ACTING CIRClES PROGRAM DESIGNED for Schools & UNIVERSITIES

Knowing that many schools will not go back to 100% in-person instruction in the near future, MAMA is allowing Schools and University programs to book Acting Circles for their students. We can offer a one-off session with top Casting Directors, in much the same way you might book a guest speaker. In addition, we can craft a full semester of classes as well.

The landscape of our industry has changed dramatically. Actors need to know the most up to date information on how to best represent themselves in this new paradigm. The cutting edge of casting, auditions, and the business of being an actor is in the hands of the top Casting Directors who represent top media companies like Netflix and Amazon, Broadway shows like Hadestown and Dear Evan Hansen, and regional theatres like Playwright’s Horizons and Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

No matter where your students are in their creative process as an actor, training remains imperative.  However, with these global changes, the question becomes not if, but how?

No matter where your students are in their creative process as an actor, training remains imperative.  However, with these global changes, the question becomes not if, but how? MAMA’s Acting Circles provide you with the unique opportunity to allow your students to learn from prominent Casting Directors from around the country, all from the convenience of your/their living room. These classes are not meant to replace your current curriculum, but instead to be another valuable tool in your teaching arsenal to help keep your students engaged in a new way. Events will be limited to 10 actors per session, to ensure maximum attention to each participant and each session will last approximately 2 hours.  

HOW ACTING CIRCLES WORK:

• All participants will be invited into a general Zoom Meeting Room. 

• The MAMA Host will start the meeting by reviewing the format of the Acting Circle.

• Once all of the details have been reviewed, the host will admit and introduce the Casting Director. 

• Each actor will perform a 2 minute monologue, or read from a pre-selected side.

• These pieces will be performed for the entire class, students will have 5-10 minutes to hear feedback from the Casting Director and ask any questions they may have.

• As the other actors are performing their monologues or sides, everyone will be able to watch them, make their own notes, and hear the feedback from the Casting Director.

• Students will then type up their notes and submit them to the host or teacher/professor. These notes will be distributed anonymously to each student.

• Once everyone has cycled through their performances and feedback process, we will thank the Casting Director for their time and allow them to leave. At this point, we will open the floor up for general discussion.

• Soon thereafter, we will thank everyone for attending and close the meeting.

The entire experience will take approximately two hours.

Please note, in accordance with CSA workshop regulations: This workshop is a learning experience. It is not an audition or employment opportunity. When the workshop is over, the casting director/casting associate/casting director (whichever is applicable) teaching this workshop will not be taking home nor be given access to your headshot, resume or any other of your promotional materials.

CASTING DIRECTORS

Available Casting Directors to Teach Acting Circles are as follows.

CLASS OFFERINGS

• Signature Acting Circles w/ Top Casting Directors

  • As described above with any of the above Casting Directors

• Musical Theatre Acting Circle

  • In this special Acting Circle, students will present Self-Tapes of themselves singing a chosen song. Each will then have 10 minutes to receive feedback, and work with Benton, and then perform their song “live,” for the class.

  • Casting Directors: Tara Rubin, Benton Whitley

• The Business of Being an Actor

  • Assessing where you want to work, how to get there, and what to do when you’re there. As actors, talent is vital, and so are all the other things that can help you book the job: a headshot that looks and feels like you, a resume that tells the story of your professional journey, a website, updated presence in casting databases, reels, audition material, an efficient and professional way to record video auditions. Actors need to have a lot of materials in order, and if you’re not prepared, it’s okay, focus this year on getting prepared not on landing the next audition. This Acting Circle is the perfect place to check in on all your materials and hear from an industry professional on things you can do immediately to set your launch pad up for success. I will share tips and best practices for you to thrive in and outside an audition room and how to get you to start thinking deeply about your own launching pad.

  • Casting Directors: Victor Vazquez

• Mastering the Art of Self-Tape Auditions

  • A year ago, no one would have cast a major Broadway or Network show based on a pre-recorded Self-Tape. Now, things are different. Due to COVID, Self-Tapes are the new norm, and will remain so until we can again be back in the room with one another again. This form of audition is very specific and easy to master, but also easy to fail. We will take you cover the key steps to creating a stellar Self-Tape, and walk you through do’s and don’ts of creating a professional representation of yourself to share with Casting professionals.

  • Casting Directors: Tara Rubin, Benton Whitley, Alaine Alldaffer

• Exploring Text in Song & Scene (2 Part Class)

  • In this special two-part Acting Circle, students will get to work with Duncan Stewart for two weeks in a row. The first class will have each actor read from a pre-selected slide. They will get 5-10 minutes to hear feedback and re-work the Scene based material. For the second class each actor will perform a 1-2 minute cut of a song. (Please note: Students must have a music track/accompaniment for each song they choose.) Songs can be any song, from any genre, and any era. Students will then get 5-10 minutes to hear feedback and re-work the Song based material. These pieces will be performed for the entire class and you will have 5 minutes to hear feedback from the Casting Director and ask any questions you may have. As the other actors are performing their monologues or sides, you will be able to watch them, make your own notes and hear the feedback from the Casting Director.

  • Casting Directors: Duncan Stewart

Testimonials

BOOK ACTING CIRCLES FOR YOUR CLASS

We’ve done our best to make this program completely customizable to your class times and dates. If you would like to bring Acting Circles curriculum to your program or classes, the process is simple. 

• Email the following information to papa@theatreMAMA.com 

  • The classes & Casting Directors you’d like to integrate into your curriculum.

  • The corresponding dates and times. 

• We will match your request with availability of our Casting Directors, and get back to you quickly with a confirmation.