Workshops

The New England Conservatory Committee is pleased to offer a Winter Actors Academy: a full-day, small-group, focused training program. The interactive program aims to help attendees hone their craft, enhance confidence, learn ways to create work opportunities, and network with fellow actors. The Academy costs $25 per person and is limited to 25 participants. Lunch will be provided. 

• 10:00 AM  Check-In/Coffee & Pastries
• 10:30 AM  Welcome Remarks
• 10:45 AM  Alexander Technique (Presented by Katie Beckvold)
• NOON       Lunch and Flipping the Job (Presented by Jessica Maher)
• 1:00 PM    Drop your Audition Baggage (Presented by Jay Street)
• 2:15 PM    Break
• 2:30 PM    Speed Dating for Readers (Presented by Andrea Lyman)
• 3:20 PM    Closing Remarks
• 3:30 PM    Conclusion

Alexander Technique: This session will provide a way to discover the ease of movement and thought throughout one’s daily routine. Presenter Katie Beckvold is a certified Alexander teacher and a member of Alexander Technique International. A classically trained singer with degrees from both Boston Conservatory and Boston University, she is a performer, professional singer, voice teacher and instructor. Session preparation: Participants should wear comfortable clothing.

Flipping the Job: This session will unmask the art of flipping jobs from non-union to union! Presenter Jessica Maher is the executive director of the SAG-AFTRA New England Local.

Drop Your Audition Baggage: This session will demystify self-tape auditions with an emphasis on rock-solid scene analysis. Presenter Jay Street is an industry veteran of acting, coaching, and directing. He is a Meisner & Chekhov Technique trained actor and has worked alongside industry juggernauts in L.A., New York, and Atlanta. Jay earned a master's in business administration and uses his educational and real-world experience to help individuals bloom into the best working actors they can be. Session Preparation: Participants can bring an audition side (no longer than 2 pages) otherwise audition sides will be provided.

Speed Dating for Readers: This fast-paced session in the style of speed dating will connect participants to help build a self-tape support network of friends and colleagues. Presenter Andrea Lyman is the local president of SAG-AFTRA New England Local, co-director of the Actors Forum of The Secret Society of Black Creatives, executive board member of the Greater Boston Labor Council, and a performer in film, television and on stage.

Cost Reminder: The Academy costs $25 per person and is limited to 25 participants. Please follow the payment directions in the confirmation email. Your registration for one of the 25 spots is not considered secured and complete until your $25 non-refundable payment has been received and processed. 

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

Questions: Please contact newengland@sagaftra.org with "Actors Academy" in the subject.

This event is open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members, who are at least 18 years old, and in good standing (paid thru Apr. 30, 2025), no guests are allowed. The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

CPR certification takes just a few short hours, but can help you add years to someone's life. Hosted by the New England Safety Committee, you will have an opportunity to obtain the information and skills to help adults, children and infants during cardiac emergencies. Whether you require certification, or you simply want to learn how to respond in the event of an emergency, this in-person course makes it easy to get CPR certified and be prepared for the moments that matter.

When: Thursday, August 29, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: SAG-AFTRA New England Local, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 822, Boston, MA

Due to space constraints, registration is limited to 15 people. A non-refundable registration fee of $25 is due at sign-up. Please follow the payment directions in the confirmation email.

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, 2024.) No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event. 

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

Coming this fall will be a series of seminars to put you in the best possible position to create your own content.  Starting on October 28th we will have a Conservatory - "From Actor to Producer: Making your own Content and Developing Another Industry Skill Set" featuring SAG-AFTRA members who went from being actors to filmmakers.

That will be followed in November by a 3-week series on writing a short film script. This series will be mandatory for those interested in participating in the Short Film Series starting in January, 2025.  If you are interested in just the writing seminars -you can do that without any obligation to participate in the Short Film Series.

Writing Workshop in November

Members must participate in the Writing Workshops in order to qualify to participate in the Short Film Series, but are not obligated to do the Short Film Series. Attendance at all 3 sessions is mandatory. Please do not sign up if you are unable to make all 3 sessions.  

All Monday sessions will be from 6 pm - 9 pm, with a 5:30 pm dinner time, unless otherwise noted.

3 weekly sessions:

Week 1: (November 4)  Fundamentals of script writing: basic structure, understanding story, character, conflict,

Presenter: Vincent Singleton

Week 2: (November 18) - Theory

Presenter: Vincent Singleton

Week 3:  (December 2) Table Read and Pitch

Presenter: JC Farris

Vincent Singleton is a filmmaker and full-time tenure track Assistant Professor at Loyola
University’s School of Communication – Film and Digital Media program with areas of
focus in cinematography, production, and directing. Previously, Singleton has served as
an adjunct professor at various institutions throughout the Midwest including Columbia
College, The Second City Training Center and Film School, Northwestern University,
and more. Singleton's short film as writer/director, "The Porter," won an HBO/Kodak
award, and his docs have taken top prize at various film festivals including the San
Diego Black Film Fest and the Action on Film Fest in Monrovia, CA. Singleton’s work as
co-producer and cinematographer on the documentary “The Light of Truth” can be seen
at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival. Additionally, his documentary “Taking
Israel” is currently streaming on Amazon Prime as well as PBS. Vincent co-wrote the
screenplay for his upcoming feature “Survivor, Soldier, Sinner, Savior,” with a planned
release date of June 2025. He earned his BA in Psychology from Knox College and his
MFA in Film/Video Directing from Columbia College Chicago. Vincent resides in the
Midwest where he enjoys flying as a private pilot and FAA part 107 certificated drone
operator.

2025 Short Film Series:  

Requirements:

• Must have attended the 3 week Script-Writing Series
• Come to Week 1 class with a “finished draft of a script” and logline

Week 1:  January 13, 2025 - WELCOME!  Production Overview

Week 2:  January 27, 2025 - TECH WEEK

Week 3:  February 3, 2025 Casting and SAG-AFTRA Contracts, fundraising

Week 4 and 5: Shoot your film

Week 6: February 22, 2025 Editing (This is a Saturday - 10 am - 2 pm)

Week 7: March 10, 2025 Screening Party 

We are taking RSVP's for the Writing Series - if you are available all 3 dates, and would like to sign up - please RSVP below. 

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, 2024.) No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event. 

Join us for From Actor to Producer: Making Your Own Content and Developing Another Industry Skill Set! This will be an evening with local SAG-AFTRA members who have taken the leap to the other side of the table. You will not want to miss this free Conservatory event where you will learn the steps it takes to go from actor to a sought after multi-hyphenate. This talented panel will share their experiences and best practices as we unpack the process of making a film from that first inspiration through to post production and the premiere.

Panelists include:

• Tiffany Bedwell
• McKenzie Chinn
• Coby Goss
• Erik Juarez
• Lisa Roti

Please send questions in advance for our panelists to jess.jones@sagaftra.org by Oct. 24 at 1.p.m.

If you like what you learn here and you want to take it farther, be sure to sign up for the SAG-AFTRA Chicago "Make your own Short" series this fall! (If you are interested in receiving forthcoming details on the short series, separate registration will be required. Please register your interest here for additional details, when available.)
 

Panelist Bios:

Coburn Goss -  Coburn Goss is a Chicago-based actor, writer and producer, originally from North Little Rock, Arkansas. Film credits include Widows, Man of Steel, Batman v. Superman, The Lucky Ones, Once upon a River and the upcoming Adult Children. Television credits include: Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, The Red Line, Empire, Boss and E/R. He has performed Off-Broadway and regionally with Steppenwolf Theater, Goodman Theater, Asolo Rep, Seattle Rep and Arkansas Rep. His play Marked Tree received the American Theater Critics’ Osborn Award. He co-wrote and produced the film All Happy Families.
 

Erick Juarez is an up-and-coming filmmaker with a passion for storytelling that began in his early days as an actor. Originally from Guatemala and raised in Chicago, Erick studied acting at Northern Illinois University, where he earned his BFA and also trained at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia. Erick is now actively involved in Chicago's indie film scene, working on projects like Parting Gift, Holiday Heartbreak, Paper Flower, and Cake. His background in acting gives him a unique perspective on producing, allowing him to approach filmmaking with creativity and insight.
 

Lisa Roti  is an accomplished actor and producer with TV credits that include co-starring roles on Amazon’s Utopia, NBC’s Chicago PD, and Fox’s The Mob Doctor. She recently earned a “Best Supporting Actress” laurel for her role as Maria in the indie short Side Effects. Beyond her acting career, Lisa recently cast and produced SAG-AFTRA short My Best Nut and has extensive experience in various production roles, including locations, art department, and live entertainment events. Additionally, she is a noted jazz vocalist who has toured internationally, including as part of President Barack Obama’s 100,000 Strong Initiative in Beijing.

McKenzie Chinn is a filmmaker and actor based in Chicago, whose work envisions personal and collective liberation. She is a 2021 Sundance Screenwriters Lab and Directors Lab Fellow, where she honed her feature film “A Real One,” currently in late development. The short version of “A Real One” won the 2023 Chicago International Film Festival’s Gold Hugo, qualifying the film for 2025 Academy Award consideration. Her film “Olympia” (writer, producer, actor) won the Best Narrative Feature Audience Award at Geena Davis’s 2019 Bentonville Film Festival. She is a current SFFILM Rainin Grant Fellow. As an actor she has played recurring and guest star roles on ABC’s Will Trent, Fox’s The Big Leap, and others, and has appeared onstage with Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, The Second City, Woolly Mammoth, The Studio Theatre, and others. She earned her MFA at The Theatre School at DePaul. mckenziechinn.com

Tiffany Bedwell -  Michigan-born and Chicago-based, Tiffany trained in theatre in Detroit, Russia and Greece, and performed on stages around the US. After transitioning to performing for film/TV, Tiffany played Dr. Emily Wandervogel in Dreaming Grand Avenue and Tessa in Good Guy With a Gun -- and thus, she became addicted to all things indie film. In 2023, Tiffany made her directorial debut, co-directing the short Fitting Descriptions alongside John Mossman. She also executive produced and starred in the film, and co-created the story. Fitting Descriptions is in the midst of a robust global festival run. As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Tiffany’s stories in development amplify the voices and hands of the Deaf and CODA existence, which the hearing world mutes every day.

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, 2024.) No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event. 

Deadline to RSVP is May 10 at 12 noon PT.

When: 1 - 3 p.m., Tues., May 14

Where: SAG-AFTRA Plaza
James Cagney Boardroom – Lobby Level
5757 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Parking will be validated.

Class Description:

The most powerful tool you have as an actor is YOU. In this workshop you’ll learn how to be “yourself" in every aspect of the business while also thriving within the confines of a typecasting industry. Landing an agent, getting auditions and booking work starts by embracing your type and knowing how the industry sees you. But, developing your unique niche is the secret to achieving your career dreams.

About the Instructor:

Mark Atteberry is an award winning actor, photographer, director and image expert. His acting work includes Gone Girl, The Hulk, Yellowstone, Dahmer, Curb Your Enthusiasm, American Horror Story, This Is Us, SWAT, Grace and Frankie, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Black-ish, The Newsroom and many more. Early in his career Mark was chosen as "Best Headshot Photographer in LA” by BackStage Magazine. He is known as “LA’s Type Specialist” and teaches regularly on the topic. He has written several books including, "The Working Actor's Guide to LA.”

Questions? Please contact LARSVP@sagaftra.org

RSVP Required: Log in to see the form below and RSVP by May 10 at 12 noon PT.

No late admittance. Doors will close at the beginning of the event. RSVPs do not guarantee seating. These events are overbooked to compensate for no-shows.

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru current dues period. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome. PLEASE BRING YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD OR DIGITAL CARD ON YOUR APP FOR ADMITTANCE.

Reference to any information source by the instructor does not imply endorsement of that source by SAG-AFTRA nor is SAG-AFTRA responsible for any information provided by that source.

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. 

BMO SmartProgress, financial education programs provided by EVERFI, Inc., is hosting financial workshops for SAG-AFTRA members.

This seminar will focus on budgeting. Discover strategies to build a simple budget and pay off debt.

The event will be available via ZOOM from 6-8 pm CT/7-9 pm ET

Please RSVP below for this event.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA.

Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

These events are only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Oct. 31, 2024). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event. 

Deadline to RSVP is April 22 at 12 noon PT.

When: 6 - 8 p.m., Wed, April 24

Where: SAG-AFTRA Plaza
     James Cagney Boardroom – Lobby Level
     5757 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
     Parking will be validated.

Class Description:

How do you set yourself apart in an audition? How do you serve the text while still making bold choices? Sometimes our efforts to stand out take us away from the story being told, or we stay general because we're just not sure how to make it our own, or worse, we think we're being specific when we're not. This workshop will help you assess your own process and give you new tools to meeting a role's need for specificity. You will learn to find hidden clues in the script, use your uniqueness to create specific characters, and discover ways to be even more present in the audition.  

This is a hands-on in-person workshop based on the principles Michael presented in this PTEOE presentation "The Art of Specificity".  Watching the video is not mandatory but will give you a good foundation for this workshop. A few members will be asked from the audience to work at the front of the room. You may bring a prepared scene or monologue if you wish to volunteer.

About the Instructor:

Michael D. Cohen is a series regular, with writing and directing credits, on Nickelodeon's hit sit-coms Henry Danger and Danger Force.  Other TV acting credits include Modern Family, The Mindy Project, Angie Tribeca, Powerless, The Real O'Neals and 2 Broke Girls. Film work includes Suburbicon directed by George Clooney, and the Oscar winning film Whiplash.  He served as Co-Chair of the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory at the AFI, as a faculty lecturer for University of Texas, Austin in Hollywood and teaches acting classes at The Groundlings and through his own studio The Michael D. Cohen Acting Studio in Los Angeles 

Questions? Please contact LARSVP@sagaftra.org

RSVP Required: Log in to see the form below and RSVP by April 22 at 12 noon PT.

No late admittance. Doors will close at the beginning of the event. RSVPs do not guarantee seating. These events are overbooked to compensate for no-shows.
This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru current dues period. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome. PLEASE BRING YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD OR DIGITAL CARD ON YOUR APP FOR ADMITTANCE.

Reference to any information source by the instructor does not imply endorsement of that source by SAG-AFTRA nor is SAG-AFTRA responsible for any information provided by that source.

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. 

BMO SmartProgress, financial education programs provided by EVERFI, Inc., has offered to host financial workshops for SAG-AFTRA members.

The first seminar in the series with be on Budgeting - Discover strategies to build a simple budget and pay off debt.

The seminar will be available via ZOOM, but if you are in Chicago and able to attend in person, that would be preferred.

Please RSVP below, for the May 20th event, and if you are interested in the next seminar on Preparing for Financial Emergencies, please RSVP on that page as well.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA.

Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

These events are only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid thru Apr. 30, 2024). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event. 

Looking to refine your audition skills for both stage AND screen? Join us for a special workshop designed to fine-tune your auditions and translate performances more specifically for theatre and film. From blocking and delivery to framing and physicality, we will discuss what makes a tape sink or swim in each medium to put you in the running for the gig!

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 Apr. 30, 2024). No guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

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 meeting is open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing (paid through April 30, 2024, or in compliance with the November 2023 Dues Relief Extension). No guests are allowed. 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.