AUDITION GAUNTLET 2023 | YOUTH + TEENS

DAY 1

– Two of Catapult’s top coaches provide valuable insight on how to best prepare your scene and role!

– Following a brief breakdown of the weekend with both actors and their parents in attendance, and warm-ups with the actors, each student will be given the opportunity to put their scene on its feet in front of the instructors. The purpose of this will simply be to make sure each actor’s scene works for them, in terms of character, genre, scene length, etc. If any tweaks are needed, or if the scene does not work for the actor, the instructors will assess and address. Following the scenes, instructors will give overall feedback, notes, and what actors need to work on prior to Day 2.

DAY 2

– Practice! Practice! Practice!
– Actors continue working with coaches to find bold choices and moments of spontaneity!

– The overall focus on the second day is IN-DEPTH scene work. It will consist of focused script work, character development, and audition preparation. Each actor will be given ample time to work on, adjust, and strengthen their scenes in front of the camera. The goal being for every actor to feel fully prepared for the Gauntlet on Day 3. Instructors will also answer any specific questions the actors have.

DAY 3

Time for the Gauntlet! Each actor will rotate between three rooms (VIRTUALLY), executing their scenes for three Top Industry Pros. Actors will be given feedback and direction from each of these Pros. Once all students have completed their Gauntlet, there will be an Industry Panel with all three of the Pros. Parents are encouraged to attend the Industry Panel

Carissa Fowler

Carissa started her career in the entertainment industry when she was 14 years old. She began taking acting classes, found her love of acting, and started booking local commercials and productions in the Atlanta area. In 2004 – 2005 she moved to Los Angeles to take advantage of the training and opportunities during pilot and episodic seasons. Her LA experience paid off when she moved back to Atlanta. She booked several episodic such as CW One Tree Hill, TPS Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, and USA Necessary Roughness. After a second stay in LA (between 2009–2010) she continued to build her resume when she booked FOX The Following, a recurring role of BET The Game, and was cast as Diane Lane’s daughter in the feature film, Secretariat. During her downtime beginning in 2007 through current, Carissa started working with Jayme Pervis at J Pervis Talent Agency first assisting in clerical jobs and learning the ins and outs of the agency. In 2011, Carissa married her first love, Mason Fowler. They have 2 beautiful children. She continues to work at J Pervis Talent Agency.

Elana Dvorak

Elana Dvorak was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She started her career in production working for producer Lynda Obst and moved into representation a year and half later. She was a talent manager for 14 years at Howard Entertainment. Elana then moved to Atlanta 9 years ago, where she was a talent agent at Atlanta Models + Talent and Houghton Talent. She has also worked as the casting director for Lantern Audiobooks. Elana is recently opened up her own management company, East West Management, in association with Howard Entertainment out of Los Angeles.

Dalex Miller

Dalex is a seasoned casting associate and actor alike. A longtime improviser / comedian / improv teacher, dalex cut his teeth on stages and casting offices on the west coast before moving to ATL in 2019. He is currently working on the streaming series Hysteria! for Peacock to be released this fall.

Danny Annone

Originally from Miami, FL, Daniel grew up with a love for theatre and film. After attending a magnet program in high school, he went on to graduate from the University of Central Florida with his BFA in Theatre, acquiring theatre credits ranging from traveling Children’s Theatres (Hampstead Stage, Madcap Puppets) to Regional theatres like the Orlando Shakes. With a passion for humor, Daniel has performed live sketch comedy and improv steadily over ten years, most recently working with the Mighty Shorts Comedy Collective. Since moving to Atlanta 6 years ago he’s focused primarily on his career in film and television, earning credits in projects such as Doom Patrol, She-Hulk, Atlanta, Richard Jewell, and Dog Gone, among others.

In his free time, Danny loves training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and playing video games. As someone who’s constantly aspiring to learn and grow, he’s beyond grateful to have found a home here at Catapult and looks forward to giving back and sharing his passion with those around him.

Terence Lee

Terence is a classically trained actor with an MFA in Acting. Having gone through the rigorous training that a graduate program entails, Terence is familiar with multiple approaches to acting which, allowing him to effectively communicate with actors in a way that best serves them and their needs. Prior to relocating to Atlanta in 2019, he served as a private acting coach, an instructor for undergraduate acting courses at The University of Central Florida, and a teaching artist for Orlando Shakes and The Orlando Repertory Theatre. Since arriving in Atlanta in 2019, Terence has been booked on a network pilot, and several regional and national commercials with Apple Inc, Best Buy, and GA Lottery. Additionally, Terence has published a graduate thesis entitled “Mindful Acting”, an approach to acting centered around the practical aspects of mindfulness. He hopes to utilize his training and experience to elevate Catapult’s community of actors with an abundance of truth and spontaneity, paired with an unparalleled level of confidence.