Conservatory

Deadline to RSVP is Jul. 6 at 12 noon PT.

Join the SAG-AFTRA LA Conservatory for The 4 Ingredients to Being a Consistently Working Actor.

Actor Jona Xiao (45+ credits including pivotal roles on THE FLASH, S.W.A.T.) will guide you through her four essential ingredients you need to be a consistently working actor that has worked for her and thousands of actors she's taught. You'll learn THE question you need to ask yourself right now to stand-out and get more of the RIGHT auditions for you, how to network in a genuine and effective way to book more work, the Working Backwards Brand Alignment Method to find the right reps for YOU, and an easy tip to self-pitch yourself for work.  

Learn from Xiao's 360 degree perspective that she gained while working in casting, talent representation, producing, TV/film acting, CEO of Career ACTivate, and creator of the Audition Leapfrog Technique to audition for larger roles even if your credits are smaller. 

By attending, you'll also complete a career assessment questionnaire to see where your specific area of opportunity is to make the biggest leap in your career!

RSVP Required: Log in to see the form below and RSVP by Jul. 6 at 12 noon PT.

Please note: You will receive your unique Zoom information the day before the meeting from SAG AFTRA LA Local <no-reply@zoom.us>. 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 unique 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 48 business hours before the start of the event. 
 

New England Conservatory: Self-Tape for Beginners, 6 p.m.

If the world of self-taped auditions has you overwhelmed and you’re not sure where to start, join Anne Mulhall of LDI Casting for one of these small group hands-on sessions to learn the ins and outs. Mulhall will meet participants in Studio 822, the self-tape studio at the SAG-AFTRA New England Local office, to go over the self-tape process from start to finish: what equipment you need, how to set up your space, the do’s and don’ts of recording, how to upload and send your audition and more! 

Each two-hour window is limited to eight participants and everyone will receive homework to set up additional individual time at Studio 822 to record a self-tape and send it to Mulhall for feedback. This class is truly for beginners who are looking for self-tape guidance.

 

When: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Where: SAG-AFTRA New England

20 Park Plaza, Suite 822

Boston, MA 02116

 

Given space constraints each class is limited to eight registrants.

If you have any questions, please email newengland@sagaftra.org

 

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. Each class size is limited to 8. If you register and can no longer attend, please let us know so the next person on the waitlist can sign up.

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.

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. 

New England Conservatory: Self-Tape for Beginners, 3 p.m.

If the world of self-taped auditions has you overwhelmed and you’re not sure where to start, join Anne Mulhall of LDI Casting for one of these small group hands-on sessions to learn the ins and outs. Mulhall will meet participants in Studio 822, the self-tape studio at the SAG-AFTRA New England Local office, to go over the self-tape process from start to finish: what equipment you need, how to set up your space, the do’s and don’ts of recording, how to upload and send your audition and more! 

Each two-hour window is limited to eight participants and everyone will receive homework to set up additional individual time at Studio 822 to record a self-tape and send it to Mulhall for feedback. This class is truly for beginners who are looking for self-tape guidance.

 

When: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Where: SAG-AFTRA New England

20 Park Plaza, Suite 822

Boston, MA 02116

Given space constraints each class is limited to eight registrants.

If you have any questions, please email newengland@sagaftra.org

 

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP. Each class size is limited to 8. If you register and can no longer attend, please let us know so the next person on the waitlist can sign up.

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.

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. 

New England Conservatory: Self-Tape for Beginners

If the world of self-taped auditions has you overwhelmed and you’re not sure where to start, join Anne Mulhall of LDI Casting for one of these small group hands-on sessions to learn the ins and outs. Mulhall will meet participants in Studio 822, the self-tape studio at the SAG-AFTRA New England Local office, to go over the self-tape process from start to finish: what equipment you need, how to set up your space, the do’s and don’ts of recording, how to upload and send your audition and more! 

Each two-hour window is limited to eight participants and everyone will receive homework to set up additional individual time at Studio 822 to record a self-tape and send it to Mulhall for feedback. This class is truly for beginners who are looking for self-tape guidance.

 

When: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Where: SAG-AFTRA New England

20 Park Plaza, Suite 822

Boston, MA 02116

 

If you have any questions, please email newengland@sagaftra.org

 

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP; you must be logged in to RSVP.   Each class size is limited to 8. If you register and can no longer attend, please let us know so the next person on the waitlist can sign up.

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.

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. 

The SAG-AFTRA Hawaii Local Conservatory invites you to join the

On-Camera Acting Workshop to Develop Camera-Ready Skills for the Production World

This SAG-AFTRA Conservatory class will be open to UNION members ($15 admission), with a limited number of slots (5) for NON-UNION actors ($40 admission), on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to register and pay in advance.

Here is more information on the class:

Explore the Skills and the Technique of on-camera acting in an immersive and engaging workshop. In this condensed and focused session, we’ll dive straight into the essentials of on-camera performance with a practical and down-to-earth approach.

Discover key techniques, sharpen your skills, and gain valuable insights to enhance your on-camera presence in a short span of time.

Through interactive exercises and scene work, you’ll receive hands-on guidance to refine your performances and prepare for the unique challenges of working in front of the camera.

Join us for an intensive and impactful three-hour class that will propel your on-camera acting journey forward.

Be ready to get up on your feet and work and, most importantly, have fun.

Some of the topics covered:

Doing is the essence of good acting. How to know what to specifically focus on in a scene to make it come alive with a truthful performance. The imaginary circumstances of the script. How to recognize them and make them real to you so they can work for you.

Imagination is the Key: how to wake up the imagination and step into the imaginary world of the story.

How to trigger your emotions consistently and dependably. 

Inner dialogue (or the art of speaking when you’re not speaking).

Active listening (or the art of specifically reacting to what you’re hearing in a scene).

How to bring what is uniquely/personally you, to the script.

How to break down the script and understand/find what you need to do to make the character and the scene/dialogue come to life.

Basic audition tips and observations.

SAG-AFTRA Members: $15; Non-union members: $40. Register and pay here.

When: Thursday, July 13, 2023

Where: 521 Ala Moana Blvd. 2nd Floor Conference Room – The Homer Maxey Center

Honolulu, HI 96813

Location map for your reference.

Look for a street called “Channel St.” coming off Ala Moana Blvd. Turn “Makai” on Channel and then take the FIRST RIGHT after the parking lot. It’s easy to miss this right turn so look for a sign that says “HOMER A. MAXEY”!  Drive past the sign and follow the road until it ends.  Park and enter the glass doors.  We’re upstairs.

 

About the instructor:

Theo Coumbis has worked for over 30 years in film, television, and theater as a professional actor, director, producer, and acting coach.  He recently worked as an acting coach on the Apple Studios production Chief of War (Jason Mamoa). He is a member of SAG-AFTRA and has guest starred in shows such as Lost, Hawaii Five-O, Off the Map, Baywatch, North Shore, Fantasy Island, Love and Pancakes for Amazon Studios, and many others. He was also featured in movies such as Into the Blue 2, You May Not Kiss the Bride, Testaments and Cameron Crowe’s Aloha and was the co-lead in the HIFF short The Round Up. He also worked on independent movie productions as an acting coach, casting director, co-producer, writer, and director. 

Coumbis has a diploma in performing arts from WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts). His work in film, television and theater has taken him to Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and the USA. He currently teaches on-camera workshops at Sight and Sound Productions, online and privately.

Please email questions to Mericia Palma Elmore at mericia.palmaelmore@sagaftra.org 

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. 

Whether you are new to the business and promoting yourself for the first time, or an experienced performer targeting new markets or repackaging your skills, fresh marketing ideas are essential. David DeBoy has helped hundreds of newcomers to the business — and newcomers to the Baltimore/Washington area — launch successful marketing campaigns. DeBoy wants this to be an open discussion where participants can share innovative ideas, such as using social media to help their careers. Join us to share ideas and learn what will work for you.

At the end of the presentation, there will also be an opportunity to address questions. If there is a question you would like addressed, you may submit it in advance to Colin Bouchard at colin.bouchard@sagaftra.org.

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 Washington-Mid Atlantic 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.

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. 

Join Heather Whitty of Mass Performing Arts Studio for a class on elevating your audition performance at this in-person conservatory. Whitty will work with attendees by using TV/film scenes to explore various acting and camera techniques. Come ready to learn best practices, tips on what casting directors look for in an audition, and tools you can use at home for those self-tapes. 

When: Monday, June 12, 2023, 6-8 p.m., please do not arrive before 5:50 p.m.

Where: Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Sproat Hall, 138 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02111

• nearest T stops: Park Street (Red Line), Downtown Crossing (Orange Line)
• parking: various street parking and garages in the area

*Entry is through the 138 Tremont Street entrance located to the right of the church steps. Entrance to Sproat Hall activities are through this door and down the stairs or elevator to the immediate left. Entry to the church is open until 8 p.m.

RSVP: Reservations are limited to 75 and are required. Registration will open on June 5, 2023, 12 p.m. 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 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.

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. 

We are excited to be back in person! The SAG-AFTRA Atlanta Local Muriel Moore/Danny Nelson Conservatory offers small group workshops and larger panel discussions and speaker events. 

This workshop features the Nikolai Demidov School of Acting. The main goal of this technique lies in the cultivation of actors who possess one of the paramount professional qualities – that of creative freedom. This quality is essential to the harmonious implementation of the actor’s intuitive creative desires.

Jayson is best known for his portrayal of the Savior Gavin on The Walking Dead and Wendall Jelks on Rectify. Other credits include "Where the Crawdads Sing" and "Emancipation".

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please complete the form below to RSVP by noon on Friday, June 9. You must be logged in to RSVP.

This workshop is open to 25 members. There will be a wait list. If you must cancel, you must do so by 10am the day of the event so another member may participate. Doors will close at 7:05pm. No one will be admitted after that time out of respect for our presenter and all participants.

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.

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. 

 

The Conservatory is back IN PERSON June 26!

Join us for an evening with casting directors from O'Connor Casting as we discuss and work on all things commercial! From self tapes to virtual callbacks to being back in the same room -  the O'Connor Casting crew will help us navigate the latest trends of the modern commercial and help us get ready for that next "Bite & Smile".

A small group of actors will be chosen via a lottery system to actively participate and perform during this conservatory presentation.

If you wish to submit to the lottery, please submit your interest to Jess.Jones@sagaftra.org by Friday, June 16 at noon.   

Scripts will be distributed to those selected a week before the workshop. Some participants will be asked to self tape their script and some will be asked to perform live with casting. This will also be chosen randomly via lottery. Please indicate if you have a preference between self tape or live in-person method when submitting to the lottery.
 

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 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.

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. 

On Monday, June 12, Nashville engineer and studio designer Matt Rausch will share tips and tricks about using the newly upgraded Nashville Conservatory Recording Studio.  Matt was kind enough to take time from working with celebrity clients like Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow to oversee and install all the recent upgrades to our studio.  

 

If you have a basic knowledge of Pro Tools, Logic or Garageband, come check out this valuable free resource available to Nashville members located in the heart of Music Row.  In this workshop, you'll learn: 

 

* What you need to bring for a session in the room

* What you need to log in to our system

* Accessing the Guest WiFi network downstairs

* Pulling up a basic project in Pro Tools or Logic 

* Where to save your projects on our system

* Advantage of using the Apollo Twin Audio Interface 

* How to use external devices like your own MIDI keyboard, microphone or hard drive

* Creating or using basic presets for quick and simple recordings

 

Having this level of professional recording equipment available to members on a first come, first served basis is an asset unique to the Nashville local.  So come check out our new and improved studio!  

 

Where:  1108 17th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37212 (Studio is in back of the office downstairs and parking is available in front and back.)

 

When: Monday, June 12.  5:30 - 7:00 PM 

 

RSVP:  Attendance is free, but registration is required.  Click here to register.  

 

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, or 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.

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.