NEWS
A Step Forward…
Having a role model is an important part of our growth as individuals. A "benchmark" of our growth, so to speak. A measurement of our achievement. We use it for our character development, our physical growth and our artistic endeavor. Often we categorize and...
Actor/Teaching Artist
We had a run thru for the artistic director, dialect coach and a couple of the designers. It was a little slow going but we got through it. The director and dialect coach decided that I should drop my southern accent……YEAH!!!!!! As I said before, I am not a slow...
Don’t Buy Into the Frenzy
First, let me say that I like to start my day at the gym. In order to do that and get into my office early enough to take East Coast and international calls, I have to get up pretty early. Which, by the way, is fine with me. I have always loved the quiet peaceful...
And the Award Goes To…
How does one measure excellence in the arts? That's a question that has always perplexed me. Certainly there are measurements of excellence that come into play in the various art forms but, once you go beyond the mastery of technique, how do you measure artistry? Who...
Lighting a Fire
The great poet, William Butler Yeats said, "Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire." I doubt that he was thinking specifically of the performing arts but he could have just as easily have said, "Educating your theater craft..." As decisions...
Our Insatiable Need to Know
Tuesday a talented young actor was found dead in a New York City apartment. Speculation abounds as to the cause of death which is yet to be determined. Chief among the causes being investigated are an accidental drug overdose and intentional suicide, or perhaps...
The Definition of An Artist…
Often when explaining to people what I do I will say that I head a company that trains the next generation of artists. Today somebody asked me to define what an artist is to me. That certainly gave me pause to reflect on my words. I have a concept of what I think...
Choices…
The Admissions deadline for most colleges and universities falls between December 15 and April 1. Some of you are probably still in the feverish state of requesting applications and writing essays. Some of you will have completed the application process and have moved...
15 Minutes of Fame?
The famous pop artist and American icon Andy Warhol, in one of his most quoted lines, said, "In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes." Is that really an aspiration? To be famous for just 15 minutes? And what is fame? The Encarta definition of fame is...
Starting off the New Year Right – Safety First
Talking about safety in the theater and on the movie set seems an appropriate way to start off the New Year. I invited Myrl Schreibman, film professor at UCLA's School of Theater Film and Television and author of A Film Director Prepares: A Complete Guide to Directing...