Sol Acting Blog

Posted February 5th, 2010 at 12:08 am by Laura

Just another day on set, hanging out with Bill Murray and Mickey Rourke! Yup, that’s right. I was on set on Monday, and was cast as a Waitress in Passion Play, starring Bill Murray, Mickey Rourke and Megan Fox. I truly felt honored to be with Bill Murray and Mickey Rourke as their waitress in the scene we were shooting, and was able to chit chat with Bill in between takes. He is hilarious!  What a great cast and crew on Passion Play!  It was amazing to listen to Mickey and Billy shape and improvise the scene, and make it their own. The production plans to wrap this week, and I hope we see more of this A List talent here in Albuquerque in the future!

Posted January 7th, 2010 at 6:34 pm by Laura

Energetic Teacher    Sol Acting Academy    Albuquerque, NM

 Must be high energy, outgoing and creative to lead games, improv, play rehearsal, and more. Candidates must be available to teach classes between (but not all) the hours of Mon-Fri 2:30-5:30pm. Opportunity for longer hours for Summer classes are there for the right fit. Prefer teaching experience but Sol Acting will provide extensive training on classes once you are hired. A happy face, punctuality and flexibility ARE required. You must be able to pass a background/fingerprint check.

If you or someone you know is a fit – let us hear from you. Interviews start Tuesday, Jan 12th, Saturday, Jan 16th and Sunday, January 17th. Email prior to dates please and allow for a fun 30 minute meeting with Laura.

 Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!  Sol Acting Academy and @solacting

 Sol Acting Academy

Laura Mathis

505-206-7707

lauramathis@solacting.com

Posted December 3rd, 2009 at 4:04 pm by Laura

Laura Mathis, Owner of Sol Acting Academy, was voted ” Best Acting Coach” in Albuquerque the Magazines “Best of the City” Awards! Thank you to everyone who voted!

Also, there is still room in our Winter Break Acting camp for ages 6-11…Join the fun and enroll now! The kids will have a blast!

Posted October 23rd, 2009 at 2:32 pm by Laura

Come join us for a super fun FREE Dress up Event,  Sunday, October 25th 2009 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Hinkle Family Fun Center

 SOL ACTING ACADEMY is “Dressing Up and Playing the Part” at this year’s 10th Annual Hinkle Family Fun Center Fall Festival where any kid in a costume gets free admission to the Fun Center.

Catch Laura as The Queen of Hearts and her cohort, The 6 Foot High Giant Cockroach, at Hinkle Family Fun Center from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Sol Acting Academy will have a booth on the miniature golf course to hand out candy and have kids participate in a GRAND PRIZE drawing for a FREE Four Day Winter Break Acting Camp (valued at $200)! Winter Break Acting Camp starts on December 28th. Additional drawings are for 50% off a private acting lesson that can include teaching you how to audition and get the part for film, theatre and more!

SOL ACTING ACADEMY was founded in 2009 and is taught by successful writer, actor and director, Laura Mathis. Laura, who was the star of television series “Distant Roads,” has been in numerous commercials and award winning films, and has done extensive voice-over work for Yahoo and Whole Foods.

For more information on Sol Acting Academy, please contact Laura Mathis at 505-206-7707.

Posted September 14th, 2009 at 8:44 pm by Laura

There are still spots left in our Fall classes!! Popluar favorites so far seem to be Imagination for the Sol and Little Broadway ( classes for kids 3-6 ) that use songs, costumes, dance and stories to be creative and work and play with other creative kids!

Our Drama and Spanish class for ages 4-8 also proves to be amazing class, and so valuable for kids!!

For our Fans on the West side, we have two great classes at the Taylor Ranch Community Center, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These are discounted classes, as they are shorter in length. What a great excuse to get involved and sign up!

Harwood will also host two neat classes for both 3-6 and 12-18…a great space for great classes. Drop the kids off and relax in Old Town!

We are also offering amazing classes for teens on Saturdays and Sundays at Healing Gate, in Nob Hill.

And finally, Adults have heard the buzz about Sol Acting Academys Acting 101 for Film, and the class is filling! Learn all the basics, and be ready to have a blast on camera and fill up your creative side!

All of the above classes currently still have openings….enroll now to reserve your spot!

Posted August 30th, 2009 at 10:41 pm by Laura

Please take the time to vote for Sol Acting Academy for the Best of Albuquerque in the categories of:

Best Classes for Kids
and
Best Summer Camp

And vote for Laura Mathis as best business owner in Albuquerque!

Just follow the link below and fill in the form:

 http://www.abqthemag.com/bestofsurvey2009.php

Posted July 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 am by Laura

THE FILLING STATION

presents

 

Summer

SOL-O FEST

8 hot solo pieces performed over 1 cool weekend

at

The Filling Station, 1024 4th St. SW

July 25th & 26th at 2pm & 6pm

$10/show – $18/festival pass –air conditioning included!

Reservations: (505) 243-0596

For program schedules, visit: www.fillingstationabq.com

 

I will be performing in Program 1, which is Saturday July 25 at 2 pm, and Sunday July 26 at 6 pm.  I will be performing a musical Parody song, in the most ridiculous cowgirl outfit my mind could imagine. You gotta see it to believe it!  If you truly want to help support local artists, you can print this page, and write “Laura”  on it.  Every person that arrives with a flyer with my name on it helps save the world ( well, okay, it helps me add to my costumes, facepaints, camera equipment, and all the good stuff that makes a successful Acting School  get bigger and better every day! )  Hope to see y’all there!!

Posted July 8th, 2009 at 7:53 pm by Laura

Many people ask me about Extra Work- How to find it, what kind of past experience do you need, and what to expect on set.  Stay tuned for a great class in the fall about Extra Work, but in the meantime, here are some suggestions:

1) Even if you don’t have much ( or any!) past experience on camera, go ahead and create an actors resume.  Also, if you just can’t afford professional headshots, or don’t plan on investing much money into acting, have someone take a close up picture of you.  A headshot and resume are very valuable to an Extra Casting Agency, or at an Open Call for Extra’s.

2) Get a wardrobe together.  Often, when called to set, you will be asked to supply a lot of wardrobe choices.  Be sure to stick to muted jewel tones, unless you are told otherwise.  In general, stay away from white, busy patterns, bright colors and logos.  Be sure your clothes are clean, pressed, and you have lots of options!

3) Know where you are going ahead of time.  You will need plenty of time to park, catch a shuttle to Extras Holding, and check in with your contact for the day.  Plan to be at least 15 minutes early!

4) Listen carefully.  Be on your best behaviour.  If you ever need to run to the bathroom, be sure to tell your contact for the day.  It never fails…the second you think you have time to run to the bathroom, its always time to shoot!

5) Have fun!  Bring business cards to keep in contact with other Actors.  A day on set is a great way to network, and chat with other Extras about the Biz!

For more info on Film Acting, stay tuned for our Fall lineup of On Camera Classes, like How to be the Perfect Extra, Audition Technique for the Camera, and Film Acting Technique for Commercials.

Posted June 23rd, 2009 at 4:50 pm by Laura

I am proud to say I am currently teaching Drama and Acting classes for two very cool local communites in Albuquerque this summer- La Petite  Academy and the First Baptist Church of Albuquerque!   They both understand how valuable Drama is for kids, and the power of Imaginative Play and Creative Exploration.   If you know of any organizations that  you belong to that would like me to swing by for a Drama Workshop, let me know!   I am thrilled to get to know the community, and work together to offer kids a chance to get up on their feet and play!   A basic example of the activities we offer can range from hilarious Improvisation Comedy games, working with plays and Real movie scripts, using silly giant props, face painting, balloon animals, magic tricks, singing and dancing, and taping our very own commercials and watching how awesome we look on camera!   I am especially excited about the Magic Tricks…this is a new addition to my already very random skills set!   This week I am teaching myself  1)  How to Turn a deck of cards into the same suit and number   2)  How to make a ball shoot through solid cups   3)  How to make coins appear and disappear   4)  How to transform a penny into a dime.     This is my homework for this week.    Have I mentioned lately how much I love my job?!

Posted June 7th, 2009 at 9:17 pm by Laura

Check out this great article written about Sol Acting Academy’s founder, Laura Mathis and her experiences on Canadian television.
There is also a very cute picture of Laura’s Saint Bernard puppy, Hoss!
Albuquerque The Magazine Article

Posted May 25th, 2009 at 10:29 pm by Laura

Let your Sol Shine!!!

Sol Acting Academy Invites you to their Grand Opening!

May 28, 2009

Brand new Acting and Drama School Opening in Albuquerque!  Give your kids something fun and creative to do this summer.  Sol Acting Academy is a fun, supportive Acting School for kids ages 3-18.  Drama gives kids the chance to develop self esteem , public speaking skills,  and have a blast being the Star of the Show!  Weekly acting camps in Stage Acting, Acting for Movies and Commercials,  Improvisation and Comedy Writing.  The camps are taught by energetic, highly trained and caring teachers that inspire your child to let their creative and dramatic side out to play!  

 

Please join us as our guest at our studio for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday May 28 at Healing Gate, 3212 Monte Vista Blvd ( a few blocks from UNM) from 5:30-7:30 pm.  Come by to meet the teachers, play some games, and enjoy complementary snacks and refreshments.  Let your Sol Shine this summer!  For more info on Sol Acting Academy, log on to www.solacting.com, or call (505) 206 7707.

 

 

 

Also, we are in full swing for summer camp registrations! For those of you who have already signed up in the past, or for this summer, THANK YOU!  We can’t wait to get started and have a great time exploring Drama, Acting, Games and Laughter!  For those of you who are new to Sol Acting Academy, we offer a wide variety of classes for Kids ages 3- 18, Adult Acting Classes, and Private Lessons.

 

Please swing by the Ribbon Cutting to say hello, and be a part of this wonderful world of Drama and Creative Expression!

 

We look forward to seeing you this summer!

 

Laura Mathis