Young Performers have a lot to navigate; changing technologies not only impact the way they learn and interact with their peers, but as working professionals, it impacts the way they navigate a constantly changing industry. To tackle this particular challenge, SAG-AFTRA New York Local young performer members gathered at the New York office on Saturday, Nov. 16, for the New York Young Performers Committee’s first daylong seminar since before the pandemic lockdown. The mentoring workshop, Resilient Young Performers: Thriving in a Changing Industry, was made possible by a grant from the SAG-AFTRA Producers Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund, and focused on how minor performers can remain resilient and adapt to a continually evolving professional environment. N.Y. Young Performers Committee Co-Chair and National Young Performers Committee Vice Chair Holter Graham hosted the event.
The day’s events kicked off with a seminar presented by the Entertainment Community Fund Looking Ahead program on how to handle rejection. Entertainment Community Fund Western Region Looking Ahead Program Director Chris Smith and Eastern Region Looking Ahead social worker Judy Rosch worked with the young performers and the parents/guardians in attendance on understanding many ways to handle rejection, which comes as a central part of being a working actor, regardless of age or experience. Following the group presentation, Smith and Rosch worked with the parents on understanding the stages of childhood development while young performers worked on affirmation projects, to have something to turn to when they need some positive vibes.
In the afternoon, young performers had the opportunity to flip the script and learn about what it’s like to sit on the other side of the table with casting director Robin Carus. Carus led a workshop that allowed the young performers to mock audition for each other, and take a pass at giving feedback from the perspective of the casting director. Parents were given a presentation from National Director of Background & N.Y. Entertainment Contracts Stephanie Perry, who is staff liaison for the National Young Performers Committee, with information about the young performer provisions and new provisions of the most recently negotiated TV/Theatrical/Streaming contracts.
The day’s events also included a surprise for Graham, who received a Joseph C. Riley Award for his outstanding contributions to the union through local committee service on the New York Promo/Trailer Steering Committee. New York Local President Ezra Knight, New York Local Board member and New York Honors and Tributes Committee Chair Kevin Scullin, and New York Promo/Trailer Steering Committee Chair Carol Monda were in attendance to present Graham with the award.
Top photo: From left, SAG-AFTRA members Lena Marano, Onie Watlington, New York Young Performers Committee member Rachel Resheff, Audrey Simone Winters, Ivy Johnson-Tejada, Lily Lewinter, Isabella Mia, Zachary Cruz, New York Local President Ezra Knight, Ethan Rodriguez, Mateo Castel, Naya Desi-Johnson, Jonathan O’Reilly and Zachary Golinger show off their artwork.
New York Local President Ezra Knight, New York Young Performers Committee Chair and National Young Performers Committee Vice Chair Holter Graham, and Chief Labor Policy Officer and New York Local Executive Director Rebecca Damon with Looking Ahead staff, young performers and their parents.
From left, New York Young Performer Members Isabella Mia, Lily Lewinter and Zachary Cruz.
New York Local President Ezra Knight works on an affirmation art project with young performers Zachary Golinger, Mateo Castel, New York Young Performers Committee member Rachel Resheff and Lena Marano.
Naya Desir-Johnson and National Young Performers Committee Vice Chair Diane Jones work on their collages.
New York Local Young Performers Committee Chair and New York Promo/Trailer Steering Committee member Holter Graham was surprised with a presentation of a Joseph C. Riley award for his service on the New York Promo/Trailer Steering Committee. From left, New York Local President Ezra Knight, Graham, New York Promo/Trailer Steering Committee Chair Carol Monda, and New York Local Honors and Tributes Committee Chair Kevin Scullin.
Zachary Cruz and Naya Desir-Johnson perform a scene during a mock audition.
Mateo Castel and Jonathan O’Reilly perform a scene during the mock audition.
Onie Watlington and Audrey Simone Winters take a turn as the casting directors during the mock auditions.
Standing, from left, Naya Desir-Johnson, New York Young Performers Committee member Rachel Resheff, casting director Robin Carus, Zachary Cruz, National Young Performers Committee Vice Chair Diane Jones, Isabella Mia, Zachary Golinger, Lily Lewinter, Ethan Rodriguez, Mateo Castel, Lena Marano, Ivy Johnson-Tejada, Jonathan O’Reilly, Onie Watlington, Audrey Simone Winters, and New York Young Performers Committee member Denise Simon. Kneeling, National Young Performers Committee Chair Nina Siemaszko and New York Young Performers Committee Chair and National Young Performers Committee Vice Chair Holter Graham.
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