Washington-Mid Atlantic Actor Day

Actor Day is an all-day event for SAG-AFTRA Washington-Mid Atlantic members to socialize and participate in artist workshops, networking opportunities, headshot sessions and panel discussions with guests and SAG-AFTRA staff. There will be six events held throughout the day, and two headshot photographers available to take professional headshots for an additional fee. Please note that this is a paid event, and members must pay prior to the day. Payment information will be sent via email after registration. Please find the information on each event below.

You must register and also pay for this event.

Breakfast - 9:30-10 a.m.

A small breakfast of fruits, pastries and coffee will be available as you get settled in and mingle with your fellow actors. 

Alexander Technique Workshop -10-11:20 a.m., hosted by Mary Naden

Alexander Technique is a postural and movement re-education process that frees your body and voice, allowing you to work to your best capacity with less strain and tension. It’s taught in most major acting schools and conservatories to promote ease and presence in performance.
In this introductory class, participants will learn the basic thinking and procedures of the Technique and take away a small practice they can use at home. All are welcome whether you’ve never tried Alexander Technique, or you need to revisit it for a tune-up!

Mary Naden, M.F.A. Acting and A.T.I. certified, maintains a lively private practice at her studio in Takoma Park, and can sometimes be found playing bass and singing in Big Hillbilly Bluegrass. Bring a yoga mat. Class limit 25, observers welcome. 

Speed Dating for Readers - 11:30 a.m. - noon, hosted by John Leslie Wolf

Need a reader for your self-taped auditions? Meet other members and share information in this fast-paced, fun session in the style of speed dating and leave with new friends you can ask to read for you in your next self-tape.

Lunch/Grab a Lunch Get a Job Panel- Noon -12:50 p.m.

Bring your lunch back and learn the art of flipping jobs with staff and members who have successfully flipped work. From commercials to low-budget films, members are able to successfully flip work and turn it from a non-union to a union job. Attend the panel and hear how to flip that next job. 

Drop Your Audition Baggage - 1-1:50 p.m., hosted by Jane Beard

You really prepped for your audition. Then out of the blue, you feel anxiety taking over your body and mind. Or the director gives an adjustment and suddenly, you’re second-guessing all the choices you made. No one wants to find themselves in that position! Come learn a kick-ass technique to bring yourself back to The Moment so you can do your best work. You also can use this technique to clear the baggage you carry from less-than-stellar past auditions. 

This will be a fast-paced workshop lead by former actor and Local president Jane Beard. No need to come with your audition nightmare stories: we won’t be telling them. We’ll just connect and start clearing. 

Actor to Producer, Creating our Own Work - 2-2:50 p.m., Panel Discussion

Why wait for others to give us the opportunity to work? Find out what it takes to get your own project off the ground and take control of your own creative goals.  

Panelists and members Joy Jones, Rick Kain, Elena Moscatt, Sowande Tichawonna, and Mark Unger offer their insights into the challenges and rewards of creating your own content. They’ll discuss how they write and produce their own work to create opportunities for themselves, and then get those projects distributed. 

Self Tape Power-Up - 3-4:30 p.m., hosted by Towanda Underdue and Keith Flippen

Members Keith Flippen (Dynasty, Atlanta, Ozark) and Towanda Underdue (Bull, House of Cards, Stink Summer) help you raise your self-tape audition game by better using technology and honing your camera acting technique to get you booking! Topics will include using your phone as your audition camera, lighting, sound and background techniques, framing, editing and many more. 

There will also be two photographers for professional headshots from 10-4:30. Professional photographers Ron Fallica and John Leslie Wolf will both offer a one-look, 15-minute headshot session for $50. Pleaese come camera ready and you will receive your picture(s) later that week via email. If you are interested in a headshot, please email Colin Bouchard at Colin.bouchard@sagaftra.org. Please note that space is limited, and payment will need to be made to the photographer prior to the day of the event.

This event will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Center, 1 Veterans Plaza Silver Spring, MD 20910. There are public parking lots nearby, as well as a red-line metro stop at Silver Spring. Please also note that lunch is not provided, but there are many options walking distance from the venue. Again, this is a paid member event, and payment must be made prior to the event. The payment link will be provided in the RSVP email. If you have any questions, please reach out to wma@sagaftra.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP: Reservations are required. You must be logged in to complete the RSVP form below. 

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing — no guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome. SAG-AFTRA members, please bring your membership card or digital card from the app (paid through October 31, 2024 or April 30, 2025) for admittance.