New York Actress Visits Charter Acting Class

Article By: Jeremy Baker

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New York Actress Visits Charter Acting Class

Article By: Jeremy Baker

The Indian River Charter High School's Comprehensive Theatre class got a big surprise last week; a sit down chat with a professional actress. Actor's Equity Association (AEA) and Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) actress Bonnie Black, who was performing in Riverside Theatre's Second Stage production of "Third", dropped in to the IRCHS Schumann Black Box Theatre to share some life lessons, acting dos and don'ts and to answer a variety of questions posed by the advanced theatre students. "Bonnie was so relaxed and comfortable with the kids that they really felt like they could ask her anything, and because she has such a long history in the professional theatre Bonnie was also a great resource for the students." said Maggie Baker - Head of the IRCHS Drama Department and professional AEA Stage Manager.

During the discussion Ms. Black covered such subjects as attending a four-year university compared to a two-year acting program, backstage etiquette, the dedication to craft that is required of professional actors and the differences in audition/performing in theatre compared to television or film.
"She was incredibly encouraging," said IRCHS Senior Acting Student Alexandra Evans, "but she also made you aware of the realistic challenges in becoming a professional performer. It was just such an amazing experience to really meet and talk with someone who is doing professionally what you want to do. I mean how often does a high school student get to sit down and talk with a professional actor?"

The whole event was made possible because of the prior professional relationship between Ms. Baker and Ms. Black. "Professional Theatre is a pretty small world and you get to work with a lot of the same people over the years" says Baker, who indeed stage managed Ms. Black in many productions including Three Viewings and Everything I Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten. In the end Baker muses, "This really is one of the pluses of having worked in professional theatre for so long. I have all these wonderful contacts from my years as an Equity stage manager and every now and again my students get to reap the benefits of that."

The Indian River Charter High School's Comprehensive Theatre class got a big surprise last week; a sit down chat with a professional actress. Actor's Equity Association (AEA) and Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) actress Bonnie Black, who was performing in Riverside Theatre's Second Stage production of "Third", dropped in to the IRCHS Schumann Black Box Theatre to share some life lessons, acting dos and don'ts and to answer a variety of questions posed by the advanced theatre students. "Bonnie was so relaxed and comfortable with the kids that they really felt like they could ask her anything, and because she has such a long history in the professional theatre Bonnie was also a great resource for the students." said Maggie Baker - Head of the IRCHS Drama Department and professional AEA Stage Manager.

During the discussion Ms. Black covered such subjects as attending a four-year university compared to a two-year acting program, backstage etiquette, the dedication to craft that is required of professional actors and the differences in audition/performing in theatre compared to television or film.
"She was incredibly encouraging," said IRCHS Senior Acting Student Alexandra Evans, "but she also made you aware of the realistic challenges in becoming a professional performer. It was just such an amazing experience to really meet and talk with someone who is doing professionally what you want to do. I mean how often does a high school student get to sit down and talk with a professional actor?"

The whole event was made possible because of the prior professional relationship between Ms. Baker and Ms. Black. "Professional Theatre is a pretty small world and you get to work with a lot of the same people over the years" says Baker, who indeed stage managed Ms. Black in many productions including Three Viewings and Everything I Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten. In the end Baker muses, "This really is one of the pluses of having worked in professional theatre for so long. I have all these wonderful contacts from my years as an Equity stage manager and every now and again my students get to reap the benefits of that."