The Chicago Activator - April 2, 2018

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

April 2, 2018

IN THIS ISSUE April Conservatory Senior Committee Free Voice Screenings Movie Club and Theater Club SAG-AFTRA Foundation

SAG-AFTRA Chicago Conservatory Presents The Black Box Method Monday, April 16 details below

SAG-AFTRA Conservatory - Monday, April 16 from 6 - 8 p.m.

This two-hour introduction to The Black Box Method will challenge you to be the most honest and brave version of yourself. Participants will get their heart racing by reading human behavior and tapping into the power of their imagination. A limited number of people will be selected by lottery to participate in exercises, but everyone in attendance will leave with a basic understanding of how this work can be applied immediately to auditions and performances.

Darci Nalepa is a Jeff Award-nominated actor and an ensemble member at The Gift Theatre Company. She has appeared onstage at The Gift, Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Remy Bumppo, Northlight, Steep and many more. Onscreen, she has appeared in Chicago PD, Shameless and Stephen Cone's feature film Henry Gamble's Birthday Party. Nalepa has been teaching The Black Box Method for seven years and is also a Meisner instructor at the School at Steppenwolf.

RSVP to kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org or (312) 867-5508.

Park at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, and then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $13 cash, $14 Visa, MasterCard or American Express payment. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago Senior Committee To all local SAG-AFTRA members over 50: We would like to welcome you to become a member of our Chicago Senior Committee and the SAG-AFTRA Senior Radio Players.

We have been fortunate to recreate radio plays at the Cultural Center since 1997. Our May 3 production of Leave Her to Heaven will be our 90th show there! Please consider

becoming a committee member and join us at our next meeting/audition April 4. Contact Committee Liaison Gianna Consalvo at (312) 867-3712. Fun awaits!

Chicago Senior Committee members on Rick Kogan's WGN Radio Show Feb. 28.

Voice Screenings for Professional Singers In recognition of World Voice Day, MusiCares and the Chicago Institute for Voice Care are sponsoring free voice screenings. This is an opportunity for professional singers to take action to improve and maintain healthy voice habits. Services include a stroboscopic exam and physician examination to assess vocal health.

Saturday, April 14 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary 1855 W. Taylor St., 3rd Floor, Room 3.87 Chicago, IL 60612 Call (212) 245-7840 or email musicareseast@grammy.com for application and eligibility details.

Participants must document at least five years of professional music career history and qualify through MusiCares.

Space is limited and appointments must be made in advance.

Join the Movie Club and Theater Club If you are interested in receiving an occasional free sneak preview movie pass, please join the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Movie Club. Send your name and member number to kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org. You must be a SAG-AFTRA Chicago member in good standing to participate. Passes will be sent via email several times a year as they become available.

Also, we have relationships with local live theater venues that from time to time will offer members free or discounted tickets to upcoming shows.

If you are interested in joining this free club to receive these special offers, please send an email to kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org to be included on the Theater Club list.

SAG-AFTRA Foundation Comes to Chicago The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is bringing two exciting events to Chicago, so please take a moment to set up your Foundation account if you have not done so already.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is the go-to national organization for SAG-AFTRA members for financial assistance and educational opportunities. All of the Foundation's programs are available to SAG-AFTRA members at no cost. To take advantage of the opportunities the Foundation offers, you must create an account at sagaftra.foundation To create an account, click the "Sign In" button in the upper right hand corner then "Create a New Account" in the new window.

Casting Access with Bonnie Gillespie - Thursday, May 10 This is a free opportunity for actors to perform for casting director Bonnie Gillespie in a safe and intimate environment and receive specific feedback and/or redirection. This learning experience is a rare opportunity to get feedback on your performance from a casting director of Gillespie's caliber. This two-hour class will include a prepared reading session with an experienced casting professional. Scenes will be sent to confirmed participants a few days before class. Read more about this event and register here.

Beyond Branding: The Why Behind the Buzzword - Thursday, May 10 You can't throw a rock these days without hitting someone who's talking about "brand."

Truth be told, they've been talking about brand forever, but they were calling it type before. No matter what you call it, the goal is to work more, and going beyond brand is how we do that. Sure, building your reputation as a talented, consistent, professional performer is essential. But how do you do that when you can't even get into the room sometimes? In this SAG-AFTRA Foundation event, L.A.-based author and casting director/producer Bonnie Gillespie will break it all down: How to generate buzz before anything major is happening, how to get things happening on your own, and how to ensure that all of your marketing tools are teaching the buyers how to cast you before they even meet you. Already have a fan base of buyers? Awesome! Let's elevate your game by going beyond the brand. Register here.

Both events will take place in the KMRC, 1 E. Erie, Suite 660, and RSVPs will only be taken through the SAG-AFTRA Foundation website.

Park at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, and then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $13 cash, $14 Visa, MasterCard or American Express payment. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure.

In response to members' requests to stay informed, The Activator may include notice of rallies, pickets and other actions by unions and the labor movement that have not been sanctioned by the National or Chicago Board of Directors of SAG-AFTRA. This information is provided as a convenience.

The information contained herein regarding workshops, vendors, special offers and the like is provided for informational purposes and is not intended to imply endorsement by SAG-AFTRA of them or the information, material, products or services provided. SAG-AFTRA makes no warranties or representations regarding the use of the material or the quality of the services or service providers.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago: (312) 573-8081 Email: chicago@sagaftra.org Website: SAGAFTRA.org