Service Description

Whether you are just starting out on camera, or working in the industry, this class will strengthen your confidence on-camera, and give you the tools you need to nail on-camera auditions, build your actor toolkit and grow in a joyful, supportive environment. Wednesdays 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. May 6th - July 1st *Skipping June 17th Week 1 & 2: Acting & Camera Technique - Students will work through scenes to explore a character on and off the page, then hop on camera to apply their work, and incorporate on-camera techniques including: knowing your angles, using the frame to your advantage, and telling a story without dialogue Week 3 & 4: TV & Film Auditions - Students learn the process of TV and Film auditioning, how genre informs performance, and finding freedom to create your own version of the character based on the breakdown. • The camera picks it all up: find authenticity and truth through listening and reacting • Make the audition yours: You bring a unique perspective & the power of you is always enough Week 3: Commercials - Nail commercial auditions: the breakdown, slate, taking direction, callbacks, and MOS. Week 7 & 8: Showcase - Rehearsal before class culminates in a Showcase for the Compass Casting team! Who is Emma Knott? Emma ‘s Recent acting work includes: • Lead role in Line Cooks Feature Film, a mockumentary style comedy directed by John Mossman • Lead role in Raffle Feature Film, a dark comedy Martin Kazubowski, dir. of Early Bird on Amazon Prime & Apple TV (coming in 2026) • Lead role in Cul De Sac Feature film, a dramatic thriller by Ted Barnes, dir. Nick Volkers • Writer, producer, and performer in The Sunshine Bus Improv Comedy at The Annoyance Theatre • Commercial work for various clients including Chicago Cubs, Johnsonville & Home Chef • Leading roles at Equity Theatre Houses including: Wendla (Hearing & Guitarist) in Spring Awakening, Poppy Norton-Taylor in Noises Off, and Ali in MAMMA MIA! Having grown up doing theatre in the Chicagoland area, Emma is excited to be teaching the kind of professional-grade, on-camera training she would've loved to have had as a high schooler. She has worked with kids for over 10 years, having taught visual and performing arts classes for kids in Mount Prospect, IL at The Studio and Miss Carole’s Stories and Songs Theatre Camp, and as a Substitute Teacher in Chicago Public Schools.