Queens Theatre’s Training Program for Actors with Disabilities Returns

(Queens, NY)— Applications are being accepted now through September 23rd for the fifth round of the Theatre For All (TFA) Professional Actor Training Program. The free, two-week program presented by Queens Theatre (QT) will run virtually this season, from Monday, October 17th through Friday, October 28th and is open to Deaf or Disabled performers, aged 18 and over. Through intensive workshops over the two weeks, students will build skills, as well as their networks. This year, the program will again be offered online over Zoom at Queens Theatre due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Workshops will be taught by disabled and non-disabled industry professionals, including: Tony Award Winner Tonya Pinkins (“Women of the Movement”, “Madam Secretary”, “Red Pill”, “Caroline or Change”, Jelly’s Last Jam); Brigid Brady (Broadway: “The Phantom of the Opera” “Gossip Girl”); The Second City alumnae Pat Shay (“FBI”, “The Blacklist”, “Girls 5 Eva”) and Mary Theresa Archbold (“Inventing Anna”, “Girls 5 Eva”, “Bull”, “Law & Order: SVU”); leading disability advocate and performer Christine Bruno (“Public Servant”, “Best Summer Ever”, “Law & Order”, The Actors Studio); and Roundabout Director Group member Evan T Cummings (Director, Lincoln Center: An Evening of Short Plays). Additional instructors will be announced soon. The intensive will focus on auditioning, acting, improvisation, musical theatre, voice, and movement. The program will have three tracks, designed for actors of varying levels of experience: Entry Level, Early Career, and Working Actor.

The program will culminate with a live-streamed industry showcase performance for the Early Career and Working Actor-level programs.

“By hosting the intensive virtually we can reach a much broader community of artists. Often artists with disabilities who don't reside in a major city such as Los Angeles or New York City struggle to find accessible training. In TFA, we provide all forms of accommodation support allowing all artists to get what they need - an accessible room to focus on their craft,” said TFA Program Manager Mary Theresa Archbold.

For more information about the program and to apply click: https://www.queenstheatre.org/tfa-2022

The TFA Professional Actor Training Program is part of Queens Theatre’s larger Theatre For All initiative, launched in 2018, to advance the inclusion of Deaf/Disabled individuals in the performing arts - as performers, audience members, students and cultural workers. Six years ago, Queens Theatre formed an Advisory Board comprised of an integrated group of Disabled and non-Disabled individuals with backgrounds in theater, activism, academia, and arts administration to lead TFA. In addition to professional training for early career actors, Queens Theatre has produced short plays by Disabled playwrights (a selection of the TFA plays was recently published by Next Stage Press), in-school performance programs for children and teens with disabilities, expanded accessibility services at the theater, hosted a National Disability in Theatre Convening (2019) and most recently, presented the Forward Festival for the Arts, a multi-week, multi-disciplinary festival of artists and companies that center performers with disabilities.

This year Queens Theatre announced a fundraising campaign to support the Theatre for All Professional Actor Training Program. Stage and screen star Vincent D’Onofrio, best known for his roles in the drama Full Metal Jacket, the hit television series Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Netflix series Daredevil was an early champion of Theatre for All (TFA) and has committed to matching the first $15,000 raised to support the fifth installment of the program.

There’s still time to support the campaign! Click HERE to learn more and donate. Donations can also be made by texting TFAMATCH to 44-321 (you’ll receive a link to donate).

Workshops

Entry Level - Introduction to Acting

This level is designed for students who are interested in learning the fundamentals of acting. The course includes Preparation Exercises (breathing, relaxation, voice and speech), Script Analysis, Monologue study and workshops in Improvisation and Voice. No previous training or experience necessary. The intensive will culminate with students performing monologues/songs developed in class for a live streamed “watch party” for an audience of invited friends, family, and fellow Theatre For All participants.

· Selecting and Performing a Monologue - This workshop focuses on finding a monologue that best suits your personality and skill set. The instructors help you discover how to create a roadmap to building a character by using script analysis and your own lived experience to deliver an authentic performance. Special Instructions: prepare a 1–2-minute monologue from an existing play or film script that excites you.

· Acting with a Partner - This course explores the basics of acting with a partner. Focusing on making connections with your acting partner by building trust and forming bonds in a step-by-step approach to scene work on stage and screen. Open, honest listening and responding are taught to develop the beginning actor’s instincts and imagination and help to bring a script to life. Special Instructions: scenes will be provided by the instructor.

· Improv - Improvisation is the basis of all good listening on stage. In this class, you will learn to work together and improve communication. This is a class for students to use the many beneficial aspects of improv training to help them learn to trust themselves creatively while building a stronger bond with their fellow actors in an ensemble.

· Movement - Movement is crucial to developing a character and utilizing your body as a means of storytelling. In this class, students will experience the benefits of warming up their physical being and how to utilize their body to support their acting choices. Various types of movement will be explored, and students will walk away with a deeper understanding of how movement can benefit their acting journey.

Early Career Level - Professional Training

This course is designed for "Early-Career" actors to build on the actor’s existing set of skills. Prior stage and/or on-camera training or experience is a prerequisite for this course. The program will provide actors with the tools they need to create authentic, truthful and exciting performances in the audition room, on stage and on screen with confidence. Students will be introduced to straight-forward, effective tools to help further develop their practice for stage and on-camera work. This program includes Intermediate Monologue and Scene Study. Early Career Training will culminate in a live streamed performance of monologue and/ or scene work developed in class for a select group of industry professionals. Students will also receive a copy of their recorded scene to use for their professional reels.

· Monologue Study - This advanced monologue study course emphasizes the process of developing monologues that are active, interesting, and showcase your unique talent. Students are guided toward uninhibited expression with an emphasis placed on moment-to-moment work, exciting bold choices, free flowing instincts, and intense character development. By the end of class, the goal is to have a polished, well-crafted and thoroughly rehearsed monologue ready for you to show off to directors, casting associates, and agents. Special Instructions: Prepare 2 contrasting monologues (2 minutes or less)

· Scene Study - This course investigates understanding and interpreting the scene by exploring the layering of conscious and unconscious behavior and applying technique as a tool to solve challenges outside your comfort zone. Through extensive examination, research, and experimentation, you discover and rediscover the level of action and commitment needed to fulfill the form and idea of the play. Special Instructions: Prepare a scene (5 minutes or less)

· Advanced Voice and Song Selection - This class combines singing technique with valuable audition insights. The course will begin with an extensive warm-up and group voice lesson. In addition to singing already prepared material, students will be offered new material and assistance with building a strong repertoire for auditions. This will include instruction on choosing the right songs for auditions and the best cuts to use. Special Instructions: Prepare 2 contrasting songs (3 minutes or less)

· Classical Theater - Through the exploration and performance of Classical scenes and characters, students will get connected with a vibrant and authentic expressivity in their performance of non-contemporary dramatic work. Emphasis will be placed first on the emotional and intellectual understanding of the texts, then on their uninhibited physical and vocal expression. Core acting work on intentions, tactics, obstacles, and relationships will be reinforced.

Working Actor Level – Advanced Training

This professional course is designed for Working Actors to build and deepen their acting practice for the stage and camera. Prior stage and/or on-camera training or experience is a prerequisite for this program. Training for the Working Actor will culminate in a live streamed showcase of scene work rehearsed in class for a select group of industry professionals. Students will also receive a copy of their recorded scene to use for their professional reels.

· On Set and On Camera - Students dive into the technical aspects of on-camera acting including framing, continuity, stillness, thinking and breathing. In this class you will also learn methods to conserve your energy during long intervals between shots whether you are a day player, co- or guest star, recurring character or series regular. Students will examine the economics of being a working actor and the elements of life on set will be explored including shoot schedules and actor accommodations.

· Advanced Scene Study - This course will encourage students to explore the layering of conscious and unconscious behavior and applying technique as a tool to solve challenges outside your comfort zone. Through extensive examination, research, and experiment, you discover and rediscover the level of action and commitment needed to fulfill the form and idea of the play. Special Instructions: Prepare a scene of 5 minutes or less.

· Voice Over Acting - Students in the Voice Over course will learn techniques to help them build a voice over reel and prepare for VO auditions - for example: how to break down copy and how to make bold character choices. Students will practice techniques on how to use their voice, mouth and body as an instrument that can fulfill their intentions for the character and/or copy. Subjects will include audio book reading, performing animated characters, performing commercial copy and creating/working in a home studio.

· Acting in Commercials - In this workshop, you will learn the art of commercial acting and audition technique. Students learn how to analyze commercial copy and find the acting beats within the text to make a lasting impression in the audition room. Focus is given to making a connection with the camera, nailing your slate, selling a product without being too over the top and relaxing into your role. Students will also learn lingo that is specific to commercial auditions and on-camera acting. In the end, students will know how to confidently audition online, make it to callbacks, and book the job.

About Queens Theatre

Queens Theatre (QT) is a performing arts center located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY. Its mission is to provide high-quality performances and programs that are accessible to the residents of Queens, the most diverse county in the nation. The Theatre's work reflects and celebrates its community. QT presents dance companies, produces, presents, and develops new works of theatre, family programming, community engagement events and initiatives, and offers a range of education programs onsite, in schools and in senior centers. In 2016, QT launched, and has since expanded, Theatre For All (TFA), a ground-breaking initiative to advance the inclusion of disabled people in the performing arts. Since COVID-19, QT has produced a range of digital programming – readings of new plays, wellness checks with performances for seniors, original dance showcases, a Storytellers series, an online round of its TFA training program for Deaf/Disabled actors, and more.