Performance Standard #4

Consults with industry advisory committees, colleagues, the community, and parents to maximize curricular and instructional resources, and develops experiential learning opportunities for students

partial ART camera audition.MP4

In this short video, an ART student incorporates advice from Masterclass leader Jeremy Holm

Evidence 1: Video of masterclass, audition techniques for the camera

Description: In this video, a student in the performance track is coached in methods for creating a more effective audition tape for a filmed project.

Analysis: One significant element in the ART curriculum is the exploration of audition techniques for both film and stage. In a community such as Middlebury, it is easy to find opportunities to audition for the stage (and these opportunities serve to teach students what works and what doesn't), but a little more difficult to find the chance to audition for film and television roles. Fortunately, we have a number for community members who are industry veterans, and who have volunteered time to work with the students.

One notable example is SAG-AFTRA actor Jeremy Holm, a member of ART's advisory board and series regular on works such as Netflix's House of Cards and USA's Mr. Robot. On several occasions, Mr. Holm was asked to lead a masterclasses on audition techniques for the camera. Having such a resource as this in the community has been exceptionally beneficial to the students, as he is able to offer both instruction for creating professional audition tapes and anecdotes that illustrate the do's and dont's of the industry.

In this clip, an ART student is practicing auditioning with sides (short scripts used in film and television auditions that feature only two characters- one onscreen (the auditioning actor) and one offscreen (usually an assistant to the casting director). The clip featured is her second take, and Mr. Holm can be heard giving advice based upon anecdote. (The clip pictured to the left features part of a later take, and demonstrates a radically different performance based upon coaching.)

Evidence 2: Photos of student work for Vergennes' annual Carnavale, a community fundraising event to benefit local charities

Description: Photos illustrate several games designed and fabricated by students in the technical theatre program for a community event.

Analysis: Dawn Wagner, a member of the ART Advisory Board, was in charge of producing the 2019 Vergennes Carnavale, and contacted me with the opportunity for students to design and create several games to be used during the event. Students were tasked with finding multiple options of simple, non-electric games, and three were ultimately selected for fabrication: a ring toss; a ball maze, in which the player pulls two pieces of rope to guide a ball to a specific hole; and the mill wheel, in which the players rolls a heavy wooden wheel on a notched track, attempting to have it stop at a particular notch. Students researched the games, built them in the scene shop, and dressed them for the event. This work allowed students to experience work done by scenic and props fabricators, as well as the chance to put the program's name out into the community, as they were thanked for the work on the fundraising activity that supports such programs as the Boys and Girls Club of Vergennes.

IMG_5498.MOV

Top: Students smooth down the wheel used in the mill stone game.

Middle: The game installed at Carnavale.

Bottom: Video of the ring toss in action.

Top: Students complete the frame for the ball maze. Bottom: the ball maze at Carnavale.