Jose Triana, Author at Dramatics Magazine Online

2024 College Guide

Jose Triana — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:28:15 +0000

College on the horizon? Don’t sweat it! We know it can feel like a lot, but EdTA is here to make it easier. Whether you’re checking out schools for yourself or helping your students make their big decisions, we’ve got what you need.

Our 2024 College Guide is your go-to resource with tips for mastering campus visits, a step-by-step college application timeline, and an extensive list of theatre programs on the lookout for talent just like yours!

The post 2024 College Guide appeared first on Dramatics Magazine Online.

An Inside Look at the ITF Short Film Festival

Jose Triana — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 15:04:43 +0000

The inaugural Thespy Short Film Festival brought together Thespians from around the country to showcase and celebrate students’ creative work in film. Dramatics chatted with some of the creators and collected all the films to celebrate these talented Thespians once again.

At ITF, a packed house enjoyed 18 films created by 30 Thespians from 10 different states exploring themes ranging from preparing for college to growing older to first loves. “It was an incredible experience to be part of the first Thespy Short Film Festival,” said Patrick Cashion, Washed Up. “It was both inspiring and humbling to have my own film showcased among my fellow Thespians, and the supportive and dynamic atmosphere made it a truly memorable night.”

From Stage to Film – Unique Challenges for Thespians

Featuring 21 categories, the Thespy awards celebrate student achievement in a range of practices, many of which focus on and around the stage. That’s why the short film category provides a unique departure that challenges Thespians not only on their medium, but also their creative process.

“It’s a different type of ‘suspense of disbelief’ that resonates with a larger audience. It also has so many moving parts that anyone and everyone can find a home in to fulfill their passions,” said Ella Wissing, When the Grass Was Greener. “The challenges of continuity and needing to understand your story fully from writing to filming to editing; the artistic and technical aspects need to be all in sync.”

In some cases, that also meant finding the talent for the films. “Oftentimes you have to come up with a plot, find actors, film it all yourself, and even act in your own film,” said Jack McCarthy, DUNK.

Of course, film also offers some advantages. In addition to having more control of what the viewer experiences and the flexibility of multiple takes, it also sharpened many Thespians’ directorial skills.

“While on the stage, a director’s main objective is to essentially train an actor over multiple rehearsals to independently perform a scene in the director’s vision without any input from the director. In film, the director and actor only need to get the take right once. This usually means that the director and actor have a sense of co-dependency that never leaves throughout production,” said Drew Gordon, The Understudy. “I found this process to be both challenging and rewarding, as I had to carefully choose my words and pieces of direction while my actors carefully adjusted subtle nuances and emotional delivery of their acting from take to take. Despite this sometimes-painstaking ordeal, I feel as though my actors and I grew closer and more understanding of each other not just over the course of production of the film, but also in later shows and rehearsals.”

Succeeding with Your Short Film

Thinking of applying for adjudication next year? Our Thespians also had plenty of advice on how to find success throughout their journey and what worked best for them.

“For future filmmakers, I have two pieces of advice: First, never underestimate the power of an in-depth storyboard. Draw and write down everything you want in your film; down to the second,” says Ella Duffey, Marionette Nez Rogue. “Second, although it can be tempting to capture moments with one long continuous shot, I found that having many shorter shots can keep the audience engaged and allow you to capture moments to their fullest.”

“Use all the resources available to you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help,” says Mikayla Salazar, 1GN1T10N. “The teachers and students around you can be surprisingly helpful, even if you’re just looking for extra actors.”

“Every opportunity you don’t take is one success you could miss out on. Whether you want to be a filmmaker, an actor/actress, behind the scenes, or on the big stage, do it because that’s what feels right. Surely always take a drink of uncharted waters and find what you feel connects as your true legitimate passion first,” said Dawson V Jackson, Dean. “But remember we’re still human. Judgement is severe in this generation, but the most impactful judge is yourself. Do what you do because YOU love it.”

2024 Thespy Short Film Festival

Now without further ado, here is the 2024 collection of superior-rated Thespy Short Films.

Yours Dearly

Flip It

Marionette Nez Rouge

Washed Up

The Understudy

How Can I Even

DUNK

Night Owl

Solace

Escapism

Dean

Laundromat Therapy

When the Grass Was Greener

Disconnect

1GN1T10N

Butterfly Fly Away

Love, J

Modus Vivendi

The post An Inside Look at the ITF Short Film Festival appeared first on Dramatics Magazine Online.

College Audition Tips for ITF

Jose Triana — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:15:27 +0000

Dreaming of continuing your theatre education in college? With so many schools and programs to learn about, and the need for countless auditions, it can be challenging to know where to start. Luckily, you can get all the info you need plus opportunities to audition for many of these programs at the International Thespian Festival (ITF).

The ITF college audition program is designed to connect rising seniors with more than 50 colleges and universities. But before you head to Indiana University this summer, here’s what you’ll need to participate and some advice from the university professionals you’ll be meeting.

What You’ll Need to Participate

To participate in the college audition process, you must meet a few criteria, including:

You’re an inducted Thespian graduating in 2025.
Your troupe director, teacher, or parent/guardian has registered you for ITF and selected the college audition add-on.
You’re preparing to submit your audition materials by the May 15, 2024 deadline. Note: you’ll receive a separate email after registering with the link to a secure platform to submit your materials.

When submitting your audition materials, you’ll have the chance to choose your preferred category, including performance, technical theatre, or theatre education – be sure to visit our site for more details on the specifics you’ll need to submit based on your selected category.

Your College Audition Materials

There aren’t many opportunities to get in front of so many colleges at once, so making the most of it starts with preparation. Regardless of the category you’re applying for, you’ll need to submit materials ahead of time. These materials are available to all participating colleges for review and are often the criteria used to schedule their callbacks.

Depending on the category you’re applying for, you’ll need to submit:

Performance Auditions – An audition video with two monologues for students pursuing acting, or a monologue and song for students pursuing musical theatre, a current headshot, and resume. (Performance Audition Tips)
Technical Auditions – Three samples of work, an audition video of you speaking about your work, a current headshot, and resume. (Technical Audition Tips)
Theatre Education Auditions – A current headshot and resume, written responses, and either a performance or technical audition tape based on your strongest skills. (Theatre Education Audition Tips)

7 College Audition Tips from the Pros

Paul Steger, Dean of the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts at Webster University, and Sharla Cowden, Department Chair at University of Evansville, have been attending ITF and college auditions for over 50 years combined.

In that time, they’ve seen the evolution of the audition process and shared seven tips to help seniors make the most of their experience.

1. Ask for Help

Your audition tape is often your best opportunity to make a first impression, so make sure it’s a good one. While you may be tempted to do things on your own (and you totally can), don’t hesitate to ask for help.

“Encouraging students to ask for help from their high school teacher, counselor, or upper classmen could be really helpful,” says Cowden. Asking someone to operate the camera also “[gives] them someone else in the room to play to.”

Whether they’re checking the framing, spotting distractions in the background, checking audio to make sure you sound your best, or “watching it with them afterwards and redoing it (if needed),” another set of eyes is never a bad thing. Using them as an off-screen scene partner can help inform acting choices and line deliveries, even though the other person should remain unseen and unheard.

2. Be Authentic

The materials you choose for your college audition are always going to be important, but so is your delivery. While you may be tempted to be as elaborate or animated as possible, Steger says authenticity is more important.

“[We] don’t have to see extreme characterizations in your body, speech, dialects, or any of those things. Just be as natural and close to you in real life as you can imagine,” says Steger. “You don’t have to costume it up or use props or anything like that. If you want to sit in a chair, go for it.”

And the same goes for Cowden. “I always encourage the kids to start with a piece that is the most like themselves,” she says. “We’re looking for honest and truthful work, so let me see a little bit of who you are through each character.”

3. Understand Your Material

Showing your range is important, and it’s why most Thespians opt for performing contrasting content like comedy and drama. However, having a deeper understanding of your material can make a bigger impression on colleges. One strategy Steger suggests is choosing a monologue from a play script rather than a monologue book.

The folks watching your auditions likely have read and have a deep understanding of the material you’ll perform – and you want to show you do too. Often, that contextual knowledge can shine through in a performance and allows for less time spent establishing the character’s dynamics and conflicts, instead showcasing the material and performance skills.

4. Be Coachable

Once schools have reviewed your material, they may want to meet you in person. This can happen either at their booth in the exhibit hall or in dedicated callback rooms, with many participating schools bringing multiple staff members. For example, the Webster University team often includes design tech or stage management faculty, design students, and additional senior staff.

Why? To get an opportunity to work with students in their discipline.

“We want to give everybody we think has a talent and that might fit with the program an opportunity to explore it,” says Steger. “It might be to give a direction, like upgrading what their relationship is with the person they’re singing to or doing the monologue with, or we might give a vocal adjustment,” he says. “I always say, just come prepared with the monologues you did as polished as possible… that would be a place where we would start the conversation.”

For Steger and many colleges at ITF, this is also a chance to see how you work with others and your coachability.

5. Remember to Schedule Time for Callbacks

Participating colleges have limited timeslots to meet with students. And if everyone is aiming for the same spot, you may not have an opportunity to visit the schools you’re most interested in.

“Workshops are an important part of [ITF], but you also need time to really do your callbacks,” Cowden says. “All our students have to audition and interview, and this is a place where they can do both.”

Colleges will contact you directly if they want to schedule a callback, so be sure the email you use is one you have access to and check often. And if there’s a school at the top of your list and you get a callback, don’t wait to schedule your meeting. It may be tougher to find a convenient timeslot towards the end of the week.

6. Have an Idea of Your Interests

While you don’t have to be settled on your degree (i.e. BA vs BFA) or where you’re planning on going, having some expectations or goals for your education can help. For example, knowing how many shows you’d hope the program does each season or what your responsibilities behind the scenes might be can help narrow your choices for schools you want additional information from.

“Do the research to see all the different programs, because there’s usually general information about what kind of plays we’re doing or have done in the past, plus all the audition requirements, degrees that are offered, the faculty, and kinds of classes you might take,” says Steger.

He also suggests thinking about your college experience. Whether that means schools with huge sports programs and stadiums or smaller private campuses where there may be 5,000 students total, knowing what you want out of your time at a school is equally as important as what the school is looking for in you.

“It’s [has to be] the right fit for the student and the right fit for the program,” he says. “That’s the difference between looking at the auditions versus doing a callback; who’s going to show up for four years beside their talent.”

7. Open Your Mindset

Finally, relax and have fun. Like most things in your theatre career, college auditions will be a learning experience. While it can be intimidating to perform in front of new people or interview with schools you’d love to attend, it’s important to remember the schools are just as excited to meet you too.

“They want you to be great and I think a lot of kids forget that when they walk in a room. They want you to solve the problem for them and they’re rooting for you, so take away the judgment part,” says Cowden. “I always tell kids, don’t close doors. Enough people are going to close doors on you. Use ITF to walk through doors that are opening to you.”

Explore Your Theatre Future

There’s plenty to do at ITF, but if continuing your theatre career into college is on the list, applying for college auditions can be an amazing opportunity. Not only is it an opportunity to get in front of wonderful theatre programs from around the country, but it’s also a chance to explore what the next four years can potentially look like.

But before you arrive in Indiana this summer, be sure to get your application completed, remember the materials you need to submit, and focus on our helpful tips to make the most of your experience.

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From Thespy Stage to Working Artists

Jose Triana — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 13:32:02 +0000

Becoming a Thespian can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Not only can you find community amongst fellow students, but often it kicks off a long-term artistic journey. While every student’s experience will be different, there are always Thespian alum to look to for guidance and inspiration.

Muhammad Khaerisman and Tyren Duncan are two such Thespians.

Members of Troupe 7961, their Thespian journey earned them Thespy accolades, long-lasting memories at the International Thespian Festival, college educations from University of Houston and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi respectively, and a career as working artists, where they still attend Texas Thespians – now as teaching artists.

As Kendra Willeby, their former teacher and troupe director, explains, their journey represents that “pie in the sky dream outcome” of becoming a Thespian.

Today, they run Faces Network, an artistic collective and platform for artists, with performance arts pieces hosted in Atlanta and a new film, Prodigal, premiering in 2024. EdTA caught up with them to learn more about their Thespian experience and how these lessons have helped shape their careers.

The Early Days as a High School Thespian

For Khaerisman, who like many children, aspired to be an astronaut, the path to theatre unexpectedly started with early wins. “In the summer of 11th grade, Ms. Willeby signed me up for college auditions, and out of something like 74 schools, 72 called me back,” he says. “It blew my mind. I don’t know if it’s my upbringing or because I wasn’t exposed to anyone in this space, but it didn’t occur to me that I could pursue acting as a life course.”

For Duncan, football was the main priority, playing from elementary all the way until his junior year of high school. However, his passion for football declined, and the need for a new creative outlet led back to theatre. In his freshman year of high school, he had performed in South Pacific, had a “good time,” and figured it would be a great place to return to. But his second run in theatre didn’t start as expected.

“Oh God, [the audition] was a school bus breakdown on the side of road: flames, smoke, everything,” he said. “When you’re in high school, you feel like that’s it. You feel like ‘Ah, if I didn’t do this one thing then I’m completely done in life, and I’ll never amount to anything, I’ll be a failure.’ While the audition wasn’t ideal, he still got his opportunity to return to theatre. “Ms. Willeby took a shot on me and saw potential in my ability… I thought it was really great that someone saw a lot in me.”

Finding Theatre on a Larger Scale

Growing as a Thespian often means challenging yourself and expanding your skills. One of the easiest ways to start is by attending state festivals. “I decided to go to Texas Thespians [state festival] because I really wanted to be better. A better artist; a better actor for people around me and for myself,” Duncan says. “I remember a moment specifically where we made it to the hotel, and I was with my friends, and looking out the window of the hotel. It was just so beautiful, seeing Dallas and all the lights at night, and I was like, “Wow bro, theatre took me here, and I wonder where else it could take me.”

Ultimately, it took Duncan and Khaerisman to the largest stage of all, the International Thespian Festival (ITF), where they would make lasting memories and learn some tough lessons too. Khaerisman says those annual trips to ITF are filled with memories of adventuring with friends, random jam sessions with troupes from around the country, and a chance to connect deeply with the craft.

“One of the featured artists was the composer of Big Fish. I’d never been exposed to this musical before, and he sang a song called ‘Fight the Dragons.’ It was just him on the piano – a very simple performance – but I remember crying and [feeling] so much relief and catharsis,” he says. “If this medium of art could give me that, as a human being, as a student, as a person, I really wanted to commit to be able to provide that for other people.”

Competition 101

Of course, for many Thespians, ITF isn’t just about bonding with fellow theatre students – it’s a stage for competition and an opportunity to see talent from around the county – and our reactions to that dynamic can often be varied.

For some, it’s a comforting experience. “It’s reassuring that you’re not the only person that’s really good at what you do,” says Duncan. However, that experience also opens doubts that require intentionality and mindset shifts. “There’s a lot of kids who are also very talented. And, of course, that impostor syndrome sets in because you’re like, ‘Oh, maybe I’m not good enough,’” he says. “I just had to check myself and realize it’s not about that; it’s about being a part of a larger community and knowing that these people are bringing their best, I’m bringing my best, and we should all want to make each other better.”

For others, like Khaerisman, ITF is the ultimate proving ground on the largest stage possible. Coming from a competitive background, his mindset was laser-focused, seeing fellow Thespians as an obstacle to overcome. However, after an early exit from competition, it proved to be a learning experience too.

“I remember my first time going to [ITF] I was like, ‘We got main stage. We did it all: we got the right writing, we rehearsed it, my partner’s gas, I’m gas, everything’s going to be incredible.’ There was no thought in my mind that there was a possibility we wouldn’t even break out of the room [advance to main stage],” Khaerisman says. “Being taken out of the competition early on just freed my time to do workshops, watch shows, and experience [ITF] without having to be in that challenger mindset.”

Opportunities to be surrounded by thousands of theatre fans and practitioners are few and far between, which is why one of the things Duncan and Khaerisman agree on is that the biggest reward of attending ITF is finding community. Whether that means stepping out of your comfort zone to experience new practices in a workshop, chatting with Thespians from other states, or simply enjoying a show, there’s more to ITF than competition.

Finding Community Post-Grad

Part of the challenge for Thespians continuing their journey after graduation is finding opportunities. For starters, community is often a byproduct of being in high school. Having graduated from college at the height of the pandemic, where interaction was at an all-time low, figuring out new ways to meet artists was an experience both men had to navigate.

According to Duncan, one of the places to start is with social media. “I love acting, but I also love underground hip-hop, house music, people who create fine art as far as sculptures, paintings, and things like that,” he says. “I always go on Instagram and figure out, ‘OK, what gallery is showing XYZ, how can I pull up to show support and actually get to know these artists?’”

This intentionality has helped them land opportunities like costume designing for smaller theatrical companies and expanding their network of agency contacts, making life as working artists a real possibility.

The other challenge post-graduation is understanding who you are as an artist. “For me it was unlearning that my identity – who Muhammad is and what Muhammad be doin’ – are two separate things,” Khaerisman says. “I thought my community of artists was going to be just actors, because I’m an actor and those are the people who would understand my journey. But it’s the complete opposite. Don’t just seek out actors or theatre practitioners. Go to an open mic, go to a stand-up comedy night, go to a movement workshop. Be in community with creators, cause anybody doing [art] at a DIY independent level… there’s going to be alignment.”

“Making It” as a Working Artist

Today, they’re both working artists and have founded a business to continue their passion in the arts. And while their journey is unique to them, there are some nuggets of advice they offer Thespians looking to pursue a similar journey.

“Everybody’s path is different. I might be wearing something that may not fit for somebody else, but I can assure you, the more you actually listen to your voice as an actor and as a person, the better off you’ll be,” says Duncan. “That’s the biggest advice I can give to any young artists out there. Don’t let them change you, let the world be your mirror.”

“It’s kind of silly, but all of us jumped into art because there was something we felt emotionally passionate about. But if you’re going down a path where you’re trying to build a life as an artist – a career and something that sustains you – approach it logically,” says Khaerisman. “Figure out the tools, skills, and knowledge you already have. Then create that plan for yourself. It’s only impossible if you don’t write it down.”

Stay connected with Muhammad and Tyren on Instagram @_xxfacesxx_ or their YouTube Channel.

The post From Thespy Stage to Working Artists appeared first on Dramatics Magazine Online.

Quiz: Spooky Theatre Trivia

Jose Triana — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 18:23:58 +0000

The post Quiz: Spooky Theatre Trivia appeared first on Dramatics Magazine Online.

2023 College Guide

Jose Triana — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 21:03:33 +0000

Getting ready for college might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re a student exploring your options or a theatre educator looking to give your Thespians a leg up, EdTA is here to help.

Explore our 2023 College Guide for tons of helpful resources including tips to make the most of your college visits, a helpful college application timeline, and college listings for schools looking for students just like you!

The post 2023 College Guide appeared first on Dramatics Magazine Online.