The Actors Gym is based on a simple concept:
"That the artist, whether actor, writer or director flourishes best when he is given the opportunity to work, consistently in front of a live audience." I wanted a place to work on the craft with fellow artist and not be charged hundreds of dollars a month. A twofold responsibility was developed to make the Actor's Gym a working concept:
A.) The art
ist's responsibility is to use his/her stage-time to grow in whichever way the artist decides he needs to grow. If he chooses to hear a critique from the audience, his responsibility then becomes to listen without rebuff and also choose to use whatever, if anything, he may benefit by from the critique.* The artist should never lose sight of the first goal of The Actor's Gym which is "TO WORK, TO PERFORM, TO GROW" There is a place for intelligent discourse and argument in the growth of the artist, but The Actor's Gym IS NOT THAT PLACE. The audience has a responsibility to critique in an honest, sensitive and constructive manner They should suggest an opinion that may be helpful to their fellow artist and NEVER say a certain piece didn't work without suggesting a course of action leading to a finer piece of work. Personal comments, conflict or egotistical outburst will not be tolerated. The Actor's Gym will convene at 7:00pm on ( Scheduled) Evenings. From 7:00 — 7:15 a working schedule for the evening will be secured. If you come late, please expect to work late. Cold readings will have a six minute stage allotment. If you do a cold reading, it is useless unless you place yourself in a casting situation. Prepared scenes have a fifteen minute stage allotment. Scenes that warrant longer stage time, by virtue of work invested, will always be arranged. Let the Artistic Director or the scheduling superviser know in advance. There are writers in The Actor's Gym who at various times need extra stage time. This should also be arranged in advance. The growth of the Actor's Gym will warrant how tightly we adhere to these time rules. I urge all at the Gym to remember that cold reading, as important as they are in the " Business" of acting, ( the getting of jobs, that is) have nothing whatsoever to do with the craft of acting; which is presumably why we are actors--- To perform the craft as it should be performed: slowly, carefully, thoughtfully, living with a script over a long period of time and then, with a director bring the written word to life in front of a live audience in a theatrical atmosphere. At the Actor's Gym we have this opportunity available at all times. You are cheating yourself if you do not make use of it. Just as when one is in the real gym working with 100 lb. becomes a cinch. So does sweating over Tennessee Williams or David Mamet, makes working on any television script in existence a cinch. The Actor's Gym will be in the process of putting together a production schedule, (Readings, Showcase, Etc.) It is important to note that all casting for shows will be done out of The Actor's Gym whenever possible. Any casting in shows is extracurricular. My responsibility to you as Artistic Director of the Actor's Gym is to be there and provide you and myself a healthy, growing atmosphere to work in. The Actor's Gym is not a school or a class. It is a group of artists with a common goal, which is to sharpen our abilities and improve our craft PERIOD. It is a creative space that allows the artist to work in front of an audience/camera. Being a part of The Actor's Gym means showing up each week and working, and working, and working. Sincerley,
Chad A. Baker
Artistic Director
*Critiques are always optional. The Actor's Gym is about what happens on stage, not what is said afterwards.
