Your invitation to ourWelcome Home Summer Series

A Day in the Life of a Voice Actor July 29, 2020 (6:00 p.m. PST)

We will start with our history of why and how we became actors, where we came from, and where we are today. The class will move into what it takes to pursue a career in acting with a focus on Voice Over. This is a look into the daily life and routine of an actor discussing the ins and outs of the business. This is somewhat of a “Reality Check” course. Success doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it may not happen for years. Success happens when you work hard and have patience. We’ll discuss things like: What is the difference between stage/screen acting and voice over acting. What to expect when you first move to Los Angeles. What classes you need to take. How to make a demo. What equipment you need. What acting websites you need to be a part of. Agents and auditions. How to keep yourself creatively busy when you’re not working. Day jobs. How much money you’ll be spending before you actually make any. We’ll also talk about the current status of the industry and how things are rapidly changing in the present state of the world. What does it take for success, and are you willing to do it?

Colin Thomas JenningsGrowing up on the Central Coast of California, Colin began acting in theater at the age of seven. He was often found running through the hallways of the acclaimed regional theater company, The Western Stage. He holds a degree in Theatre from CaliforniaState University, Northridge. As a member of SAG-AFTRA and the Actors EquityAssociation, he continues making a career in Los Angeles as an actor in all mediums, from the stage, to numerous commercials, television, and film. He has worked at multiple theatre companies in the greater Los Angeles area including Sacred Fools Theatre Company, Parson’s Nose Theater Company, and is a proud member of one ofLos Angeles’ most esteemed companies, Interact Theatre Company. He is also a graduate of the improvisation group, Upright Citizens Brigade. He recently wrote and directed the award winning short film, Li’l Chit Chat. Over the past few years Colin has found a new love in the field of Voice Over. He studied under the great animation voiceover artist Richard Horvitz and has also trained at the highly respected voice over school, Kalmenson and Kalmenson, under the guidance of Robert Clotworthy and Steve Staley. Favorite theater credits include Huckleberry Finn in Mark Twain and Friends: A River’s Journey, Bartley in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Jason in The Rabbit Hole, Cleante in The Imaginary Invalid, Michael in Dancing at Lughnasa and Maurice in Valldemosa. Favorite National commercials: Ford, Klondike, Kohler.

colinthomasjennings.com

Kristen EgermeierA Los Angeles native, Kristen is a professional actress, voice over artist, athlete, and Interact Theatre Company’s current secretary and company member. She spent eight years acting across the East coast before moving back to California. She is a graduate of Cal State University, Northridge and has also studied with Shakespeare & Co, The Shakespeare Theatre, Annie Grindlay, and many excellent VO teachers and Casting Directors. Selected favorite stage roles have included Angelique in The Imaginary Invalid, Flo in Nice Fish, Ariel in The Tempest, Emily in Our Town, Viola in Twelfth Night, and Young Seward in Macbeth. She is a proud alumni company member of Commonwealth Classic Theatre and The Hub Theatre. After working for a production company for many years, Kristen developed skills in the art of editing and sound engineering, honing her skills as a voice over talent. You’ll often hear or see her work on radio, TV, or film from one of her many voice overs or on camera performances. She currently works and records from her home studio in Los Angeles. Kristen recently produced the award winning short film, Li’l Chit Chat, and is currently co-writing the feature. Kristen will be shooting a fun role for a major motion picture as soon as the quarantine lifts.

Kristenegermeier.com

Colin JenningsTHEVOICEOVER ARTIST

Kristen EgermeierTHEVOICEOVER ARTIST

Your invitation to ourWelcome Home Summer Series

Lisa Zambetti

12 Steps To Get a Casting Director To Love You August 5, 2020 (6:00 p.m. PST)

This forum, subtitled Tried and True Ways To Help Your Audition Experience, will reveal secrets for improving your auditions by identifying the struggles you have and Lisa’s solutions and suggestions that will help you be at your best. She will also talk about what really excites her about the casting process and some common problems she notices in the casting room. This session is a taste of Lisa’s longer, one-day and week-long workshops that give you the opportunity to work on Cold Readings and Prepared Scenes taken from Lisa’s arsenal of typical procedural drama material. These workshops are then recorded and given feedback and redirection. Interested? Let us know!!

THECASTING AGENT

Originally from the Bay Area, Lisa spent over a decade in NYC as an actress on Broadway and Off, and a writer, director and producer for many award winning theatre companies. While working at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, Lisa met casting legend Billy Hopkins who opened her eyes to the wonders of the casting world. After interning with Billy, Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee and Suzanne Smith, Lisa moved to Los Angeles where she worked her way up to assistant with such fantastic CDS as LaPadura & Hart, Debra Zane, Bialy/Thomas and Linda Lowy. Lisa also was a casting coordinator at NBC/Universal where she got to see the network/studio side of the industry. Lisa landed her first associate job with the badass Susie Farris where she worked on many comedies for both network and cable. Later Lisa moved on to the world of procedural drama where she was an associate and later head casting director on CBS' long running show "Criminal Minds", as well as co-casting director on the spin-off "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders". Lisa is very proud to have worked for many years with independent film casting queen Emily Schweber on award winning movies and video game projects. Lisa is an active member of the Casting Society of America where she serves on the Artistic Development Committee. In addition to casting, Lisa is a successful podcaster who co-hosts the award winning True Crime podcast "Real Crime Profile" on the Wondery network. Lisa uses her podcast platform to be a victims' advocate, particularly for children who have suffered from mental, physical and sexual abuse, as well as for victims of stalking and domestic violence.

Your invitation to ourWelcome Home Summer Series

Jen Brooks

One Singular Sensation: Iconic Broadway Choreography August 12, 2020 (5:00 p.m. PST)

A Chorus Line was the longest-running Broadway musical originally produced in the US, until surpassed in 2011 by the revival of Chicago. It received twelve Tony nominations in 1976 and it won nine. The musical, based on interviews with Broadway dancers (eight of whom were in the original Broadway cast) provides a glimpse into the personalities of 17 Broadway’gypsies’ as they describe the events that shaped their lives and decisions to become dancers. Learn the iconic choreography that closes this beloved musical with an actor/dancer/singer who did three separate productions and inhabited the roles of Maggie, Val and Cassie.

THETRIPLE THREAT

Jen has had the pleasure and privilege of performing and choreographing all over the country and world. Jen is a native Bay Area gal but has appeared on stages from San Francisco to New York City and Europe to Guam. During her time living in New York she toured nationally and internationally and with such shows as Cats and A Chorus Line and trained under the direction and choreography of many of it’s original cast and creative team. She has studied theater and dance with some of Broadway top performers and teachers; Josh Bergasse (Smash/On The Town), Andy Blankenbeuhler (Hamilton/In the Heights), Dana Moore (Fosse), David Hibbard (Cats, Something Rotten), Baayork Lee (A Chorus Line, The King and I), Jen Waldman (Wicked/Titanic) and more. Recent roles include Mamma Mia (Donna, Guam Gate Theatre), Into The Woods (The Witch, Broadway By The Bay) and the title role in the Drowsy Chaperone right here at The Western Stage.

Jen has taken the Broadway Advocacy Coalition’s pledge to make Broadway and our larger theatrical industry an anti-racist, equitable community. Visit: www.bwayforblm.com/pledge

www.TheJenBrooks.com

Your invitation to ourWelcome Home Summer Series

Joanna DeGeneres

Put Your Best Face Forward: Headshots That Work August 19, 2020 (10:00 a.m. PST)

From working on both sides of a camera, Joanna knows how important an actor’s headshot is. As a former actor, she knows how fast the business changes – what one agent may want, another hates! Joanna is constantly researching and talking to casting directors to find out what they are looking for in a headshot. Joanna will be sharing her experience as an actor who transitioned into professional photography. She will be sharing her tips and answering your questions about what the right headshot does (or doesn’t!) do for you, choosing a photographer, how to prepare for your session, and what not to do while you are there.

THEPHOTOGRAPHER

Joanna has an MFA from the University of Washington’s Professional Actor Training Program (PATP 2002) and holds a B.F.A. in Fine Art — painting and drawing from Michigan State University. She moved to Los Angeles in ’02 to pursue acting and quickly picked up a camera. Joanna started shooting headshots in Los Angeles over 10 years ago right when the industry switched from black and white film to color digital.

While pursuing her career as an actress, she worked as an assistant and associate in a casting office where she had the experience of looking at thousands of headshots and sitting in on incredible auditions. Joanna still loves acting, even though she is a full time photographer. She uses her actor training to help put you at ease. Her only goal is for you to accomplish yours and she approaches your session as your scene partner and team mate. Being an advocate for actors is extremely rewarding to her. Her goal is to give you a picture that you can hand to a casting director and know with confidence that you look like that picture and are representing yourself with truth.

Joanna has photographed famous people and brand new actors and always approaches the session with the same open heart, respect and excitement. She shoots with a Canon 5D Mark 4. Joanna’s photos have been featured on 4 episodes of the Ellen DeGeneres Show, People Magazine, The New York Times and many other online publications.

www.joannadegeneres.com