New England Winter Actors Academy
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.