Age: 17 School: Professional Performing Arts School Location: NYC

Jason is one of the most dedicated and driven actors I’ve ever met. He is constantly looking to learn more about Shakespeare, the industry, playwrights, and monologues. It is a pleasure to see his talent shinning every single day as he rehearses monologues and scenes. Be sure to watch his video and tell us what you think!

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“To me the idea of a Masterclass is rather silly because one can never truly be a

master at their craft; the idea is to continuously grow” – David Schwimmer

 

Ironically enough, today students of the Waterwell Drama Program at the Professional Performing Arts School in NYC were fortunate enough to participate in a Masterclass with iconic actor, writer, director, and producer, Mr. David Schwimmer. Prior to his arrival, audience members chattered excitedly about getting to meet THE “Ross” and tossed out ideas of greeting him with the clap from the classic Friends theme song. However, throughout the discussion Schwimmer proved to be far more than just a character on everyone’s favorite sitcom. He has been an avid creator and contributor to the artistic community since he was a child.

Upon his graduation from Northwestern University, Schwimmer founded Lookingglass, a Chicago based theatre company which has thrived for more than 20 years. Art is constantly used as a mirror to reflect the human experience, so the title “Lookingglass” is extraordinarily fitting. Schwimmer has continuously honored this notion by exploring themes such as race, sexual abuse, and workers rights. He stressed the idea that as artists we have to make time for things that will keep us fulfilled. Sometimes it is necessary to compartmentalize what feels like work and that is okay. Friends filmed for eight moths out of every year, but Schwimmer returned to Chicago to participate in Lookingglass for the remaining four months. He stated, “Collaborating with Lookingglass is what kept me sane.”

When asked about a piece of advice he would give to his younger self, after a few moments of intense thought he said, “Be persistent in doing what makes you happy and immerse yourself in gratitude.” As humans we tend to fall down a path of cynicism. It is imperative to remember that in order to create art that has a positive impact on the world we too must engulf ourselves in positivity. When you come to a crossroad between cynicism and positivity remember the mountains of things you have to be grateful for; because trust me there are mountains of them even if they seem trivial. Allow your gratitude to fuel the message you want to convey, and whether it leads you to a 10 year long running sitcom or a one night only adaptation of some play you read ages ago- it will be worth it.

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According to Merriam-Webster the definition of déjà vu “is a tedious familiarity.” A
few days ago I experienced this sensation of familiarity, however it was anything but
tedious. A few summers ago some recognizable Exlocum artists Tia McDonald, Brielle Webb, Logan Riley Bruner, Jason Wilks, Ana Krutchinsky, and myself had the opportunity to study Shakespeare abroad in England with the British American Drama Academy (BADA). The experience was quite the special one. If we’re keeping up with the whole French theme it had a certain “je ne sais quoi.” We came back with new perspectives on Shakespeare, life abroad, and the entirety of theater itself.

At BADA we had the pleasure of working with Ian Wooldridge. Ian is a tremendously experienced teacher, not to mention has no trouble drawing his students in with a classic British accent. Well… last week Ana, Jason, Brielle, and I had to do a double take. We participated in a carbon copy of the monologue workshop we had done with Ian overseas just a few summers earlier in our very own acting class at the one, the only, Professional Performing Arts School. We arrived nervous, giddy, and swagged out in our Oxford University sweatshirts. We each presented our monologues along with our fellow PPAS classmates. Ian was reiterating facts and ideas that he had taught when we were in England. However, the experience could not have been more different. As artists we tend to obsess over whether or not we are growing, getting better, or “learning talent.” The workshop with Ian helped me to realize that growth happens naturally over time. A watched pot never boils. The Jason Wilks that got up to deliver a bone-chilling Angelo from Measure for Measure is not the same Jason that played the Friar from Romeo and Juliet in that stuffy BADA rehearsal room just a short while ago. Artistic development happens naturally as we evolve as people. So next time you feel like you’re trapped in the same patterns and habits; whether it be a monologue, song, painting series, etc. Remember that change doesn’t happen over night. It takes time and sometimes a little déjà vu.

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Hi, I’m Ana Krutchinsky, founder of EXLOCUM.com. Since the launch of the website almost three months ago, I’ve been getting questions from you guys, and just wanted to answer most frequent ones in this self-interview

More recent projects:

Music: ego (original song, collab with lucci)
Film (behind the camera): LIMBO (short film)
Film (on screen): Falling From Grace
Art: Art by Ana (art portfolio)
Latest painting collection The Seven Sins:

My Social Links

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Age: 18 School: Marymount Manhattan College Location: Staten Island

Peter is a funny and charming performer filled with life. Interviewing him was hard because he made me laugh so many times. He is an exuberant actor and his vitality is contagious! No wonder he has played a lead in every show I’ve ever seen him in. He wishes to become a famous rapper and hopes that when that day comes, everyone will know his lyrics and will be able to rap along with him. Watch the video to find out more! ALSO BE SURE TO CHECK OUT HIS SHOW THIS COMING TUESDAY: August 25 @ Lox Lounge (15 Putnam Avenue) in Brooklyn! Doors open at 6pm and tickets are $15!

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Age: 18 Location: Manhattan

Will Callahan is a kind, exuberant and extremely gifted performer. I’ve known him since middle school – he was a year older – and even then his talent was intimidatingly prominent. He’s been in every show or concert our school has ever done and if I were to write a list of the top 5 hardest working people I knew, he’d definitely be on it. We haven’t had many real conversations up until this interview, but I’ve always had an enormous respect for him and his work. So when I found out that he had to differ the college he’d been excited to go to, only to land a role of Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo LIVE tour two days later, I knew I had to get his story, not only as an example of how talent and dedication pays off, but also as an illustration of good karma Watch the video and find out more!

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Age: 17 School: Metropolitan School of the Arts Location: Brooklyn

Jeremiah is an exceptional human and extremely hard-working dancer. I first met him three years ago when he came to PPAS to study Drama. After a year, he realized he wanted to focus on dance and devoted himself to practicing any moment he could, whether it be Broadway Dance Center classes, or doing turns while waiting for the train. He is truly a person with a unique drive and fervent dedication to his craft.

A moment I believe genuinely encompasses who Jeremiah is as a performer, happened about two years ago.  We were preparing a show piece together in which he’d be dancing a duet and I’d be singing.  We’d finished choreographing it when he hurt his knee and was told he’d need a surgery for it. Despite this, he endured and continued practicing until the day of the show. That day while practicing backstage, he strained his injured knee even further and was barely able to stand. This was a nightmare, he needed to perform in a couple minutes and we had no idea how he would be able to walk, let alone dance. His dance partner and I pleaded with him to cancel the number due to the injury. He would’t have it. Suddenly we were called on to perform and -perhaps it was his sheer willpower- but Jeremiah stood up and confidently strode to his position on stage. That night he performed flawlessly! Nobody had any clue how he did it. And then I realized, this was who Jeremiah was. Someone who would stop at nothing to deliver his absolute best work. Watch the video to learn more

Sadly, I can’t embed the video of that performance because of its privacy settings,
but if we are friends on facebook you can see it here »» Slam Performance, Fall 2013 ««

Recent dancing clips:

#InternationalDanceDay Sometimes choreography can relate to your life so much, and be the perfect escape from it all at the same time.

A video posted by Jeremiah Porter (@jeremiahporter) on Apr 29, 2015 at 7:27pm PDT

Big thanks to @stephlynnyork for the stunning choreography!!

A video posted by Jeremiah Porter (@jeremiahporter) on Jun 27, 2015 at 10:55am PDT

https://instagram.com/p/xhtFv-vPen/?taken-by=jeremiahporter

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Age: 16 School: Professional Performing Arts School Location: Bronx

Brielle is an intelligent and extremely deep-thinking artist. While being an actress, she also makes collages that explore “The Human Condition”. Watch the video to learn more!

Brielle’s collages

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Age: 17 School: Professional Performing Arts School Location: Queens

Mara Uriah is a very confident and thoughtful musician. In this interview he shares his opinions on the music world, and tells us the story behind “Highline”. Watch the video to learn more!

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Age: 17 School: Professional Performing Arts School Location: Brooklyn

Vikki is an extremely intelligent and passionate actress/activist. She has been in the play “SLUT:The Play” that toured nationwide, and she uses her acting as a tool to fight for the rights of others and talk about important conflicts occurring today. Watch the video to learn more!

Online: Slut The Play

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