Performing arts theater

Now you may be wondering where you should get started. Well if you are a beginner you have come to the right place. And yes if you are already know the little tricks and maybe “mentalism” or illusions is what you are looking for then you have also come to the right place. There are things to learn for everyone.

There are so many great card tricks. From picking a card out of a deck to floating it in the air (with no threads attached). How about coin tricks, we have all seen some great coin tricks. The coins may disappear and appear “out of no where’. You can learn that.

A great coin trick would be when you have a glass upside down and a coin on a sheet of colored paper next to it. You put a handkerchief over the glass and move it over. You say a few snazzy words, pull the handkerchief off and bam the coin has disappeared!

So first you need one sheet of construction paper, a clear glass, a handkerchief, and a coin. Trace the glass onto the sheet of paper and cut the circle out. Then tape it to the glass so when you put it onto a piece of paper the same color it blends in.

The secret is when you do the above put the glass onto a piece of paper and just basically move the paper covered glass over the coin while the whole thing is under the handkerchief so the glass covers the coin. Pull off the handkerchief. The coin will have “disappeared.” Now you don’t ever want to pick up your glad while people are looking because then you will show them the paper connected to the glass!

You can also learn great mentalist tricks. You know.. The things that Criss Angel or David Copperfield do to really impress anyone and everyone. How would you like to be able to all these and more. Or how about being able to levitate a dollar bill or credit card that you borrowed from someone?

You should always practice your tricks first in front of a mirror. You need to look at your audience as much as possible! If you are doing a show and you need to use things like coins, pencils, napkins, etc that you borrow them from the audience so they know you are not using trick coins and such.

You can learn so many things and be able to do them on the street with none of your own props. You will have people in awe and impress anyone you meet. Never wonder again if this could be possible for you to do. Anyone can be a magician with simple steps. You can even lock into someones might and, for instance, take their strength away by just sayinig a few simple words. How amazing would this be? Anyone and everyone can do it. Have faith in yourself and good luck!

An effective audition is one in which you make a positive impact on the industry professionals in attendance. That includes everyone from the monitor to the casting director to other actors with whom you audition.

Auditions are about finding the right actors to fill the roles. Casting professionals and directors want you to be wonderful, even if they can’t hire you immediately. Finding good actors today saves resources in the future. They want good actors to stay in contact with them and they want to see new faces.

With that in mind, know you’re making a professional impression and being evaluated from the moment you first make contact with anyone involved in the project. Always observe the following guidelines:

• Return all calls for auditions promptly and concisely.

• Obtain all the necessary information to audition effectively.

• Be ahead of schedule but arrive no more than 15 minutes early unless otherwise specified.

• Be professional and courteous to monitors and receptionists.

• Don’t socialize with other actors or even listen to their conversations. Shut out all distractions and use your waiting room time to focus and prepare.

• Turn off your cellular phone, take off the headphones and stop checking email for the duration of the audition, including time in the waiting room.

• Be friendly but don’t waste the auditioner’s time with small talk.

• Know and prepare the material to performance level.

To better understand the audition process, put yourself in the role of Casting Director: you have limited time to see a large number of people, you’ll be hearing the same sides over and over and you must make your decision based on a resume, a reading and less than 10 seconds of chat. With these factors in mind, avoid the common mistakes and present your talent in the best and most effective light:

• Always have one minute monologues appropriate to your Castable Types™, ready to go, no matter what the situation.

• Always read the sides or the entire script, when available, as far in advance possible

• Use your voice before you go into the audition: don’t practice copy in your head.

• If you have a question about the material, ask before you begin your audition.

• Stay on your feet rather than sit through the entire audition

• Don’t gravitate to the back of the audition space

• Do not make eye contact with the casting people while performing: set a focal point close to them, never to stage left or right or over their head.

• Make definite choices and take risks.

• Have a beginning and an ending to your reading.

• Don’t say “scene” at the end of your audition.

• With the exception of a fire alarm or similar emergency, don’t let outside distractions upset or stop you.

• Only make positive remarks about the project or script.

• If you are put on tape after a first reading, that’s a callback; treat it like one.

• Never ask to start over and never comment on or apologize for your work.

After the audition take a moment to objectively evaluate your work and make notes on the type of role your were called in to read. Record the names and addresses of the auditioner’s so you can add them to your mailing list. Keep a diary of your auditions for six months and you will see patterns in the way you present yourself and how the industry sees you. You can then make adjustments accordingly. Remember that effective auditioning requires preparation, practice and experience.

This controversy has been debated by college professors, acting teachers and coaches for over half a century. For those of you who are new to acting, or if your favorite actor or actress, is an SNL alumni or former stand up comedian, I’ll explain. All thespians use some sort of system to help in the development of the character they are to play. These are the two most widely used.

The Method Actor: utilizes sense memory and relaxation exercises as well as the use of improvisation.

The Technical Actor: sees their body as an instrument and use their voice and movement as well as planed gestures.

Each camp has their favorite best actor of all time. Marlon Brando is the Poster Boy for the Method, who influenced a generation that followed, like Deniro, Pacino, Hoffman and the new breed of Damon, DiCaprio and Depp. Laurence Olivier was such a perfect technician that he once bragged that during his To Be Or Not To Be from Hamlet, while the audience was on the edge of their seats, he was thinking about what wine he was going to have for dinner later that evening.

I’m here to tell that Brando was the best, hands down. But not because he was a great Method actor. It’s because he was the most gifted Naturalistic actor that ever lived. As are all of the greats who have followed in his foot steps.

A NATURALISTIC actor is a complete performer who uses every tool available, and thus utilizes both systems to achieve the complete development of a character. My college Professor use to say:

“A Method actor without technique, will never be able to project their emotions past the 3rd row. And they will be performing nothing more then emotional masturbation.”

So for those of you who think that Brando was the King of the Method, I’m here to tell you he was also a Technical Wizard.

Case in point:

{The Young Lions - 1958} Brando plays a German soldier who, in this particular scene, after a small tumble on a ski slope with a beautiful woman must seduce her to go out with him. Now of course he wins! That’s how the scene is written. What Brando does to insure victory is nothing short of brilliant however. While talking to the Fraulein he starts sucking on a snowball. Sexy! A technical masterpiece.

{The Godfather - 1972} As The Don sits in his chair, doling out orders on who lives and dies, he is gently petting a cat. Think of it. That one piece of technical business, shows the audience exactly who this character is emotionally.

There are hundreds of examples like these found in this great actors body of work. Anyone who is training to be an actor should be required to few his films. Especially his early ones. Study them and you will see why I think you should strive to be what I call, a Naturalistic Actor.

Who am I, you say? I’m not a star, or even a working actor. I did work.Not enough to be considered anyone. An everyman, a struggling actor. Remember though, there is a big difference between being a great actor and a working one. There are a lot of variables that come into play. And that’s a subject for another time. I do still however, make a few bucks from television residuals. To my peers I was fine Naturalistic actor.

For those of you who like what you’ve read thus far. Here are a few Acting Tips that will help you develop any character:

1. Always read the entire play or script a few times (not just your part).

Get to know all the characters you’re supposed to be familiar with. Example: Your character is supposed to be a little ” off “. The key is found in a line by one of the other characters. They reveal that you had polio when you were a child. This could mean that you were left with a slight limp. This is something technical you can work with. But more importantly just think of what emotional scars you would have been carrying since childhood. That might leave you a little “off ” don’t you think?

2. Remember in every scene you must make choices. Ask yourself:

WHAT DO I WANT AND HOW AM I GOING TO GET IT?

You might have to make an emotional choice, a technical choice or both.

3. Many times you will be able to create a “Before Scene Life”

Example: You are entering through a door, but where did you come from? A good actor will always reveal his “Before Scene Life” to the audience during the scene they are currently in. Confused?

Lets say a scene calls for you to enter your apartment and your mate says…Finally you’re home. Hurry up we are going to be late.

Your line is…Let me catch my breath first.

The reading of this line could be in a snapping almost interrupting manner. Or as we find out later on…your apartment is on the 6 floor and the elevator is out. So however you chose to say the line you had better be huffing and puffing while you deliver it.

There. we have a technical choice that created the “Before Scene Life”

Above all never rely on gimmicks or stereotypes when developing or creating a character. Remember as long as you are making choices, even if the director feels they aren’t the right ones, he will always respect the fact that you tried.

Speaking of AUDITIONS. That’s a whole other animal. Auditioning is

90% TECHNIQUE. I have some tips on this subject. If your interested you can e-mail me directly at

(Please no spam! I don’t have an Auto responder. I answer every inquiry personally. Just give me your age and what kind of training you have.)

I will however, give you this memory exercise, that very few know about. If you dedicate yourself, and put in the time, you will learn the art of “quick study”and land every part you’re right for.

{Every day take 15 minutes and practice reading out load. It doesn’t matter what you read from. Take 3 sentences and read them out load each time looking down for just a glance, before looking up and trying to say as much as you can remember. At first you’ll probably be only able to memorize 5 or 6 words from the first sentence. But by the end of the 15 minutes, you should be able to shout out at least the first sentence and part of the second. Don’t push yourself, or you’ll get discouraged. Your goal is to eventually be able to after only about 5 minutes of memorization learn any 3 lines.} Can you imagine how impressed a director will be when he sees you making all the right choices and barely glancing at the script. You’ll nail the audition!

Remember, keep an open mind and listen to everyone, taking only that which can help you.