Acting in Musicals
Half day morning workshop
This workship is led by CRY HAVOC Company actors, directors, and writers who have brought this approach to character development to musicals on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and at theaters around the country.
Leader: Kitt Lavoie (Artistic Director); Timothy Davis (Associate Artistic Director); Matt Cowart (Resident Director); Kerry Flanagan (Resident Actor)
When trying to balance the rigors of singing, dancing, and avoiding flying scenery, it can become easy to lose sight of your character work in the process of rehearsing a musical.
In this team-taught workshop, members of The CRY HAVOC Company will demonstrate and invite students to engage in an approach to developing a character and a role aimed at creating a personal, textured, and deeply accessible performance. Further, they will discuss how to bring this approach into the challenging, multi-faceted setting of a musical theater rehearsal process – and how this approach can lend complexity and nuance to book scenes, song interpretation, and the seamless transition between the two.
This workshop is aimed at empowering the actor in the musical process – both by protecting the rigors of the work they might do in a straight play and by being prepared to take the best advantage of the special opportunities for character expression afforded by a musical.
The Agent’s Role in the Entertainment Industry
Half day morning workshop
Leader: Richard Lawrence ’67
Do you need an agent? If so, how do you get one? How do you use an agent effectively? Veteran agent Richard Lawrence will explain how agents function in the ever-expanding media world. With 40 years’ experience, he will be able to answer questions and will share his knowledge in the areas of writing, directing, acting, and producing. An overview of the agency business will be included, which will follow the growth of the media business.
Dance Audition and Panel Discussion
Full day workshop
Leader: Jeanne Palmer-Fornarola (UB Faculty)
Guest Speakers:
Lucille Di Campli, McDonald, Selznick Associates – New York Director/Agent
Bre O’Toole, McDonald, Selznick Associates
Roberto Villanueva, Executive/Artistic Director, BalaSole Dance Company
From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., dancers will have the opportunity to participate in a closed audition, performing solo works for consideration of placement in an innovative New York City showcase company launching in spring 2010, headed by internationally acclaimed dancer/choreographer/instructor Roberto Villanueva ’01, who will provide individual feedback to dancers.
From 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., dancers will have the opportunity to audition (learning two combinations) for possible representation by New York City-based dance agency McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA). MSA will contact any participant that they choose to represent within two weeks of the symposium.
From 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., MSA agent Lucille Di Campli will review resumes, head shots, reels and offer individual feedback, along with advice on the ins and outs of working professionally, including the business of dance, the role of a dance agent in advancing a dance career, and best practices for landing professional work in the industry. (Only dancers over 21 years of age are eligible to audition for MSA.)
Animating Your Storyline
Full day workshop
Leader: Robert Lamoreaux
Regardless of the genre, few things are more important to the networks than a strong storyline. This course will cover writing, developing, producing, and creating episodic television, focusing on the process involved in developing the premises, the script, the storyboard and developing the personas of the individual characters. It will offer a comprehensive analysis of the components of good story-telling as it relates to animated shows from story structure to affecting characterization.
The Business of Independent Film
Full day workshop
Leader: Robert Fingerman ’80
Guest Speaker: Patrick Morris, President of 57th and Irving Productions
The “Business of the Independent Film Industry” changes daily. In order to survive and compete with the studios, indie filmmakers must learn how to package their films’ projects in new ways, as financing firms scale back investments, banks pull out, and states compete for production with complicated incentive credits and funding. Now, more than ever, independent filmmakers need to have an artistic vision, coupled with a business strategy savvy enough to green-light their projects. Today’s successful indie filmmakers adhere to a well-thought-out business plan with sound budgets that make their projects appealing to film financiers, while engaging their target audience.
In this workshop, geared to both new and experienced filmmakers, producers, and those in finance looking to work in the entertainment business, you’ll learn the nuts and bolts of the business of independent film, including a case study of producing an actual film. Fingerman will teach you how to play by the rules of the film business, identify opportunities and risks in order to put the right elements in place to maximize the success of your film to the audience and critics as well as investors. This part of the workshop will be an open forum of ideas, questions, and answers always of concern to today’s filmmaker community.
Comedy Writing for All Genres
Full day workshop
Leader: Alan Zweibel ’72
This workshop will give aspiring and experienced writers of all genres a humorous and eye-opening guide to writing for all media including television, motion pictures, Broadway and publishing. This course will cover how to write monologues, sketches, sitcoms, screenplays, one- and two-act plays, novels and magazine pieces. The business part of show business will cover getting an agent, pitching to network and studio executives, and working with producers, directors and stars.
Directing
Full day workshop
Leaders: Laura Belsey
Guest Speaker: Bob Fisher ’73
In this workshop, Laura Belsey, an award-winning director, whose commercials and short films have won numerous international honors, and Bob Fisher, owner of Celcius Films and award-winning producer of TV commercials and films, will discuss the art and business of commercial and film directing and production.
Entertainment, Arts and Media Law Panel
Half day afternoon workshop
Leader: Don Zakarin ’72
Panelists:
Dennis R. Reiff ’69 (Reiff & Associate, LLC)
Kimberley Danzi Overs ’92 (New media, marketing, and privacy attorney in New York)
Robert Weiner ’69 (Partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP)
Dean Silvers ’79 & ’81, filmmaker and attorney (Twenty Two Productions, Inc. / Teatown Communications Group)
Kenneth Weinrib (Franklin, Weinrib, Rudell & Vassallo, P.C.)
Donald L. Kaplan Attorney-at-Law (entertainment industry)
Student Moderator: Charles Mann (UB Law)
Many who contemplate a career in the law actually know little about the profession’s many opportunities in the arts, media and entertainment industries. This interactive panel will discuss the realities of entertainment law, as well as the various areas of entertainment law practice, including entertainment litigation. Panelists will share interesting cases, offer thoughts on the future of the field and provide advice about how to break into this exciting industry.
Improv: Thinking on Your Feet
Full day workshop
Leaders: Linda Gelman ’72 and Paul Zuckerman ’72
The producers of Chicago City Limits, NYC’s longest-running comedy revue, host this daylong workshop designed to help unleash creativity and maximize a group’s potential. Tools and exercises used by CCL improvisation actors to hone their skills are introduced in a high-energy, fun-filled and supportive atmosphere. The workshop will focus on spontaneity, idea generation and group dynamics. No prior theatrical skills are required. In addition, there will be a guided discussion about the uses of improvisation in non-theatrical settings, such as corporate team-building, idea generation and public speaking. Wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to have fun.
Journalism and New Media
Full day workshop
Leaders: Jody Kleinberg Biehl, Director, Journalism Certificate Program, University at Buffalo
Rosalind Jarrett ’69, Executive in Charge of Publicity for the Screen Actors Guild Awards®
Guest Speakers:
Pam Benson ’76, Senior Producer for National Security at CNN
Marie Hickey, New York Bureau Chief for the syndicated entertainment show “Extra”
Drew Kerr ’79, President/Principal – Four Corners Communications
Scott Kerr, Director at Time Inc (Style & Entertainment Group magazine brands)
David Alan Kogut, President of both Northeast Venture Group Inc. and Life Course Media
Steve Liesman ’85, Senior Economics Reporter for CNBC
Drew Livingston ’95, Chief Creative Officer-Co Founder TrashTalkFCM
Thomas McDonald ’97, Product Development Manager at MTV Networks
Lorrie Lynch, news and pop culture writer
It’s a new media world. This multimedia workshop offers a look at how journalism is changing and what today’s journalists need to know to stay on top. Are newspapers dying? Will local news save the industry? Will Twitter kill it? We’ll look at these questions and more. The workshop will also offer an immersion into the art of journalistic storytelling as we examine how best to tell stories with text, photos, video and graphics. We will feature speakers from major television, magazine, and online news outlets as well as tech gurus who will present ways to make the most of online tools, including apps.
Managing For-Profit and Not-for-Profit Cultural Organizations
Half day afternoon workshop
Leaders: Ken Tabachnick ’77 and Harry Ferris ’78
Enterprise and the arts find their greatest expression in America’s cultural institutions. The myriad responsibilities of the non-profit performing arts leader encompass fundraising, business management, marketing, staffing, programming, community education, governance and more. In this survey seminar you will gain hands-on experience in some of the key skills of the executive director position of a performing arts institution and hear of current trends and challenges in this sector, punctuated with real-life, behind-the- scenes stories of America’s celebrated arts institutions. Harris Ferris, executive director of the Pittsburgh Ballet, BA ’78, and Ken Tabachnick, former general manager of the New York City Ballet, BA ’77, will discuss their exciting day-to-day lives and offer insight and suggestions to anyone interested in the exciting world of the performing arts.
Perfecting Your Audition: An Actor’s Workshop
Half day afternoon workshop
Leader: Saul Elkin
Guest Speaker: Stephen McKinley Henderson
This workshop will help aspiring and working actors learn the secrets to auditioning well, including presenting and delivering a memorable audition that will reveal their unique personality and distinguish their talent. Participants will learn how to create career strategies that will help generate audition opportunities. Casting directors and agents will be on hand to offer feedback on audition pieces, head shots and resumes. (Audition monologue details will be provided upon registration).
A Practical Approach to Screenwriting
Half day morning workshop
Leader: Peter Riegert ’68
Led by veteran actor/writer/director Peter Riegert, this course is beneficial for working and aspiring screenwriters, and will offer a practical approach of how actors and directors respond to material. Attendees should bring a screenplay they are working on for class exercises. (Class size is limited.)
Shakespeare Sings (Vocal Master Class)
Half day afternoon workshop
Leader: Ray Leslee ’76, ’77
Ray Leslee, an award-winning composer who has written scores for virtually all of Shakespeare’s plays, will conduct a vocal master class geared for experienced singers and musical theatre actors. Participants will enjoy an exceptional opportunity to learn Leslee’s original songs, the words coming directly from Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets. They will spend the day working with him in a professional rehearsal studio, exploring a genre that crosses classical and traditional Broadway music.
Stand-up Comedy
Full day workshop
Leader: Bobby Collins ’73
Learn the art and business of comedy from an award-winning, stand-up comedian with 30 years’ experience. The workshop will cover writing stand-up comedy material and elements of the business including the commitment, stage-time, dealing with agents and managers, roadwork, and the highs, lows and heartaches of the business.
Starting a Theatre Company
Half day morning workshop
Leader: Saul Elkin
This workshop will give budding and established actors, directors, and playwrights an introduction, overview and exploration of what it takes to start a create a successful theatre company. Actor and director Saul Elkin will provide behind-the-curtain advice and insight gained from his personal experience founding two seminal theatre companies.
