Kaufherr Resource Center

KRC Program Descriptions 2023-2024Studio JamsVolunteer artist-led sessions hosted every other week, providing a workgroup to prepare for auditions by practicing voiceover or on-camera copy, share feedback, and work on industry-relevant material. The volunteer moderators are all union members with extensive professional experience and many are educators affiliated with area universities and acting schools. Recent moderators include Charin Alvarez, a veteran performer and ensemble member with Teatro Vista Theater; Neal Dandade, on-camera actor and educator with Second City Chicago; Adenike Thomas, NYU Tisch School of the Arts graduate, performer and filmmaker; Khloe Janel, Chicago-area poet and performer who makes art for "personal, professional, and generational liberation and Courtney Rioux, professional voice over artist and actor on 8 seasons of Chicago Med.ConservatoriesMonthly professional development workshops cover an array of industry topics including: Adapting Audition Styles for Stage and Screen with associate casting director Kaitlin Shaw of PR CastingI BOOKED IT! - From Self-tape to Final Take! Led by a panel of 10 professional Chicago actorsCasting Speed Dating - a networking event for actors with guests from Chicago Casting Houses: OConnor Casting, Compass Casting, Marisa Ross Casting, and PR CastingAuditioning for Commercials - Casting Seminar with OConnor CastingHeadshot Best Practices - Headshot photography seminar for actors that included deeply discounted rates with an inclusive group of local photographersVirtual Wake Up WednesdaysA weekly coffee talk facilitated by the Center Director where professional performers gather on Zoom to discuss their artistic career challenges, receive support from the group, and connect with other performers in a laid back setting.Video SuiteOn-camera audition recording suite with a canon camera, light kid, backdrops, iMac and editing software. Features on-call audition assistance from the Centers experienced team including readers, coaching, consultation, recording, and editing. Performers can also train up on how to use the equipment themselves to self produce in the space.Audio SuiteVoiceover recording booth with two Nuemann microphones, editing bay, and Sourceconnect. Includes commensurate technical and creative assistance for recording auditions, demo reels, and professional bookings. Performers can also train up on how to use the equipment themselves to self produce in the space.Virtual Audition AssistanceThe KRC offers virtual one-on-one audition assistance via Zoom. This helps reach the larger Chicago area and makes the service more accessible. Similar to our Video and Audio Suite offerings, it includes on-call audition assistance from the Centers experienced team including readers, coaching, consultation, recording, editing, and submitting auditions.Business SuiteA creative co-working space that gives our community access to computers, printers and a private conference room. Includes one-on-on general consultations for professional materials including resumes, headshots, talent agency submissions, and maintaining professional acting and auditioning websites. Main Event RoomThe main event space is flexible, transforming into a boardroom, classroom, table read venue, or hybrid meeting space. It is an artistic incubator hosting independent and industry nonprofit meetings, small screenings, auditions, rehearsals, readings, workshops, and panels. A sampling of events held in the space over the past 12 months is listed below: Auditions for the Chicago Radio Players performance at the Chicago Cultural CenterIndependent Film Alliance of Chicago & SAG-AFTRAs: At the Table series. Public reading of Missy Hernandezs script I Dont Dream in Spanish Anymore.Senior Radio Players annual Holiday Party Illinois Production Alliance Meetings and PresentationsPublic table read of Lakshmi by Chicago actor/writer PujaOn-camera auditions for Chicago-based independent film The Last Martini