The Art and the Audition with Karen Kohlhaas
New York, NY
US

CONTACT NAME

Karen Kohlhaas

DESCRIPTION

Dear Actors,

See below for a class-by-class breakdown of what we do in FEARLESS COLD READING. Right now there is space in the Tuesday group only:

NOW ENROLLING
A) Mondays 6-9pm Eastern | April 22, 29, May 6, 13—full, join wait list
B) Tuesdays 11am-2pm Eastern | April 23, 30, May 7, 14—limited space open
Tuition: $350 | Payment plans available
To Apply: Reply to this post with your pic/resume
**can't do these dates? Reply to this post to join my list and hear about the next classes and free events!**
~Karen

KAREN KOHLHAAS is an Atlantic Theater Co. founding member, senior teacher, Off-Broadway director, author and filmmaker. She was named Best NYC Cold Reading Teacher and Best NYC Monologue Teacher by Backstage readers and is the author of 3 books on monologues and auditioning. She offers private classes in monologues, cold reading, advanced acting, and Tennessee Williams online and guest teaches around the country. See below for comments on this class from alumni.

COMPLETE CURRICULUM | This is what we do in my online class, FEARLESS COLD READING:

Week 1 | You learn my 10 point system: the ten skills and qualities that I believe you need to have to stand out in any reading type of audition. We start the first class with a diagnostic read for all that's recorded so you can compare it to your reads in the last class. The results are often dramatically different. Homework: Practice (on your own) a physical exercise I'll show you that will help beat the fear of losing your place on the page. And, meet with a classmate or two online during the week to practice the 10 points. Week 1 practice is totally mechanical. It literally does not matter what you read. The goal is to make the 10 points physically habitual, so they are always there, no matter what.

Week 2 | We work on new material, reviewing the 10 points and noticing how fully you are bringing them to your reads, and also learning how to quickly assess genre, style, objectives, circumstances and tone. I teach you about key moments—where something shifts or changes in a script, and how to take advantage of those moments to give your reading more variety and depth. In class 2, we also record a slate diagnostic, and I'll teach you a technique that will help you stand out with the quality of your slates. Homework: You and your partner practice those scripts during the week with the goal of bringing them to audition-ready level, acting as each other's reader. When you're ready, you send those reads to me during the week for feedback.

Week 3 | I give you 10 minutes with brand new scripts and tell you what to prioritize if you only have a very short time to look over a script. We work those scripts, and also focus on working well with good, neutral, and terrible readers (you'll also learn how to be a great reader!). We fine-tune your slates, and talk about how to chat and start part 1 of "Industry Asks": how to handle yourself effectively in the room, answering common industry questions/requests like "How do you see yourself?" and "Tell me a little about you." Homework: Continue to practice your slates; Practice prepping scripts quickly, working with a partner and exchanging the favor of being each other's reader.

Week 4 | We record a new, ice-cold reading as the "after" example so you can see the difference from your reads in the first class. We also record slate "afters" with feedback. We work "Industry Asks" part 2, and finish the class by watching your cold reading "befores and afters" as well as your slate "befores and afters". Everyone leaves with feedback on what to keep working.

FEARLESS COLD READING is a 10-point system that works for all kinds of auditions—from ice-cold to prepared, in person, on Zoom, and self-tapes

YOU'LL LEARN

• What to immediately look for in a script

• How to quickly assess actions, stakes, structure, key moments & genre

• To take direction fully and quickly

• How to work equally well with good, average, and terrible readers

• How to own your frame.

• Additional in-the-room techniques: make great entrances & slates & exits, how to chat effectively, and how to deal with industry questions (like, "Tell me about yourself . . . ")

As you make the points habitual, they get you

• Out of your head

• Into your body and instincts!

• Connected to your partner/reader

• Telling the story with focused, bold, adventurous choices

This 10-point system works for

• Live zoom pre-screens

• Self tapes

• In person auditions and callbacks

This class will positively change how you read at auditions. We tape your first and last reads—so you can see the difference for yourself!

WHAT ACTORS ARE SAYING

I was asked to cold read in a firing squad type situation where three agents watched me read while sitting on a couch about 3 feet away from me. I aced it, and even after previously telling me he had no more room for me on his roster the agent was suddenly trying to make some room. Honestly I would have choked on that cold read and those interviews before I took your class. I feel so much more prepared and I just want to thank you again.—CLEM McINTOSH

One of the producers pulled me aside to tell me my audition/cold read was one of the best she had seen in the auditions, and that obviously whatever audition classes I had taken paid off. This came only weeks after completing your cold reading class.—JASON BARKER

I had to cold read at an audition the other day with a casting director and she said, "I can't believe you just got that side 2 minutes ago!" I felt so confident in making bold instinctual choices, so thank you again!—MONICA WEST

I just got a callback for the first audition I have had since your class and I think listening to my reader, going back to the script and keeping the energy up made an extraordinary difference in both my performance and ability to be open to direction. And, best of all, the audition was really fun.—ANNA KULL

My cold reading skills are becoming really sharp by practicing what you taught us in class!—HILARY GREER

Your fearless cold reading technique helps me feel like I am in so much more control of any character that I am auditioning for and gives me more confidence in the audition room. Your techniques have helped my career tremendously.—BRIAN MORGAN

My friends have noticed a change in me, not just professionally, and it's partly because of the 'peace' your class has brought me. My auditioning has become stronger and my “Oh S***” moments are much fewer and farther between in a short amount of time. I've sent recommendations to my friends to take your class.—MAYA LYNNE ROBINSON

Your valuable class completely shifted my perspective on auditioning. My auditions have already improved significantly, and I believe this is just the beginning.—EREL PILO

Just auditioned for a movie & they said they were blown away by my listening skills - that they could have watched me listen all day! That's thanks to your fearless cold reading lessons. Feeling empowered;)—ALLISON THREADGOLD

It was just me and the filmmaker. She gave me a quick sketch of my character, then gave me the script and let me read through the page once. Then I read with her while she recorded me on her phone. I kept in mind a few important points that Karen has taught us. When I was done, the filmmaker literally said, "I'm impressed with how well you can cold read." She told me she liked me and that I really "got" what the character was all about. She cast me on the spot.—MIRIAM LIND

DURATION

Apr 22, 2024 - May 14, 2024

SALARY

$0.00 – $0.00 per hour

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