*Message From The Chair
*Classes & Seminars
*Headlines, Stories, & Events
*In The Spotlight

Dear Friends,

With the dawning of a New Year, I am reminded of how lucky the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre is to have found a home in the Town of Lake Park and, in particular, in the historic Mirror Ballroom. We value the relationship with have with the Mayor and Council and the town personnel, who always give our needs special consideration. Despite the plethora of words in the dictionary, the ones that best express gratitude are always “thank you.”

Every organization has unsung heroes and helpers who help to keep events running smoothly. They never ask for acknowledgement but certainly do deserve to be recognized for their contributions. Among those extra special people are Carmen Magri, our Museum Historian, and Richard DeRosa, our Facilities Manager. Week after week, these two incredible volunteers give their all so that the Burt Reynolds Institute remains the go to place for actors on the move.

Speaking of our actors… I am so proud to announce that our students are among the busiest actors in South Florida. Their reputation for professionalism and expertise is growing throughout the industry. For that we must credit our instructors, who give tirelessly of their time and talents to teach and hone the skills of our future stars.

Of course, the person most responsible for the high praise showered upon the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre is the man himself--Mr. Burt Reynolds. His dedication to the craft of acting inspires us daily. He has created the perfect environment in which we can explore our talents and spread our wings without fear of failure. At the Institute, we are safe to experiment with different styles and challenge ourselves. Receiving affirmation from the master is all the encouragement we need to keep reaching for the sky.

As the fireworks fade, we look forward to adding more classes to our course curriculum and to singing the praises of our students as they continue to climb the ladder of success. If you have ever dreamed of being an actor… if you just enjoy the company of new friends in a welcoming environment… join us. The Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre is open to everyone regardless of their level of expertise.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

-Douglas Rill
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre

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MASTER ACTING CLASS with BURT REYNOLDS
By invitation only and based on completed application, which can be found on our website.

For inquiries, please email info@burtreynoldsinstitute.org or call 561-743-9955

FUNDAMENTALS of ACTING for ADULTS
Sundays at 1PM

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate performer, or experienced actor, FoA will allow you to hone your craft in a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere. FoA is a scene study class in which students are expected to perform a ten-minute scene on stage each week. Roberts--who is a member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA--has appeared in a variety of roles on stage, in film, and on network television. He teaches student how to choose the right material, how to interpret dialog so that the spoken word is true to what the author has written, character development, and body language.

The class meets every Sunday at 1PM. The cost is $25/week. Call 561-743-9955 to RSVP

IMPROV
Call 561-743-9955 for location and time.

Todd Vittum brings his expertise to the classroom, teaching his students to "think fast" and increase their self-confidence. For beginning and intermediate students.

Call 561-743-9955 to RSVP

IMPROV-A-PROMPTER
Class resumes in February. Sign up now! Dates TBA. Anyone wishing to sign up for this class should contact Donna immediately at briftfinancedirector@comcast.net or call 561-743-9955. Class size is limited.

Be prepared to laugh and learn. Improv-a-Prompter is a six (6) week course taught by Patty Serrano. Learn how to be the perfect pitch person/spokesperson using professional techniques and insider secrets. Become a pro at cold reads, walk and talk, working with a partner, making boring products interesting, working the camera, allowing your body to talk for you and maintaining eye contact. Master on set etiquette and learn how to pack a survival bag and why you need one. Students will not only work with prepared scripts, they will have an opportunity to write a 60-second commercial of their own. Sing a jingle! Dance a jig! Find out how to make everything from murder to mayhem to monkey business sound exciting. Look and feel like a pro! Build self confidence so that the unexpected becomes the ordinary.

Cost: $150 (payment must be made in full--cash/check/credit card--on first class night). Call 561-743-9955 to RSVP

SATURDAY SESSIONS (IMPROV)
Saturdays at 10AM

Saturday Sessions Improv is open to adults and youngsters. Taught by master improvisational artist Todd Vittum, budding and experienced comedians ranging in age will have an opportunity to improve their impromptu speaking and acting skills. Vittum has been teaching Improv for many years and is himself an experienced performer. He has designed innovative scenarios that make the imagination come alive. Under his excellent tutelage, laughter and learning go hand in hand. Saturday Session Improv: where anything can happen and usually does!

Adults $25/week, kids $15/week. Call (561) 743-9955 to RSVP

CREATIVE WRITING for the AUTHOR in ALL of US
Thursdays at 6:30PM

Creative Writing for the Author in All of Us is a weekly offering for everyone with a story to tell. Whether you are writing a novel, short narrative, screenplay, stage play, or poem, if words are your oxygen, this is the class for you. Under the instruction of author/journalist Donna Carbone, the class utilizes a supportive "think tank" structure. Each week writers present their work, which is read and shared with the class. Critiques--both positive and negative--are offered as a means of moving a story from conception to completion.

This class meets Thursday evenings at 6:30PM in the Lake Park Commission Chambers. Cost: $25/week. Call 561-743-9955 to RSVP

Please note: prior registration and RSVP are required for all classes, seminars, and workshops--as some have limited enrollment. Class times/locations subject to change. For information and registration, please contact Donna Carbone at 561-743-9955 or email info@burtreynoldsinstitute.org to RSVP now.

Burt Reynolds Institute classes and seminars are held at Lake Park Town Hall (Mirror Ballroom), 535 Park Avenue, Lake Park, FL 33403. Please note, this is not the mailing address. The mailing address is: PO Box 264, Jupiter, FL 33458

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LYRIC THEATRE PRESENTS "TALK BACK' WITH FILM LEGEND BURT REYNOLDS

Nearly 40 years after cameras rolled along the historic waterfront that is Tybee Island, Georgia, legendary Hollywood star Burt Reynolds brings his 1976 hit film, Gator, back to the screen at the Lyric Theatre in Stuart. The January 25 event kicks off the release of the film on a blue ray special edition which will include never before seen bonus material.

Gator, in which Reynolds plays an ex-con forced by federal agents to nab a corrupt politician, was the first directorial effort for the man who will forever affectionately be known as "The Bandit." Following the screening of the movie, Reynolds will lead a talk back on his 55-year career in the entertainment industry.

Information and tickets for this intimate evening with Florida’s favorite son are available through the Lyric website at www.lyrictheatre.com. The fun starts at 7PM. Partial proceeds benefit The Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre.

BURT REYNOLDS INSTITUTE ACTORS NEEDED FOR STAGED READINGS

Creative Writing for the Author in All of Us students have been enjoying the talents of the Burt Reynolds Institute actors during the twice-a-month staged readings. Scripts under development are presented in staged reading format so that writers can hear how their words will sound when delivered on film. This allows for questions and feedback from the actors which benefit the writers during the editing process. Both actors and writers have been enjoying their time together and have gained a new respect for the effort it takes to bring a script from conception to completion. Actors wishing to participate in these readings should contact Donna at info@burtreynoldsinstitute.org or by calling 561-743-9955.

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Suzan Lamar, a student of both Patty Serrano and Beverly Blanchette, will be appearing on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's reality show, Wake Up Call. The episode, titled "40 Year Old Momma's Boy", airs January 9 on TNT. Pictured below are Suzan's son and "The Rock":

The Cuartas Brothers film, Twelve Traditions, which won the Audience Choice Award at Indiefilmclub's I'm Not Gonna Move To L.A. in November, will be screening once again at the O Cinema Wynwood on Monday, February 2 at 6:30PM-9:30PM. Since Twelve Traditions received the audience choice award in November, it is part of the competition for the Audience Award for 2014. The film includes Burt Reynolds Institute's Amy Hoerler and Douglas Rill.

December found Burt Reynolds Institute actors featured inside an audio presentation of BROGUE, a Christmas Story. Annya Bright, Andrew Brown, Tim Large, and Cindy Morrison were beamed and streamed from SNOW FM in Ireland, U.K. The audio comedy--written by Morrison--is based on a misunderstanding between Mrs. Santa Claus and an Elf that ultimately ends with historic self defense techniques.

Fundamentals of Acting student, Mitch Price, plays Carl the bus driver in Bus Stop at the Barn Theatre (running January 23 - February 8, 2015). Tickets are available at the https://www.barn-theatre.com

Are you a current or former student of the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre or the Burt Reynolds Institute for Theatre Training? If so, we would love to hear from you! Simply write a one to two paragraph blurb and drop us an email at BRIFTmultimedia@gmail.com before the 25th of each month (subject line: "In The Spotlight") and let us know what projects you are working on or have completed. PLEASE, NO EXTRA WORK!

SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE THE 25TH OF EACH MONTH--no exceptions. We look forward to hearing about--and celebrating--your success!

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Douglas Rill ... Chairman of the Board of Directors
Todd Vittum ... Executive Director
Donna Carbone ... Managing Director/Writer
Amy Schulz ... Editor/Multimedia Coordinator

For more information about classes, events, etc, visit our website at https://www.burtreynoldsinstitute.org.

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Are you a local who wants to find out about upcoming shows, events, seminars, and classes? Then you'll want to sign up for the Florida e-Blast! Click on this link to sign up today: https://bit.ly/u3ooXW or scan the QR code to the right.

The Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to educating and involving the community and artists in all aspects of film, television, theater, live performances, film festivals, and exhibitions, as well as preserving Mr. Reynolds' memorabilia and the history of the film industry.

Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre
PO Box 264
Jupiter, FL 33458
561-743-9955 | info@burtreynoldsinstitute.org