|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACTORS GYM, LLC is a registered trademark© For those actors who are serious about taking it to the next level! LETTERS
posted by Jose Antonio on Jun 15 Working Out @ Actors Gym You never know the quality of a product until you take it out for a test run. This past weekend I had my first audition for a role. Having the tools made it so much easier. Reno Venturi was so instrumental in the process. He has a variety of acting classes right here in Hamden,CT. Reno’s psychology theater, television and film background makes him a well rounded teacher. He teaches techniques that have worked for him through out his career. He even goes beyond the technical aspect of acting. He takes the time to talk about the in and outs of the business. I started with his monologue class. This was a fun group of people. Reno takes pride in having a plethora of warm ups up his sleeve. As well as he should. I find them so important in breaking away from the daily grind. He then he helps you break down a monologue and build it back up with layers you are familiar with. One thing that he does well is build the confidence of the people he works with. Confidence that is based on success from executing the moves he teaches properly. At the end of my audition the director said that I did a “good job”. For being my first audition ever, for a lead role none the less, it was a monumental step for me. I am a reflection of the people who have taken the time to teach me. I hope to make Reno proud some day. Thank you so much Reno.
Reno, I wanted to thank you for everything. You have been a coach in every sense of the word, helping me trudge through the adversity and joys of becoming an actor. You truly are a selfless mentor, and phenomenally talented. Thank you.
I had a couple of actors ask my advice about acting classes today and my advice is go to Reno Venturi with the Actors Gym in Hamden! I love Reno and so do his students! Interviewed him yesterday for Jaki's Buzz! He has alot of working actors in his classes and he rocks! Jaki Valensi-Lauper - Talk Show Host/ Actor
Good morning and my warmest greetings! Truly, if ever I have enjoyed a class more than yours – I can’t remember when. You’ve a natural capacity for teaching theatre. All of us are so completely in-tune with you. I’ve taken acting classes most of my life and none have been as satisfying as this one. It dawns on me that, oh, several years back I joined an acting class at The American Globe Theatre in NY – which came nowhere near the quality and content of yours. I’m so glad to be part of the student body and were I wearing a hat – I’d toss it in the air for you! Love and Rainbows… Jean
"Reno, Long Wharf has been a long sought-after goal. I know that the tools you have given me to audition and perform were instrumental in their recognition. You are the best!" A. Glassman
Dear
Reno, I
wanted to let you know that I was thrilled to be a part of your audition
workshop on the 16th. There
was so much to learn and
you certainly provided us with much needed information.
There was so much to learn regarding the audition process such
as the confidence, energy and connection that must be inherent in you in
introducing yourself to the casting agent. A
comment that you made that struck a chord in my experience was that you must be
prepared for the unexpected. I have
encountered these situations on a number of occasions.
It was important to learn that it is not improper to ask for a minute or
two to review a script to provide the opportunity to know what the scene is all
about before acting in it. And
believe in it! Thank
you for giving us all of a Sunday afternoon to instill your knowledge and
expertise.
Reno, Thanks again, Love, Kristy
Dear Reno, Your classes have been an inspiration for me to strive to a higher level of acting. You know that there was little history in my learning even though I had the good fortune of appearing in a large number of varying roles over some 20 + years. However, only one role, that of the wisecracking dad in your direction of, "Samuel, How You've Changed", did I feel the passion to succeed in this Business. It was this passion that led me to enroll in your classes, which have taken me from an actor with little learning to one of adopting special skills to my acting technique, which has begun to give me a satisfaction of performing as a trained actor. Thank you, my friend for this opportunity, which, I know, will continue to bring immeasurable satisfaction.Sincerely, Albert Glassman Reno
Venturi Actors
Gym I
wanted to let you know that I was thrilled to be a part of your audition
workshop on the 16th. There
was so much to learn and
you certainly provided us with much needed information.
There was so much to learn regarding the audition process such
as the confidence, energy and connection that must be inherent in you in
introducing yourself to the casting agent. A
comment that you made that struck a chord in my experience was that you must be
prepared for the unexpected. I
have encountered these situations on a number of occasions.
It was important to learn that it is not improper to ask for a minute or
two to review a script to provide the opportunity to know what the scene is all
about before acting in it. And
believe in it! Thank
you for giving us all of a Sunday afternoon to instill your knowledge and
expertise.
Reno, I
have had the pleasure of working with Reno Venturi for two years now. I’d
taken acting classes in the past, and it had always been an area of interest,
but I’d never allowed myself to consider it to be something I could really do
- not only in the professional sense, but simply in the artistic sense of
honestly being.'' Within a few months of working with Reno, it seemed like
something I had to do. It
would be hard to single out what specifically it is about Reno and his method of
teaching that matters most. His knowledge and command of the craft is impressive
to say the least. I have lost track of how many times in the middle of class
Reno has effortlessly done something so many of us try so very hard to do - to
drop into the character of another human being in an instant. That he's never
less than modest about such a feat is not only a testament to his own character,
but an encouraging reminder that it's possible for all of us if we continue to
stick with it. His
sense of humor and his commitment to making the learning process fun come to
mind. So many times I've come to class feeling inadequate and less than
optimistic about my prospects in the business, only to be reminded within a few
minutes of class that at the end of the day, we do this because we love it. Reno
encourages you and allows you to love it, a wonderful counterpoint to the rather
heavy and miserable air of obligation that characterizes most books about acting
I've read. But
if l had to select the one thing about Reno that would make me recommend him to
anyone with the slightest interest in acting, it would be his decency. He is
never cruel, he is always understanding, and he only looks to build you up. I
can't think of a more secure, safe, and nurturing environment than that of a
Reno Venturi acting class. I know that for me, part of acting's appeal is that
it demands you face your insecurities - a rather terrifying prospect. I don't
think I could have been honest with myself about how much I wanted to be an
actor if I hadn't had Reno's tutelage. To be honest, I wouldn't have wanted to
make the discovery with anyone else. Jesse Murphy, CT
I’ve had an interest in acting most of my life, but was always
too afraid, or felt too inadequate to take that chance. When finally I decided
to start living my life I began to search for a place where I could take some
classes. It took a while, but one day I called a number I was given and this
cheerful, friendly man answered with whom I felt an immediate connection.
We got along so well that we ended up having a long conversation about
our Italian heritage, food, love, everything! Including acting, and that was my
introduction to Reno Venturi. Soon I was taking classes. Although I had little self-confidence in
this area, Reno was so good to all of us in his manners, his encouraging
approach, his simplicity of speech without being condescending, and did it all
in a genuine nurturing and caring way. It’s been over two years now that on and off, I’ve been taking
classes with Reno, and except for a little memorization difficulties at times, I
love it! And it’s all due to Reno
Venturi. Best regards, Ada Iaboni Faugno
I would follow Reno anywhere for lessons – and I have! What’s unique about him is that he knows that each of his actors is unique. He takes the time and trouble to learn exactly what each of us needs, and how each one of us learns. Meisner? Stanislovsky? Sure. He’s studied them all, having spent his entire life in the theatre. He believes that each actor invents his own method – and he helps you do just that, in an environment that encourages growth and risk – because, fundamentally, he creates a safe space, while making sure that you have all the tools. After just two years acting, studying with Reno, I’ve gotten roles with professional groups and have been more than able to hold my own, using everything that he’s taught me (including the ability to shed my New York accent!). Reno’s keen eye, body of knowledge, and huge heart make him all that an acting coach can be. Candace Caplin, Florida
To Whom It May Concern: As I sit down to write
this letter, I’m having a difficult time figuring out just where to begin. Not
because I don’t know what to write but because Reno Venturi has given me so
many gems to write about. I’ve decided to just let my thoughts pour out in any
way in that my mind so desires. I initially took a
beginner acting class with Reno, at the New England Academy of Theatre, as a way
of accelerating my progress in one of my major pursuits, which is public
speaking. I thought that by learning a little bit about acting technique I would
be able to better connect with each member of my audience. I had no absolutely
no thoughts about, or intentions of, actually acting. Well, did Reno ever change
that! Before the eight-week class was over, I was in rehearsals for my first
stage play. Reno had very graciously recommended me to a friend of his who was
directing a play and needed an adult male to fill a particular role. And that was just the
beginning. Over the last two and ½ years, I’ve taken several intermediate and
advanced acting classes with Reno. I’m continually amazed at the new and
uniquely innovative methods he comes up with to challenge me to improve as an
actor. Each time I walk into one of Reno’s classes, I do not have any idea
what we’re going to be doing that day. I do know, beyond a shadow of a doubt,
that I will have improved as an actor when I walk out the door at the end of
class. Reno has a
special way with his students. He truly cares that each and every one of us
improves and grows by as much as we’re personally capable of. He pours every
last fiber of his being into patiently coaxing each person in his class to open
up and just let himself/herself flow. More than once, I’ve seen a particularly
shy or unconfident individual nervously caterpillar crawl through Reno’s class
on week one and within several weeks he/she has morphed into an exuberant
butterfly floating through class with confidence and energy. The man has that
magic touch. How does he do
it? Well, first of all, Reno’s a very talented, experienced and skilled actor,
acting coach and director. But it goes way beyond that. In my opinion, there are
three distinct qualities that set Reno so far apart from the other acting and
voiceover coaches I’ve worked with. The first two are related to his command
of his visual and auditory senses. Reno is uncannily perceptive in both what he
sees and what he hears. I can’t count the number of times a group of us have
watched a scene performed and Reno has picked up on the minutest of details that
no one else was even aware of. He is a master of nuance. The third quality that
sets Reno apart is his exceptionally well-developed ability to understand people
and what makes them do the things they do. He’s able to hone in with laser
like precision on human motive, intent and the resulting action(s). You’ll
have to experience this for yourself to fully understand what I’m saying. So, what are the
results of my having met and worked with Reno these last two and ½ years?
I’ve acted in five stage plays and one television show. I’m also now a
trained professional voiceover talent, which is a brand new career for me. Reno
worked with me privately for several months on my voiceover skills. He brought
every bit as much of himself to my voiceover training as he did to my acting
training. If I hadn’t met Reno and worked with him none of these things would
have occurred. I’ve also gained great insight into the skills of truly
listening to and seeing what is going on around me at any given moment. This has
been invaluable not only in acting and voiceover but also in more effectively
living my life. Finally, and most importantly of all, I’ve made a good friend whom I intend to remain in contact with for life. Reno is a truly kind, compassionate and caring human being. In my humble opinion, you could not do better than to work with him and get to know him. I promise you, it will be a positive and most worthwhile experience. Sincerely, Jim McNerney
|
