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

Dear Friends,

May is here and flowers aren’t the only things blooming. Just four months ago we were all discussing, with amazement I might add, that another year had come and gone. Well, here we are once again amazed that winter has dissolved into spring with the speed of sugar in a hot cup of mocha latte. Much was accomplished in that short span of time and many people deserve credit.

None of the daily classes and special events offered at The Burt Reynolds Institute would be possible without the unwavering efforts of our 'unsung heroes.' These are the volunteers who ask, “How can I help?” before we even know that assistance is needed. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them and our dedicated staff and students for their continued support of BRIFT. Because of them, our Fundamentals of Acting class on Sunday afternoons is growing weekly. Our new Improv-a-Prompter (Teleprompter proficiency) class on Monday evenings is the perfect mixture of laughter and learning. Thursday night Improv continues to hone the skills of some very funny, talented people. Also on Thursday nights, the Writing the Feature Screenplay continually turns out award-worthy scripts.

Thanks to the efforts of our teachers, BRIFT students are booking auditions and being cast in movies and television productions. The month of May will play host to a number of films featuring BRIFT performers, including movies produced through Florida State University and Palm Beach State College.

Very shortly we will be announcing plans for our Summer Showcase and an open house at the Lake Park Mirror Ballroom. Don’t miss either of these events!

At BRIFT, talent is a seed we nurture in all our students. Join us! Watch it grow!

-Douglas Rill
Chairman of the Board of Directors of BRIFT

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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 classes@brift.org

FUNDAMENTALS OF ACTING FOR ADULTS
Sunday at 1PM
This scene study class is open to all performers, but especially beneficial to novice actors wishing to learn and perfect the finer points of theatrical technique. Taught by Sherman Roberts. Call (561) 743-9955 to RSVP

YOUNG ACTORS SCENE STUDY
TBA
This class, taught by Todd Vittum, is geared toward younger actors (ages 12-17) wishing to hone their scene study skills. Call (561) 743-9955 to RSVP

IMPROV
Thursday at 7:30PM
Todd Vittum brings his expertise to the classroom, teaching his students to 'think quick' and increase their self-confidence. For beginning and intermediate students. Call (561) 743-9955 to RSVP

IMPROV FOR YOUNG ACTORS
Saturday at 10AM
This Saturday morning class brings the same level of expertise that is offered to adults but in a manner that children can understand and embrace. A great self confidence builder, Improv For Young Actors will give your son/daughter a lasting edge in a competitive world. Taught by Todd Vittum. Call (561) 743-9955 to RSVP

IMPROV-A-PROMPTER: 100% TOTALLY INTERACTIVE TELEPROMPTER CLASS
4/21, 4/28, 5/12, 5/19, 5/26 and 6/9
Be prepared to laugh and learn. Improv-a-Prompter is a six (6) week course taught by Patty Serrano. Cost: $150* Dates: 4/21, 4/28, 5/12, 5/19, 5/26 and 6/9. 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. Call 561-743-9955 to RSVP *Payment in full-–cash/check/credit card--due by first night of class

WRITING THE FEATURE SCREENPLAY
Thursday at 6:30PM
This intensive course is designed to take your screenplay from conception to completion. Learn how character development interacts and dictates plot structure, including the concepts of character past, character wants versus character needs, character arc and self-revelation. Learn the importance of discovering one's authorial identity and writing from personal belief. As the student begins to write a screenplay, he/she must bring a working copy for each member in the class. Scripts will be read in class and critiqued for benefit of author and students. Under the direction of Donna Carbone. Call (561) 743-9955 to RSVP

TELEPROMPTER: A TOOL FOR THE BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL
Call (561) 743-9955 for date/time/info
Two hour, one-on-one course. Our teleprompter proficiency course provides an opportunity to learn and grow comfortable with one of the most helpful tools used by business professionals. For the corporate executive, knowing how to use a teleprompter can enhance presentation skills and speed the climb up the ladder of success. Even those who have already successfully faced an audience will gain greater confidence from mastering this skill. Taught by Patty Serrano--owner of Little Panther Prompting--who has more than twenty years experience in film and television. Call (561) 743-9955 for date/time/info

VOCAL & VOICE PROJECTION
TBA
Avery Sommers will offer the first in a series of classes designed to elevate performance to a higher level. Utilizing Broadway show tunes and music from the American Song Book, Avery will instruct singers and non-singers alike how to make the most of their voices so that they can reach out and touch everyone in the audience. This class will include learning to: (a) be your own calling card-the art of walking into a room and presenting yourself in a manner that is sure to impress, (b) deliver the proper handshake-send a message of confidence with just the right touch, (c) talk it through-find the meaning behind the words by treating songs as monologues. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity! Call (561) 743-9955 to RSVP

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Please note: prior registration and RSVP is required for all classes 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@brift.org to RSVP.

All classes are held at Lake Park Town Hall (Mirror Ballroom), 535 Park Avenue, Lake Park, FL 33403

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BRIFT ACTORS NEEDED FOR STAGED READINGS

Writing the Feature Screenplay students have been enjoying the talents of BRIFT 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 briftfinancedirector@comcast.net or by calling 561-743-9955.

HAMLET & HUTCH NEWS

HAMLET & HUTCH is out! Watch it now on any of the following: Amazon Instant, iN DEMAND, Bright House - TV Explorer, Comcast - Xfinity, Cox, Time Warner, AT&T; U-verse, Verizon FiOS, Charter, Mediacom, Suddenlink, Blockbuster, Dish, Directv, and Vimeo.

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PUT A PIN IN IT!

We're now on Pinterest! Follow us at pinterest.com/brift

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At last month's Student Showcase of Films (SSOF), Taylor Blackwell taped an interview with Burt Reynolds. The interview aired on the Education Network (Comcast Channel 234).

On that note, BRIFT would like to congratulate Raymond Knudsen from G-Star School of the Arts, who won the $2,500 Burt Reynolds Scholarship at SSOF.

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Beverly Blanchette directs a few one-act plays for Pigs Do Fly Productions' Fifty Plus – A Celebration of Life… As We Know It. (A Collection of Seven Humorous Short Plays). Performance dates: May 1 – May 11, 2014 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 8PM, Sunday: 5PM). Tickets are $25 and can be ordered by calling 866-811-4111 or via pigsdoflyproductions.com. Discount tickets available on Goldstar and Cultural Connection. All performances at Empire Stage (1140 North Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304).

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Oil paintings by Rick Seguso will be on display at the Eissey Campus Theatre at PBSC (11051 Campus Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL) from Thursday, May 1-Thursday, June 5. Call 561-207-5905 for more information.

Visit Rick on the web at rickseguso.com

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John van Dalen recently hosted a new program for Newsmax. This is his fifth appearance hosting for Newsmax.

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The film, The Happy Hooligan, was shown at the Palm Beach International Film Festival last month. Cast included Christi Berlane, David Ausem, James Hook, and Douglas Rill.

Speaking of Douglas Rill...he recently wrapped his role in the film, Change Of Heart.

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Katie Mackey recently booked a Johnny Rockets commercial and an indie short called Born In Blood.

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Cynthia Morrison's short play, Titanic Sucession--Pier 54, was recently staged at the Lake Worth Cultural Plaza. Morrison's play commemorates the survivors of the Titanic. The play's cast included Morrison as well as fellow BRIFT alum, Joan Kelly Dennehy.

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Andrew Brown and Annya Bright will be portraying 'Sean Harcear' and 'Mina', respectively, in James Doan's The Irish Dracula at the Arts Garage (part of the 20th annual Acting Irish International Theatre Festival) May 20 at 8PM. Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased by calling 561-450-6357. Visit artsgarage.org for more information.

Are you a current BRIFT Master Class actor or a BRIFT/BRITT alumni? Are you a student currently enrolled at BRIFT? We would love to hear from you! Simply write a one to two paragraph blurb and drop us an email at BRIFTmultimedia@gmail.com (subject line: "In The Spotlight") and let us know what projects you are working on or have completed. NO EXTRA WORK!

Submissions are due the 25 of each month--no exceptions. We look forward to hearing about--and celebrating--your success!

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Top stories you may have missed:

• The BANDIT & THE BANDIT CAR! ... reunited after 37 years

Douglas Rill ... Chairman of the Board of Directors of BRIFT
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 BRIFT.org.

We strive to get the BRIFT Blast 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.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and fan us on Facebook!

Want to find out about upcoming shows, events, seminars, and classes? Then you'll want to sign up for the BRIFT Florida e-Blast! Click on this link to sign up today: https://bit.ly/u3ooXW

The Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre ("BRIFT") is a nonprofit 501c3 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.

The Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre
PO Box 264
Jupiter, Florida 33468
(561) 743-9955 | info@brift.org