Report: Accent Reduction Seminar with GLENN ZURAW

On Thursday, May 5, 2011, HOLA (through its HOLAfábrica program) presented ACCENT REDUCTION SEMINAR, a workshop on how to be able to manipulate one's accent and reduce it in a way to advance your career as an actor. The workshop was conducted by speech coach and ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher Glenn Zuraw (shown at right) and took place at the HOLA office in the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center in Manhattan's Loísaida neighborhood.

Some of the student feedback is below.

• "I enjoyed his energy and knowledge. I liked him a lot. Continue classes! Have him in more often."
• "He speaks Spanish so he understands our mistakes."
• "A different kind of seminar. Focused on specific phonetics and tendencies we can overcome, [especially] being from Spanish-speaking countries."
• "[Zuraw] is awesome! Definitely worth it!"
• "It was great! Very important for actors."
• "Very interesting. It could be helpful for tons of people."
• "After seeing different Accent Reduction coaches, Glenn Zuraw is by far the best I have worked with."

GUEST BLOG: HOLA-- An Organization That We Must Support

Whenever we come upon something new, especially if it’s connected to an important goal we finally achieve, we tend to go into the endeavor with much energy and enthusiasm. It’s only natural. I know this is true for me in the teaching profession I am in currently. I felt, and still do feel the same way; as good and proud as when I first started to make a difference in youngsters’ lives. I felt the same way when I became a member of HOLA a few decades ago. The excitement of associating with an organization that symbolized a group effort to get ahead in the performing profession was immense. Early on in HOLA, just like today, there were a group of people whose guidance and daily/longterm planning kept the members enthused about the possibilities ahead.

Unfortunately, goals and objectives can become hazy. Enthusiasm can and sometimes does wane. We have good days and bad ones. I know for sure that what keeps me excited about HOLA and a career in the performing arts is the fact that my enthusiasm for both is genuine. I keep going back to those first initial moments of long ago, in order to gain back that memory of how fresh and unique the feeling was. I was starting off on a track in the visual and performing arts realm. And I was not alone; I had a group that I could lean on, talk to, get feedback from, and much more.

In HOLA we have a longstanding organization that is there for us at a moment’s notice. We have a group of caring administrative individuals and a huge resource of members that most of us have not even met. Yes, there is competition involved, and yes we as individuals want to stand out and show what we can do. But, there is also a bigger picture that we tend to ignore or not see. It is this blockade that keeps us from seeing that it is up to us to make HOLA the organization we want it to be. It is easy to say, “HOLA has done nothing for me lately.” Just as we need the pep talks and encouragement to keep going so does our longstanding organization. HOLA needs our participation and feedback. It needs us to show that we care about the work being done, about the workshops being set up, etc.

Whenever I get tired or stressed out over working in the education field, I look around at other people who are struggling to get certified or are trying very hard to get into the teaching profession. It forces me to look back and to tap into that wave of energy and enthusiasm that brought me into the field to begin with. The same goes with HOLA and its connection to my future in the performing arts field.

I was away from the organization in my extended tour in the military, but I came back and know that I will always be a part of HOLA and its support system. In the meantime, HOLA can count on me to help it move along in its longterm plan to keep helping actors achieve their goals. It goes both ways.

...Ernesto López
HOLA Member since 1979

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting and performance gigs.

Marco Antonio Rodríguez's play La luz de un cigarillo (produced by Teatro LATEA and starring Susanna Guzmán, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Arisleyda Lombert and Teresa Yenque was featured in an article in the New York Daily News. To read it, click here.

Shawn Elliott is acting in the workshop reading of Begonya Plaza's play Teresa's Ecstasy. Directed by Richard Vetere, it will take place in May at INTAR Theatre in the Hell's Kitchen/Clinton section of Manhattan.

Rodney Roldán reported that he shot episodes of "Celebrity Close Calls" (The Biography Channel) and "Royal Pains" (USA Network).

Caridad De La Luz (also known by her nom de poésie La Bruja), along with Jessie Flores and Cynthia Paniagua, appeared in the film BX-Rated: La Mezclatina Rising, Volume 1. The film, directed by Nadia Hallgren and edited by Jessie Flores, is set to be shown in May at BAAD! the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, located in Hunts Point section of the South Bronx.

There will be a celebration for the recently published poetry anthology Me No Habla Con Acento (Rebel Satori Press/El Museo Del Barrio), edited by Emanuel Xavier, at El Museo Del Barrio in Manhattan's El Barrio/East Harlem neighborhood on May 21, 2011. Held in conjunction with the museum's monthly Speak Up! Speak Out! reading series, the event will have readings from featured poets Roberto F. Santiago, María Rodríguez-Morales and Tato Laviera, as well as works read from the anthology from the poets Erik "Wordz" Maldonado, Chris "Chilo" Cajigas, Majestik Originality, Lisa Alvarado, Myrna Nieves, A.B. Lugo, Caridad De La Luz "La Bruja," Sheila Maldonado, Latasha N. Nevada Diggs, John "Chance" Acevedo, Roberto "Simply Rob" Vassilarakis and Tito Luna. The event will take place in the museum's main theater (El Teatro), followed by a book signing at the museum's café (El Café).

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting and performance gigs.

The film Happy New Year (written by K. Lorrel Manning and Michael Cuomo and directed by Manning) screened at the 2011 Millblog Conference in Arlington, Virginia. The film stars Cuomo, Monique Gabriela Curnen, J.D. Williams and José Yenque.

E3Outlaws Productions is set to present Retratos de una guerra. A solo show written by Ivan García Guerra, it is directed by Enmanuel García and features the acting of Ramón Hierro. The show will take place at CCN Studios in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan.

Graciela Lecube received a stellar review for her work in the movie Loose Change (directed by Phil Botti), currently playing at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. To read the review, click here.

Jeffrey Hernández will be performing on the 14th of this month with his band Salsa Ray y La Nueva Crema at Visions Restaurant and Bar in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Report: HOLA Después Del Telón / HOLA After The Curtain Event (LA LUZ DE UN CIGARRILLO)

Left to right: Playwright and director Marco Antonio Rodríguez,

moderator Isolda Peguero and actor Ismael Cruz Córdova.

HOLA held its inaugural HOLA After the Curtain (HOLA Después Del Telón) event on Sunday, May 1, 2011 at Teatro LATEA. HOLA hosted a post-performance discussion in conjunction with the LATEA production of La luz de un cigarrillo. The discussion was moderated by Isolda Peguero, National Correspondent, New York Bureau, NBCUniversal/Telemundo and the panelists included Marco Antonio Rodríguez (playwright and director); Yanko Bakulic (scenic designer); Susanna Guzmán, Ismael Cruz-Córdova, Arisleyda Lombert and Teresa Yenque (cast members). The event happened at the conclusion of the 4pm performance and was photographed by Anthony Ruiz of ARuiz Photography (photos shown above and below; click on photos to make larger).

HOLAfábrica presents Accent Reduction Seminar with Glenn Zuraw

HOLAfábrica
presents

Accent Reduction Seminar
with GLENN ZURAW

Thursday, May 5, 2011
6:30-9PM

$25 (Non-HOLA members $35)

New and Returning Students

HOLA Office
CSV Cultural and Educational Center
107 Suffolk Street, Suite 302, NYC
(F to Delancey / J M Z to Essex / M14A or M9 bus)

Hey HOLA Actors!

Wanna attend a really cool and fun workshop that is geared to helping you sound more “American?” Ya know, the way Americans “sing” when they speak has a reason and you’ll learn the “why.” If English is your SECOND LANGUAGE or even if you grew up here, in NYC, by attending the workshop, you’ll get some insight on how to sound more “Standard American” and less, well, whatever you sound like now! Sure, that Latin American accent sounds so sexy to us “Americans” and why not learn how to soften it for a role that requires less of it!

Do you know how many different ways you can say the phrase “He likes the color purple?” There are at least six (6) different ways to say that simple phrase and each one is TOTALLY DIFFERENT. Come to the workshop and find out how!

We at HOLA look forward to seeing you on the 5th!
Wine and cheese will be served (so that you are more relaxed…).

Glenn Zuraw
Certified ESL Teacher/Accent Reduction Coach

REGISTRATION UPON PAYMENT
(212) 253-1015
AMEX, MASTERCARD AND VISA ACCEPTED
$25 (non-HOLA members: $35)

Thoughts by some of his previous students...
"He [Zuraw] was great, knowledgeable, friendly and engaging."
"He gave us many tips and insights. Very amenable and clear."
"Very fun and informative. [He] dominated the topic."
"Great teacher. Thorough. Many more people can benefit from it."
"The instructor was patient and knowledgeable. Nice, friendly and respectful."
"Very informative, fun and friendly. Helpful."

# # # #

Betcha Didn't Know...?

Some of the most notable names from the dawn of film and television are of Latino descent. Here are some of them.

In this edition, some Latinos who have often played by and are often assumed to be strictly African Americans.

Faizon Love (1968- ), born Langston Faizon Santísima, is an actor and comedian. He is best known for roles in the films Friday, Elf and Couples Retreat. He was born in Santiago de Cuba, Santiago de Cuba Province, Cuba and raised in San Diego, California, U.S.A. and Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A. He got his start as a stand-up comedian. His motion picture debut Bebe's Kids had him providing the voice of late comedian Robin Harris. Harris died before production began and Love replaced him with an accurate impression. At the time, he was only 23 years old. He then had a role in The Meteor Man starring Robert Townsend. Townsend then cast him (alongside Reagan Gómez-Preston, below) in a co-starring role on his sitcom "The Parent 'Hood. He followed up this role with a breakout performance as the drug dealer Big Worm in the 1995 film Friday. Follow-up films have included Elf, Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, Money Talks, Wonderland, The Fighting Temptations, Idlewild and 3 Strikes (with Meagan Good, also below).

Reagan Gómez-Preston (1980- ), born Reagan Preston Gómez al estilo latino in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. to a Puerto Rican mother and an African American father. Her family then moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was enrolled in acting, dancing, and singing lessons. Thereafter, the family moved to Los Angeles, California so that she could pursue an acting career. She made a name for herself on the Robert Townsend television series "The Parent 'Hood" as Zaria Peterson. Other TV credits include "One on One," "Love Inc." and "The Amanda Show." She is a writer of feature films, with her own business and production company. She is currently in the animated series "The Cleveland Show" as Roberta Tubbs, Cleveland's stepdaughter.

Rubén Santiago-Hudson (1956- ), born in Lackawanna, New York, U.S.A., is an actor, playwright, screenwriter and director. Born to a Puerto Rican father and an African American mother, he can currently be seen as Captain Roy Montgomery in the ABC series "Castle." His film credits include Coming to America, Bleeding Hearts, The Devil's Advocate, the 2000 remake of Shaft, Domestic Disturbance, Winning Girls Through Psychic Mind Control, American Gangster, Honeydripper, The Invention of Lying and Mr. Brooks. His television credits include appearances on "Amen," "Life Goes On," "Another World," "Dear John," "New York Undercover," "Michael Hayes," "Spawn," "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." A veteran stage actor, he has appeared on the Broadway stage in Jelly's Last Jam, Gem of the Ocean and Seven Guitars (the last two plays written by August Wilson). It was for the last play that he received the 1996 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play. He wrote Lackawanna Blues, an autobiographical play in which he portrayed himself and some twenty different characters from his past, which was produced in New York. He adapted it for a highly acclaimed, award-winning 2005 HBO film, in which the parts were played by different people, that won him the Humanitas Prize and earned Emmy and Writers Guild of America Award nominations. He played Freddie Cobbs in the movie. He lives in New York and has four children.

Meagan Good (1981-), born Meagan Monique Good in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., is an actor. Her grandparents were of Puerto Rican, Bajan and African American, Jewish and Cherokee heritages, respectively. She began her acting career around the age of four or five. When she was thirteen, she was cast in her first film in the 1995 hit Friday. She then gained recognition for her performance as troubled teen Cisely Baptiste in Kasi Lemmons' critically acclaimed 1997 film Eve's Bayou, which earned her two award nominations, including her first NAACP Image Award nomination. From 1999 to 2003, she appeared as Nina on Nickelodeon's hit show "Cousin Skeeter." Other film credits include 3 Strikes, House Party 4: Down to the Last Minute, Biker Boyz, Deliver Us From Eva, D.E.B.S., The Cookout, You Got Served, Venom, Brick, Roll Bounce, Waist Deep, Stomp the Yard, One Missed Call, The Love Guru and Saw 5. Good's most recent role was in the film The Unborn with Gary Oldman and Odette Yustman-Annable.

J. August Richards (1973- ), born Jaime Augusto Richards III, in Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.A., is an actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of vampire hunter Charles Gunn on the WB cult television series "Angel." His parents emigrated to the United States from Panamá. He grew up in Bladensburg, Maryland, right outside Washington, D.C. He attended the Visual and Performing Arts program at Suitland High School in Suitland, Maryland and the University of Southern California on a theater scholarship. His acting career began when he was spotted by a casting director. This resulted in him getting a guest star role on"The Cosby Show" as Vanessa's boyfriend Roy. Other guest appearances would come later on shows such as "Grey's Anatomy," "The Mentalist," "The West Wing," "The 4400," "The Practice," "Chicago Hope," "Any Day Now" and "Nash Bridges." On stage, he played a rapping bike messenger who believed he is an alien abductee in the Mark Taper Forum production of Tina Landau's play Space brought him additional recognition. Feature film credits include Why Do Fools Fall in Love? and Good Burger. He gained a starring role in the first season of "Angel" as Charles Gunn, a street-wise vampire hunter-turned-attorney. His character quickly became one of the most popular in the series. He has so far been featured in four series as an attorney (in addition to "Angel," "Law & Order: Conviction," "CSI: Miami," and "Raising the Bar").



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