*Message From The Chair
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*In The Spotlight

Dear Friends,

Over the next four months, the Burt Reynolds Institute will be presenting a sizzling summer of entertainment and learning. Affordable classes, fun shows for the whole family, and the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced professionals in the Industry–the Burt Reynolds Institute has it all!

Side By Side Summer Sessions--a weekly Improv class in which adults and children tickle each other's funny bones by saying and doing the unexpected--is back by popular demand. Beginning Saturday morning, July 12 at 10AM, this unique offering will train adults and youngsters to work together on stage and in life.

Taught by master improvisational artist Todd Vittum, budding and experienced comedians ranging in age from eight to 80 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. Adults pay $25/week and kids pay $15/week.

On August 12 at 7:30PM, well-known Broadway star and cabaret singer Avery Sommers directs Cabaret Showcase--an evening of scenes and songs from popular and much-loved shows. All of the performers in the Showcase were trained by Sommers in her six-week Cabaret Camp. Many are new to live performance but--thanks to Sommers’ excellent training--they are now dreaming of “strutting their stuff” on the Great White Way. Tickets are $10, and seating is limited. Call now and spend a hot summer evening cooling off with Avery Sommers and her talented grads.

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. The class meets Thursday evenings at 6:30PM in the Lake Park Commission Chambers. Cost: $25/week.

Fundamentals Of Acting (FOA) with Sherman Roberts continues to fill the Mirror Ballroom with actors at every level of expertise. 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.

To register for classes and/or to purchase tickets to the Cabaret Showcase directed by Avery Sommers, please call 561-743-9955. Seating is limited for all events. Advance registration for classes is suggested. The Lake Park Town Hall is located at 535 Park Avenue, Lake Park, Florida. The Mirror Ballroom is located on the third floor.

Join us and spend the coming hot summer days in the cool company of some very cool people and teachers. Have a happy, fun, and safe 4th of July!

-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
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
Thursdays 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

SIDE BY SIDE SUMMER SESSIONS (IMPROV)
Saturdays at 10AM (beginning July 12)
Side By Side Summer Sessions--a weekly Improv class in which adults and children tickle each other's funny bones by saying and doing the unexpected--is back by popular demand. Beginning Saturday morning, July 12 at 10AM, this unique offering will train adults and youngsters to work together on stage and in life. Taught by master improvisational artist Todd Vittum, budding and experienced comedians ranging in age from eight to 80 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. Adults pay $25/week and kids pay $15/week. 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

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

CABARET CAMP WITH AVERY SOMMERS
6/17, 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/22, and 7/29
Well-known Broadway star and cabaret singer, Avery Sommers, will teach a six (6) week Cabaret Camp course focusing on vocal and performance training. Cost: $175 (includes piano accompanist for the final Showcase). Space is very limited. 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. Please note, this is not the mailing address. The mailing address is: PO Box 264, Jupiter, Florida 33458

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Congratulations to Erin Tiernan, the newest member of Mr. Reynold's Master Acting class! Erin and her scene partner Karen Chimato performed Wrinkles by Rebecca Basham. Huge kudos to both for putting up a great scene, and our congrats, again, to Erin!

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CABARET CAMP SHOWCASE--AUGUST 12--RSVP NOW!

On August 12 at 7:30PM, well-known Broadway star and cabaret singer Avery Sommers directs Cabaret Showcase--an evening of scenes and songs from popular and much-loved shows. All of the performers in the Showcase were trained by Sommers in her six-week Cabaret Camp. Many are new to live performance but--thanks to Sommers’ excellent training--they are now dreaming of “strutting their stuff” on the Great White Way. Tickets are $10, and seating is limited. Call now and spend a hot summer evening cooling off with Avery Sommers and her talented grads.

BRIFT ACTORS NEEDED FOR STAGED READINGS

Creative Writing For The Author In All Of Us 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.

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---> UPCOMING SHOW! Cindy Morrison's play, All the Glitters, will be presented as part of an evening of staged readings at the Empire Stage Theatre in Ft. Lauderdale on July 23. Five original ten-minute mysteries--by five playwrights--will be presented by five actors. Morrison's play, All the Glitters, is based on a murder mystery that takes place on a cruise ship. FREE entry (donations accepted). For more information, please contact contact 786-683-6078 or info@empirestage.com Presented by Mystery On The Menu. The Empire Stage Theatre is located at 1140 N. Flagler, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304

---> UPCOMING SHOW! BRIFT's Improv troupe, The Trolls (BRIFT's Under The Bridge Players) will be performing long-form Improv and street theater at Northwood Village's Star-Spangled Jubilee, which will be capped of by The Great Cindini's "The Human Firecracker" stunt. Northwood Village’s Star-Spangled Jubilee is FREE, and takes place on July 5 from 6PM-10PM. Included in the event: live music, art competitions, and activities for artists of all ages. Northwood Village is located just two miles north of Downtown West Palm Beach.

Phyllis Brown booked the part of 'the no-nonsense waitress' in the (yet-to-be named) KZK Netflix show being shot in Islamorada, FL. Phyllis also a booked a Disney print, which included shots of the Magic Kingdom, in Orlando.

Jane Rumbaua booked the role of 'Doctor' on the feature film, The Fantastic Four, directed by Josh Trank.

Mark Ralston's "Club Penguin" commercial is currently running on Nickelodeon.

Jordan Alfonso, Andrew Moss, Malia Otake, Adam Forster, Lindsey Goodwin, Robert Petillo, Destiny Otake, Lauren Soucy, and Amy Hoerler were all cast in an episode of American Family Life, hosted by Woodie Thomas and Danielle Atwood. The topics in this episode covered the dangers of drinking soda, diet soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks. The improvisers were given scenarios related to the aforementioned topics, and asked to create a sketch under the direction of Todd Vittum.

James Ferrigno and Rusty Sindt co-wrote, Happy Fathers Day (part of the 48HFP). The short starred Ferrigno, Adele Zin, and Liz Rz. Ferrigno also shot an infomercial for "Mini Vapor X" and booked South Beach Tow.

Beverly Blanchette will be co-directing a number of short plays for Pigs Do Fly Productions. If you are an actor over 50, please send your headshot and resume to pigsdoflyfl@yahoo.com. The short plays will be performed at the Empire Stage in Ft. Lauderdale (rehearsals begin August 25; run of the plays are September 11th through September 21, with performances on Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8PM/Sunday at 5PM). Directed by Beverly Blanchette and Marj O’Neill-Butler, produced by Ellen Wacher. Directors will invite to auditions those actors they feel fit the roles available. Please note, this is a non-equity, paid gig.

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 before the 25th of each month (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 25TH 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:

• Burt Reynolds directs Judy Garland show

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.

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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 33458
(561) 743-9955 | info@brift.org