Performance Network Theatre Announces 2012-13 Professional Actor's Curriculum

Ann Arbor's Professional Theatre, Performance Network, whose award-winning productions have been fulfilling its mission "to provide uncompromising artistic leadership in the region and produce works that engage, challenge and inspire audiences and artists" for years, announces a program that will deepen its ability to serve artists by offering a comprehensive training curriculum designed to provide professional acting and business skills to a wide variety of students.

Associate Artistic Director Carla Milarch, who will helm the program, has big visions for its future. "We believe strongly in the potential of the Michigan acting community to be among the finest in the nation." she says "It is already very strong, as our audiences have affirmed, but we also want to develop and broaden our talent base, and encourage our veteran actors to share their valuable knowledge, in order to foster the next generation. By investing in Michigan actors we're 'thinking local' in the truest sense of the term."

Classes range in scope from two-hour master classes on subjects like The Dos and Don'ts of Auditioning and The Business of Acting, geared to help actors develop career-building skills, to the day-long intensive Acting for the Camera taught by award-winning filmmaker Christina Morales Hemenway and television Actor/Producer Rudi Daniel Davis, which will cover a variety of topics like script analysis, film lingo, how to improve cold readings, and turning theatrical acting into on-camera performance. Also offered will be Four 6-8 week long classes by some of Michigan's finest professional actors: Naz Edwards (Preparing the Vocal Audition), Carla Milarch (Auditions That Kill), Phil Powers (The Fundamentals of Acting), and John Seibert (Acting for Pre-Professionals).

More information on schedules and pricing can be found on www.performancenetwork.org.

All of PNT's 2012-2013 Professional Actor's Classes are affordably priced and appropriate for serious students in various stages of their acting careers, designed to both develop and reinforce skills that are specific to the professional actor. Students of all ages interested in pursuing a professional acting career are encouraged to attend, from the high school student preparing for undergraduate study, to the Equity Actor interested in flexing their "acting muscles" in new ways. Payment plans are also available by contacting carla@performancenetwork.org.

2012-2013 Professional Actor's Curriculum:

Acting for the Camera, Saturday October 20, 10am-3pm, price: $175
One day intensive, with Rudi Daniel Davis & Christina Morales Hemenway
Learn what casting directors want, script analysis, film lingo, how to improve cold readings, turning theatrical acting into on-camera performance & more! Space is limited, reservations recommended.

Acting Master Class, Monday October 22, 7-9pm, price: $40
Two-hour discussion/demonstration with veteran actors John Seibert, Kevin Young, Sarab Kamoo, and Suzi Regan
Associate Artistic Director Carla Milarch leads an in-depth discussion of the techniques, tools and tricks some of Michigan's most successful actors use to bring brilliant performances to life. Space is limited, reservations recommended.

Fundamentals of Acting, October 22 – November 26, price: $350
Eight-week workshop with Phil Powers, Instructor
This class is designed to introduce or refresh students on the acting fundamentals and tricks of the trade needed to deliver honest, invested performances night after night. Creating "high-stakes," playing the verb, and other applicable tools will help you take your own method to the next level. Includes the acting master class as the first session. Limit 16 students.

The Dos and Don'ts of Auditioning, Monday January 21, 7-9 pm, price: $40
Two-hour discussion/demonstration with Artistic Directors David Wolber and Carla Milarch
They're silly mistakes, so why do so many actors keep making them? Learn the top 10 mistakes you may be making at your general auditions, and the top 10 ways to make sure that callback is yours. Space is limited, reservations recommended.

Auditions that Kill, January 21 – March 18, price: $400
Eight-week workshop with Carla Milarch, Instructor
It's the two minutes that will make or break your season... or your career. How do you make it count and avoid common audition pitfalls? Associate Artistic Director Carla Milarch draws on 10 years of professional casting experience to help you hone your next audition. Gain valuable insight on choosing monologues and sculpting your presentation, and leave with a fully prepared, fully polished audition. Includes The Dos and Don'ts of Auditioning and the Business of Acting. Limit 16 students

Preparing the Vocal Audition, February 19 - March 26, price: $350
Six-week workshop with Naz Edwards, Instructor
The difference between singing a song and really selling it can be the difference that gets you the part. Learn the art of vocal auditions from the mistress of musical theatre - Naz Edwards. Students learn how to pick material that showcases their range, how to "act" a song, how to work with an accompanist, and leave with a polished 16 bars ready to walk into an audition. Participants must be 18 years old. Limit 10 students.

The Business of Acting, Monday March 18, 7-9 pm, price: $40
Two-hour discussion/demonstration with Managing Director Erin Sabo
From headshots and resumes to finances, agents, and Equity - this class is designed to provide insight on the things that make a career actor beyond the craft. Led by Performance Network Theatre's Managing Director, and former New York casting director, Erin Sabo. Space is limited, reservations recommended.

Acting for Pre-professionals, March 30 – May 18, price: $350
Eight-week workshop with John Seibert, Instructor
This Class is designed for the "emerging" adult actor; actors still developing their skills or actors who feel "rusty" and want to work out again. Focus is on getting to the heart of RELATIONSHIP (both in scenework and monologues) through a variety of professional exercises, instructor and peer feedback, and a bit of improvisation. If possible, we'll plan to "showcase" our work for Performance Network staff at the end of class. Limit 12 students

INSTRUCTORS:

Phil Powers is a member of AEA, SAG and AFTRA, and holds a BA in Education from CMU. A veteran of the Purple Rose Theatre Company where he was a resident artist for many years, and a current Associate Artist at Performance Network, Phil has acted professionally for 20 years, won numerous awards locally, and was most recently seen in the smash PNT hits God of Carnage and The Drowsy Chaperone - for which he won a Wilde Award.

Carla Milarch has spent the last 13 years at Performance Network, and in that time has played many roles including Director, Artistic Director and Associate Artistic Director, and has cast literally hundreds of roles. Of the 9 plays she's directed, 8 have been nominated for Wilde Awards for Best Play and 2 have won. Other awards include: Most Valuable Player and Best Season/Artistic Direction (Oakland Press) and Outstanding Ensemble Contributions (Detroit Free Press.)

Naz Edwards is a New York actor now living in Ann Arbor. She has starred on Broadway, in National Tours and Regional Theatre. She has created many Cartoon voices for animated series. Her favorite is Queen Beryl from the cult cartoon, Sailor Moon. Ms. Edwards has also done many Cabaret Acts in New York City and works with Michael Feinstein as a coach and judge on his Great American Songbook Competition in the spring.

John Seibert has worked as an actor and/or director with most of Michigan's professional theatres including Meadow Brook, The Attic, Michigan Shakespeare Festival ,Jewish Ensemble, Planet Ant, The Gem (a nine month run of Shear Madness) and The Purple Rose (where he originated a number of roles in world premieres, including Jeff Daniel's Escanaba in Da' Moonlight). He serves as a lecturer in Communication and Theatre arts at Eastern Michigan University.

Space in classes can be reserved at the Performance Network Box Office at 734-663-0681, online at www.performancenetwork.org or at Performance Network Theatre (120 East Huron St., Ann Arbor, 48104) Monday-Saturday 11-6.

Founded in 1981, Performance Network Theatre has grown from a fledgling company to Ann Arbor's only resident, professional theatre. The Network reaches 40,000 theatre patrons and children each year through the year-round Professional Series and the Children's Theatre Network. Performance Network also presents the Fireside Festival of New Works and a series of classes on theatre-related topics. The Network provides uncompromising artistic leadership in the region and produces works that engage, challenge and inspire audiences and artists.