The Burt Reynolds Institute Monthly Newsletter

APRIL 2015

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

Dear Friends,

It’s Spring! What a wonderful time of year to be at the Burt Reynolds Institute! The coming months will bring new and exciting classes as well as regular Saturday night entertainment in the form of plays, improvisational comedy and staged readings. Spring is also the time when nominations open for the Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement honor. We are asking all Burt Reynolds fans to visit the Kennedy Center website and cast their vote so that this long overdue and much deserved recognition becomes a reality. It’s easy… just look for the “Recommend an Honors” button on the right side of the page. Click and tell the Honors Committee why you feel our Bandit deserves this award. https://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/honors/

Here are some fun facts you may not know about Burt Reynolds. These facts are also the reasons why he is so deserving of receiving the Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement award:

Burt Reynolds is an Academy Award nominee, Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner. For over 55 years, he has enjoyed enormous success as an actor and director in feature films, television and stage productions. Burt Reynolds’ numerous achievements have been recognized by many organizations, including the People’s Choice Awards who voted him America's Favorite All Around Motion Picture Actor for a record six consecutive years. He was also voted the Most Popular Star, Number One Box Office Star and Star of the Year by the National Association of Theater Owners for five years in a row – an unmatched record. He was honored with the 2007 Taurus World Stunt Award for "Lifetime Achievement for an Action Movie Star" and will soon be inducted into the Stuntman Hall of Fame.
Burt Reynolds' commitment to his profession and his devotion to education is exemplified by the program he created to give college students scholastic credit and wages for their work while obtaining an education at the Burt Reynolds Institute for Theatre Training which was located in Jupiter, Florida. He created a chair at Florida State University by donating generous endowments. He also donated to the Asolo Theatre in Sarasota, Florida.
Every year, Burt Reynolds awards the scholarship honoring his legacy to the winners of the Annual Student Showcase of Films. The juried competition recognizes outstanding Florida film students in the following categories: Feature/Shorts, Documentary, Animation, Commercial/PSA, Environmental PSA, Music Video, Screenwriting, Poster and an Audience Award.
In 2007, the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre was formed. The Institute provides film acting, stage performing for novices, professionals and children and filmmaking training with industry professionals. And those are just a few of the things Burt Reynolds has done and continues to do!

Some things are worth repeating and GreatGive2015 is one of them. We need your help to secure Mr. Reynolds’ legacy for generations to come. Thanks to the generosity of both the United Way of Martin and Palm Beach Counties and the Community Foundation of Martin and Palm Beach Counties, YOU can become a philanthropist for a day through the Great Give 2015 24-hour fundraiser.

As many of you know, Cinco de Mayo is the day Mexico celebrates its victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla with margaritas and mariachi music. BUT… this May 5th, Burt Reynolds friends and fans will have an opportunity to celebrate something even bigger – the securing of Mr. Reynolds’ legacy for generations to come. “How,” you ask? It’s easy!

Great Give is a virtual event that assists local non-profits to raise much needed funds. By visiting the page dedicated to the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre and making a donation, you will help to open the doors of a new Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum. Additionally, the money raised will help to build a new Burt Reynolds Institute and Theatre, where classes and shows will be offered for all to enjoy.

The Great Give Listing Details:
When: From 5PM on May 5, 2015 until 5PM on May 6, 2015
Where: Online at https://www.greatgiveflorida.org/#npo/burt-reynolds-institute-for-film-and-theatre
What: Being a philanthropist for a day has never been easier
How: Mark your calendar now–May 5, 2015

In talking about his career, Burt Reynolds said, “…if I ever win anything, they (his fans) are more responsible than any producer in Hollywood, because, they never, never walked away.”

Please don’t walk away now. We need your help. Vote for the Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Award and donate to the Burt Reynolds Institute on May 5th.

Thank you.

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

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
Fundamentals of Acting continues to fill the Mirror Ballroom with actors at every level of expertise. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate performer or experienced actor, Fundamentals will allow you to hone your craft in a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere. This is a scene study class in which students are given the opportunity to perform a ten minute scene on stage each week followed by redirect from the instructor, Sherman Roberts. 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 dialogue 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.

IMPROVISATION PLUS
Thursdays at 7:30PM
Improvisation Plus, taught by master improvisational artist Todd Vittum, offers budding and experienced comedians an opportunity to hone 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. The class meets on Thursday evenings at 7:30PM in the Mirror Ballroom. Cost: $25/week.

SIDE-BY-SIDE (IMPROV)
Saturdays at 10AM
Todd Vittum teaches the ever popular Side-By-Side, a weekly improvisation class in which adults and children tickle each other’s funny bones by saying and doing the unexpected. This unique offering teaches adults and youngsters to work together on stage and in life. The class meets on Saturday mornings at 10AM in the Mirror Ballroom. Cost: $25/adults, $15/kids.

CREATIVE WRITING for the AUTHOR in ALL of US
Tuesdays 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 are offered as a means of moving a story from conception to completion. The class meets on Tuesday evenings at 6:30PM in the Commission Chambers. Cost: $25/week. Limit: 10 students.

SCENE STUDY AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Dates TBA
Scene study and character development class taught by Todd Vittum coming soon. Stay tuned for updates.

To register for classes and/or to inquire about upcoming shows, please call 561-743-9955. Advance registration for classes is suggested. Burt Reynolds Institute classes and seminars are held at Lake Park Town Hall Mirror Ballroom (3rd Floor), 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

BUT ENOUGH ABOUT ME HOT OFF THE PRESS! BE THE AMONG THE FIRST TO READ BURT REYNOLDS NEW MEMOIR!

But Enough About Me is availble for purchase through Amazon.com by clicking the link below. This memoir tells his story through the people he’s encountered on his amazing journey. In his words, he plans to “call out the assholes,” try to make amends for “being the asshole myself on too many occasions,” and pay homage to the many heroes he has come to love and respect. This is a must read for each and every Burt Reynolds fan.

Purchase your copy now: https://www.amazon.com/But-Enough-About-Burt-Reynolds/dp/0399173544

MEET BURT REYNOLDS SCHOLARSHIP WINNER LAURYN EISENSTEIN

On March 12, 2015 Burt Reynolds presented the scholarship bearing his name at the 20th Annual Student Showcase of Films, which was held at the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson World Performing Arts Center - Lynn University in Boca Raton. Prior to deciding the winner of the award, Mr. Reynolds met with all the candidates at his home and spoke with them about their dreams and plans for the future. The recipient of the scholarship was Lauryn Eisenstein. Lauryn attends G-Star School of the Arts.

The annual Student Showcase of Films spotlights Florida high schools and colleges in a juried competition that recognizes outstanding young filmmakers by presenting more than $10,500 in scholarships and awards in the following categories: Feature/Shorts, Documentary, Animation, Commercial/PSA, Environmental PSA, Music Video, Screenwriting, Poster and an Audience Award.

In addition to the scholarship honoring the legacy of Burt Reynolds, the festival also awards the Sara Fuller Scholarship through Film Florida. Winning student films will be shown in their entirety on the "big screen" at the students' own premiere during the Palm Beach International Film Festival.

Click here for the press release.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE GREAT GIVE FUNDRAISER: MAY 5 & 6

Thanks to generosity of both the United Way of Martin and Palm Beach Counties and the Community Foundation of Martin and Palm Beach Counties, you can become a philanthropist for a day through the Great Give 2015 24-hour fundraiser.
This is a virtual event that assists local non-profits to raise much needed funds. By visiting the page dedicated to the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre and making a donation, you will help to open the doors of a new Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum. Additionally, the money raised will help to build a new Burt Reynolds Institute and Theatre, where classes and shows will be offered for all to enjoy.

Listing Details:
When: From 5PM on May 5, 2015 until 5PM on May 6, 2015
Where: Online at https://www.greatgiveflorida.org/#npo/burt-reynolds-institute-for-film-and-theatre
What: Being a philanthropist for a day has never been easier
How: Mark your calendar now–May 5, 2015

KENNEDY CENTER HONORS

Burt Reynolds has had an acting career in film, television and on stage, spanning over 50 years! He is definitely an icon and has always been incredibly generous to others along the way. If BR has touched your life in any way - if you can look at the big picture and see all he has done for the film/theatre/crew communities - please take a moment and nominate Burt Reynolds for a Kennedy Center Honors. Think of the iconic films he has acted in…his generosity towards other actors, students, stuntmen, crew, always willing to give a hand up. Take a moment to write a thoughtful response as to why you nominate Burt Reynolds. Let’s do our best to get Burt Reynolds to the Kennedy Center this December to receive this amazing honor! "The Kennedy Center celebrates five extraordinary individuals who have spent their lives elevating the cultural vibrancy of our nation and the world,” stated Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein. I believe that Burt Reynolds is deserving of this amazing honor - but only we can make that happen. Please nominate today - go to the link below and you will see on the bottom right side of the page a link to nominate someone.

https://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/honors

Thank you for your consideration.

Suzanne Niedland
Former Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre Chair/BRITT Class of 1990

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.

Debbie Dailey news: The voiceover role as "Announcer" for Cindini's Radio Shows; The Dragon's Breath and W.C. Fields. * The role of a Bible character (Naman's wife) in a children's ministry curriculum video for Christ Fellowship Church. * Spokesperson for commercial/promo "Make a Meal" for Christ Fellowship Church.

Cindy Morrison's play Going Up? appeared Off-Off Broadway in New York City on March 2, 2015. The play is one of eight that was performed at the Jewel Box Theatre during an evening of short romantic comedies.

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!

This Newsletter Is Cheerfully Presented To You By:
Todd Vittum ... Executive Director
Douglas Rill ... Chairman of the Board of Directors
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.

We strive to get our newsletter out to you in a timely manner at the beginning of each month. Have any suggestions, comments, ideas, musings, or complaints? Please email them to the Editor.

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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.

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