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Adult
Mon, May 5, 2025 - Jun 16, 2025
6:30pm - 8:00pm CDT
Class Experience
Are you taking care of business...every day? Yes, talent is important. However, many actors don't take the time to understand the business side of Show Business. Your talent might be hidden behind messy casting sites, mediocre headshots and distracting self-tapes. Do you have a good relationship with your agent? What are effective ways to get in front of casting before you have an agent?
In this comprehensive bootcamp, our industry experts will guide you through establishing your professional presence online and teach you how to create compelling profiles that catch industry attention. You'll learn the crucial dos and don'ts of competitive headshots. We'll tackle the big questions about SAG-AFTRA membership, helping you understand when and how to join the union, and what membership means for your career. We will also make sure you have the knowledge on how to create an at home self-tape set up that will make you stand out to casting directors.
Our featured talent agent will share insider knowledge about securing and maintaining agency representation in Chicago, while our casting director will reveal how to successfully navigate the casting process in our unique market.
Led by working industry professionals, this bootcamp provides the practical knowledge you need to launch and sustain your acting career in Chicago. Whether you're new to the city or looking to level up your existing career, you'll gain the tools and connections necessary to thrive in Chicago's dynamic entertainment industry.
Sample Class Format
- Week 1: Understanding the Chicago Market (on-camera, theatre, voiceover, improv)
- Week 2: Polishing Your Casting Sites
- Week 3: Headshot Preperation
- Week 4: SAG-AFTRA
- Week 5: Self-Tapes
- Week 6: Talent Agent
- Week 7: Casting Director
Other Things To Know
All classes have a 30% non-refundable deposit that may be credited toward a future class if Cancellation Notice is given 48hours BEFORE the start of class. The full price of the class is forfeited if proper notice is not given.FULL POLICY
Covid-19 Precautions
Safety of our community is our top priority. We follow the guidelines of our local governement when deciding how to run our classes. We reserve the right to adjust class structure as needed.
How To Participate
Attend class via Zoom video
This class will be hosted on Zoom video conferencing platform. You will receive an email 30 minutes before class starts with a link to the class and access instructions. We recommend you make sure your device is up to date and meets all system requirements before class.
Reviews for Vagabond School of the Arts
4.9 out of 5
Based on 436 provider ratings
Kyle P.
Mar 11, 2025
Loved:
Heidi brings her real-world professional experience into the classroom, passionately working with each actor to deliver a grounded, true-to-life performance. She also insists that actors leave with recordings to help promote their careers, as she genuinely cares about each actor's success. I learned a lot in a short amount of time, and I highly recommend her class.
Improvements:
Different day/time options. Monday during the day is tough for me.
Film & TV Intensive with Heidi Johanningmeier
Location: Vagabond School of The Arts | Instructor: Heidi Johanningmeier
Yomade A.
Mar 10, 2025
Loved:
So many great actors and Heidi encourages collaboration and provides amazing direction in between takes!
Improvements:
Nothing
Film & TV Intensive with Heidi Johanningmeier
Location: Vagabond School of The Arts | Instructor: Heidi Johanningmeier
Kimberly N.
Mar 5, 2025
Loved:
The amount I learned in this class beats any other class I've taken. Ed makes us so comfortable on camera.
Improvements:
Nothing
Talent Agent Panel - Industry Connection
Location: Vagabond School of The Arts
suzanne j.
Mar 5, 2025
Loved:
Industry professionals giving an honest information about obtaining and having a talent agent. They were very approachable. I liked the Q&A aspect of it.
Talent Agent Panel - Industry Connection
Location: Vagabond School of The Arts
Michelle T.
Feb 24, 2025
Loved:
I loved that you let parents learn with their kids. That you shared the videos. My daughter loved the class. She said it was fun and it got her more comfortable filming with other people in the room. Which is a huge plus in a world of Zoom Self-Tapes. My husband and I are both actors so we don't always pay for coaching because we just can't always swing it. My daughter loves doing film, so thank you for providing this space for her to learn with and meet professionals.
Improvements:
NA
On-Camera Auditioning for Youth! with Kaitlin Shaw from Paskal Rudnicke Casting
Location: Vagabond School of The Arts
About Vagabond School of the Arts
Vagabond is more than a school; it's a community. The environment that we have cultivated at Vagabond is one of constant encouragement and support. We believe it's not enough to simply take the classes aimed at helping you better your craft, one must also be engaging with their fellow community. Our Professional Adult Classes set up our students for a professional career as an actor. We have kids classes that engage students whether they want to explore and grow or take a professional path. Check out our two locations: Chicago and Elmhurst, IL.
