Beyond the Table with Broadway Casting Director Benton Whitley

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A FEW SLOTS LEFT IN BOTH SESSIONS NEXT WEEK! APPLY NOW!

What's stopping you from getting that callback?
-Get the skinny from Broadway Casting Director Benton Whitley

Broadway casting director Benton Whitley has a pulse on new and emerging talent in NYC and is teaching a two night intensive (Class One: classroom setting/Class Two: one on one private meeting) concentrating on the fundamentals of auditioning for the Musical Theatre, and how it pertains specifically to you, the actor, and the current landscape of theatre here in New York. Expect to learn useful, honest, constructive, and candid insight on everything from: acting a song, head shots and resumes, audition attire, song choice, Actor's Equity, finding representation, EPAs, ECCs, how to get seen, physical types, audition books, working with accompanists, and even how an actor can use social networking to their professional advantage!

CLASS ONE

Each actor will sing two of their own songs and receive immediate feedback from Benton in a safe classroom setting at Pearl Studios in Midtown Manhattan. In this session expect to dust off your "go-to audition songs", learn from watching your peers, and replace bad audition habits with skills that will actually help you book the job.

Class One Dates:

Morning of May 8th: 11am-2pm
OR
Evening of May 9th: 7pm-10pm

CLASS TWO

Each actor will be given a 30-45 minute personal appointment with Benton at his casting office, Duncan Stewart and Company, in Midtown Manhattan. In a 30-45 minute, one-on-one meeting with Benton at his casting office, each actor will have the rare opportunity to discuss the candid realities of their audition experiences and receive some insight on what is happening behind the table. Some of those "I thought my audition went very well, so why didn't I get a callback?" questions might just be clarified.

Class Two Dates:

Each student will schedule a personal meeting with Benton within two weeks following the initial class.

Both sessions combined cost a total of $175

Class size is extremely limited and caps at 15 students. To apply for a spot, please email your head shot and resume to [e-mail].

About Benton

Benton is a partner and casting director at the new and busy casting office, Duncan Stewart and Company, which is currently responsible for casting the upcoming revival of PIPPIN, directed by Diane Paulus, the new Vegas Beach Boys musical SURF, directed by Kristin Hanggi, the 2012 RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR, Marriott Lincolnshire's DREAMGIRLS, and ongoing casting for CHICAGO THE MUSICAL (Broadway, national tour, and West End), the national tour of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, the musicals aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: HAIRSPRAY, CHICAGO, and SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, and the Michael Jackson musical THRILLER LIVE on the West End. Other projects include David Cromer's YANK!, the Broadway revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, London's Menier Chocolate Factory, North Shore Music Theatre, The Old Globe, The Cape Playhouse, Forestburgh Playhouse and numerous NYMF/FRINGE productions. Prior to working with Duncan Stewart, Benton was on the casting team behind the 2009 Revival of RAGTIME, the world premiere of Terrence McNally's GOLDEN AGE, and various other productions at The Kennedy Center, Alley Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Wilma, and Philadelphia Theatre Company. Benton teaches audition master classes at universities around the country as well as here in New York and is a proud graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts and the University of Michigan Musical Theatre Department.