A SLICE OF HAM – Blog on Theatre, Arts Education & Entrepreneurism in the Performing Arts
News from the Unified Audition Front
I recently received the following e-mail from a student of mine. Collin Sanderson is a talented “triple threat” and a senior at Orange County High School for the Arts. I’ve been working with him via Skype in preparation for his unified auditions this past weekend in Los Angeles. I thought it might be helpful and [...]
An Inspirational Message About Failure
Here’s an inspirational message from Director, Producer and Acting Teacher, Risa Bramon. Risa was an important collaborator early in my acting career in New York. She directed a play at Ensemble Studio Theatre, one of my first breaks in the business, from which important relationships were established that exist to this day: “I recently read [...]
Let the Breath Lead the Way
I discovered something this morning in my yoga practice about breath, and it occurred to me how imprtant it could be not only for my practice on the mat, but to my life onstage and as a teacher. I’m one of those controlling types. My morning yoga practice is more often than not a reflection [...]
The Entrepreneurial Artist Defined
Ben Cameron is a self-professed “Cultural Omnivore.” He was the visionary firebrand at TCG ( Theatre Communications Group) for ten years. He now heads the funding program at the Doris Duke Foundation. His recent TED talk is one of the most inspirational I have seen with respect to the continuing importance of the performing arts, [...]
Life Lessons from a Master Playwright
It’s extraordinary when you think of it. Sir Peter Shaffer, author of the Tony award-winning play Equus, is watching a rehearsal for the upcoming revival of his play at the John Drew Theater in East Hampton… and he’s taking notes. He’s listening to the words he wrote over 35 years ago as if he were [...]
A Swan Song to Remember
Word of the Fed’s civil suit against Goldman Sachs came down just a few hours before the final dress rehearsal began. There may have been a few of us, student performers, faculty and designers last Friday night backstage at the Avram Theater that made the connection. The cause and disastrous effect that one little week [...]
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