14 July 2004
Rossi Snyder Theatre Lab Showcase
I went to the Rossi Snyder Theatre Lab Showcase with Keith Johnson. We hung out with Beth Goldstein (casting director-turned-manager). This took place at the Dorie Theatre at the Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood.
One of the actors involved, Tim Bates, is a friend of ours, so we'd already heard about this industry showcase from him. Fellow casting director Stephen Snyder, one of the two instructors of the class that leads to this showcase, also invited us.
Great industry turnout: Manager Melanie Sharp, agents Bonnie and Frank Black, casting director and acting coach Richard Delancy, casting associate Scott Lairson, and co-producer Gary Dubin.
This was Stephen's first showcase in four years. The music between scenes was far too loud and some of the casting was off (there were characteristics that didn't match between actor and role--these things should've at least been addressed). Overall, the actors were competent but need more training. Most of the scenes were very "typical" showcase scenes--and ones we've seen far too many times before. Beth and I actually sat together and DID the "Crimes of the Heart" scene in whispers along with the actors. That's not a good sign.
By far, the best scene of the night was the one starring Keeshan Giles and Meghan Jolly doing a sketch from MadTV ("Stop it!" therapy). It was truly brilliant. These were strong actors who made great choices and the material was top-notch (nor was it too long). That's the recipe for success in these industry showcases.
From the industry kit: Andi Scurry, what are you thinking with your headshot? It's a 3/4-shot in which she's wearing a crop-top and she's posed with her arms over head like in a Playboy spread... but less classy. *shudder* Man, that was a bad headshot. Too bad, because Andi is actually pretty talented, despite her in-and-out Southern accent.
My major "What was THAT?!?" moment came from the final scene, starring Kate Roxburgh and Erin Connolly. Kate was dressed as a man, paint on her face to suggest a five-o'clock shadow, wearing fake teeth, and she spoke in a very odd Scottish accent of some sort. I didn't understand why someone would choose a scene in which one actor would have to cross-dress (and poorly) rather than simply showcasing her work as an actor (a female actor). Very odd choice.
Overall, the showcase ran too long. Stephen said after that he was thinking of making it longer and adding an intermission to break it up. I don't recommend that choice at all! The flyer guaranteed the show to be less than 89 minutes, but some actors were really milking their time on stage. Dinner was served at 7pm. The show started late (at 8:15pm). After schmoozing and saying our good-byes, we weren't on the road home 'til after 10:30pm. That's a long night. Oh, man, there was great Peruvian food though. Really nice spread!
Still, not a bad "first showcase back" in four years. I look forward to the next, which I hope will be tighter and a little more balanced, in terms of scene selection and casting.
One of the actors involved, Tim Bates, is a friend of ours, so we'd already heard about this industry showcase from him. Fellow casting director Stephen Snyder, one of the two instructors of the class that leads to this showcase, also invited us.
Great industry turnout: Manager Melanie Sharp, agents Bonnie and Frank Black, casting director and acting coach Richard Delancy, casting associate Scott Lairson, and co-producer Gary Dubin.
This was Stephen's first showcase in four years. The music between scenes was far too loud and some of the casting was off (there were characteristics that didn't match between actor and role--these things should've at least been addressed). Overall, the actors were competent but need more training. Most of the scenes were very "typical" showcase scenes--and ones we've seen far too many times before. Beth and I actually sat together and DID the "Crimes of the Heart" scene in whispers along with the actors. That's not a good sign.
By far, the best scene of the night was the one starring Keeshan Giles and Meghan Jolly doing a sketch from MadTV ("Stop it!" therapy). It was truly brilliant. These were strong actors who made great choices and the material was top-notch (nor was it too long). That's the recipe for success in these industry showcases.
From the industry kit: Andi Scurry, what are you thinking with your headshot? It's a 3/4-shot in which she's wearing a crop-top and she's posed with her arms over head like in a Playboy spread... but less classy. *shudder* Man, that was a bad headshot. Too bad, because Andi is actually pretty talented, despite her in-and-out Southern accent.
My major "What was THAT?!?" moment came from the final scene, starring Kate Roxburgh and Erin Connolly. Kate was dressed as a man, paint on her face to suggest a five-o'clock shadow, wearing fake teeth, and she spoke in a very odd Scottish accent of some sort. I didn't understand why someone would choose a scene in which one actor would have to cross-dress (and poorly) rather than simply showcasing her work as an actor (a female actor). Very odd choice.
Overall, the showcase ran too long. Stephen said after that he was thinking of making it longer and adding an intermission to break it up. I don't recommend that choice at all! The flyer guaranteed the show to be less than 89 minutes, but some actors were really milking their time on stage. Dinner was served at 7pm. The show started late (at 8:15pm). After schmoozing and saying our good-byes, we weren't on the road home 'til after 10:30pm. That's a long night. Oh, man, there was great Peruvian food though. Really nice spread!
Still, not a bad "first showcase back" in four years. I look forward to the next, which I hope will be tighter and a little more balanced, in terms of scene selection and casting.
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