Workshops at Actorfest
For more information on a workshop - including biographies of the speakers - click on the workshop title. To register for any workshop, click on the Register button above. For more information, please feel free to contact Actorfest.
Panels
10:00-11:30 am -- Fashion Theater
Commercial Casting
Find out how to get cast in National Commercials. meet Award-Winning Agents and Commercial Casting Directors with over 3,000 credits. Speakers include Chris Game, Casting Director; Danielle Eskinazi, Casting Director; Jamison Reeves, Session Director; and Hugh Leon, Talent Agent, Coast to Coast. » more
10:00-11:30 am -- 9th Floor, Room #C998
Succeeding in Voiceover
Meet Top Casting Directors, Agents, Producers, and Voice-Over Experts. Get cast as a Voice-Over Actor in Commercials and on Radio and TV. Speakers include: David Stieve, Voiceover Agent, AKA Talent Agency; Terry Berland, Casting Director, Terry Berland Casting; Rick Zieff, Actor and Owner of Yellowbird Productions; Bill Ratner, Actor; and Ashley Russo, Actor. » more
12:00-1:30 pm -- Fashion Theater
Television Drama Casting
Four amazing Casting Directors -- with credits that include "Dirty, Sexy, Money," "Shameless," "Gossip Girl," and "Bones" -- teach you how to break into TV. Speakers include: Mary Jo Slater, Casting Director; David Rapaport, Casting Director; John Frank Levey, Casting Director; and Rick Millikan, Casting Director. » more
12:00-1:30 pm -- Annex Room
Acting 101
Get great career advice from a Panel that includes the Casting Director of "JFK" and Top Agents, Managers, and Acting Teachers. Speakers include Heidi Levitt, Casting Director; Ross Grossman, Talent Agent; Brad Lemack, Manager and Author; Judy Kerr, Teacher and Author. » more
2:00-3:30 pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C998
Working Actors Tell All
Learn how to become a Successful Actor and make a living working in Film, TV, and Theater. Get tips from actors with credits from "Seinfeld," "Glee," "No Country for Old Men," and "Super 8." Speakers include Stephen Root, Actor; Stephen Tobolowsky, Actor; and Dale Dickey, Actor. » more
2:30-3:45 pm -- Fashion Theater
Feature Film Casting
Find out how to break into films. Meet the incredible Casting Directors of "Inception," "Zombieland," "The Dark Knight Rises," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," and "The Help." Speakers include Casting Directors John Papsidera, Kerry Barden, and Laray Mayfield. » more
4:00-5:30 pm -- Fashion Theater
Television Comedy Casting
Get cast in a TV Comedy with advice from the Casting Directors of "Modern Family," "Parks and Recreations," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Cougar Town," "Scrubs," and lots of TV pilots. Speakers include Casting Directors Jeff Greenberg; Brett Benner; Tim Payne; and Dorian Frankel. » more
Intensives
10:00-11:30 am -- Annex Room
Break Your Marketing Mold: Why Traditional Marketing No Longer Works and What to Do About It
Get Cast More Often! Learn the secret to standing out with a compelling brand, the three best low-cost ways to market to agents, managers, casting directors, and producers, why your reputation matters more than your résumé, and lastly, the essential mindset shift built to increase your results and expand your confidence. Speaker: Dallas Travers, Career Coach. » more
10:00-11:30 am -- 9th Floor, Room #C937
CANCELLED: Does My Headshot Tell the Full Picture?
Learn from a Top Feature-Film Casting Director! The actor's headshot is his or her calling card in the industry but it needs to be more than a pretty picture. It needs to convey the essence and personality of the actor. It needs to be real. Feature film casting director Matthew Barry will critique select participants headshots and offer valuable feedback to all about what works and what doesn't. » more
10:30-11:45 am -- 9th Floor, Room #C967
The Michael Chekhov Technique: An Alternative to the Method
Meet a Leading Theater Director and Audition Coach! This workshop will guide you into the beginnings of Chekhov's technique and introduce some of the tools and mind/body changes that the training incorporates. Speaker: Marjo-Riikka Makela, artistic director and acting coach at Chekhov Studio International in Los Angeles. » more
12:00-1:30 pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C998
Demystifying the Audition Process: 6 Audition Tools for the Actor
Learn the Secrets of having an Amazing Audition from a Casting Director, Network Executive, and Teacher whose credits include "Six Feet Under." Speaker: Holly Powell, Casting Director and Teacher. » more
12:00-1:30 pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C937
Know Your Type
Get on the radar of Agents, Managers, Casting Directors, and Producers with advice from a Leading Photographer and Image Consultant. Speaker: Mark Atteberry. » more
12:15-1:30 pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C967
Preparation Tools that Help You Get More Commercial Callbacks and Bookings
Meet a Top Commercial Casting Director with over 600 credits! Speaker Carolyne Barry promises to change how you think about preparing for your commercial auditions. Teaching her empowering techniques and working one-on-one with some participants, she will gives insights, information and tools that will improve your on-camera auditions. » more
2:00-3:30 pm -- Annex Room
Voice, Body and Soul
Improve Your Acting Skills to Get Cast More Often! This interactive workshop is taught by three master teachers Howard Fine (Acting), David Coury (Voice) and Jean-Louis Rodrigue (Alexander Technique). The workshop is open to participants and observers. Those who wish to be considered for participation should bring a head shot, resume and two copies of their material. » more
2:00-3:30 pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C937
The World of Hosting: How to Break Into It
Learn how to Make Money as a TV Host from the Top Manager of Television Presenters working for Networks like E! Entertainment and ABC. Learn what it takes to break into the world of hosting by top host manager, Marki Costello, known as "the Queen of Hosting." » more
2:00-3:30 pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C967
Cold Reading Technique
The True Secret to Getting Cast! Without Excellent Cold-Reading Skills, you'll flop at auditions. Don't fear: This focus session will prepare you to impress Casting Directors. Speaker: Acting teacher Anthony Miendl. » more
4:00-5:30 pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C998
Fine-Tuning Your Audition Technique
Learn from the Casting Director of "Good Will Hunting," "Shakespeare in Love," "The Cider House Rules," "Pineapple Express," "Winter's Bone," "Sex and the City," and "The Help." Speaker: Kerry Barden, Casting Director. » more
4:00-6:00 pm -- Annex Room
Second City Improv: An Essential Tool for Actors
Sharpen Your Improvisation Skills so you'll impress Casting Directors at Auditions and Become a Star on Set! Speaker: Marc Warzecha, Associate Artistic Director of the Second City Hollywood. » more
4:00-5:30 pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C937
Standup Comedy for Actors
Stand out at Auditions with Stand-Up Skills. Work with an Award-Winning Comedy Teacher whose credits include Major Network TV Shows. Speaker: Gerry Katzman, Comedy Teacher. » more
4:00-5:30 pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C967
Voiceover for On-Camera Actors
Get Cast as a Voice-Over Actor with help from a Superstar Actor/Teacher whose credits include "Lost," "Heroes," "The Changeling," "The Hulk," "Iron Man," and "CSI." Speaker: David H. Lawrence XVII, Voiceover Artist and Teacher. » more
CD Focus Sessions
10:00-11:00 am -- 9th Floor, Room #C919
Casting Director Focus Session #1 with Michael Testa
Get Amazing Advice from the Casting Director of "Roswell," "Moonlight," "Cold Case," and "Ringer." Speaker: Casting director Michael Testa. » more
10:00-11:00 am -- 9th Floor, Room #C951
Casting Director Focus Session #2 with Mark Teschner
Learn the Secrets of Getting Cast from the Casting Director of "General Hospital." Speaker: Mark Teschner, Casting Director. » more
11:30 am-12:30pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C919
Casting Director Focus Session #3 with Chadwick Struck
Get Awesome Advice from the Casting Director and Producer of multiple Voiceover, Television, Theater, and Film Projects. Speaker: Chadwick Struck, Casting Director. » more
11:30 am-12:30pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C951
SOLD OUT: Casting Director Focus Session #4 with April Webster
Learn from the incredible Emmy-Winning Casting Director of "Lost," Fringe," "Star Trek," "Mission: Impossible III." Speaker: April Webster, Casting Director. » more
1:00-2:00pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C919
Casting Director Focus Session #5 with Stuart Stone
Find out how to Get Cast in Commercials with advice from an Award-Winning Casting Director and Teacher. Speaker: Casting director Stuart Stone. » more
1:00-2:00pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C951
Casting Director Focus Session #6 with Fern Champion
Get advice from the Legendary Casting Director of classics like "Saturday Night Fever," "Naked Gun," "The Mask," and the upcoming star-studded miniseries "The Hatfields and McCoys." Speaker: Casting director Fern Champion. » more
2:30-3:30pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C919
Casting Director Focus Session #7 with Craig Campobasso
Learn from the Emmy-Nominated Casting Director of "Picket Fences," "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," "The Perfect Host," and the upcoming "Cyber Planet." Speaker: Craig Campobasso, Casting Director. » more
2:30-3:30pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C951
Casting Director Focus Session #8 with Chris Game
Don't miss this excellent opportunity to learn from a Casting Director with 15 Years of experience Casting Feature Films and Major Commercials. Speaker: Chris Game, Casting Director. » more
4:00pm-5:00pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C919
Casting Director Focus Session #9 with John Frank Levey
Get advice from a Casting Director who's won Four Emmy Awards. Credits include "ER," "The West Wing," "Shameless," and "Southland." Speaker: Casting director John Frank Levey. » more
4:00pm-5:00pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C951
Casting Director Focus Session #10 with Caroline Liem
Find out how to Get Cast with Advice from a Casting Director that's worked on over 50 Feature Films, TV Shows, Pilots, Video Games, and more! Speaker: Casting director Caroline Liem. » more
Union Focus Sessions
10:00-11:00 am -- 9th Floor, Room #C985
Union Casting Director Focus Session #1 with Kerry Barden
Advice for serious actors: Learn from the Emmy-Nominated and Artios Award-Winning Casting Director of "Boys Don't Cry," "Good Will Hunting," "Shakespeare In Love," "American Psycho," "Winter's Bone," "Dolphin Tale, "The Help," "Machine Gun Preacher," "Sex and the City," and "The Bronx Is Burning." Speaker: Kerry Barden, Casting Director. » more
11:30 am-12:30pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C985
Union Casting Director Focus Session #2 with Mark Teschner
Professional Advice from the Casting Director of "General Hospital." Speaker: Mark Teschner, Casting Director. » more
1:00-2:00pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C985
SOLD OUT: Union Casting Director Focus Session #3 with April Webster
Career-Enhancing Tips from the Emmy-Winning Casting Director of "Lost," Fringe," "Star Trek," "Mission: Impossible III." Speaker: April Webster, Casting Director. » more
2:30-3:30pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C985
Union Casting Director Focus Session #4 with John Frank Levey
Get the Inside Scoop from a Casting Director who's won Four Emmy Awards. Credits include "ER," "The West Wing," "Shameless," and "Southland." Speaker: Casting director John Frank Levey. » more
4:00pm-5:00pm -- 9th Floor, Room #C985
Union Casting Director Focus Session #5 with Russell Boast
Take Your Acting Career to the Next Level with Advice from a Top Casting Director, Director, and Producer whose credits include the hit show "Franklin and Bash." Speaker: Casting director Russell Boast. » more
