David E. Talbert Launches 3rd Multi-City Actor’s Workshop & Talent Search

September 26, 2016

*You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.” Like so many others in Hollywood, David E. Talbert shares the sentiment of Davis, but wants to move from just media conversation to action confirmation.

For that reason, Talbert is giving the next the next generation of minority actors, writers, directors and producers in major cities across the country an opportunity to break into Hollywood and see their dreams come true.

During a history making Emmy award winning speech last year, Actress Viola Davis stated “Let me tell you something: The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.

David E. Talbert, Diondre — Writer, Director, Producer David E. Talbert. Photo Courtesy Diondre Jones

Fresh off the heels of two back to back much heralded runs of his Multi-City Actor’s Workshop & Talent Search in 2014 and 2015, David E. Talbert is launching the third installment of his Actor’s Workshop & Talent Search concurrently with the release of his highly anticipated movie, Almost Christmas, which hits theatres nationwide on Friday, November 11th.

Actress Gabrielle Union & David E. Talbert on Set of Almost Christmas Photo Courtesy of Universal Pictures/Quantrell D. Colbert

“Based on the report by USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism,The need for more diversity in Hollywood is apparent,” said Talbert. “It is my hope that my workshops will create a bigger talent pool and fully open cracked doors.”

Through hands-on instruction by David E. Talbert, participants will learn acting for stage and screen, techniques for auditions and cold reads, get advice for breaking into the industry and receive monologue/scene critiques.

This year, special guest Damien McKay, Head of Casting at Universal Pictures (The Fast and Furious franchise, Fifty Shades of Grey, Straight Outta Compton, Jurassic World, and Pitch Perfect) has teamed up with Talbert for the workshop tour to interact with students, observe scenes and monologues, and share invaluable insight on what it takes to be a working actor in Hollywood. As in years past, everyone who attends the workshop will receive a private one-on-one audition from Talbert for the chance to be cast in his upcoming stage play tour as well as his new feature film projects.

The cast of Talbert’s new film, Almost Christmas also includes three young actors who attended and auditioned for his Workshop Tour last year – Karl Bynes who attended the Philadelphia, PA workshop, Sulondia Hammond who attended the Atlanta, GA session and Teresa Sykes who attended in Chicago, IL. Sykes also has a starring role in Talbert’s latest theatrical stage production, Another Man Will, which will be released on DVD nationwide in January of 2017.

Perfect for the professional and the beginner, David E. Talbert’s Actors Workshop & Talent Search gives attendees a chance to learn first-hand how to elevate their craft and get their foot firmly through the door of the entertainment industry.

What makesDavid E. Talbert’s Actor’s Workshop & Talent Search really unique is the ability for participants to be able to audition with an award winning Hollywood director with over twenty plus years in the business and to gain valuable insight from the Head of Casting for a major film studio.

usher, danny glover, david e. talbert — From L to R – Jessie T. Usher, Danny Glover & David E. Talbert on Set of Almost Christmas. Photo Courtesy of Universal Pictures/Quantrell D. Colbert

David E. Talbert’s Actor’s Workshop & Talent Search will kickoff in Chicago, IL on Saturday, October 1st from 9 AM – 3 PM at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. After Chicago, the tour will travel to Dallas, TX on Sunday, October 2nd from 3 PM – 9 PM at The Black Academy of Arts & Letters, Inc., 1309 Canton Street, Dallas, TX 75202; New York on Saturday, October 15th from 9 AM – 3 PM at The New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, New York, New York, 10036; and will be in Washington, DC on Sunday, October 16th from 12 NOON – 6 PM at The Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20036.

The registration fee for the workshop is $279 per person. Workshop sessions will include the following topics: Acting for Stage and Screen, Audition Techniques and Monologue and Scene Study. Those interested in attending the workshop in their city should visit www.davidetalbert.com

to receive full details on registration and location. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. Reserve your seats today.

“This year, the lack of diversity in Hollywood was front and center in the minds of everyone,” stated Talbert. “Although this has always existed, the lack of diversity at this year’s Oscars made it more apparent than ever.

“I am, as I always have done, dedicated to training and equipping other African-Americans and all minorities who want to get into this industry. Whether in front of the camera or behind it, I am doing my part to make sure they have access to what I know.”

David E. Talbert’s Actor’s Worshop & Talent Search Season 3

About David E. Talbert

David E. Talbert began his career in the world of theater, quickly establishing himself as a highly renowned playwright. The Los Angeles Times labels Talbert, “One of the most prolific theatre makers in America” and The Washington Post “A Playwriting and directing wunderkind.”

David E. Talbert has written and directed 14 nationally acclaimed touring productions that have garnered an unprecedented 24 NAACP nominations, winning Best Playwright of the Year for The Fabric of a Man. In 2007, Talbert received the New York Literary Award for Best Playwright of the Year for Love in the Nick of Tyme and the prestigious NAACP Trailblazer Award for his groundbreaking accomplishments in theater.

While Talbert continues his success as a highly respected theatre-maker, with his most recent tour being the box-office juggernaut What my Husgand Doesn’t Know starring Morris Chestnut, he has also successfully expanded his brand into the world of feature films and television.

His last film released in 2013, the romantic comedy BAGGAGE CLAIM, which Talbert adapted from his own Essence best-selling novel, starred Paula Patton, Derek Luke, Jill Scott, Adam Brody, and Djimon Hounsou, opened as the #1 Comedy in America and marked the first time an African American filmmaker has adapted and directed his own novel. Talbert’s new film, Almost Christmas, a Universal Feature Film, hit theatres nationwide on Friday, November 11, 2016.

About Almost Christmas

Almost Christmas, written and directed by Talbert and produced by Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like A Man series, This Christmas), tells the festive story of a beloved patriarch who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along.

David E. Talbert, Monique, Quantrell D. Colbert — Monique & David E. Talbert on Set of Almost Christmas Photo Courtesy of Universal Pictures/Quantrell D. Colbert

If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be a Christmas miracle. The all-star cast of Almost Christmas is led by Kimberly Elise, Danny Glover, John Michael Higgins, Romany Malco, Mo’Nique, JB Smoove, Gabrielle Union, Omar Epps, Nicole Ari Parker, Jessie T. Usher and DC Young Fly.

For more information on David E. Talbert and to register for the

Actor’s Workshop & Talent Search, go to www.davidetalbert.com