Mr. Miles runs Theatre of the Imagination that offers in-person drama class in Overland Park, KS. They currently have openings in their summer camps. They also offer online drama classes and 1-1 private acting coaching.
With over 20 years experience in teaching drama to children Mr Miles always makes drama fun and energetic. He has written over 100 plays and tailors the shows so there is no lead, and every student gets an equal sized role. Not only has he been called a “Child Whisperer” due to his amazing ability to pull out creativity and involvement from kids in his classes.
Mr. Miles holds a Master’s Degree in Theatre from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, and has been a working professional actor for over 30 years.
Are you trying out for a play from home? Here are a few tips to make you feel more at ease and make your virtual audition look better.
Neutral backgrounds
One of the best tips is to have a solid, neutral backdrop (blue and gray are common). You want to both minimize visual distractions and highlight what’s most important: the actor’s performance.
Sound
Turn off your air conditioner or furnace. Put pets in another room. Turn off TVs and cell phones. They only want to hear you.
Lighting
Good lighting is important to look professional on camera. Don’t sit with a window at your back. Don’t have one bright overhead light (which creates harsh shadows). Natural light from a window is the most effective, economical way to generate even light.
Know Your Lines
Performers should always memorize their lines before any virtual audition. They want to see you be alive as the character. If they watch you constantly looking down at a script, they lose seeing your performance.
Be Ready to Go
Ten minutes before the audition, be ready to go. Restart your computer 20 minutes before the meeting, as reboots often prevent technical glitches. Test your audio and video. Then relax and have fun!
Do you want to learn more about acting? Join one of Theatre of the Imagination’s many acting classes near you! We offer both online and in-person programs.