Local Conservatories Host Actor Workshop

The Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston-Austin Locals recently held their third joint conservatory workshop. The workshop, Demystifying the Casting Process, was hosted at the DFW Local office and broadcast via Zoom on May 11. Fifteen members crowded into the Dallas conference room while another 30 joined virtually. 

The conservatory was lucky to welcome the talented Ally Beans as its guest instructor. Beans, who is based in Dallas, is a freelance casting director for independent films, and a member of the Casting Society of America, Film Independent and Women in Film Dallas. Her projects have played at Sundance, SXSW, TIFF, Tribeca and Venice, among other major festivals. 

Beans provided a behind-the-scenes overview of the casting process. She detailed how she approaches casting for various projects and her work with production teams. Members were glued to their seats as Beans gave a plethora of information to help guide members in ›preparation for their next big audition. She took her time and responded to member questions thoroughly, and her open and honest approach allowed for a positive, relaxed environment. We’re incredibly grateful for her time and honest approach. 

A big shout out and thank you goes to three brave members who volunteered to demo an audition in front of the group: Jeryll Adler of Houston-Austin; and Lisa Dalton and Julia Lashae of Dallas-Fort Worth. Their willingness to put themselves out there helped the group hear Beans’  critiques and constructive feedback. 

The next workshop will take place on Thursday, June 13 from 5–7pm. Keep an eye out for the official invite coming soon. 

We cannot pull off any of these amazing workshops without the help and support of members and our amazing Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston-Austin Local Conservatory committees. If you have any ideas for a workshop, any leads for volunteer instructors, or if there are any particular workshops you’d like to see, drop us a line at dallas@sagaftra.org for the Dallas-Fort Worth Local or houston@sagaftra.org for the Houston-Austin Local.

Photo: Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston-Austin Local members at the ‘Demystifying the Casting Process’ with casting director Ally Beans on May 11.