Abingdon Theatre Co. To Offer Classes In Audition Technique and Script Analysis

Abingdon Theatre Company (Tony Speciale, Artistic Director; Denise Dickens, Producing Director) has announced its latest Studio Series of intensive classes focusing on audition technique and script analysis. For registration and further information visit abingdontheatre.org or call (212) 868-2055, ext. 1.

Abingdon's Studio Series provides training to emerging artists to hone their craft with established theatre professionals at affordable prices. This winter, the Studio Series offers two sessions focusing on refining audition technique and an intensive two-day course in script analysis.

BOOKING IT, MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION

February 12, 7PM- 10PM

at Pearl Studios NYC

Choosing material that is appropriate for you and the audition is an essential tool for the successful actor. Participants should come prepared with their best, working 32-bar cut to present before a panel of professionals including Karie Koppel, Casting Associate, Elissa Myers Casting; award-winning composerBobby Cronin; and Chad Austin, Associate Director, Abingdon Theatre Company. Come prepared with your audition book, headshot, and resume. Registration fee: $25.

SCRIPT ANALYSIS

February 24 & 25, 10AM - 6PM

Location TBA

Over the course of a weekend, participants will develop practical skills for approaching dramatic text through in-depth reading, analysis and group discussion. Led by Abingdon Artistic Director Tony Speciale, participants will leave the workshop with a custom-designed script analysis method to apply to their own practice. Great for actors, directors, designers, dramaturges, and producers who are interested in rigorously breaking open a play through a series of dynamic exercises. Play selection to be chosen from the American classical canon in consultation with students. Registration fee: $250.

BOOKING IT, ACTING AUDITION

March 19, 7PM- 10PM

Location TBA

Test your cold-reading skills to get the most out of your time in the audition room. Whether you are auditioning for TV/film or theatre, learn some techniques to help you book the role. Participants will be asked to prepare sides provided ahead of time. Participants should bring their headshot, resume, and also prepare a monologue (not to exceed two-minutes). The artists' panel includes Karie Koppel, Casting Associate, Elissa Myers Casting; and Chad Austin, Associate Director, Abingdon Theatre Company. Registration fee: $25.

"Rigorous training is a crucial part of every artist's ongoing development. Abingdon's Studio Series is a 'gym' where artists can build their creative muscles," says Artistic Director Tony Speciale. "By providing high quality, professional training at affordable prices, emerging and established artists alike are encouraged and given permission to take big risks among their peers in a safe and constructive environment."

ABOUT THE PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

KARIE KOPPEL cast the independent feature films, Friends, First and Foremost, The Empath, and The House of Usher. In Chicago, she cast commercials, Motherhood The Musical for GFOUR Productions, Romeo And Juliet for Arc Theatre Company, and a couple of short films. In New York, she has cast The Diary of Anne Frank for several theaters, Snapped Productions' Much Ado About Nothing, and Climb The Smallest Mountain for ArtEffects Theatre. With Calleri Casting, she has worked on projects for Williamstown, Rattlestick, Classic Stage, and many others including Harmony. With Elissa Myers, she has cast for The Denver Center, Cleveland Play House, Alabama Shakespeare, Geva Theatre, and more. Karie also casts for The Abingdon Theatre.

Bobby Cronin is the award-winning composer/lyricist of the musicals: Mary & Max (Pace New Works 2018), Daybreak (winner NJ Playwrights Contest produced in NJ and London's Tristan Bates Theatre 2012), Till Soon, Anne (2016 & 2017 writing residencies at the O'Neill Theatre Center, NYTB reading 2018), The Concrete Jungle (ArtsEd Production 2012, West Texas A&M production 2016 listed in Top 10 productions in Texas), 'Til Death Do Us Part (2016 Signature Theatre New Works finalist). His film scores have won numerous awards at festivals across the country. His song "Dear Daddy" is published in Samuel French's Girl Songs Anthology and his songs have been performed worldwide. He has dedicated his time to working with rescue dogs as well as teaching at the college level at schools such as: NYU, CAP21, ArtsEd, NYFA, as well as master classes all over the world. Yale Graduate, DG Member.

Chad Austin began the 25th season of Abingdon Theatre Company as the company's Associate Director. Recent directing and choreography credits include Abingdon theatre's 25th anniversary gala performance of and the World Goes Round honoring Bebe Neuwirth, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, Down to Me, (Beirut, Lebanon), Chess (A.T.A NYC), Peter and the Wolf (Hampton Ballet Theatre), STET (Abingdon Theatre), Alice in Wonderland (Kyone Ballet Brazil), Spring Awakening, The Wedding Singer, and the musical movies Walk the Walk, Landed, and Winning New York (official section 2016 young film maker series). Chad was last seen on stage in Doric Wilson's Award Winning Drama Street Theatre (Tosos NYC). Chad originated the role of Edonis in the Off-Broadway comedy Play About the Naked Guy (Emerging Artists Theatre). Other NYC and Regional include; Cinderella (Lincoln Center), The Man That Came to Dinner, Cabaret, Forever Under, Murder Uncensored, Valentino the Musical, Street Scene, and A Chorus Line. TV: CBS's Guiding Light. Chad made his Metropolitan Opera Ballet Debut in John Adam's and Peter Sellar's Grammy Award winning Doctor Atomic, and performed in over 15 new Metropolitan Opera productions! Chad is the Artistic Director of Shake Hands Musical Theatre School in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Tony Speciale joined Abingdon Theatre Company as its Artistic Director in October 2015. Abingdon credits: The Boy Who Danced on Air, music by Tim Rosser, book and lyrics by Charlie Sohne; The Mother of Invention, written by James Lecesne; Jason O'Connell's The Dork Knight; and Stet by Kim Davies. Other credits: David Cale's We're Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time (Public Theatre- Under the Radar Festival); James Lecesne's The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey (Off-Broadway, National Tour); Harmony, music by Barry Manilow, book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman (ALLIANCE THEATRE, Ahmanson Theatre); A Midsummer Night's Dream featuring Bebe Neuwirth (CSC); Matthew-Lee Erlbach's Handbook for an American Revolutionary (The Gym at Judson) and Romeo and Juliet (Actors Theatre of Louisville). Tony has developed new work at Berkeley Rep's Ground Floor, The Goodman Theatre's New Stages Festival and Sundance Theatre Lab at Mass MoCA. He also served four seasons as Associate Artistic Director of Classic Stage Company, holds an M.F.A. in Directing from Columbia University, and is the proud recipient of a Princess Grace Theatre Honorarium and a Suzi Bass Award. tonyspeciale.com

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