LA Master Classes with Ryan Scott Oliver, Matthew Murphy, and Georgia Stitt

2013 is off to a good start and Los Angeles artists will have two opportunities to give their careers a boost with these upcoming classes starting this month.

On Saturday, Jan. 5, award-winning composer lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver (35mm) and New York photographer Matthew Murphy will offer a masterclass in Los Angeles for actors. Students can sing for Oliver for critique (audit also available), and then have the opportunity to get headshots with Murphy.

Oliver is a 2009 Jonathan Larson Grant Recipient, 2008 Rodgers Award Winner, 2011 Lortel Award Nominee, a 2007 Dramatists Guild Fellow, and most recently, the recipient of residencies at the MacDowell Colony, Weston Playhouse, and Cap 21 for We Foxes, a commission by Broadway Across America. www.ryanscottoliver.com, Murphy is a New York City-based photographer specializing in theater and dance whose work appears regularly in the Arts and Leisure section of The New York Times. www.MurphyMade.com

The masterclass/headshot shoot will take place from 1 - 4pm at Madilyn Clark Studios located at 10852 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. Pricing ranges from $30 - $175; students may audit the class or sing, and/or get headshots with Murphy. For more information, pricing, and to enroll, visit www.ryanscottoliver.com/news/la-jan5.

Musical theatre composer Georgia Stitt is also offering a 6-week Winter Musical theater Class in Pasadena to start the new year. You may choose a music theater or pop song from any genre and either shape it into a useful audition selection or discover why it's problematic. Topics include: audition cuts, choosing material, personalizing songs, connecting, letting the music work for you, knowing your type, and making strong choices. Identify the structure of your song and use it to strengthen your storytelling. By looking at phrase length, rhyme, contrast, musical gesture, and surprise, you can uncover clues from the composer that can fuel your acting choices. Class maximum is eight participants and each singer/actor will work for 20 minutes each week.

Classes will take place at Pasadena Presbyterian Church (Choir Room, downstairs), 585 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101, www.ppc.net. Dates are Wednesdays January 9, 16, 23, 30 and February 6 & 13 ($450) from 6:45 - 9:45 pm. To register email georgiastitt@mac.com.

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