How would you like to be a part of what some have called “the greatest private school in the South for the next generation of stars”? Then you need to contact The Actors Alliance.
Because of the tremendous tax advantages that the state of Louisiana is offering film-makers, this area of the country is being referred to as “Hollywood South”. There are many opportunities for budding actors and actresses to get their chance to act in front of the camera as well as behind-the-camera work.
In the past, when actors were hired to work on a film production, they might or might not recognize other talent on the set. Most times they were isolated from the rest of the cast and crew because they didn't know anyone there. If they were extras, they were often
herded into a holding area and only let out on occasion when the director needed them to provide "atmosphere."
All this changed when professional actress and coach Veleka Gray founded her school, The Actors Alliance, in 2000. Locals who were serious about becoming actors found a teacher with the credentials that gave them the training they needed to be cast in features coming to Louisiana. They found a community in their classmates. Now,
actors who have studied at The Actors Alliance see each other regularly at auditions and on the job. The isolation and alienation are gone, and they have colleagues to share the experience and to give aid if necessary.
The Actors Alliance community has grown so dramatically that now students are being cast right in class. Even freshmen who have just started their acting training are getting cast in class!
Last semester, nineteen students found agents and were cast in feature films, shorts, student films, commercials, and plays as a result of being members of The Actors Alliance. Producers, directors, agents, and casting directors participate in The Actors Alliance class projects and showcases, and they are invited to stop by the classes at any time.
In the current semester, the actors are training for work in principal roles in film, learning every aspect from how to walk into a scene and hit their marks, how to find their key light, how to project for sound and play to the camera. All this while giving a
first-class performance.
With all the film productions coming into Louisiana in the past few years, other acting teachers have set up shop, but Veleka's students experience a level of training found only in New York, London, or Los Angeles. Veleka has been engaged in every area of show business. From age six, she worked as a professional actress in film, television, commercials, and on Broadway. She was a judge for the Emmy Awards for fifteen years, directs plays, and is now a film producer.
Veleka’s students have been very successful and they credit her film/acting school for their good fortune. As one former student puts it,” "The sessions were great, good learning experiences. Even though I was intimidated at first, I learned how to just go with the flow and how important it is for actors to do. It's great to have a place to learn and face your fears in a supportive environment and make new friends at the same time. Veleka does a great job in preparing aspiring actors/actresses for the competitive challenges that await all of us in the television/film business. There's definitely a sense of strong dedication that you present to your workshop students. Our encouragements are solid. The group members were great to work with. I will definitely recommend others to take your workshop if they are serious about getting acting training."
A recent class that I attended was comprised of twelve aspiring actors who all come from very different backgrounds. Veleka tells them that in just six weeks she can transform anyone, even someone who has never acted before, to an actor that will be able to audition for television/film work they are interested in and more importantly get hired. Veleka teaches her students how to quiet their face for the camera. She tells them that they don’t have to do a lot for films. Calmer is better. Over the six week period the students (who range in age from young adults to senior citizens) will be assigned a partner and the pair will begin work on scenes that will be presented in a showcase at the course’s conclusion. Film makers, casting agents and producers attend the showcase.
Veleka’s next classes are scheduled to begin on July 6th and August 17th. For more information please call Veleka at 504-812-3379 or visit her website http://TheActorsAlliance.com/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Slidell Little Theatre
Young Actor’s Theatre
Through July 19th
for information call:
Fabian Martinez 641-6428 or
Bonnie Macloud 641-8109 or
Dayle McDonough 643-7248
Luke’s Brisket & Broadway
“Murder in the Air” Directed by Grace Marshall
May 22nd through June 6th
985-781-6565
Luke's Brisket & Broadway's First
Summer Drama Camp for Young Actors
1st Session - June 15th thru June 26, 2009
2nd Session - July 6 thru July 17th
3rd Session- July 20th thru July 31st
Registration Fee: $50
Camp fee: $150. per week includes:
Activities, Supplies, Snacks, Lunch
Special Family Group Rates
Cutting Edge Productions presents Christopher Durang’s Baby with the Bathwater . Directed by Julie Wood, Baby with the Bathwater is a dark comedy that explores the difficulties of parenthood and childhood. Attractions Salon is located at 747 Robert Blvd in Slidell. Baby with the Bathwater runs from June 19 through July 3.For more information, please visit www.cuttingedgeproductions.org or call (985) 290-0760.
CAST talent and theatre drama camps. June 1-15th “Emperor’s Nightindgale” For more information call Jennifer H. Patterson at 985-590-3645
Frank Levy’s Theatre Camps with June 1-21 “The Wind in the Willows” For more information call 985-893-2090 or Levy’s website: http://www.storiesinmotion.com
CAST Presents
The Emperor's Nightengale June 12- 7pm- Tickets $5 at door
Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS June 24, 25, 26 Tickets at ShowTix4U.com
for mor einformation please call -CAST Director Jennifer H. Patterson at 985.590.3645
or visit their website: www.dramaandmusic.com