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Spring is around the corner, and that means a lot more auditions are coming up! I’ve been doing more and more workshops, classes, and seminars, and look forward to a busy year. Some highlights include: |
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 Come out and meet me and some Annie alums at a DVD signing and appearance at Barnes & Noble (Lincoln Center) on Thursday, March 20th 2008 at 5:30 pm. They will be there singing and signing DVDs, and I’ll be accompanying them on the piano.
Life After Tomorrow is the highly acclaimed documentary produced and directed by Julie Stevens and Gil Cates, Jr. Winner of Best Documentary and Best Director Awards at the Phoenix Film Festival, the film explores the life-changing repercussions of child performers in the long-running Broadway musical Annie. Life After Tomorrow features appearances by Sarah Jessica Parker, Danielle Brisebois, Martha Byrne, Martin Charnin, Allison Smith, Charles Strouse, and (briefly) me!
Filming Life After Tomorrow in my studio
The New York Times said, “The magic of Annie has always been related to the tens of thousands of girls who dreamed of being in the show, and the film is about those girls whose dreams came true.” Hailed as “a delightful and insightful behind-the-curtain glimpse into the lives of a group of young girls” by The Hollywood Reporter and “a fascinating, often harrowing documentary about the precocious kids who minted money for the show’s producers” from www.veryshortlist.com, Life After Tomorrow was also featured on the news show, “20/20.” The film was an Official Selection at the AFI Festival, Museum of TV & Radio Doc Fest, Malibu Film Festival and Palm Beach International Film Festival, among others. More information is at www.lifeaftertomorrow.com |
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Diane with one of her star pupils, Zac Efron
I’ve been privileged to teach a well-received Musical Theatre Workshop with renowned acting teacher Diane Hardin. These workshops concentrate on musical theatre auditioning and performing. Each student needs to have one song prepared (memorized) with sheet music. Diane Hardin and I work on the musical, vocal, and dramatic aspects of the performance. Students also learn a great deal by watching each other. For the final 45 minutes, parents join us and the students perform what they've worked on.
NEXT NEW YORK CITY CLASSES:
• Thursday, April 24th from 6-9 pm for kids (8-12)
• Wednesday, April 30th from 6-9 pm for teens (13 and up)
The cost for the three-hour class is $175, and the class size is limited to 12 students. Classes are held in a midtown studio. There are only a few openings, so if you’re interested, email me at bob@bobmarks.com. |
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Denise Simon, well-known acting teacher and former manager, has put together valuable seminars culminating in auditions for some of New York City’s top Casting Directors. I work with the students in small groups perfecting their audition songs, while Denise distributes “sides” (scripts) for short scenes. We work simultaneously in separate rooms, and then put it all together for an informal audition with a guest Casting Director. Our last session (for Jennifer Rudin, head of Disney Theatrical Casting) was completely sold-out, and there are only a few spots open for our next two sessions:
- Sunday, May 4th from 10-5 pm with Rachel Hoffman (Telsey + Company)
- Saturday, June 7th from 10-5 pm with Sarah Schatz (Jay Binder Casting)
Often, these well-respected Casting Directors give the students valuable feedback, leading to more successful auditions. The cost is only $180 for the day. Classes are held in a midtown studio. To register, call 212-501-2484 |
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Alex Greenzeig (Eddie); Ariana Grande (Charlotte);
Aaron Simon Gross (Archie)
I was fortunate to have several clients featured in the New York City reading of the new Jason Robert Brown musical, 13. Alex Greenzeig, Ariana Grande, and Aaron Simon Gross really enjoyed their experience working with the creative team of this new Broadway-bound show.
Jason Robert Brown with Ariana Grande and Sascha Peralta-Ramos
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With Martha Byrne at Marblejam Kids MusicJam
I ran into former client Martha Byrne, who presently appears in the role of Lily Snyder on the CBS Daytime Drama As the World Turns. We both attended the Marblejam Kids MusicJam in Ridgewood, NJ. Martha’s received eight Emmy nominations and received Emmys in 2001 for Outstanding Leading Actress and in 1987 for Outstanding Ingénue. As a child actress, she was in the Broadway musical, Annie, and appears in the documentary film, Life After Tomorrow. |
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OK, yes, I’m in another movie (who would’ve thought??) Mimi Weddell started coming to me for vocal coaching in 1990, when she was only 75 years old (yes, you read that right). She was referred to me by the legendary Don Emmons, her tap dance teacher (you read that right, too). She worked with me on building a repertoire of a variety of songs, and performed in a couple of my cabaret showcases at Danny’s (remember them?).
Hats Off proudly introduces Mimi to the world! She was chosen by “New York Magazine” as one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in New York” — at the age of 90. Though a part time actress for most of her adult life, it was not until the death of her husband, and at the age of 67, that she quit her steady daytime job, and plunged into the notorious theatrical, film and advertising world of New York City. Finding odd jobs as a model, extra, and sometime principal, the film shadows Mimi, even at her vocal coaching! You will discover a wisdom that reveals itself with age, perseverance, and dreams — both literal and figurative.
More info about the March 28th premiere as well as a trailer can be found at www.canobiefilms.org/hats_off.htm
Coaching Mimi Weddell in the film Hats Off
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Have a wonderful Spring!
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