Actors Connection executive director Christopher Dietrich, second from left, meets with LTA instructor Mike Baker, director Roland Branford Gomez and president Lloyd Bittinger in preparation for the New York City-based showcase’s first DC-area workshop scheduled for Feb. 12-14 at The Little Theatre of Alexandria. Photo by Jeanne Theismann.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria, whose productions have starred the likes of Dermot Mulroney and Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden, will play host to the Washington area’s first actors showcase Feb. 12-14, providing the opportunity for local talent to be seen by top casting directors and industry professionals from New York City.
“This is a great feather in the cap of D.C. theater,” said director Roland Branford Gomez, who serves as LTA’s governor of education. “Local actors will have the chance to be seen by some of the top casting professionals from New York City.”
The three-day workshop will be conducted by the Actors Connection in its first showcase outside of New York or Los Angeles.
“The workshop will consist of theatre, film and commercial master classes,” said Actors Connection executive director Christopher Dietrich of the inaugural DC Connection showcase. “It provides a guaranteed opportunity to work with professionals and get feedback to see if your material is working for you.”
Actors Connection and LTA have developed a comprehensive three-day program that will provide attendees the opportunity to study, train and network in a focused theater environment.
Highlights of the workshop include a business orientation, business master class, talent showcase and six casting director master classes from film, TV, Broadway and commercials.
Scheduled guests include Kimberly Graham, associate casting director, Judy Henderson Casting; Brette Goldstein, casting director, Brette Goldstein Casting; Meghan Rafferty, casting director, Ellen Lewis Casting; Cesar Rocha, casting director, Telsey + Co.; Judy Bowman, casting director, Judy Bowman Casting; and Lisa Donadio, associate casting director, Playwrights Horizons.
In addition to the three-day showcase program, Actors Connection will also present a one night only Business Master Class with four New York City industry professionals on Friday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m.
Space for the three-day showcase is limited to 20 students, however, the Friday night master class will be held in LTA’s main theater and is open to up to 200 attendees.
“I have been bringing students to the Actors Connection in New York since 2006,” said LTA actor and instructor Mike Baker. “Several students flourished as a result of those trips, including some getting agents that same week and one going on to become a soap opera star. It’s exciting to bring the resources and unparalleled industry access of the Actors Connection to LTA.”
For more information or to register for the DC Connection showcase, visit www.actorsconnection.com.