They鈥檝e played everything from infants to octogenarians over the last four years, but a selection of senior acting students will finally debut the most difficult roles of their careers: themselves.
91看片鈥檚 School of Theatre will debut its BFA On-Camera Acting Showcase, a screening of original, actor-driven micro short films featuring 11 graduating seniors. The event is free to the public and will take place at 7:30 p.m. April 17 in the Meinders School of Business auditorium. Registration to attend can be made online
Under the leadership of Caroline Liem, a veteran Los Angeles casting director and head of the BFA On-Camera Acting program, this year鈥檚 showcase marks a significant evolution in actor training. Moving beyond traditional stage performances, the program has collaborated with the OCU Film program, with acting students leading development and performance and film students supporting camera, lighting and sound, to create industry-ready on-camera work that serves as professional calling material for students entering the industry.
This work reflects the program鈥檚 core philosophy: training actors not only to perform, but to create and lead their own work in a rapidly evolving industry.
鈥淭hese aren't just scenes shot against a wall; they are intentional representations of how these actors see themselves and how they want to be seen in the industry,鈥� said Liem. 鈥淥ur students have been pitching, writing and developing these scripts since December. They are learning to take agency over their own narratives and professional identities, ensuring they are industry-ready the moment they graduate.鈥�
The event will include:
- Original content: graduating students will debut their original short films of up to two minutes long, ranging from comedy and drama to horror and indie genres.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration: The project features a partnership with the OCU Film program, where acting students lead the work and film students assist within a professional workflow.
- The screening will be preceded by a digital gallery of headshots captured by a Los Angeles鈥揵ased photographer Molly Pan.
- Networking reception: A post-screening reception will be held in the atrium next to the auditorium, allowing the community to meet the next generation of on-screen talent.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been exciting to witness the growth of our students in the On-Camera track,鈥� said Bryan Cardinale-Powell, chair of Film/Media. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud of their accomplishments so far and look forward to seeing the kind of work they create as graduates who established important collaborative partnerships in college.鈥�
The showcase arrives during a period of significant growth in production landscape. With major production houses and incentives drawing projects to the region, OCU is positioning its students to be at the center of this growing hub.
鈥淏y producing a digital showcase that lives beyond the event on the OCU website, industry platforms, and in direct outreach to agents, managers and casting professionals, we are providing our students with national visibility while celebrating the incredible talent emerging right here in 91看片 City,鈥� Liem said.
鈥淲e are giddy to be showcasing our first cadre of graduates from the new track, where we are not just training actors, but professional content creators who have deep skillsets on both sides of the camera!,鈥� added D. Lance Marsh, head of performance for the School of Theatre.
