Cold Reading for Actors Pays Off Big Time at Performance Showcase

Performance Showcase celebrates its 7th year as consistently being one of the entertainment industry's, best cold reading, Casting Director and Agent workshops for actors, in Los Angeles.

Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) February 5, 2008 -- Performance Showcase celebrates its 7th year as consistently being one of the entertainment industry's, best cold reading, Casting Director and Agent workshops for actors in Los Angeles.

Founder member Craig Jackman was asked in a recent interview what were some of the ingredients of this actor run company that accounted for it staying on top in such a competitive market place. Mr. Jackman responded by saying that, "We are known through out the casting and agent community for having great actors attend our workshops. We make sure we maintain a level of trained, talented professional actors who are ready to go to work and that's how we are able to get in the best TV and feature film casting people and agents guests who are at the top of their game and know we can deliver." Alison Mize, Casting Associate with Deedee Bradley (Smallville and Big Shots) says, "I am always impressed by the level of talent at Performance Showcase. I even look forward to driving over the hill."

Performance Showcase also has a unique approach to its workshop format, it's weekly workshops have both a Casting Director and an Agent (often an Agent owner or head of an agency) as guest speakers. The actor then gets to reap the benefit of seeing the buyer and the seller's perspective and the casting director and the agent also get an opportunity to connect in person (often for the first time due to the solely phone/email relationships most practiced in today's busy industry) and to gain insight into each others perspective. "I love attending Performance Showcase. It gives me a rare chance to interact with new actors and I find in the discussion process, I learn as much about the business as I teach." Agent Tracy Christian of Don Buchwald & Associates.

One of Performance Showcase's highlights is the special 5 Agent Showcase held every 3 to 4 months. It gives the actors an opportunity to showcase their own scene or monologue in front of 5 top agents, (several who are often owners) and all who are actively looking for new clients. There is a directed rehearsal to put the pieces into a strong running order and a reception for the agents before the show and after for the actors and guests. This combined with a stage manager and the venue; an intimate 24 seat Equity Waver Theatre (where all of Performance Showcases are held) makes for a great evening of work and some excellent results.

As an actor run organization Performance Showcase has always had a its core, a primary consideration for the actor's comfort level in terms of making sure the actors felt welcomed, respected and able to do their work in a supportive and fun environment and out of this comes great work. Some tangible results of that are actors being discovered at Performance Showcase who are now recurring on Grey's Anatomy and also on The Shield and many actors finding their agency representation from showcasing their talent at the workshops.

Another unique aspect to Performance Showcase's format is at the beginning of the workshop session a short group meditation is held with the intention of focusing and relaxing everyone (including Casting and Agent.) Actress Terry Dieb adds that, "The aspect of the lead meditation at the beginning of every Performance Workshop, really helps me to focus and settle into the evening." She adds, "I love this part, it's really special and I don't think I could find it at any other workshop. It gives me a chance to leave my all too busy day behind me and go into a lovely relaxing space, let go of tension and draw in abundance. I feel refreshed, focused and connected to the group and ready to show what I've got to offer."

The encouragement and promotion of a family atmosphere is created by Performance Showcase's regularly offering ongoing attractive discounts including yearly and six month membership discounts and various discounted packages and incentives. Actor Brandon Scott says, "I really appreciate the fellowship and camaraderie I finds at Performance Showcase and knowing that I will run into several familiar faces and really good actors on a weekly basis. For me this is important to get to know my fellow actors and their work as it only enhances my ability to become a better actor when we are performing in front of top casting directors and agents with cold reading material with little preparation or time available. It's great to know I can count on my scene partner to deliver good work."

Word of mouth, actor referrals and Now Casting are some of the ways actors find themselves part of the Performance Showcase family. Actors can find out what casting directors and agents are attending every week by visiting www.actorsperformanceshowcase.com and calling the reservation hotline at 213-368-8070.

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