It's important to bring scenes or monologues each week that reflect the
types of roles you want to play. Each scene you have completed
rehearsing I will tape so that you can watch how you did and evaluate
your progress.
Tuition for all six weeks is $175. There is a $25 discount for cash.
Call me to enroll and for more course details at (504) 812-3379.
Free and open to the public
“A Tribute to Johnny Mercer”
featuring Philip Melancon, Dave Maleckar, and Amy Alvarez
at East Bank Regional Library
In celebration of the upcoming launch of the Big Readers 4th Annual Summer Reading Club, Jefferson Parish Library is thrilled to offer a toe tapping good time for seniors and music lovers of all ages as musical entertainers Philip Melancon, Dave Maleckar, and Amy Alvarez present “A Tribute to Johnny Mercer.”
The program will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2006, 2:00 PM at East Bank Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Avenue, Metairie. The performance is free and open to the public; registration is not necessary, but the audience may be required to hum along or pat their feet.
Come join us for this one of a kind event at the East Bank Regional Library! No registration is required, but you may be required to hum along or pat your foot. With Philip Melancon on keyboards, Dave Maleckar on bass, vocalist Amy Alvarez, and you in the audience, we’ll have a great combo—and a great time!
Philip’s CDs will be available for purchase, made possible through Friends of Jefferson Public Library; cash and checks accepted.
About Philip Melancon: Musical entertainer Philip Melancon has ten albums, four movie scores, and a host of songs written for organizations to his credit. He has been featured on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered in conjunction with his series of cabaret shows featuring legendary popular composers and lyricists.
Prior to his career as an entertainer, Phil taught in Jefferson Parish’s public elementary schools. Since then, he has held the piano at the legendary Pontchartrain Hotel and is the owner of the Neutral Ground Coffee House, where he performs. He will be accompanied by musician Dave Maleckar on bass.
About Johnny Mercer: John Herndon “Johnny” Mercer (1909-1976) is considered one of America's greatest songwriters and lyricists. The Savannah, Georgia, native is remembered for songs such as “Jeepers Creepers,” “Blues In The Night,” “Skylark,” “Satin Doll,” “Summer Wind,” “One for My Baby,” and “Autumn Leaves.”
Mercer won four Academy Awards for Best Song: “On The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” (1946), “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening” (1951), “Moon River” (1961) and “Days of Wine and Roses” (1962).
A co-founder of Capitol Records, Mercer was honored by the United States Postal Service with his portrait placed on a stamp in 1996. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1628 Vine Street is outside the Capitol Records building.
Further information about upcoming Library programs, activities, and exhibits is available on the Library’s website at http://www.jefferson.lib.la.us or by calling Jim Davis, Information Specialist, at (504) 838-1100.
ADA Accessibility: Jefferson Parish Library is generally accessible to individuals with disabilities. If disability related accommodations including alternate print format and sign language interpretation are needed, please call the Information Specialist at least seven working days prior to an event by calling 838-1100.
]]>You can reach our Box Office Manager, Brynn Baudier, by phone at 504.865.5105 ext 2, or by e-mail at box@tulane.edu.
Going online to www.NewOrleansShakespeare.com will let you view our updated performance schedule, print out a ticket order form, and/or sign up for our mailing list or e-mail list.
Order forms can also be faxed in to 504.865.5205.
]]>I thought it was clever and worth sharing with New Orleans. Some people do not consider comic books art, but I do. I think it can be one of the more intersting modern art forms. Check out this entry video and possibly buy this New Orleans comicbook.
]]> ]]>Callie's Tally was scheduled to open our 2005-06 season, but was cancelled due to hurricane Katrina. Betsy Howie generously donated her play to us and it was read as a benefit at more than a dozen theaters throughout the country this year.
August 23 - September 17, 2006
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 3 pm - Tickets $15 - $30 ($5 discount for expecting mothers)
To order: call 522-6545 or go online to our website at www.southernrep.com
Southern Rep is located in the Shops at Canal Place - 3rd floor
]]>Here's what we're looking for...
A play about 15-20 minutes long.
Three to five characters
We have a lot of strong female roles in our other plays, so strong male
roles would be helpful.
Set it in a cemetery, because that's our set.
More "comedy" than "horror..." We want the audience to laugh more than
scream.
Keep it "PG"
Make sure there's a way to contact you on the script.
Contest is open to anyone, anywhere, any age
No entry fee required
Deadline for receipt of script is August 4.
With new films slated to come to our region this autumn, the
competition for roles is going to be stiffer than ever. Modern casting trends are
towards more cold readings and the use of improvisation in auditions.
Actors with strong auditioning skills will always have the edge.
If you need training or just want to brush up on your audition skills,
you're in luck! Classes are starting next week in Metairie on Monday
and in Covington on Tuesday. Some of the subjects that will be covered
in this series include:
* 3 quick tips on how to break down a script at the audition
* 10 things you can do to make a great impression
* 7 things that casting directors hate
* Techniques to look your best on camera
* Mastering cold readings with Veleka's Scoop and Shoot
* How theater games and improv can increase your creativity
Knowing how to act is only the first step. To get the part, successful
actors understand what casting directors are seeking. This next series
of six classes will give you essential training on how to handle
yourself in the clinch because, in a very real sense, the profession of
acting is the profession of auditioning.
Actors who have studied with me say this about their experience:
"I have attended quite a few seminars and know of a lot of people who
try to do what you do. I strive for perfection, and I really think you
are the person who can get me to be the best actor that I can be. You
have a lot to teach people."
- Cindy Cancienne, Baton Rouge
"I really enjoy listening to your insight when you watch actors work.
You give very good comments. You really listen and watch."
- Debbie Carambat, Covington
"I like being taught by a real actress who was on soap operas and
Broadway."
- Franki Hardy, Covington
"I have enjoyed learning from such a spirited teacher. You really made
the classes fun and enjoyable."
- Victoria Cornes, Hammond
"I have been nominated for a Storer Boone award, and I must tell you
that I owe much of this to you for being the most awesome acting coach
I
could have. I could NOT have done this without YOU!!!!!!"
- Pauline Boudreaux, Metairie
"Veleka, I have learned sooo much from you in such a short period of
time. I greatly appreciate your direction and passion, and I cannot
wait until the next class. You're ACES!!"
- Joe Cannon, Hammond
The series of six classes in Metairie runs from July 10th through
August
14th. Classes in Covington are from July 11th through August 15th. A
similar series will start on July 20th in Baton Rouge, and plans are
being made to bring this coaching to Shreveport and beyond.
To register for any series or for more details on weekly topics and
materials required for any class, etc., e-mail me at
actorsalliance@earthlink.net. You can also phone (504) 812-3379 or
check out our Web site at http://TheActorsAlliance.com/ for additional
information. Actors who enroll for a series starting next week will be
sent full directions to where classes are held in Metairie and
Covington. Call now!
: ),
Veleka
]]>Films are coming back to Louisiana! Stars such as Denzel Washington,
Annette Benning, Antonio Banderas, John Goodman, Brad Pitt, and Steven
Seagal are scouting locations to shoot here. Are you ready to audition
for them?
According to one top agent, the biggest challenge for most actors is
mastering cold-reading and improv skills for auditions. How good are
yours? Can you make strong choices on the spot? Do you have enough
character options available for emergencies?
Here's a scenario: you picked up the sides from your agent and did your
homework. Because of that when you read for the casting director, you
did a great job. Then the CD hands you the lines for another role and
asks you to show them what you can do with that. You ask for a few
minutes outside to go over the script, but it's the end of the day and
they can't give you that. You're on the spot. What do you do now?
Smart actors are prepared. Smart actors take master classes to learn
what to do to win the audition, and a new series of six classes with a
master teacher is starting in July. In this series training that
focuses on exactly the skills and techniques you need for cold-reading
and improv will be pinpointed and practiced. At the end of the series,
you will know how to
* Sharpen your cold-reading skills on a daily basis
* Have more fun at auditions using improvisation
* Break down a script after one read-through
* Analyze a character by type
* Memorize more quickly and efficiently
* Evaluate what are the most common choices for a particular role and
choose something new and fresh instead
In selected classes students will be videotaped so they can view and
evaluate their own progress.
Here are the locations and dates of scheduled classes:
Monday, July 10, in Metairie
Tuesday, July 11, in Covington
Thursday, July 13, in Baton Rouge
Shreveport actors will have the opportunity to take this same series in
August in a special workshop to master the same techniques. We are
also
planning a workshop in St. Francisville, a workshop in Kenner, and
classes for kids in Metairie.
If you are serious about having what you need to be cast in more roles
and get paid for acting, contact Veleka Gray at (504) 812-3379 or write
to me at actorsalliance@earthlink.net and I'll be happy to send you
information on how you can join a class in Metairie, Covington, Baton
Rouge, or Shreveport. Actors must be at least eighteen to enroll in a
series.
: ),
Veleka
]]>
The 14th Annual Storer Boone Theatre Awards were presented tonight at le chat noir honoring the best in local theater during the calendar year of 2005.
Nine theatrical organizations in Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes received awards in the 29 competitive categories, led by Rivertown Repertory Theater of Kenner with 6. They were closely followed by Tulane Summer Lyric Theater with 5 and the Shakespeare Festival At Tulane with 4.
Leaders amongst individuals were Lara Grice with 3, and Gary Rucker and Ricky Graham with 2 each. The late Gavin Mahlie received the Best Actor In A Comedy Boonie for The Merchant Of Venice.
Becky Allen was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Shirl Cieutat.
Uncle Wayne Daigrepont paid tribute to the late Storer Boone.
The combined Arthur Tong Unsung Hero/Humanitarian Award was dedicated to the New Orleans Theater Community at large for surviving and persevering in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The complete list of winners is as follows:
Drama: The Cripple Of Inishmaan - The NOLA Project
Actor - Drama: Jimmy Murphy - The Golden Age
Actress Drama: Janet Shea - The Cripple Of Inishmaan
Supporting Actor Drama: Dane Rhodes - The Vulgar Soul
Supporting Actress Drama: Lara Grice - Othello
Director Of A Drama: Stocker Fontelieu - The Golden Age
Comedy: I'm Still Here, Me - Ricky Graham & le chat noir
Actor Comedy: Gavin Mahlie - The Merchant Of Venice
Actress Comedy: Lara Grice - The Merchant Of Venice
Supporting Actor Comedy: Tony Molina - The Merchant Of Venice
Supporting Actress Comedy: Ann Casey - Talking Heads
Director Of A Comedy: Ricky Graham - I?m Still Here, Me
Musical: Big River - Rivertown Repertory Theater
Actor Musical: Scott Sauber - Big River
Actress Musical: Lara Grice - Oh, Coward!
Supporting Actor ? Musical: Gary Rucker - Big River
Supporting Actress ? Musical: Chase Kamata - West Side Story
Director Of A Musical: Gary Rucker - Big River
Musical Direction: Leonard Raybon - West Side Story
Choreography: Ed Kresley - West Side Story
Set Design: Chad Talkington - Big River
Lighting Design: Dan Zimmer - Candide
Costume Design: Roy Haylock, Carolyn Casey Barrois, Cecile Casey Covert,
Linda Fried, Charlotte Lang, Bob Bruce - Pageant
Sound Design: Stewart Becnel - Wonderful Town
Original Play: Ricky Graham - I?m Still Here, Me
Performance By A Child: David Bologna - Seussical: The Musical
Children's Play: Pinocchio - Imagine Theater Of Rivertown
Stage Manager: Brynn Baudier
Theater Of The Year: Southern Repertory Theater
The co-hosts of the evening were Barbara Motley of le chat noir and Charlie Farve Hayes of Drama! Entertainment was provided by Anais Patterson and Harry Mayronne, Jr., from Tulane Summer Lyric?s Show Boat; Amy Alvarez and Butch Caire from Rivertown?s South Pacific; Stacy Taliancich, Matthew Mikal, and Wayne Daigrepont from the Actor?s Theater of New Orleans? June With Judy; and Alex Martinez Wallace and Will Connolly of the NOLA Project.
As always at le chat noir, the presentation was much aided by the technical wizardry of Su Gonczy and Jason Knobloch.
]]>Ron Clark/Sam Bobrick comedy opens July 13
Metairie, LA – Actor’s Theatre of New Orleans presents the Ron Clark/Sam Bobrick farce MURDER AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON’S for a three-week run beginning July 13 and continuing through July 29 with performances Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees on July 16 and 23 at 2:30 p.m. The theatre is located at 4539 N. I-10 Service Rd. on the second floor of the WTIX-FM Building behind Target at Clearview Mall. The cast includes Viki Lovelace, Benjamin Clement and Kevin Songy.
Viki Lovelace plays Arlene, a woman in an unhappy marriage who is plotting, along with her lover Mitchell (Kevin Songy), to kill her husband Paul (Benjamin Clement) in a Howard Johnson’s hotel room. Unbeknownst to Arlene, Paul and Mitchell are plotting her demise. Confusion and chaos mount as the trio engages in a hilarious all-out war of debauchery and backstabbing!
René J.F. Piazza directs. Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for students and seniors. For reservations or more information, call (504) 456-4111.
]]>Cast includes Christian Bordelon, Tara Sandifer, Barry Lemoine, Shannon Gildea, Will Schneider, Tom Hassinger, Catherine Gueste, Rose Marie Sand and Katie Betz.
This show always sells out quickly, so get your tickets now by calling Barry Lemoine at 504. 301.8770 or you can just fahgetaboutit!
Doors will open thirty minutes before showtime. Flour Power is located at 2101 Paris Road in Chalmette, 504.276.9095.
Pictured are Tara Sandifer, Barry Lemoine and Shannon Gildea in The Altos.
]]>
Under the direction of Louise LaBruyere, the Jefferson Chorale (formerly the Jefferson Symphony Chorus) will perform two chorale concerts.
1) The first will be held on June 8th at the Metairie Ridge Presbyterian Church. Musical selections by Mozart, as well as music dedicated to the survival spirit evident in this area after Katrina. The concert will start at 7:00pm and admission is free.
2) The second performance will begin at 7:30pm on June 10th. On this day, the Chorale will host a pops benefit concert with the theme ‘AFTER THE STORM’. Songs such as Stormy Weather, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Basin Street Blues will be performed. This benefit concert will be held at TeatroWego! Dinner Theatre on Sala Avenue in Westwego. Admission is $12.00 for adults and $7.00 for children and senior citizens.
Tickets can be purchased at the door the day of the concert.
Call 738-7446 for more information.
]]>Both the Monday and the Tuesday classes will be given the opportunity
to present a showcase for a prominent casting director this summer. In
addition, students will be given training by a director of film and
television and may have the opportunity to conference with the director
of the office for film and video.
The next six-week session for the Monday class starts a week from now
on May 29th. If you're on the Northshore, you may be able to attend the
Tuesday class that started last week after a brief orientation this
coming Tuesday, May 23rd. E-mail actorsalliance@earthlink.net or call
(504) 812-3379 to make an appointment for this or for more information
and directions.
Accolades for my workshops and classes:
"You can learn a lot of significant things from a real proven actress."
- Buddy Blaum
"There was so much content, so many opportunities to apply what we were
learning."
- Cloe Carbine
"I saw improvement in students during the course of one class."
- Johnny Rock
"I enjoyed every part of class. Everything was extremely informative. I
learned a lot of vital information... detailed cold readings,
memorization techniques. Veleka is awesome. I felt so comfortable with
her."
- Rashonda Brokenberry
"I would like to publicly give my heart-felt endorsement to Veleka Gray
and her terrific teaching methods. All actors can use training and
refreshers to their craft. It's not just classes. It's an energizing
exercise! Growing up in California I was often exposed to movie and
television stars. Because of this I never get star struck and not many
people truly impress me. Veleka Gray did! She is amazing!
- Agent Dawn Landrum
"Perfect! Highly recommended!"
- Chuck Halley
Classes for teenagers meet on Tuesday afternoon in Covington, and a
class in Baton Rouge on Thursday will be available in the near future.
If you want workshops in places outside the New Orleans metropolitan
area, contact Tara Duncil at (318) 573-0039 to make arrangements.
There is a lot of business that will be coming into our state in the
next few years, and the article below that was posted on 5/4 in a Yahoo
group has some good info on the film studios being built around here.
If you have ever dreamed of being in the movies, now is your chance.
Take it!
Veleka
]]>