“While some casting directors have looked at audition tapes here and there over the years, the advent of YouTube, Skype, Facebook, Flip cameras and widely available video equipment has recently given technology a greater role in theater casting, providing a foot in the stage door for the technically savvy.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
Gunmen Steal $120K From Mann Center In Philadelphia
“Two gunmen made off with more than $120,000 in catering proceeds Friday in a brazen lunchtime holdup at the Mann Music Center … Investigators are looking at the possibility of an inside job.”
Dallas Arts Patron Charles Wyly, 77, Dead In Auto Accident
“The news stunned the Dallas arts community, where Mr. Wyly’s philanthropy had helped solidify the dreams of the Arts District. The AT&T Performing Arts Center named the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in honor of the couple’s $20 million gift.”
Head First: Choreographers Talk About How Dance Gets Made
“And you thought a new dance began with steps? [Jane] Weiner and other veteran choreographers in Houston say steps are the least of it. … Rarely is there some message they want viewers to ‘get,’ at least in the beginning.”
Arts Advocacy Groups Struggle To Survive Through Recession
“The advocacy groups find themselves competing for financing against the very cultural organizations they were created to support, which in turn can no longer afford the dues required by some of the groups that advocate for them.”
Ai Weiwei Returns To Tweeting
The dissident Chinese artist, who has more than 95,000 Twitter followers, posted his first updates on the service since being freed from prison in June. Ai had reportedly been forbidden to use social media after his release.
Financial Exec Explains What His Firm Gets From Sponsoring Summer Opera
David Bulteel, a director of London firm Investec PLC, on its sponsorship of Opera Holland Park: “We like to be aware of how many new clients it brings in, and how much money they might generate. There are softer issues, however, and softer benefits, and you can’t measure those in pound signs. … The staff members love the fact that they can take clients, and it really helps them build relationships.”
Stephen Sondheim Archive Set Up At Marquette University
“Marquette has established the Stephen Sondheim Research Collection after acquiring a vast collection of materials relating to the works of the Broadway composer and lyricist.”
At The Ailey Dance Camp In Berkeley
“Some [students] are shy, some are less coordinated, but all of them seem galvanized by Mama Naomi’s driving patter. A warm, maternal presence, she nevertheless is a taskmaster and has the whole group down on the floor executing relentless patterns of crunches.”
Tougher Customers At The Ailey Dance Camp In Newark
“When [teacher] Nehprii Amenii of Brooklyn walked into Newark Arts High School for the first time this summer, she was prepared to be hit with what she called ‘full cannons of attitude’.”