Conservatory

The SAG-AFTRA Chicago Conservatory presents
 "NEW YEAR - NEW YOU: Body, Brain, Business!"

This three-part series is designed to get you feeling grounded, thinking positively and running your creative career like a business! Join all the sessions or pick and choose those most appealing to you. 
All Events are scheduled to be IN PERSON at The Kaufherr Center (1 E Erie, Suite 660)

PART 2: BRAIN
Monday, Feb. 12 6 - 8pm 

Derive meaning and purpose from 2023. Bring your calendar, social media, photos from the year, your journal, or anything else that you can review from last year. What were you grateful for? What lessons did you learn? What growth did you experience through the challenges of the year? What deeper truths did you realize? Who did you become in 2023? Join us to set intentions for how you'd like to feel in 2024!

Courtney Rioux is an actor, coach, and podcast host living in Chicago. And now a mother! As an actor, you may have seen her most recently as Paramedic Courtney on eight seasons of Chicago Med, heard her voice on a Jimmy Dean commercial, or seen her as the Spokesperson for Hot Shot. Courtney can also be seen in Marlyne Barrett's film, Haimerican. Courtney is also an advocate for actors. She hosts the podcast The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux. She coaches actors who feel stuck in their lives and careers. Finally, she serves on the National Board for Sag-Aftra, the most recent TV/Theatrical negotiating committee, as well as her Chicago Local Board. With each pursuit, she seeks to inspire and empower actors to create a life of joy, freedom, and abundance. Follow her at @courtneyrioux on Insta and reach out at CourtneyRioux.com

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru April 30, 2024 or in compliance with the November 2023 dues extension program).

Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event. 

The SAG-AFTRA Chicago Conservatory presents
 "NEW YEAR - NEW YOU: Body, Brain, Business!"

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 
This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru April 30, 2024 or in compliance with the November 2023 dues extension program).
Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.
ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event. 

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru April 30, 2024 or in compliance with the November 2023 dues extension program).

Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event. 

Led by Lorenzo Rodriguez, this class is interactive and will cover topics that include:

• How to select the right monologue that fits you;

• How to prepare and perform your monologue and prepare for your audition.

You will have an opportunity to perform a monologue or scene and receive feedback. Monologues and scenes will be provided. However, you may bring your own 1-3 minute monologue or scene.

Lorenzo Rodriguez Bio: Lorenzo Rodriguez has acted in film, television and theater since the 1980s. He works in San Diego and Los Angeles. Lorenzo is the CEO of Premier Acting Consulting; he coaches actors in perfecting their craft, career and the business side of the entertainment industry. He studied the acting methods of Stanislavski, Meisner and many more. Lorenzo is the acting coach and one of the lead characters in the web series Private Investigations. Film credits include The Ramona Doll, in which he acted and directed.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru April 30, 2024 or in compliance with the November 2023 dues extension program).

Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

This event is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are those of the individual guests, not of SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for applicable professional advice. You should always use good judgment in these matters.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event. 

Deadline to RSVP is Dec. 17 at 12 noon PT.

Join the SAG-AFTRA LA Conservatory for Audiobook Narration - A Basic Overview for Voice Actors with Josh Horowitz.

You've done voiceover spots... but how would you like to be the equivalent of a marathon runner by narrating audiobooks? Learn about the skills, equipment, creativity, and mindset needed for audiobook work, and discover resources for gaining experience and finding jobs as a long-form storyteller.

Please note this is a beginners introduction course. 

RSVP Required: Log in to see the form below and RSVP by Dec. 17 at 12 noon PT.

Please note: You will receive your Zoom information the day before the meeting from SAG AFTRA LA Local. If you have trouble joining the Zoom meeting, please email webhelp@sagaftra.org or call (855) 724-2387.

Members must have a registered Zoom account in order to participate. You must use a Zoom account with the same email address that was submitted with the RSVP. 

Members will be expected to engage with professionalism and courtesy.

Questions? Please email conservatory@sagaftra.org.

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Apr. 30, 2024 or in compliance with the November 2023 Dues Relief Extension program). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 
 

Deadline to RSVP is Dec. 11 at 12 noon PT.

Join the SAG-AFTRA LA Conservatory for Keys to Make Your Self-Tape Undeniable, taught by Loren E. Chadima.

Because good and great self-tapes DON'T book the job, this practical acting workshop will give you specific, repeatable and actionable techniques to make self tapes that are undeniable.  Learn keys to make sure your Self-Tape not only grabs but keeps casting's attention so you can book the room and the job.  

RSVP Required: Log in to see the form below and RSVP by Dec. 11 at 12 noon PT.

Please note: You will receive your Zoom information the day before the meeting from SAG AFTRA LA Local. If you have trouble joining the Zoom meeting, please email webhelp@sagaftra.org or call (855) 724-2387.

Members must have a registered Zoom account in order to participate and will receive a Zoom link that is not transferable. You must use a Zoom account with the same email address that was submitted with the RSVP. 

Members will be expected to engage with professionalism and courtesy.

Questions? Please email conservatory@sagaftra.org.

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru April 30, 2024 or in compliance with the November 2023 Dues Relief Extension program). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 
 

Ever wish that you could have one-on-one time with casting directors?
Now’s your chance! We’re hosting a night of “Casting Speed Dating” on November 7th from 6-8pm!
 

Join us for this event, where you’ll get the opportunity to spend five minutes with casting representatives from O'Connor Casting, PR Casting, and Compass Casting. In addition to meeting in person, you’ll have the opportunity to share a digital package of your materials as well as a hard copy of your headshot & resume. (All casting authorities involved will have access to your materials after the event, as well.)

This is a fast paced, closely timed Conservatory, so we need to do some pre-production to make sure it all goes smoothly. Here's what you'll need to do:
 

1.) Register for this event through this SAG-AFTRA Event Registration page  (PLEASE NOTE - WE ARE CURRENTLY MANAGING A WAITLIST.)
2.) Submit a digital package of your materials (if/when you move off the waitlist, you will receive an email with specific instructions regarding the digital package after you register for your time slot - please do not email materials at this time)
4.) The day of the event (November 7th), please bring additional hard copy headshots and resumes for the casting directors. YOU MUST BE ON TIME. We are scheduling members in specific windows of time. If you miss your time slot, there's no way to make it up. (Just come early and you'll have no worries.) 
 

As these events are free, reservations fill up fast. A waiting list will be used. If you can't make it, please cancel your reservation with as much notice as possible. Only a limited number of spots are available, so please register ASAP!
 

Parking is available for $13 in the parking structure at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $13 (Cash only). You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local Conservatory presents:
"Demystifying the World of Animation and Video Game Voice Over"

Along with countless negatives, the pandemic brought one shining positive to Chicago's voice actors - more animation and video game auditions! These auditions and subsequent jobs can be full of wide ranging acting challenges. From crisp organic dialogue to crazy characters and event grunts and gory deaths - these scripts bring it all. How can a voice actor best prepare for these types of opportunities? Join us in October as LA-based animation and video game Voice Actors/Directors - and SAG-AFTRA members—help guide you to bringing your A game. The final stretch of our evening will include a discussion with the directors and some of Chicago's A-list voice actors about the realities of working these jobs and contracts, and what to be on the lookout for in our current labor climate.

If interested in the opportunity to submit a read for playback and critique, please register for the event and submit your interest to Jess Jones via (Jess.Jones@sagaftra.org) - deadline is October 13th @ 12noon. Those selected will be notified by Monday October 16th. MP3s for submission and playback will be due by Thursday October 19.

PRESENTER BIOS:

Sarah Elmaleh - Sarah Elmaleh is an actor and voice director with a passion for collaborative creation, and serves as SAG-AFTRA Chair of the Interactive Negotiating Committee. Best known for roles in AAA games like Hi-Fi Rush, Halo Infinite and Gears 5, and for indies like Afterparty, Pyre and Gone Home, her directing credits likewise span production scope from Goodbye Volcano High to Fortnite. Led by her desire to foster stronger inter-disciplinary collaboration within games, she has spent years organizing, advising, and educating in the games industry and academic programs.

Deb Doetzer is a proud member of the performer unions SAG-AFTRA and AEA. Deb is represented exclusively by Stewart Talent in Chicago and New York, and has an extensive list of voice-over credits to her name: most recently she was Gwendolyn Clawthorne on season two of the Disney animated series “The Owl House.” She can also be heard on the interactive games Red Faction (PA Announcer), Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus (Divinity), Watch Dogs (various) and Injustice: Gods Among Us as the Narrator. She is adjunct faculty at both Columbia College and the Theater School at Depaul University, an instructor at Acting Studio Chicago and helped originate the voiceover courses at The Second City Training Center.

(Additional Presenters, forthcoming / as announced)

Panel Participants include:

Brad Grusnick has a B.S. in Theatre from Northwestern University. He is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory in Chicago and UCB Los Angeles. A 20-year VO veteran, he has voiced characters for several video games, including Diablo IV, Back4Blood, Elder Scrolls Online, Metro: Exodus, Days Gone, Bioshock: Infinite, God of War: Ascension, Elder Scrolls: V Skyrim, Asura’s Wrath, and more. He was "Mayor Moose" and "Lou Behr" in the Amazon Pilot, Bear in Underwear, "Mumkey" and "Spiderlamb" in WB Animation's Bunnicula, and is "Magnus Finke" and "Gill" in Dreamworks Dragons Rescue Riders.

Tim Dadabo is a multifaceted voice actor, who in addition to work in commercial, promo, and television narration has worked on some of the biggest titles in Video games like:  Halo, TMNT,Watch Dogs, MLB, Dragon Age, Dragon Dogma, Disney Guilty Party, Stubs The Zombie,  Leisure Suit Larry, and  Red Faction.  His animated credits include Kung Fu Panda, Doc McStuffins, Disney Spidey and His Amazing Friends. Looney Toons and  American Dad.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru April 30, 2023). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 48 business hours before the start of the event. 

Doors will close at 7:05 p.m. No one will be admitted after that time out of respect for our presenter and participants. 

The SAG-AFTRA Muriel Moore/Danny Nelson Conservatory presents: Raising the Bar with Casting Director, Erica Arvold. This intensive will blend conversation with on-your-feet exercises and a Q&A session. The 2.5 hours will focus on current expectations, maintaining artistic integrity, and the path of success within the Atlanta film/TV market. Sharing aspects of her casting experience as well as her directing endeavors, Erica Arvold's insight provides transparency for actors and multi-hyphenate screen artists.

Our conservatory will be collecting non-perishable food items for Atlanta Community Food Bank.

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. Please RSVP by 5pm Friday, September 8, 2023.

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023, or in compliance with the May 2023 dues relief extension). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

Deadline to RSVP is Aug. 21 at 12 noon PT.

Join the SAG-AFTRA LA Conservatory for Keys to Make Your Self-Tape Undeniable, taught by Loren E. Chadima.

Because good and great self-tapes DON'T book the job, this practical acting workshop will give you specific, repeatable and actionable techniques to make self tapes that are undeniable.  Learn keys to make sure your Self-Tape not only grabs but keeps casting's attention so you can book the room and the job.  

RSVP Required: Log in to see the form below and RSVP by Aug. 21 at 12 noon PT.

Please note: You will receive your Zoom information the day before the meeting from SAG AFTRA LA Local. If you have trouble joining the Zoom meeting, please email webhelp@sagaftra.org or call (855) 724-2387.

Members must have a registered Zoom account in order to participate and will receive a Zoom link that is not transferable. You must use a Zoom account with the same email address that was submitted with the RSVP. 

Members will be expected to engage with professionalism and courtesy.

Questions? Please email conservatory@sagaftra.org.

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2023 or in compliance with the May 2023 COVID-19 Dues Relief Extension program). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

ADA requests may be included on your RSVP form below. Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event.