Sol Acting Blog
Heidi Swedberg and Laura Mathis rocking out!
I may be the worlds worst musician..and that’s okay! I still love to play anything I can get my hands on, and often noodle with the harmonica, banjo, and other random toys. So when Heidi Swedberg ( most known for her role of Susan in Seinfeld) approached me to offer a Ukulele workshop at Sol, I was thrilled! ( On a “Small World” side note, Elaine Pope ( my pal) was a writer on Seinfeld for many seasons, and Heidi knows Elaine!) Anyway, we had over 20 people show up, our youngest student was around 5 months old, oldest around 60 years old. Within moments , we were all playing real songs on the Ukulele! It was really a blast, and I enjoyed being a student for a change instead of the Instructor. I think its important to make time to be a student. And guess what? This morning, in my hammock, with my dog Hoss, I played Kookabura, by heart, and it actually sounded really good!! Heidi is a teacher from my own heart, passionate, funny, and very supportive. If you missed the workshop, Heidi will be back in October, so keep checking the website! Play on!
HEY FRIENDS AND FANS OF SOL- Please vote for Sol Acting Academy in Albuquerque the Magazine’s “Best of the City” Awards! Just follow this link: http://www.abqthemag.com/bestofsurvey2010a.php and type in Sol Acting Academy for “Best Kids Classes” and “Best Summer Camp.” Also, for “Best Category We Left Out” please write in: “Best Acting Coach: Laura Mathis”. Its fun to do and super easy! If Sol Acting wins in any of the catagories, we will have a POOL PARTY with food and refreshments for anyone who voted for us! Awesome!
Attention Improvers!!!
Sol Acting Academy is seeking experienced improvisation performers and will be holding auditions on July 23 and 24, 2010. Please respond if interested in performing in improv shows along with other talented actors. The group will be performing short-form, “Whose Line is it Anyway” type games in its shows, and those wanting to audition should at least be familiar with this style of improv. Must be 21 or older to audition.
To reserve an audition time, contact Sol Acting Academy at: info@solacting.com, and type Improv Auditions in the Subject Line. Audition times are Fri July 23 from 2 pm- 6 pm, and Sat July 24 from
11 am – 3 pm. Audition will consist of group auditions playing various games and exercises. Please state in your email
1) Your full name
2) Your email address and phone number
3) The day you wish to audition, or you can state “ either day” if you are open both days
Please do not call Sol Acting Academy to book your audition. Your email will be returned with your booked audition time, studio location, and all necessary information. We ask that all Improvisers please bring a headshot (or updated photo) and an actor’s resume to the audition.
Sol Acting Academy will be featured on 770KKOB this Saturday morning, May 15, with all the info on our upcoming FREE 3 Silliest Faces in 3 Seconds contest to win a Summer Acting Camp, valued up to $300! Listen live, or listen by clicking on www.770KKOB.com. We are set to go on from approximately 8: 19 am- 8: 29 am, so tune in around 8: 1o or so!
Sol Acting Academy of Albuquerque, New Mexico presents,
3 Silliest Faces in 3 Seconds Contest!
Contest
Start Date: Wednesday, 5-5-10
End Date: Friday, 5-28-10
Open: Ages 3-18, Parents are responsible for entering their children under 13.
Who: Albuquerque, NM locals
Winner: The video with the most views by the end of the contest will be the winner. Multiple views by the same person IS permitted. Be sure to send the link to your video to all of your friends and family and tell them to watch so that you will win!
Prize: Summer Acting Camp at Sol Acting Academy valued at up to $300.
——————————————————
How to Enter
1.Watch “Laura’s 3 Silliest Faces in 3 Seconds” on www.youtube.com/solacting .
2. Upload your 3 Silliest Faces in 3 Seconds video to your YouTube account. Videos should not be longer than 10 seconds and your 3 silliest faces should be made in as close to 3 seconds as possible.
3. Title your video using your “FIRST NAME” ONLY, followed by “Sol Acting Academy 3 Silliest Faces in 3 Seconds”. See Laura’s video on the Sol Acting Academy Channel at www.youtube.com/solacting for an example.
4. Visit the Sol Acting Academy Channel at http://www.youtube.com/solacting and click the yellow subscribe button.
5. Send Sol Acting a message from your YouTube account that includes the entrant’s:
*Full Name
*Phone Number
*Email
*Age
*Attach your “3 Silliest Faces in 3 Seconds Video”
* Send Sol Acting Academy your message
6. Share your video with your friends and family! The video with the most views by the end of the contest will win! Multiple views by the same person IS permitted.
7. Received videos will be uploaded regularly and listed on the Sol Acting Academy Channel at www.youtube.com/solacting under the Playlist, “3 Silliest Faces in 3 Seconds.”
8. The winning video will be revealed on homepage Sol Acting Academy’s Channel Saturday, 5-29-10. Winner will be notified the same day by Laura Mathis using the contact information you sent when submitting your video.
*Need help creating an account, uploading your video on YouTube and sending your message? Go to
http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/topic.py?topic=16546
Sol Acting Academy was voted “ Best Acting Classes” in the Alibi’s Best of Burque 2010 issue! Thank you so much fans and friends! We are thrilled about our upcoming classes, and will continue to offer you innovative, fun, and valuable creative experiences. Yipee! Thank you to all who voted!
PARTY at the SOURCE
April 24th1-6PM
1111 Carlisle Blvd SE, ABQ, NM 87106
PERFORMANCES
GAMES
FACE PAINTING
KARAOKE
PRIZES
The first 50 guests will receive $10 off a future Private Lesson!
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!
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
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!
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.
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!
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:
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!!
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.
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?!
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
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
