a public viewing party of monologues/songs developed in class for an invited audience.

1pm - 3pm and 4pm - 6pm ET

· Selecting and Performing a Monologue - This course focuses on finding a monologue that best suits students’ personality and skill set. Instructors will help students discover how to create a roadmap to building a character by using script analysis and students’ lived experience to deliver a performance. Through a rehearsal process that explores the fundamentals of solo performance, students discover techniques that help beginning actors with authenticity and confidence.

· Acting with a Partner - This course explores the basics of acting with a partner. Instructors teach students how to make connections with their acting partner by building trust and forming bonds in a step-by-step approach to working on stage and screen. Open, honest listening and responding is taught through a series of structured exercises and rehearsals to develop the beginning actor’s instincts and imagination and help to unconsciously bring a script to life.

· Entry Level Improv - Improvisation is the basis of all good listening on stage. In this class, students will learn to work together and improve communication. This non-performance class is for students to use the many beneficial aspects of improv training to help them learn to trust themselves while building a stronger bond with their fellow actors.

· Entry Level Voice and Song Selection - This class combines singing technique with valuable audition insights. The course will begin with an extensive warm-up and group voice lesson. In addition to singing already prepared material, students will be offered new material and assistance with building a strong repertoire for auditions. This will include instruction on choosing the right songs for auditions and the best cuts to use.

Early Career - Professional Training:

This two-week course is designed for “Early Career” actors to build on the actor’s existing set of skills. Students will be introduced to straight-forward, effective tools to help further develop their practice for stage and on-camera work. This program includes Intermediate Monologue and Scene Study as well as professional development workshops and panel discussions. The program will provide actors with the tools they need to create authentic, truthful, and exciting performances in the audition room, on stage and on screen with confidence. Prior stage and/or on-camera training or experience is a prerequisite for this course. Early Career Training will culminate in a viewing party of monologue and scene work developed in class and receive feedback from a select group of industry professionals.

4pm - 6pm ET

· Monologue Study - This advanced monologue study course emphasizes the process of developing monologues that are active, interesting, and showcase students’ unique talent. Students are guided toward uninhibited expression and experimentation with unique script interpretations. Emphasis is placed on moment-to-moment work, exciting bold choices, free-flowing instincts, and intense character development. By the end of class, students will have a polished, well-crafted, and thoroughly rehearsed monologue ready for you to show off to directors, casting associates, and agents. There is a final presentation to an industry professional for feedback at the end of the session.

· Scene Study - For actors with substantial experience in the acting world, this course investigates understanding and interpreting the occasion of the scene. Students also explore the layering of conscious and unconscious behavior and applying technique as a tool to solve challenges outside their comfort zone. Through extensive examination, research, and experiment, students discover and rediscover the level of action and commitment needed to fulfill the form and idea of the play. There is a final presentation to an industry professional for feedback at the end of the session.

· Advanced Improv - Students will learn advanced communication skills. This non-performance class teaches students how to use the many beneficial aspects of improv training to help them learn to trust themselves while building a stronger bond with their fellow actors.

· Advanced Voice and Song Selection - This class combines singing technique with valuable audition insights. The course will begin with an extensive warm-up and group voice lesson. In addition to singing already prepared material, students will be offered new material and assistance with building a strong repertoire for auditions. This will include instruction on choosing the right songs for auditions and the best cuts to use.

Training for the Working Actor:

This two-week professional course is designed for working actors to build upon their existing skill set and deepen their acting practice for the stage and camera. This program includes Advanced Scene Study as well as professional development workshops and panel discussions. Prior stage and/or on-camera training or experience is a prerequisite for this program. Training for the Working Actor will culminate in a public sharing viewing party of scene work developed in class and feedback from a select group of industry professionals. Students will also receive a copy of their recorded scene to use for their professional reels.

· On Camera Scene Study - Students in this course will receive training in the technical aspects of on-camera acting including acting in frame, continuity, stillness, thinking, and breathing. In this class, students will also learn methods to conserve your energy during long intervals between shots whether you are a day player, costar or guest star, recurring character, or series regular. Students will examine the economics of being a working actor and the elements of life on set will be explored including shoot schedules and actor accommodations. Students will learn to create an accommodation cheat sheet, approaches to self-advocacy, and how to be prepared for the unknowns.

· Classical Theater - Through the exploration and performance of some of Shakespeare’s greatest scenes and characters, students will get in touch with a vibrant and authentic expressivity in their performance of non-contemporary dramatic work. Emphasis will be placed first on the emotional and intellectual understanding of the texts, then on their uninhibited physical and vocal expression. Core acting work on intentions, tactics, obstacles, and relationships will be reinforced. Students will be provided concrete tools for making these powerful stories with enormous stakes feel accessible and immediate.

· Voice Over Acting - Students in the Voice Over (VO) course will learn techniques to help them build a voice over reel and prepare for VO auditions. The course will teach students how to break down copy and how to make bold character choices. This course will emphasize Audiobook narration, Theatrical Voice Over and the basics of creating a home studio. Actors will be expected to prepare material between each class to be presented to the group.

· Acting in Commercials - In this workshop, students will learn the art of commercial acting and audition technique. Students learn how to analyze commercial copy and find the acting beats within the text to make a lasting impression in the audition room. Focus is given to making a solid connection with the camera, presenting a perfect slate, and selling a product without exaggerating. Students also will learn lingo that is specific to commercial auditions and on-camera acting. In the end, students will know how to confidently audition online, make it to callbacks, and book the job.

Business of Acting Workshops:

Friday, June 25th and Thursday, July 1st

· Casting Directors and Auditioning- Learn what casting directors are looking for, the do's and don'ts of auditioning and best practices for presenting audition material.

· Getting an Agent - Find out how to obtain a talent agent who will best serve you.

· Self-Advocacy - This session will identify tactics, strategies, and best practices for deaf/disabled actors to advocate for themselves in auditions, rehearsals, and integrated, professional settings.

Instructors:

TFA Training Teaching Artists are a diverse group of disabled and non-disabled professionals. This year's instructors include:

· Mary Teresa Archbold (Law & Order: SVU, Bull)

· Brigid Brady (Actor/Singer/Teacher, Broadway: The Phantom of the Opera, Gossip Girl)

· Christine Bruno (Actor/Teaching Artist/ Consultant, member The Actors Studio, Law & Order)

· Sofiya Cheyenne (The Farrelly Brothers' Loudermilk)

· Evan Cummings (NYC Based director: Lincoln Center Director's Lab, New York Theatre Workshop)

· Stephen DeAngelis (Producer/Casting Director)

· Clark Jackson (Marvel's Luke Cage, Madame Secretary)

· Pat Shay (Improviser and faculty member, The PIY)

· Marilee Talkington (CSI: New Orleans, See (Apple TV)

About Theatre for All (TFA)

The Theatre For All Initiative (TFA) provides opportunities for audiences, regardless of background or ability to experience first class art featuring disabled talent and for disabled theatre professionals to practice their craft, hone their skills and gather regularly with each other and with the larger QT community, to exchange ideas, build connections and celebrate the work we create together. TFA includes short plays, actors training and children's programming.

About Queens Theatre

Queens Theatre (QT) is a performing arts center located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY. Its mission is to provide high quality performances and programs that are accessible to the residents of Queens, the most diverse county in the nation. The Theatre's work reflects and celebrates its community. QT theatre presents dance companies, produces, presents, and develops new works of theatre, family programming, community engagement events and initiatives, and offers a range of education programs onsite, in schools and in senior centers. In 2016, Queens Theatre launched, and has since expanded, Theatre For All (TFA), a ground-breaking initiative to advance the inclusion of disabled people in the performing arts. Since COVID-19, Queens Theatre has produced a range of digital programming – readings of new plays, wellness checks with performances for seniors, original dance showcases, a Storytellers series, an online round of its TFA training program for Deaf/Disabled actors, and more.