Achieve the external simplicity and internal complexity
necessary for the
revealing eye of the camera!
Introduction | Professional Coaching | Workshops
Friday Night Improv | Children's Classes | Parties
Actor's Craft Around the Town | Schedule & Fees | Forms & Payment
Gift Certificates | Bios | Resources and Links
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Actor's Craft, located conveniently between Milwaukee and Chicago, offers professional training for actors in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Our studio is located in the historic Rhode Center for the Arts in picturesque downtown Kenosha, just blocks from the Metra and a 10-minute drive from I94. There is plenty of free parking. (You can click on the Video of Kenosha Link in our Links section at the bottom of this website to see our beautiful location - Rhode shows up in the background in several scenic shots).
Actor's Craft offers Professional Acting Classes for Adults and Teens and Creative Drama for Children. The first Friday of the month we offer Friday Night Improv! Join us for an evening of Theater Games and Improvisation.
Actor's Craft will be teaching some professional classes at Bucketworks in their new location at 1340 North Sixth Street in MILWAUKEE.
What will Actor's Craft do for me?Actor's Craft will focus on you, as an individual actor. Classes will help pinpoint what makes you unique, and empower you with tools to make dynamic choices and create multi-dimensional characters. By actively applying these techniques, you will develop self-confidence and maximize your edge as a professional actor in a tough industry. For the stage actor, on-camera acting technique will help you adjust your stage persona for film without losing character. At Actor's Craft, you will be taught by a highly-trained, reputable Acting Coach who is dedicated to helping you become the best you can be. Our small classes (max 12) will give you plenty of time up on your feet doing the work. We don't churn out actors, we invest in the individual. Acting Coach, Maureen Cashin Bolog, is the ONLY acting coach in the Great Lakes Area certified by world-renown acting coach Ivana Chubbuck, herself, to teach The Chubbuck Technique www.ivanachubbuck.com. At Actor's Craft you can learn this dynamic technique used by actors who have been nominated for and have won Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Tony's, etc. Maureen spent a year with Margie Haber www.margiehaber.com, who is considered the top audition technique coach in the country. The Haber Phrase Technique is a practical approach to handling dialogues and monologues, even with cold readings. Michael Shurtleff's book is brilliant, and Haber is even better. |
Acting Technique
Course Books: The Power of the Actor by Ivana Chubbuck
and A Challenge for the Actor by Uta Hagen
Schedule & Fees: Adults | Teens
A logical approach to creating emotional vibrancy, identifying transitional moments, and maintaining your character’s through-line objective in a chaotic set environment will be vital for your career success.
This ten-week class will provide you with an intellectual, psychological, physical and spiritual approach to creating layered characters. You will learn how to break down scripts, analyze characters, make dynamic choices, and organize those choices in a cohesive way. You will also learn technical knowledge of on-camera acting, blocking, continuity, lighting and how to handle yourself on a set. Work outside of class is expected.
The Chubbuck Technique Scene Study
Pre-Requisite of Acting Technique or Interview with Audition
Read The Power of the Actor by Ivana Chubbuck
Ongoing sessions
Schedule & Fees
Developed by world renown Acting Coach, Ivana Chubbuck, these 12 acting tools create a solid foundation that will keep actors present and inspire a raw, profound, dynamic and powerful performance. The Chubbuck Technique builds upon those techniques used in the past and teaches actors how to use their emotions not as an end result, but as a way to empower a goal. It teaches actors how to win.
A solid body of work exemplifies the effectiveness of The Chubbuck Technique. Every year, those who use it are well represented at the Academy Awards, Emmys, Golden Globes, Tonys, and many other international awards. For the 2006 Academy Awards, Ivana's students were nominated in every acting category: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Maureen Cashin Bolog of Actor's Craft is the only acting coach officially certified to teach The Chubbuck Technique in the Great Lakes area.
Improv Technique
Read The Power of the Actor by Ivana Chubbuck
Schedule & Fees
The spontaneity of improvisation improves your listening and reacting skills. It requires your intellectual, physical, and intuitive involvement which brings to light your unique characteristics. By identifying and honing these unique qualities, you can learn to bring your self to your acting work and create rich characters with vibrant relationships in your scenes. Directors value actors who are comfortable with improvisation since they can add dimension to the scripted material.
Actors will work several times in every class, incorporating tools that identify personality types, obstacles and through-line objectives. This class provides a supportive environment where actors can take risks and explore their craft.
Audition Technique
Read How to Get the Part without Falling Apart by Margie Haber
and Audition by Michael Shurtleff
Schedule & Fees
Enjoy the challenge of the audition process and take the fear out of cold readings. This class incorporates the audition strategies developed by Michael Shurtleff and Margie Haber. Learn the Haber Phrase Technique, which will allow you to stay on book longer than you imagined and will release you from the stress of memorization. Learn how to stay in the moment by focusing on your relationships. Actors will work on-camera each week using a variety of scripted material.
Script Analysis
Schedule & Fees
You've landed the role. Now what do you do with it? Learn a step-by-step approach to staying true to the writers' intent while adding richness and depth to your character. There is plenty of work to do BEFORE you start to memorize those lines. Actors will analyze one script as a class and another script independently. Before the first class date, each student is responsible for acquiring a script containing a role appopriate for his/her type. Class fee includes private session with acting coach to fine-tune independent analysis.
Improv Technique for Teens
Schedule & Fees
Learn to be focused and connected while improving your listening and reacting skills. The spontaneity of improvisation requires your intellectual, physical, and intuitive involvement which brings to light your unique characteristics. Identify and hone your unique qualities and learn to bring your self to your acting work to create rich characters with vibrant relationships.
Our focus for Winter and Spring 2008 will be "Improv" as an artform.
Private Coaching
By Appointment
Schedule & Fees
If you are an actor fine-tuning your role or audition piece, or a non-actor working on a music video, corporate video, presentation, etc., private coaching will focus on your individual requirements and can increase your skill and confidence to help you achieve professional results.
Private coaching for Acting Technique and Audition Technique is available if scheduled class times do not work with your availability.
Producers, Directors and Agents can benefit by having my professional coaching services on location to achieve optimal performances from their talent.
Directing the Actor
Help your actors deliver their best performance! Create vibrant relationships with rich, layered characters in your scenes. Increase your skill and confidence working with actors both seasoned and novice.
Email actorscraft@aol.com with your interest and availability. Workshops will be arranged based on scheduling needs, as demand dictates. Private sessions are also available.
Transformational Theater
This style of theater lends itself extremely well to work with children - whether you wish to bring to life fairy tales, history, social studies or even math skills. It inspires creativity and innovation. Actors, Directors and Educators should all incorporate these techniques in their repertoire. Chicago's Tireswing Theatre, which specializes in Transformational Theater, will hold a Master Workshop at Actor's Craft. The date is not yet determined. Email actorscraft@aol.com with your interest.
Friday Night Improv!
Adults 18+
Schedule & Fees
Do you like to laugh and have fun with creative people? Get up on your feet with theater games and improvisation! Practically speaking, Friday Night Improv can help you become more at ease and confident in front of other people, but we would rather you just think about it as a terrific way to make friends and have FUN in downtown Kenosha! Classes are typically at our studio at 518 56th Street unless otherwise noted.
Music & Improv
Pre-School
Schedule & Fees
Learn through play! Stories, creative drama, music, musical instruments, rhythm sticks, parachutes, rainbow ribbons, props, etc., will keep the children movin’ and groovin’ while they develop creative thinking, self-confidence, listening skills, and their ability to follow directions. Parents are welcome to stay with younger children.
Stories and Improv
Aged 5-8
Schedule & Fees
Bring fairy tales to life! Using stories and music from around the globe, children will create their own dramatic interpretations, while they learn character development and improvisational skills. They will also develop creative thinking, self-confidence, listening skills, and improve their ability to follow directions.
Improv for Kids
Aged 9-12
Schedule & Fees
Acting is fun! Using theater games and other activities, Improv will help children improve problem solving techniques, develop their writing and communication abilities, strengthen their listening skills, and build self-esteem while learning some fundamentals of acting.
Music & Movement Party - Children 2-5 years old
Your child's party can include favorite music, playing instruments, dancing, rainbow ribbons, parachute games and many other activities. Party activities can be based on a theme: bugs, outer space, things that go, teddy bears, the farm, jungle safari, and others to suit your child's interests. We come to your home or party location. An interview with parent/guardian before the day of the event is required to discuss child's interests for themed parties.
AC Student Price is $50 for 30-45 minutes. Others, $65
Acting Adventure Party - Children 5-8 years old
Pirates, Princesses, Knights and Superheroes, etc. Have your party guests come dressed to suit your theme. We'll supply some props and the children can help write and perform in a play written to feature the birthday child. We come to your home or party location. An interview with parent/guardian before the day of the event is required to learn child's interests for inclusion in script ideas.
AC Student Price, $50 for 30-45 minutes. Others, $65
Improv Party - Children (9-12), Teens, and Adults
If you are looking for a great activity that breaks the ice and gets people laughing and talking, have an Improv Party. You can even mix your generations. You and your guests get up on your feet with Theater Games and Improvisation. Play the games you see on "Whose Line Is It Anyway." Improv can last 1-2 hours at your party location.
AC Student Price is $50/hour. Others, $75/hour.
Free Room Rental with Catering at Mo's Coffee Lounge
If you need to rent a room for your party, try Mo's Coffee Lounge - right next door to our studio. They will accomodate small groups (8-10 children) as well as larger groups up to 100 people. You can bring your own food, however room rental is FREE as long as you use their catering services. They will work with you on kid's menu ideas. www.moslounge.com
Newsletter Updates - Actor's Craft has a monthly e-newsletter. If your organization is looking for talent in the acting or film industry in Wisconsin or Illinois, or if you have important news that impacts this industry, send it to actorscraft@aol.com for possible inclusion.
Comedians & Improv Artists Needed
If you are a Comedian, Improv Artist, or have a Comedy group that would be interested in particpating in one of our Nights of Comedy, email actorscraft@aol.com. We have a couple of these every year and are always looking for local talent. Our next event will be in April 2008.
Fall 2008
ADULTS - 18+
Acting Technique
$300/10 week program
Kenosha at The Rhode: Mondays, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.+
Fall: Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27 (no class Nov 3), Nov 10, 17
Milwaukee at Bucketworks 1340 North Sixth Street: Tuesdays, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.+
Fall: Sept 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct 7, 14, 2, 28 (no class Nov 4), Nov 11, 18
The Chubbuck Technique Scene Study
$120/4 weeks - paid monthly
Mondays, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.+
Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, (No Class Nov 4), Nov 11, 18, 25, Dec 1, 8, 15, 22
Improv Technique
$120/4 weeks - paid monthly
TBA
Audition Technique
In Milwaukee at Bucketworks 1340 North Sixth Street:
$180/6 weeks
Tuesdays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Fall: Sept 23, 30, Oct 7, 14, 2, 28
Script Analysis
Private Sessions
Directing the Actor
TBA
Friday Night Improv!
$10 per night
1st Friday of the month
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sept 5, Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec 5
Private Coaching
For roles or for Adult Classes if scheduled times do not align with your availability.
My studio $60/hour
Ongoing $160/4 one-hour sessions
On location $80/1st hour $40 addit'l hrs
TEENS - 13+
Improv Technique for Teens
Mondays 5:30—6:45 p.m.
Fall: $150/10 weeks
Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27 (no class Nov 3), Nov 10, 17
Acting Technique for Teens
Summer: $200 one-week Intensive
Summer 2009 in Kenosha
Milwaukee Teens - Contact us if you want a Milwaukee Class
CHILDREN
Improv for Kids Ages 9-12
Mondays 4:25 - 5:25 p.m.
Fall: $120/10 weeks
Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27 (no class Nov 3), Nov 10, 17
Stories and Improv for 5-8 Year Olds
Mondays 3:35 - 4:20 p.m.
Fall: $90/10 weeks
Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27 (no class Nov 3), Nov 10, 17
Music & Improv for Pre-Schoolers
Tuesdays: 9:30-10 a.m.
Fall: $60/10 weeks
Sept 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct 7, 14, 2, 28 (no class Nov 4), Nov 11, 18
Print your Registration/Release forms: (PDF) / (FLASH)
For the Actor in your life
Gift Certificates for Acting Classes
Any denomination
Call 262/705-0194 or email actorscraft@aol.com
Wisconsin Film Networking Showcase
Follow this link for details and tickets
|
Maureen Cashin Bolog (Acting Coach) has an M.A. in TV/Film from Northwestern University and a B.A. in Theater from Columbia College. She also studied for six years in Los Angeles with “A List” acting coaches including Howard Fine, Jay Goldenberg, Margie Haber and Lawrence Parke. Certified by Ivana Chubbuck, Maureen is the ONLY acting coach in the Great Lakes area officially certified to teach The Chubbuck Technique! As well as coaching actors and non-actors for video, film and stage, Maureen has acted, directed and produced plays, videos, comedy nights and cultural events – working in Los Angeles, Chicago and Southern Wisconsin. Since 2001, she has lived in Kenosha with her husband and three children. |
Expose Kenosha - Arts and Creativity in Kenosha, WI
www.exposekenosha.com
Film Wisconsin
www.filmwisconsin.net
www.itcamefromlakemichigan.com
See Video of Kenosha - Click on Kenosha Flag to find Video
www.nwherald./mcomultimedia/onetanktrips/index2.php?id=onetanktrips
Pleasant Prairie Children's Film Festival - Films made by children for children to benefit those with special needs.
www.pleasantprairieevents.com/filmfest
Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum
www.wiscreenwritersforum.org
The Wisconsin Production Guide - Badger Guide LLC
www.badgerguide.com
Actor's Craft
On-Camera Acting Technique
Studio: Rhode Center for the Arts, Pollard Gallery Loft, 518 56th Street
Mail: P.O. Box 456, Kenosha, WI 53141-0456
Milwaukee classes are held at Bucketworks at 1340 North Sixth Street
Business Cell: 262/705-0194
Home: 262/652-0150
Email: actorscraft@aol.com
From I94, get off at Highway 158. Turn east and drive until you T-intersect with Lake Michagan at Sixth Avenue. Turn right on Sixth Avenue and drive to 56th Street. Left to The Rhode Center for the Arts at 518 56th Street. Actor's Craft is located in the loft of the Pollard Gallery.
From the Metra, you can take the Trolley (50 cents) which will let you off in front of the Rhode Center for the Arts, where we are located. Otherwise, from the Metra Parking Lot, turn right and walk a block to 56th Street and turn left for a few blocks to 518 56th Street.
Milwaukee Classes at Bucketworks, 1340 North 6th Street, just north of downtown Milwaukee. From Illinois, take 94 to McKinley exit. Turn Right and get into far left lane. Take first left onto 6th Street. Second building on right is Bucketworks.
