Two renowned television figures, Kevin Chamberlain and Michael Gans, took the stage at AACC on Wednesday to impart valuable wisdom to aspiring entertainers. They emphasized the importance of staying true to one's personal reasons for pursuing a career in writing or acting and applying those principles during auditions and scriptwriting.

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Finding the Truth in Stories

Michael Gans opened his workshop by encouraging the audience to seek the truth within their stories. He referred to it as "finding the kernel," which should serve as the driving force behind every narrative. This concept was echoed by Kevin Chamberlain later in the evening when he quoted the late Stanford Meisner, defining acting as "being truthful under imaginary circumstances." Chamberlain emphasized that this principle applies to any role one plays, emphasizing the need to use imagination rather than relying solely on personal experiences.

During Gans' presentation, he urged the would-be writers to find confidence in their decisions when crafting stories. He shared his own 20 years of experience writing at the highest level in television, inspiring the students to take part and create their own stories.

Second-year transfer studies student Olivia Comeau presented an original idea of three siblings embarking on a treasure hunt after their father's death. The audience's suggestions added new dimensions to her characters, highlighting the power of collaboration and building on others' ideas.

Mock Auditions and Audition Tips

During the second presentation, Kevin Chamberlain, with three Tony Award nominations, conducted mock musical theater auditions. He gave pointers and shared his five rules for auditioning: Knowledge is power; less is more; embrace your quirks; be savvy; find joy in every moment.

After first-year transfer studies student Avery Camacho entered the stage with confidence and performed "The Magic Foot" from The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, Chamberlain praised his street smartness. Camacho expressed his joy on stage and his hope to play the dream role he had just auditioned for.

Mallory Owens, a dual-enrollment student, performed "If I Loved You" from Rogers and Hammerstein's Carousel, leaving Chamberlain in tears. Owens was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the workshop and learn to "let it go" and be in the moment.

The Value of Firsthand Experience

Overall, first-year undecided student Lindsey Ugiansky expressed her gratitude to the school and theater program for organizing the event. She found the firsthand experiences shared by the professionals to be extremely helpful in understanding the entertainment industry.

Attending both presentations gave Ugiansky a unique perspective on the world of entertainment. She realized the importance of staying true to one's goals and learning from those who do these things for a living.