The Josie DiVincenzo Acting Studio

Welcome to acting class. For those of you unfamiliar with an acting class, this will take you through step by step. As some of you may know, I, Judy did not go to college for theatre or acting. Since this not just raw talent, I have to find ways to learn and build on my craft. One important step is acting class. For most actors, class is something that is done throughout their careers to constantly keep their skills sharp.

Step one: Find an excellent teacher : That's where award winning, experienced actress Josie DiVincenzo comes in.

ARTIE WINNER 2014: Outstanding Actress in a Play

BEST of WESTERN NEW YORK 2014: Best Actress 48Hr. FILM FESTIVAL, 2015: Best Actress

Her classes are offered at Kenmore Presbyterian Church, 2771 Delaware Avenue Kenmore, NY 14217. Our class had 7 students which is good because it gives you more chances to stand in front of class and show off your stuff.

Step two : Find a class she offers : I choose her 6-week on-camera workshop which on-camera audition techniques, demystifying the casting room, scene work, finding the writer's clues into character, talking to each other in the scene, script analysis, various camera angles, hitting your marks, set life and more! Sounds like fun huh? Let's Go!

Step three: The class itself: The first class was an 'audition' class. So as if this was an actual audition, we received sides (or pages of script) to prepare. Hey we had homework before we even started! We all received the same sides which means the same lines for the same character. It was purposely considerably small with seemingly little information. We all showed up the first day, 'signed in' as if we were at an actual audition and waited in the hall until our name was called. When called, you entered the audition room, greeted the 'casting director', and the on camera audition commenced.

Once finished, you went back to the hall until everyone was finished and the actual class began. (After an actual audition, the actor would just leave). When we returned to class, we were able to watch everyone's audition to see how other actors interpreted the script. This exercise was followed by 'cold readings': auditioning with scripts you, as an actor, have never seen before. More or less, on the spot training.

For the second class and third classes, we were given individual sides appropriate for us personally. If you haven't noticed by now, the roles I usually get are 'mom' roles. My side was as follows:

Judy: THE GUN RUNNER BILLY KANE” [SARAH HAWKINS] An unemployed legal secretary who becomes Billy’s first test subject for brain-speed increase. Sarah is a tough, mother of one. A scrapper suddenly faced with unemployment, she is willing to do the “experiment” for money... **TAKE IT UP TO SARAH'S LINE: "Right now I’m updating on current software for several applications dealing with surveillance equipment used by our government." **

​​​Josie gave adjustments as a director would do along with helpful acting tips and instruction. We worked on the adjustments and then returned the next week, our third class, for our 'callbacks'.

The fourth class dealt with more business aspects including what really happens in the casting room, various camera angles, set life, head shots, resume's etc. Josie's experience and expertise was beautiful and extremely helpful because she actually has been in all these situations. She offered poignant advise, answered our questions and reviewed our head shots and resumes.

The fifth and sixth class were the culmination of everything we learned. We got the part and were 'casted' in the show! We again received sides but this time we would have a scene partner. So we learned our sides at home, came to the 'studio' ready to film the show with our scene partner. Again, we were guided along the way by our director Josie and we able to review our final product. All in all, the class was very informative , worth while and I felt I have grown as an actor. Pretty good for a 6 week course!

Oh yeah, during our last week, our class received an unexpected surprise. Mike Randall of Channel 7 WKBW wanted to showcase Josie and her classes on their magazine show 'The Now'. He came, camera in hand,interviewed Josie and filmed my scene! I made the big time now! Thank you to Mike Randall for his coverage and giving us the opportunity to show pictures from our class.

My next class with Josie? Well I'm looking into Musical Theatre!

For more on Josie and her classes, visit her website where you can also view her reel.

https://www.josiedivincenzo.com/