If you’ve ever dreamed about becoming a movie star, Fairmount Center for the Arts is offering a chance to learn from professionals.
If you’ve ever dreamed about becoming a movie star, Fairmount Center for the Arts is offering a chance to learn from professionals.
Veteran directors Julie Matthews and Debi Lewin are breaking new ground at the center in Russell Township with a class called, “On Camera Training for Young Actors and Singers,” from 4:30-6 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 2 to March 16.
The pre-professional program offers actors and singers ages 8 and above the opportunity to develop on-camera skills needed for commercials, television, film and vocal performance taught by Matthews, an experienced on-screen actor, director, producer and feature film casting director; and Lewin, a professional vocalist and musical productions director.
“It is the first time we have offered this class at Fairmount Center for the Arts and we’re very excited to bring it to the community,” FCFA Executive Director Elizabeth Bolander said. “Fairmount has a legacy of more than 40 years offering youth theatre productions. We’re excited to bring this new experience for students who are looking for a pre-professional theatre experience focused on acting for the screen.”
Whether you are interested in exploring your abilities or auditioning for shows like “The Voice,” “Stranger Things” or regional movie opportunities, the class is structured to teach you to present yourself like a professional.
Students will also have an opportunity to register for an optional professional production studio field trip to make a promotional demo for their electronic press kit.
Both instructors have impressive resumes of working on stage and behind the cameras.
Matthews studied acting at the famed Actor’s Studio in New York with Lee Strasberg, and her first film was in Cleveland, where she did casting for “A Christmas Story.”
She’s been featured on “60 Minutes” and recognized for her ability to direct screen tests for actors, and currently performs with The PopTarts, a tribute band to 60s girl groups in Cleveland.
“Although I have 40-plus years of experience in front of the camera, I am really good at coaching kids,” Matthews said. “I have a talent for it. I’ve been teaching youth theatre and on-camera acting since 1983 … 40 years. I’m tough on them, but they seem to really appreciate it and they walk away with confidence in themselves that not just any teacher or class can provide. Yes, it is a very gratifying experience, especially when a kid ‘gets it.’”
Matthews and she and Lewin pull from their experience and connections to help their students succeed.
“We have connections from being in show business for so long that we have the ability to move them forward in their career if that is what they want,” Matthews said, adding some students take the training for fun and confidence-building, while others want to do it as a career.
“We have secured roles (for kids we’ve worked with and discovered) on Broadway, in commercials, in movies and television,” Matthews said. “We prepare them with the materials they need to secure auditions and work in the business with coaching, headshots, recording studio demos and video demos.”
In 2014, the duo discovered 19-year-old Kaley Ann Vorhees from Aurora.
“We secured for her the audition that led to her being cast in the leading role in ‘Phantom of the Opera’ on Broadway,” Matthews said.
Vorhees played Christine for five years at the Majestic Theatre in New York.
“We negotiated her contract, secured an agent for her and managed her for the entire five years she was under contract with Hal Prince and Andrew Lloyd Weber,” she said. “(A) girl from Aurora with no experience lands a leading role on Broadway? Yes. Julie and Debi get this done.”
Lewin has 40-plus years of experience in show business as a professional singer, dancer, manager, vocal coach, show and studio producer.
“Moving from genre to genre and singing in four languages proudly makes me a unique teacher and the most versatile of vocalists,” said Lewin, who has performed in Las Vegas as Wayne Newton’s backup singer and done background vocals for Lou Gramm of “Foreigner,” Lou Christie, Mitch Ryder, Southside Johnny, Martha Reeves, Beau Coup, Michael Stanley and others.
She currently performs with a Pink Floyd tribute band called “Wish You Were Here.”
One of Lewin’s proudest achievements was helping to discover Vorhees.
“Kaley is a dream come true success story,” Lewin said.
Both directors are looking for their next big talents.
“There are many wonderful theater-based programs in our area, but we focus on the whole package of what it takes to even have a chance to become a successful actor and or singer,” Lewin said. “You feel you have the talent, so now what do you do with it? In our class, you will be given many tools that will help you on your journey to making it in a very competitive, difficult-to-get-into business. The difference between our class and others out there is that ‘we know things,’ and by the way, this is where it all started for me, The Fairmount Center.
“My goal for this new class is to help you to become the star that you are and this requires more than just opening your mouth to sing or act,” she continued. “I believe I am a very encouraging teacher for singers who want to perform on TV or on the biggest, or smallest, stages in the world and we have fun. Hope to see you in class.”
