I am fully vaccinated and out of the waiting period. The MIchael James Reed Studio is open again for in-person appointments as we continue to follow safe practices. ZOOM coaching sessions continue to be the norm, but as people feel more comfortable and we get more and more of this virus behind us, in-person coaching and taping sessions are being used and starting to fill up. Book yours today! Reach out today and let me know how I can help.
Actors are at 100% unemployment. Reading lots of articles about disappointed theatre goers & producers, but not seeing a lot about the plight of thousands of working actors, dependent on Actors Equity contracts for a living, health insurance and pensions. With every cancelled season and show, the repercussions are enormous and potentially devastating to the personal and fragile economies of many (staff, catering, ushers, stage hands, scenic painters, set builders, box office people -- the list goes on and on). Thanks, Diana Barr and the St. Louis Business Journal for the sit down. I appreciated the opportunity! https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2020/06/11/local-actor-takes-on-new-roles-as-theaters-shutter.html
As events continue to unfold, I feel it necessary to keep the focus on this critical national movement. I want to provide as much space for voices to be heard as we long overdue address systemic racism and injustice. I’m going to delay the Self-Taping ESSENTIALS workshop due to happen this Wednesday for one week, as well as my Editing workshop and the Self-Taping ESSENTIALS - Parents/Kids/Teens version. All registered attendees will receive an email with the new dates and further updates and info can be found on the Workshops page.
Let us all take this time to keep making this world and our community a better place and create the changes needed to see it through.
The audition flood gates will be opening soon. I promise. The amount of castings that will start to happen in LA, Chicago, NYC, Atlanta and especially here in St. Louis in the upcoming months will be tremendous. It’s an unprecedented employment opportunity that we all need to be ready for. And self-taping auditions will be the norm.
I will talk about what I think are the ESSENTIAL, 15 things to be doing (and a few NOT to be doing) to make your tape noticed and, most importantly, put you in the best position to be cast. If self-taping is overwhelming for you, let’s make it understandable and do-able. If you find it easy, let’s challenge ourselves to make them better, because I promise you, they can be. Every casting director and agent I speak with are practically pleading with actors to submit better self-taped auditions, as so many are falling short of expectations.
Given the hardship we are all under right now, this is a pay-what-you-can event (and if you can’t that is absolutely no problem!) and small donations are appreciated but not required. Numbers are limited, so registration is needed. You’ll receive Zoom room info and further information once you register. I hope to see you there!!
https://www.michaeljamesreed.com/workshop
Keep the distance, embrace the masks and stay safe!!
Hey all! A little Michael James Reed Studio - Covid-19 update!
Through the power of Zoom, FaceTime and my rather dependable (knock on wood) Internet connection, my coaching and taping services are still being offered and, thankfully, fully utilized -- seemingly more in demand than ever. Particularly with the need of self-taping (and that not going away anytime soon), I’ve been able to help a number of clients put together some excellent, and most importantly, casting-worthy auditions. In addition, a number of students have been carrying on with private coaching sessions and consultations. Hopefully we will all be able to safely see each other in real time soon, but until then, if there’s any way my services can be put to use, please feel free to reach out!
Also - be on the lookout for some workshop announcements very shortly. I’m able to offer my Self-Taping Workshop via Zoom, and will be announcing dates in the next week along with an On-Camera Acting & Auditioning class.
I hope and trust this finds all of you physically, emotionally and mentally healthy!
Well, well, well. Here I am neglecting my website — for almost a year now, no posts?? Its been an eventful time and much to report Here are a few of my performance highlights:
Spent a great summer last time performing with Shakespeare Festival St. Louis in “Love’s Labour’s Lost” which received much critical acclaim and was a joy to be in. Followed that up with a couple of shows at the tremendous MUNY, playing John Hancock in “1776” and a brand new role in the much rewritten (and much improved) “Paint Your Wagon.” Had the unforgettable gift of performing Mr. Banks in “Mary Poppins” with the spectacular Variety Theatre. If you’ve never seen this group perform, do yourself a favor and do it. The only group I know of producing a professional musical with a combination of abled bodied and disabled actors. This winter I appeared with the Repertory St Louis in new artistic director Hana Sharif’s Rep directorial debut in “Pride and Prejudice” as Mr. Bennett. Couldn’t have been a more beautiful production.
A movie I did some years back in Los Angeles is having a bit of a revival. Loudmouth Soup was shot in one night, with no script, no retakes, 7 actors and 8 cameras. Here’s the trailer: https://vimeo.com/328292263 and here’s the website: https://www.loudmouthmovie.com/
June 2019
On-Camera Acting & Auditioning Workshops
KIDS & TEENS
Saturday, June 8th
10:00am to 1:00pm (ages 9-12) & 2:00pm to 5:00pm (ages 13-17)
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ADULTS
Sunday, June 9th
11:00am to 2:00pm (ages 18 & older)
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In these classes, we will focus on on-camera acting techniques, and the professional audition experience as well as cover what it takes to book that next co-star or guest starring role.
Cost: $75
Please email studio@michaeljamesreed.com to reserve a spot.
(class size is limited)
The last couple of years, I had the great fun of performing with the Education Tour as an actor. This year, I had the privilege of working as a director. Spent the better part of January putting up the delightful play for K-5th grade called “The Last Cupcake” by Nancy Bell.
Couldn’t be more excited to be doing this amazing play.
On-Camera Acting & Auditioning
(ages 16 & under)
Saturday, September 15th – 2pm to 5pm
Self-Taping Auditioning
(all ages)
Sunday, September 16th – 2pm to 430pm
On-Camera Acting & Auditioning
(ages 17 & older)
Monday, September 17th – 630pm to 930pm
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THREE September workshop opportunities covering essential aspects for successful, effective and truthful on-camera acting & professional auditioning.
Contact me to reserve your spot - space is limited!
A two-hour intensive workshop covering all aspects of preparing & creating a self-taped audition that casting directors and producers will pay attention to. Click HERE for more info!
Come see a spectacular new production of Romeo & Juliet in Forest Park, June 1-24th. Its free!
June 2018 On-Camera Acting Workshops
TWO workshop opportunities covering essential aspects and techniques for successful, effective on-camera acting.
Saturday, June 9 – LEVEL 1 (ages 16 & under 10am to 1pm, 17 & older 2pm to 5pm)
Saturday, June 16 – LEVEL 2 (ages 16 & under 10am to 1pm, 17 & older 2pm to 5pm)
LEVEL 1 – On-Camera Foundations (required for all students) On-camera terminology and techniques, creating truthful moments with the camera, engaging the lens, monologue work, transferring your theatre skills to on-camera skills. (Saturday, June 9)
LEVEL 2 – On-Camera Auditioning Creating an engaging and successful on-camera audition and navigating the casting process. (Saturday, June 16)
For more information, CONTACT ME here, or download info sheet!
Intro Level | 3-hour | $65
Saturday, April 21, 2018
10am to 1pm (ages 16 and under) or 2pm to 5pm (ages 17 and over)
2324 Marconi Blvd, St. Louis 63110 (free parking!)
- Reservation & deposit required -
In this 3-hour workshop, we will explore the basic elements to truthful, engaging and emotionally full on-camera acting. We will look at what it takes to not only effectively act for the camera, but in particular, how to audition for the camera, whether you self-tape or have an opportunity to be in the room with casting agents, directors or producers. By focusing on the audition process, you will gain an understanding of some basic camera techniques expected of you in the bigger markets of Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, and how to present your skills effectively and successfully when auditioning. For actors looking to increase their bookings while here in St. Louis, and especially for those wondering what it takes to succeed in the larger markets, this will be an invaluable opportunity to learn from someone who has been a working actor in London, New York and Los Angeles for over 30 years.
Visit my Contact page to reserve your spot now!
Download PDF with full information
Performance runs 1/17/2018 to 2/4/2018. Excellent new play by a young Chicago playwright. Edgy and thought provoking theatre.
Its been a great run, but all good things must come to an end."
"Which brings us to Michael James Reed as the latest Claudius. There's something in his performance (and in Mr. Barnes' direction) that's invisibly clever and menacing and suspicious, which gleefully unbundles itself in our heads as his performance proceeds. (Although, in 2013's Entertaining Mr. Sloane, Mr. Reed was even more coarsely menacing.) Here, in self-consciously grand gold brocade, like a monarch who must remind everyone he is a legitimate ruler, Mr. Reed is also the great clockwork of conspiracy—and Hamlet the impetuous, feisty little mouse that runs up inside to wreak havoc. Intermission comes at the precise moment when an outraged Claudius stops the play-within-the-play, exposing his guilt." - Richard Green, Talkin' Broadway.
Hamlet & Claudius get into a little Twitter feud. Ok, ok, he wins (kind of) in the end but it was fun!
http://www.repstl.org/news/detail/hamlet-and-claudius-had-themselves-a-twitter-feud
Just shot another episode of "Chicago P.D." This time, not such a nice guy. Look for me around the end of October in episode 5 of the season.
