The Journey Begins...

The Top 10 Things I Learned in College as a Theatre Artist

10. Stay true to you
  9. Invest in all you do
  8. Take a risk or two
  7. The safe choice is poo
  6. Work on your material both old and new
  5. The hard times will pass through
  4. Prep for your interview  

  3. Memorize your sides and cue

  2. Say "thank you" to the cast and crew

  1. Always expand your world view

I am psyched that I now have a BFA in Theatre Performance! I really got to enhance and strengthen my craft at TheatreVCU--an incredible program to really be proud of. Highlights along my journey include (but defiantly aren't limited to) Josh Chenard's Chekhov teachings and life lessons, Janet Rogers inspiring Archetypes class, Dr. T's transformative Actors Studio, Paul Valleys joy for language and human behavior studies, Patti D'Becks musical theatre magic, Lorri/Barry's mentorship, the list can go on! Our grad students were also wonderful. I give TheatreVCU:

The journey is the most exciting part of life as an artist, and my journey is just beginning. Hats off to my talented friends and graduates! Thank you to my beautiful parents for getting me here. Cheers to my friends and amazing support group. I am living the American Dream!

Congratulations to the VCU Class of 2011! We did it!

"SPIN" - On The Set

This last weekend I wrapped a short filmed for Silent Code Features called "SPIN", written and directed by Michul Aboudib. I got to play a 15 year old enthusiastic, young eager boy named Miguelito. "SPIN" is about a young journalist in Italy that faces unexpected obstacles once he’s offered his huge break. The cool thing about the scenes shot with my character (the first bit of the film) is that it's all done in one, consecutive shot without cutting. This style is similar to older movie making before cuts, continuations, and edits were really in. This proved to be a fun challenge as I got to deal with lots of movement/choreography and had to really nail the timing in this piece. It will be submitted to various film festivals in Washington, DC, so stay tuned for more coming soon (including some pics/stills to be blogged by yours truly even sooner!!!)!!

Guest Artist for Fairfax County...

"Be yourself, everyone else is taken." -Oscar Wilde

What a busy time it's been racing to the finish line known as gRadUatIon!!
I've been spending most of my time in the DC area as Guest Artist at various high school theaters for Fairfax County Public Schools. This gives me the great opportunity to jump-in for FCPS teachers and work with students across the county. I've really enjoyed doing scene work, improv, and really communicating the importance and simplicity of honesty in acting. When young actors through tools and exercises that I share lose their "stage voice" and actually genuinely speak, they are in shock--they've discovered acting and really living in an imaginary moment. They're connected and understand how specifics, simplicity, and subtly drive a scene and most importantly, tell a story. These revelations are rewarding and whether these young artists are going to be old artists one day, they're getting to know themselves.

"The value of identity of course is that so often with it comes purpose." 

~Richard Grant

It's Almost Over!! Senior Year Update...

HI FRIENDS! 

It's senior year, last semester, I graduate May 21 from VCU School of the Arts with my BFA in Theatre Performance!! This semester has been crazy! I did two showcases with my school via Actors Connection in both LA and NYC, which were both so fun! I LOVE L.A. but I think I've found my nitch in NYC to start. I also did SETC in Atlanta and UPTA in Memphis--meaning lots of good food, people, and theatre.

Now that travelings mostly over, I've gotten some job offers and will be at Opera: New Jersey working as the Assistant to the Artistic Director for the summer in Princeton, NJ.  I'm going to head to NYC either by this August or next summer if I choose to take a year and do the DC Theatre scene (time will tell!).

Other than that, my production company, Moonlit Wings Productions, will be doing 4 childrens theatre musicals this summer in the DC area which I'll be managing via-Skype (new & exciting technology, woah!) as I'll be in NJ. It's the all new "CAMP DRAMA", a new and improved Moonlit Wings Summer Stock Extravaganza! Oo and exciting--hopefully I'm going for two weeks back to Lebanon (my homeland!!!) in August to visit relatives and dive into some foreign culture and art there.  The last time I went was in 2009, the summer BEFORE I did the SpringboardNYC program with the American Theatre Wing, so this trip will be a different experience.

I spend the rest of my moments smiling although I have to sometimes remind myself that I'm doing what I love, and am so lucky for it! And I'm lucky for your support (as you're reading this)!

Stay in touch with me! Visit my site at www.walidchaya.com to

Email it,
    facebook it,
tweet it,
     Just do it!!

Always,

Walid Chaya

SETC - Theatre takes over Atlanta!

Actors, directors, technicians, and artists from all over the East Coast attended the Southeastern Theatre Conference, better known as "SETC" from March 2-6 at the Hilton Hotel in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia. This conference is similar to UPTA, but is even larger, with more theatre companies represented from across the nation as well as many workshops and seminars to attend, from acting and singing to tech and theatre administration. There are also various networking mixers and nightly performances for attendees to enjoy. SETC is also a wonderful opportunity to meet new faces in the theatre, network, and make new friends.

 A Cirque performance the first night of the conference

The whole auditioning process and tech/production job interviews is very similar to how UPTA is run. Post auditions, callbacks happen and actors sign up for their second audition with various companies. For technicians and directors/arts administration personnelles, each company has a set table in which one can interview for a position with the company if they qualify for it. Following an initial interview, the company representative would then schedule a second interview, just like actors do their second audition at their callbacks. As of this last Monday, since the conference is over, companies may begin contacting those their interested to hire. TheatreVCU was well represented by both our performance and production departments in the auditions and job contact services, as well as in the design competitions, winning eight of the competitive tech design categories.

 Cast/Crew of "Overwhelmed" at the SETC 10 Min. Play Festival

L to R -- Rusty Hrabe, Mark Bailey (Writer), Walid Chaya, Meredith Kelly, Sarah Stewart (SM), Diedre Locklear

 There was also the annual 10 Minute Play-writing Festival that happens in 24-hours, which I had the opportunity to be registered for and part of as a "Director". On Wednesday night at 10pm the first night of the conference, about 20 actors audition for the 5 chosen directors. By midnight this is over and the playwrights have til 6am to write a 10-Minute play. The next morning the directors read through and cast the plays, followed by rehearsals during the afternoon. Tech happens that evening with a performance for the entire SETC conference to follow at 10pm with a feedback session from playwright, screenwriter, author, teacher, producer, Gary Garrison from the Dramatists Guild of America in NYC. As a director, it was a new and different process working with the playwright in the room, as well as with actors from different universities, and I learned a lot from the experience.

While at SETC I also got to meet two wonderful people, Cecilia and Ken from the Creative Studios of Atlanta. Having just finished the Senior Showcase in Los Angeles, it was interesting to get information on the film and TV industry in Atlanta. In L.A. many seniors asked casting directors if Atlanta or Austin, Texas would be good "stepping-stone cities" to get some experience in before coming to L.A.. While most of them suggested to dive right into the industry and move straight to L.A., Cecila and Ken shared great insight with me on the work that's happening in Atlanta and nearby cities, such as Miami, Florida and while they realize Atlanta is no-L.A., it still has a lot to offer. Many shows shoot here including Vampire Diaries, Past Life, Joyful Noise, and Army Wives just to name a few, and there's a lot of new and independent work. Cecilia talked about how Atlanta can help an actor perhaps land a role as a Daytime Player and then go off to the West Coast with a few worthy credits and connections. In any case, it was great to hear what professionals in this region had to share about the film and TV industry.

SETC provided a quick-paced, busy time to find a job, land a role, and network along the way. Thank you to April Marshall, the Show Hub, and the rest of the staff and volunteers at SETC for a few days of theatre friends and fun!

Lovin' L.A. - Lights, Camera, Action!

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! That's exactly the feel of lovely L.A. which the Theatre VCU Seniors, some Alumni, and myself traveled to for LA Actors Connection Feb. 5-12. Hosted in the heart of Universal Studios at the Universal City Hilton, the convention was just a skip away from Downtown L.A. and a hop away from North Hollywood, really putting us in the middle of the film and television industry.

L to R - Ashley Davis, Adriel Hunter, Crystal Johnson prepping for a workshop              Our audition sides for"Dexter"

At Actors Connection, we would meet up to 3 casting directors, managers, and/or directors a day, some for interviews and others for seminars. These guests worked with companies from ABC, NBC, and FOX to HBO/Showtime, Indie films, and national releases. Most casting directors would cast us in material they've provided, giving the actor 10 minutes to prepare and then share with the rest of the class and the casting director. Q&A's as well as feedback on scenes would follow and as each industry guest was different, we got to hear widespread opinions and ideas from professionals in the industry. It was our job to take what works best for us and make our own plan to guide our journey. Dallas Travers, actors advocate and head of the #1 company for marketing in Los Angeles, was a highlight in trip as she shared the truths about branding yourself as an actor and what it means to put yourself in the industry.

We learned many things at Actors Connection, from how to stay in touch with the industry guests, choosing L.A. or N.Y.C., the casting process, to having a memorable interview, being yourself, and practicing our craft through mock auditions. Many of us attending the conference imagined it to be more along the lines of auditions yet it was designed to be more of educational seminars with informative mock auditions and learning. It was still great to have connections and sessions with the industry professionals so that if we do move to L.A., we have opportunities for contacts and the search for real auditions.

 VCU Seniors and Alumni explore the city

When not in seminars or workshops, you could find us at our hot spot, the Hilton Pool & Jacuzzi. The weather was in the high 60's, low 70's and the heated pool and jacuzzi was the perfect place to relax and digest the things we've learned. The hotel being in such a prominent area, their were several opportunities to bump into renown people. One night in the jacuzzi I met the man who has the patent for creating a new camera lens that will allow a camera to shoot in 3-D. One day Jenn & Courtney met Tyrese Gibson, R&B singer and actor, in an elevator. Two nights later the Grammy's had arrived and many stars were in town and checked into the Universal City Hilton. Of course we did leave our hotel and venture into some fun restaurants and make various trips to the grocery store and the 24-hour Subway. We got to spend our free nights and the Wrap Party, featuring theatreVCU alumni living in the city, at the end of the week in Universal Studios City Walk which included great music, food, shopping, entertainers, and more. It was a fun place to be!

L to R -- Jennifer Ferguson, Courtney McCullough, Gentry Roth, Walid Chaya loungin' at the pool

I was lucky to spend a night out of the hotel with VCU alumni Ashphord Jacoway, exploring Highlands in Hollywood and networking opportunities outside of the conference. I found that meeting people is not so hard as L.A. is filled with industry folks and everyone wants to work with friendly, fun people. I also got to get a feel for a "week in the life" as Ashphord showed me where she worked, taught me about different places all over the city where auditions take place, how to use the bus and metro system, and how this all generally fits in her week. I even got to stay overnight at Ashphords place in a warehouse transformed into a very modern looking artsy apartment in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. It was good to get a feel for being and living in the city outside of what the luxurious Universal City Hilton provided.

A delicious restaurant in Beverly Hills

One day after the conference while visiting Jennifer, a family friend of mine, I had the chance to take a tour of Beverly Hills and the "Hollywood" side of the city. I also got to eat at "The Chaya" a restaurant named after me (haha, I wish!!), often featured on "Keeping up with the Kardashians". I also got to stroll the streets of "The Grove" a famous shopping center in Beverly Hills. Many celebrities shop and dine here as the strip is known as the "ultimate entertainment destination". Mario Lopez hosts NBC's "Extra", interviewing various Hollywood figures, and it shoots live from The Grove. While I was visiting he interviewed Sara Rue from "Shedding for the Wedding" followed by some of the cast from "Mr. Sunshine". I was chosen to ask an interview question and go to be featured on national TV part of the show asking Rue what motivates her. This being my last day in L.A., it was defiantly the fun "cherry-on-top".

  L to R - Sara Rue, Walid Chaya, Mario Lopez on NBC's "Extra"

Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. This show featured L.A. stage actors and some better known New York talent. It was nice to return to the theatre after spending so much time working with a camera in mind.

Bright rays of sunshine only held back occasionally by some clouds and rain made for a beautiful time in Los Angeles, California filled with tons of information on the film and TV industry and many connections, both professional and personal. Thank you to the wonderful Christopher Dietrich, Executive Director of Actors Connection, and also to our other new friend, fellow actor, and fantastic reader, Darren O'Hare. Truly an inspiration adventure!

Headin' West! UPTA in Memphis--2011!

On February 3 the TheatreVCU Seniors, a few fabulous alumni, and I attended the Unified Professional Theatre Auditions, better known as "UPTA", in good ole Memphis, Tennessee. As an actor/director, I had the opportunity to participate in both the acting auditions, as well as the job services interviews.

Actors from all over the country are each given an audition number and sectioned by groups as auditions span over 3 days. They have 90 seconds to showcase themselves in their best light. Personally, I did 16-bars of a musical song followed by a contrasting contemporary monologue. Some actors did two songs and a short monologue. A lot of actors who auditioned and didn't do a song, found that companies were less likely to call them back, as the majority of companies present were auditioning for their musical-heavy season. Within the next hour after each groups auditions, callbacks are posted all around a room. Excited and antsy actors walk around the room marking down companies that have further interest in them and what hotel room they are in. Now actors must go to each hotel room and sign up for a second audition--and the race around the Marriott begins!

 L to R - Gentry Roth, Sarah Pruden (Alumni), Walid Chaya, Elyse Thaler

One of UPTAs sponsors was REDBULL, and what a better way to get a conference running than by giving away mass-loads of the "energy drink that gives you wings". Chatty elevator conversations and hyped callbacks made the experience zoom by. For our VCU actors, auditions and callbacks were all finished by Friday night, but I stayed for the Job Services interviews. On Saturday, theatre technicians, directors/choreographers, and administrative personnelles had the opportunity to sign up for interview times with companies that have openings for jobs they are qualified for. I personally interviewed with several theatres from positions as a casting intern to the assistant to the company manager. This was a great chance to network and meet the executive faces in the theatre scene.

Memphis is a great time and UPTA was a quick, smooth sail from start to finish. In our time outside of the conference, many of us ventured into the city for great music and even greater BBQ! There was a blue-grass and country music festival playing on Beale Street, a main attraction in Memphis, for around the clock fun. Closer to the hotel we found neighborhood restaurants where we could run to for a quick meal or spent quality time together at the end of the day. Tennessee and UPTA were a fun start to our seniors travels, as straight from UPTA most of us flew directly into Los Angeles, California for our Actors Connection conference. Our journey westbound only continues!