tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52650862024-03-07T15:26:15.549-06:00Chicago Acting blog by David AugustChicago acting information and news; resources that help you to be an actor in Chicago.David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.comBlogger703125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-4176608836963856342014-09-07T08:27:00.001-05:002014-09-07T08:47:53.243-05:00Loss of Molly Glynn and Bernie Yvon<blockquote cite="Shakespeare - Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 7">One woe doth tread upon another's heel, <br/>So fast they follow...</blockquote><p>Chicago stages became dimmer yesterday with the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/chi-chicago-theater-actress-molly-glynn-story.html">passing of Molly Glynn and Bernie Yvon</a>. Too soon we lost them, my thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends.</p> <p>A <a href="https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/fhp5/the-molly-glynn-memorial-trust">memorial trust for Molly Glynn</a> has been set up to help with her final expenses and the education of her sons Chance and Declan.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-19037177951674924712013-05-10T14:45:00.001-05:002013-05-10T14:55:38.740-05:00Chicago PD Will Shoot Here in Chicago<blockquote cite="Nina Metz"> "Chicago PD" - from the same people who make "Chicago Fire," [which has also been renewed for a second season] including producer Dick Wolf and creators Derek Haas and Michael Brandt - will be shot here in its entirety and have more in common with a show like "Hill Street Blues" than the typical high-concept crime procedurals that have become predominant on network <abbr title="television">TV</abbr></blockquote> <p>(from <cite><a href="http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-75861704/">Chicago Tribune</a></cite>, thanks to <a href="http://www.graytalentgroup.com">Gray Talent Group</a> for letting me know). No word yet on who will be doing local casting, though both <a href="http://www.simoncasting.com/">Simon Casting</a> and <a href="http://www.prcasting.com/">Paskal Rudnicke Casting</a> locally cast some of the episodes of the first season of Chicago Fire. Background casting of the first season of Chicago Fire was at least in part done by <a href="http://www.thedarlingseries.com/joan-philo-casting/">Joan Philo Casting</a>.</p> David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-12808530839541494682013-03-13T14:09:00.001-05:002013-03-13T14:09:02.249-05:00Sequestration Affects Federally Funded Theatres<p><a href="http://laacting.davidaugust.com/2013/03/federally-funded-theatres-face-sequester.html">Theatres that rely on federal funds with the sequestration</a> may have to find funding elsewhere.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-90297515194788418372013-03-04T12:06:00.001-06:002013-03-04T12:06:20.744-06:00Happy 176th Birthday Chicago<p>Today is Chicago's 176th birthday.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-67464179855184311152012-07-24T19:46:00.001-05:002012-07-24T19:46:40.017-05:00SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract Educational Meeting<blockquote cite="sagaftra.org">These meetings will provide members the opportunity to hear a report on the <strong>Commercial Trends Every Performer Needs to Know About</strong>, and you will also receive an update on the GRP Study and other important topics related to the Commercials Contract. A group discussion will follow the presentation, affording staff the opportunity to hear membership’s response to these findings. We look forward to your participation as your input is vital to our negotiation preparation.</blockquote> <blockquote cite="sagaftra.org">Please note that these meetings are being held in preparation and advance of our Wages & Working Conditions process and will in no way replace the process by which we develop proposals. The <abbr title="Wages & Working">W&W</abbr> meetings will occur in September/October after members have had a chance to learn about these important topics.</blockquote> <blockquote cite="sagaftra.org">All paid-up <acronym title="Screen Actors Guild">SAG</acronym>-<acronym title="American Federation of Television and Radio Artists">AFTRA</acronym> members in good standing are urged to attend these important membership educational meetings. These meetings are only open to paid-up <acronym title="Screen Actors Guild">SAG</acronym>-<acronym title="American Federation of Television and Radio Artists">AFTRA</acronym> members in good standing, no guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome. <acronym title="Screen Actors Guild">SAG</acronym>-<acronym title="American Federation of Television and Radio Artists">AFTRA</acronym> members please bring your membership card for admittance.</blockquote> <blockquote cite="sagaftra.org">When: 6-8 p.m., Thursday, August 23 </br>Social Gathering starts at 5:30 P.M. <br/>Where: <acronym title="Screen Actors Guild">SAG</acronym>-<acronym title="American Federation of Television and Radio Artists">AFTRA</acronym> <br/>1 East Erie <br/>Suite #650 <br/>Chicago, IL 60611</blockquote>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-49996917603932568182012-07-09T09:32:00.000-05:002012-10-15T03:08:35.027-05:00Where to Find Auditions in Chicago<p>Last month I was asked where one finds auditions in Chicago, and here is a partial list:</p> <dl><dt><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WaitingPatiently/">
WaitingPatiently</a></dt> <dd>my Chicago theatre/film email list. While is has become a much lower traffic list then it once was, it does occasionally get messages that are about auditions for paying acting jobs (I try not to have it post audition notices for unpaid gigs).</dd> <dt><a href="http://www.performink.com">PerformInk</a></dt> <dd>once probably the largest audition listings in Chicago, now seems inactive after stopping printing on paper in 2009, and changing owners in the last couple years. Was almost comparable to the audition listings in <a href="http://www.backstage.com">Backstage</a> for New York and LA</dd> <dd>listed auditions online and also had audition listings in paper edition</dd> <dt>Agents</dt> <dd>actors usually get auditions for the highest paying acting jobs through their agent or manager</dd> <dd><a href="http://www.sagaftra.org/"><acronym title="Screen Actors Guild">SAG</acronym>-<acronym title="American Federation of Television and Radio Artists">AFTRA</acronym></a> has a <a href="http://www.sag.org/content/find-agent">list of agents on the Screen Actors Guild</a>'s old site which I imagine they will eventually more to the sagaftra.org site</dd> <dd><a href="http://www.talentmanagers.org/">Talent Managers Association</a> may be a resource to learn more about managers, and <a href="http://pro.imdb.com">imdb pro</a> is a way to look into who currently may be represented by whom</dd> <dt><a href="http://www.actorsaccess.com/projects/?view=breakdowns®ion=4">ActorsAccess</a></dt> <dd>While this may be more used in <acronym title="Los Angeles">LA</acronym> and New York, it does list Chicago and Midwestern auditions</dd> <dd>if you get a showfax account, you can submit to as many auditions as you want without paying for each submission</dd> <dt><a href="http://classifieds.chicagoreader.com/chicago/Results?subsection=oid%3A170">Chicago Reader</a></dt> <dd>lists auditions online and also available in paper edition</dd> <dd>years ago I found their audition listings sparse and often for community theatre</dd> <dt>Friends and Colleagues</dt> <dd>other actors, directors, producers and people you've worked with may also contact you for auditions, though this may not happen immediately, or at all</dl> <p>There are other place to find auditions, but this is a start. Remember in all cases to look out for yourself and do due diligence on the organizations and people you will be auditioning for or working with; caveat actor. Break a leg!</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-26177257196004592712012-06-11T15:50:00.002-05:002012-06-11T15:50:58.974-05:00Ad: PsPrint's Chicago Location<p>Sponsored Post: </br>PsPrint asked me to get the word out about their <a href="http://www.psprint.com/Chicago/">new printing facility</a> and option to pick-up prints locally at <a href="http://www.psprint.com/about/location/index.asp#Chi">their Des Plaines location</a>. I haven't used their services yet, but during May they were giving an additional 10% savings on all orders shipping from Chicago. Not sure if they are still offering that.</p> <p></p>They are offering, until June 30, 50% off <a href="http://www.psprint.com/postcards">postcard printing</a> and may have competitive prices on <a href="http://www.psprint.com/posters">posters</a>. There are many place that can print your postcards and such, but not all allow you to pick it up in the Chicagoland area, which probably saves shipping costs.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-17476727146751694272012-06-11T15:28:00.000-05:002012-06-11T15:28:05.619-05:00SAG-AFTRA Made Music Video Deal<blockquote cite="">The three-year deal includes minimums, pension and health benefits and a range of working-condition protections.</blockquote> <p>(from <cite><a href="http://laacting.davidaugust.com/2012/06/sag-aftra-makes-music-video-deal.html">My Los Angeles Acting blog</a></cite>).</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-81529655686293373962012-05-09T16:33:00.001-05:002012-05-09T16:33:25.974-05:00Chicago Fire Picked Up by NBC<blockquote cite="Nellie Andreeva">...the network has given a series order to the Wolf-produced firefighter drama pilot Chicago Fire</blockquote> <p>(from <cite><a href="http://www.deadline.com/2012/05/nbc-renews-law-order-svu-inks-new-deal-with-dick-wolf-picks-up-chicago-fire/">Deadline</a></cite>).</p> <blockquote cite="Marah Eakin">The show's pilot filmed in town earlier this spring, and will presumably continue to film here as the show progresses, meaning boatloads of revenue for the city, local film crews...</blockquote> <p>(from <cite><a href="http://www.avclub.com/chicago/articles/nbc-picks-up-chicago-fire-citys-production-crews-a,73752/">A.V. Club</a></cite>). No confirmation of who will be doing local casting of principal or background actors.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-64246564695788900852012-04-27T22:23:00.000-05:002012-07-09T19:40:00.953-05:00Ad: Travelers Haven<p>Sponsored Post: <br/>Film and <abbr title="television">TV</abbr> projects last longer than a few days, and so do stage plays. Often the producer provides the housing, but if you're non-union, you may be on your own. Sublets are complex and sometimes annoying, and you have to do all the leg work yourself. Enter <a href="http://chicagocorporatehousing.net/">Travelers Haven</a>, who asked me to write about their service. They just opened a Chicago division. They describe it as giving "...property owners with vacant properties a chance to earn money while also giving travelers a chance to rent furnished housing instead of using hotels during their stays."</p> <p>So no living out of a suitcase in a hotel. You'd actually get a place that is like your own, but without that pesky need to buy furniture, linens, set up utilities or have a long term lease, mortgage, or other silliness. Since they aim to serve both luxury and economy travelers, this may work for both higher end options (like the Goodman) and for the non-union gig someone is coming into Chicago for and wants to spend less than a hotel or sublet would cost. If I had a multi-week or multi-month gig in town, and were left to fend for myself for my long term housing, I'd look at this seriously. If you or someone you know is a project's producer and needs to put up various people in town for extended stays, this may make the accountant smile. Not living out of a hotel room may actually put your people more at ease, and that often comes across the footlights and lenses.</p> <p>Finally, if your living in Chicago, and get a long term gig out of town, you don't need to turn into an ad hoc landlord. <a href="http://chicagocorporatehousing.net/">Travelers Haven</a> can help you make some money on your place, and take care of the details so you don't have to. Way better than vetting randoms off Craigslist. On both sides, whether visiting Chicago, or leaving Chicago for a long time, this can mean less expensive long term accommodations for the visitor, and help fill the hole in your housing budget for the Chicagoan traveling.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-5817875586084706892012-04-08T01:45:00.003-05:002012-06-13T01:00:32.349-05:00MTV Series Starts Shooting in Chicago This Month<blockquote cite="Marah Eakin"><strong>Underemployed</strong>, MTV's forthcoming series about five recent college grads struggling to make their way in this mixed-up world, is set to film its first season in Chicago starting this in mid-April</blockquote> <p>(from <cite><a href="http://www.avclub.com/chicago/articles/mtvs-new-scripted-series-underemployed-to-film-in,67863/">A.V. Club Chicago</a></cite>). Extras, background and stand-ins will be cast by <a href="http://www.extraordinarycasting.net/">ExtraOrdinary Casting</a>.</p> <p>Update June 12, 2012: <a href="http://www.prcasting.com/">Paskal Rudnicke Casting</a> is local casting for principles.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-14385797447141331452012-03-30T15:54:00.001-05:002012-03-30T15:55:41.286-05:00SAG and AFTRA merged and are now SAG-AFTRA<p>The on camera acting unions have merged, details on <a href="laacting.davidaugust.com/2012/03/sag-aftra-merger-approved.html">my Los Angeles Acting blog</a>.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-53115420957541326792012-02-21T23:55:00.003-06:002012-02-21T23:59:11.257-06:00Tax Seminar with Sandra Karas March 5th<blockquote cite="AEA website">Tax Deductions for Performers <br/>This Free Workshop will be held on: <br/>Monday, March 5, 2012 <br/>6:00 PM - 8:00 PM </blockquote> <blockquote cite="AEA website">Actors' Equity Building <br/>557 West Randolph Street <br/>Member Center, 1st Floor <br/>Chicago, IL 60661</blockquote> <blockquote cite="AEA website">Union Members ONLY <br/>RSVPs required! <br/>Please e-mail to CentralRSVP@actorsequity.org or phone 312-641-0393, extension 240</blockquote> <p>For more information see <a href="http://actorsequity.org/NewsMedia/news2012/jan31.ChicagoTaxSeminar.asp">the event information on Equity's site</a>. This is all I know about this; caveat actor.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-10887832755209601612012-02-21T23:43:00.001-06:002012-02-21T23:45:22.210-06:00AEA Supports SAG-AFTRA Merger<p>Tuesday Equity voted unanimously to <a href="http://laacting.davidaugust.com/2012/02/equity-supports-sag-aftra-merger.html">support the <acronym title="Screen Actors Guild">SAG</acronym>-<acronym title="American Federation of Television and Radio Artists">AFTRA</acronym> merger</a>.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-9733105167496749032012-02-08T01:11:00.003-06:002012-02-08T01:12:07.949-06:00Add Your Acting Class to the Free Directory<p>I'm making a directory of acting classes. <br/>Please add yours for free: <br/><a href="http://www.theyact.com/add-acting-class/">http://www.theyact.com/add-acting-class/</a></p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-75005311602456034492012-01-30T15:57:00.003-06:002012-01-30T16:01:29.269-06:00SAG and AFTRA Boards Approve Merger Plan<p><a href="http://laacting.davidaugust.com/2012/01/aftra-board-approves-merger-plan-to.html">Both <acronym title="Screen Actors Guild">SAG</acronym> and <acronym title="American Federation of Television and Radio Artists">AFTRA</acronym> national boards approve</a> and ballots will be sent out to members. Please vote yes on merger, <a href="http://laacting.davidaugust.com/2011/06/merge-unions.html">here's why the unions should merge</a>.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-51603222168908409292012-01-17T13:20:00.001-06:002012-01-17T13:21:26.143-06:00SAG & AFTRA Reach Agreement on Merger Rec to National Boards<p>The unions are getting closer to merging, which is a very good thing. More on <a href="http://laacting.davidaugust.com/2012/01/sag-aftra-reach-agreement-on-merger.html">my LA acting blog</a>.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-65923515911360108402012-01-06T13:03:00.002-06:002012-01-06T13:05:41.826-06:00Production Tax Credit for Big Theatre in Illinois<blockquote cite="Chris Jones">The so-called Live Theatre Production Tax Credit, long sought by Broadway in Chicago, is designed to support Illinois engagements of pre-Broadway and long-running shows in theaters of 1,200 seats or more. It provides producers with tax credits in return for their spending in the State of Illnois; up to 20% of spending on such things as labor and marketing can be applied. The program is capped at $2 million per year</blockquote> <p>(from <cite><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/theaterloop/chi-tax-breaks-for-broadway-shows-in-new-legislation-20111213,0,4954771.column">Chicago Tribune</a></cite>).</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-49291229812914685992012-01-02T17:57:00.002-06:002012-01-02T17:59:58.078-06:00Juror Jailed for Ditching Court to See a Show<blockquote cite="agencies">A teenage juror, who interrupted a trial when he pretended to be ill so that he could go and see a London stage show, has been detained for 14 days...Banks [the juror] went to see the show Chicago in the West End.</blockquote> <p>(from <cite><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/dec/21/juror-jailed-trial-visit-theatre">The Guardian</a></cite>). He had it coming ;-).</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-88774561326922503302011-12-12T16:21:00.001-06:002011-12-12T16:23:12.640-06:00Chicago Pride<p><q cite="Erick Esteban">It's not the Willis Tower, it's the Sears Tower, I don't wear sneakers, I wear gym shoes. I don't drink soda, I drink pop. I don't go to the movies, I go to the show. Where I'm from is determimed by north, south, east, or west. I'm from the city with the best pizza, hot dogs and GUYros. I have taken the train, L, and subway at the same time without even leaving my seat. 40 degrees isn't cold. My basketball team has 6 rings. My football team did the super bowl shuffle. Your tall buildings don't impress me. Your country living don't move me. I don't need to put my city on a hat to tell where I'm from, the way I move explains enough! Repost if you are from THE CHI AND YOU LOVE IT!</q> (from <cite><a href="http://theerickesteban.com/">Erick Esteban</a></cite>).</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-75793792746947159112011-11-15T15:36:00.002-06:002011-11-15T15:39:16.863-06:00Samuel French Ebooks and Digital Play Scripts<p>Today, Samuel French began offering someone their publications digitally. Read <a href="http://laacting.davidaugust.com/2011/11/samuel-french-launches-ebooks-today.html">details on my <acronym title="Los Angeles">LA</acronym> Acting blog</a>.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-574761674998775362011-08-09T22:14:00.002-05:002011-08-09T22:18:03.371-05:00Online Auditioning for Stage More Common<blockquote cite="Patrick Healy">A rite of passage for young actors - waiting in long lines to be seen by Broadway casting directors, clutching head shots with I-hope-I-get-it fervor - has faded, as more producers and directors have abandoned the long-held assumption that they need to be in the room to assess stage presence and other qualities. While some casting directors have looked at audition tapes here and there over the years, the advent of YouTube, Skype, Facebook, Flip cameras and widely available video equipment has recently given technology a greater role in theater casting, providing a foot in the stage door for the technically savvy.</blockquote> <blockquote cite="Patrick Healy">While no breakout theater star has been discovered solely through online auditions, several casting directors said it was only a matter of time.</blockquote> <p>(from <cite><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/theater/hopefuls-sing-out-from-afar-as-broadway-scouts-go-online.html">The New York Times</a></cite>).</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-72366999783954834212011-06-21T04:07:00.004-05:002011-06-21T04:26:18.284-05:00Taymor Tries to Heal Her Image<blockquote cite="Patrick Healy">Breaking her silence about "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," the Broadway musical from which she was fired in March, Julie Taymor tacitly criticized her former producers on Saturday afternoon for relying on audience focus groups and said that the rise of Twitter and blogs for instant theater criticism was damaging to shows</blockquote> <p>(from <cite><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/20/theater/julie-taymor-discusses-spider-man-and-twitter-critics.html">The New York Times</a></cite>). The most expensive Broadway production ever produced, "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" was already controversial before Julie Taymor left the production. Last year, before opening, the production separately injured 4 different actors with <a href="http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/actor-in-spider-man-musical-is-injured/">broken</a> <a href="http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/another-actor-speaks-of-spider-man-injuries/">wrists</a>, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/22/theater/22spider.html">ribs</a>, feet (or a toe), <a href="http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/concussion-sidelines-spider-man-actress/">a concussion</a> and internal bleeding.</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-19649965912352480032011-06-12T17:11:00.002-05:002011-06-12T17:15:59.641-05:00Lookingglass Wins Tony Award for Excellence in Regional Theater<blockquote cite="Chris Jones, Nina Metz and Kerry Reid">Chicago's Lookingglass Theatre Company has 22 ensemble members. Twenty-one of them will be in the confines of New York's Beacon Theatre on Sunday night when Lookingglass becomes the fifth Chicago company to win the Tony Award for excellence in regional theater.</blockquote> <blockquote cite="Chris Jones, Nina Metz and Kerry Reid">You likely won't see them all on television</blockquote> <p>(from <cite><a href="http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2011/06/lookingglass-tony-award-ceremony.html">Chicago Tribune</a></cite>).</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265086.post-25670300979370428902011-06-12T16:57:00.002-05:002011-06-12T17:00:58.182-05:00How Much a Tony Win is Worth<blockquote cite="Brian J. McCabe">On average, winners of the Tony for best musical saw their average weekly gross jump 48 percent, from $656,784 in the eight weeks before the ceremony to $972,006 in the eight weeks after. By contrast, the other nominees saw only a 21 percent increase in their weekly gross in the comparable time frames</blockquote> <p>(from <cite><a href="http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/09/just-how-much-is-a-tony-worth/">The New York Times</a></cite>).</p>David Augusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472574936046343447noreply@blogger.com0