Masters Studio Open House: Acting & Writing | Storytelling & Stand Up | Mastering the Audition

On January 7, 2023 we will host our first of many Masters Studio Open House Sessions with our instructors Mark Riccadonna and Marc Kaye. During the Open House, we will help you understand the upcoming classes being offered, do some interactive workshopping, and get to know each other! Meet and greet will be followed by a variety show!

The three classes for this Winter Session are: (1) Acting & Writing, (2) Effective Storytelling & Stand Up Comedy, (3) Mastering the Audition.  Take as many classes as you'd like! Bundle packages available | Pricing will be announced at Open House

Acting & Writing Course | For today’s actor or writer – whether on the stage already or planning to be!

Explore different techniques and find those that work for you while learning to trust and work with the gut  reactions in the moment as your character.

• Learn to prepare to act in a relaxed and truthful way.

• Discover the basics of breaking down a scene beat by beat and start creating a character on paper. 

• Find the true motivation to move the story forward and remain true to you, your character and the script. 

• Create a character, including clues and decisions to help and place them in the circumstances to allow you to

make the best choices to stay in the moment and allow you to be the best storyteller you can be.  

• Figure out what works for the actor and techniques to make adjustments in an instant, learning to check in on  yourself and getting back into the scene.

Effective Storytelling & Stand Up Comedy | For anyone where influence is key!

• Learn how to tell a compelling and funny story that will help with making points in a smart funny way. 

• Understand different techniques through various delivery methods including stand up comedy, pitch meetings or  business presentations.

• Identify and learn to incorporate specific techniques such as finding facts, losing the fat, finding humor and  points of view in telling your story.

Mastering the Audition | For those looking to approach auditions with confidence, clarity and success!

• Find your strengths and weaknesses and how to use them to make you stand out in the auditioning room. 

• Learn to make choices that gain attention while being flexible when asked to change your choices.  

• Master the cold reading (on and off camera),

• Understand and learn to leverage the 24-hour script analysis.

• Prepare for both commercial reads and legit reads

• Become familiar with and prepared for theatre vs film techniques

• Learn to "show" to the camera

About Our Instructors:

Mark Riccadonna moved to NYC in search of himself and happiness. He pursued Theatre at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, joining "The Company" after graduation. Soon after, Mark stumbled upon Stand-Up Comedy and found success as a storyteller, performing throughout New York City and 'on the road.' Mark also performs for Armed Forces Entertainment and has entertained U.S. and U.N. troops worldwide. Outside of comedy, Mark is an accomplished actor, writer, and even director. Most recently, Mark has a lead role in the feature film "Days of Power," played Cooler in “Un$uited,” and was a contributing writer for Saturday Night Live's “Weekend Update,” Columnist and Travel writer for "Todays Man" Magazine, Wrote and Directed “Radio Gods” television Pilot, starred in “Game Night” been seen on AXS TV’s “Live at Gotham,” FOX's “Laughs,” heard on Sirius XM and Bob and Tom, and also has a hit Podcast “Drinks Jokes and Storytelling.” Whether he is working with The Amoralists Theatre Company (In the acclaimed hit "Happy in the Poor House"), Angry Shih Tzu Productions, Theatre 68, or on tour with Stand-Up, Mark continues to climb the ranks. He is a gifted storyteller, with a charisma that makes you feel like you’ve known him forever, unique delivery, signature voice (that has landed him several commercials), and likability; you will see why he is a favorite at clubs and theatres everywhere. Mark’s latest albums “Drinks Jokes and Storytelling,” "If Tom Brady," & "It’s All Downhill from Here" is currently available through Realize Records and can be heard on Sirius/XM. In addition, Mark has performed on such diverse shows as "Monsters of Rock Cruise" to "Disney Cruiselines."

"He is fabulous... The hardest part was following him every night. He is such a great comedian. "- Elayne Boosler, Comedian & Writer.

“I have worked with Mark for years at Laughing Skull Lounge and on the road. I recommend him to be booked for any spot in the line-up: from host to headliner. Mark is funny, professional, and reliable.”- Marshall Chilles, Founder of The Laughing Skull Club and Festival.

"The reason I like Mark is he knows How To deliver humor and be clean similar to Jerry Seinfeld, unlike a lot of comics today who think you have to be dirty to get laughs"- Richard Tienken, Owner of Comic Strip Live NYC.

"Mark Riccadonna is smart, funny, authentic, and insanely creative. What more could anyone want in a comedian?"- Paul Provenza, Writer/Producer/Director/TV Host

markriccadonna.com

Realize Studios

Angry Shih Tzu Productions

Marc Kaye has been a regular on the comedy circuit spinning tales of growing up differently, navigating fatherhood, marriage…then divorce and dating… strange looks while traveling, and even stranger thoughts when not distracted!

Marc has performed nationally in clubs and venues, often finding that no real regional differences can be overcome with humor. In addition, he has spoken at fundraisers, corporate conferences, and private events on topics ranging from marketing on through the hidden superpower of rejection!

An avid writer and musician, Marc has also developed several scripts, songs, three web series, and numerous articles and has written and trained for Fortune 500 Companies.

His solo comedy recording, “I’m a Good Dad” was just released and picked up by Sirius Satellite Radio., (Realize Records). Marc’s comedy has also recently been featured on the compilation, “Essential AF Comedy Vol 2 – Men All Pause” (http://www.realizerecords.com/album/essential-af-comedy-vol-2-the-men-all-pause/), available on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon.

His co-written play “Laws of Motion” was selected for the 2020 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and his articles have been featured in several publications such as Working Mother, Chutzpah Magazine and Stage Time. In addition, he has held Global Marketing, Business, and Innovation roles with Fortune 100 Companies with an emphasis on Marketing

Marc has also recently completed a collection of humorous and poignant essays entitled “A is for Awkward: and Other Reflections on Belonging”. He has two other books that are currently being completed: “Out of Office”, based on humorous out-of-office messages that created and obtained a viral following for at his corporate job, and “The Adventures of Marco Solo” about life lessons gained while backpacking solo as the oldest dude in the youth hostel.

He is the co-founder of VitalConex (www.vitalconex.com) a connect and create company that combines the discipline of marketing and organizational psychology and the creativity of humor and improv to help teams create, train, develop content and drive strategic planning in a new, more effective way.

Marc holds a B.S. in Biology and Psychology from Binghamton University and an M.B.A in Marketing from The Fox School of Business at Temple University. He is working toward his degree in parenthood….slowly!

marckayetoday.com

Classes will begin in February (dates to be announced at a later time). Register for at least one class at the open house and you will receive (1) $50 your registration fee (2) Backstage access to The Royal Comedy Show on January 20 w/ a Q&A with our comics (3) A Free Ticket to any show at The Royal in 2023. Must be 18 or older to register.

Food Provided | Beer for sale by The Ways Restaurant & Brewery | Information on parking can be found at theroyalglenside.com/faq | RSVP TODAY!