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The Craft of Acting: Insights from Bryan Cranston's "A Life in Parts"

6/24/2017

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written by Carrie Spring, Ames Community Arts Council Intern
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Wouldn’t it be nice to just leave your own life behind and take a walk in someone else’s shoes? Many already have with acting.

Acting is a beloved art form that has been around for thousands of years. It is the process of portraying a character in the form of a play or movie. However, portraying a character accurately and making it believable is harder than it sounds. It takes many people a lifetime to perfect the craft. Many, like Bryan Cranston, famous for his portrayal of Walter White in "Breaking Bad," started from the bottom. As I was reading his memoir "A Life in Parts," I found that the memoir was littered with dozens of tips on how to perfect your acting. With summer theater performances and workshops in full swing, now may be the perfect time to share some of them with you. Perhaps you can also use this advice and perfect your craft.

There are two main parts of the acting process auditioning and character building.

Auditioning is the most recognizable part of the acting process. Auditions are how you show the director that you are the perfect pick for the particular role you would like to play. Often, when an actor goes to audition and they prepare or read the script they plan out every move and every emotion they are going to be feeling. Have you done this? I know I have, and of course, Bryan Cranston has as well.

If an acclaimed actor has planned every move before and ended up being successful, how can you nail that next audition? Well, Cranston says in his memoir "A Life in Parts" that “My goal when I prepare isn’t to plot out each action and reaction but to think: What are the possible emotional levels my character could experience?”

As a reader, you’re probably asking yourself, “Wouldn’t it be better if I had everything planned out ahead of time rather than just have an idea of what my character would feel?” Well, with acting you are always trying to connect with your audience on an emotional level so that they can grow and relate to the character. If you have everything planned out, there is no growth. Instead, you have created a character that is on auto pilot, and that is never appealing. In fact, Cranston says, “It’s about letting go.” Let go of your planning and allow yourself to open up. Instead of planning every move, try experiencing the story as the character would, in real time. Really let those emotions grab you, because when you do, that is when you are going to offer something relatable and authentic.

The most fundamental part of the acting process is character building. Character building is determining what is at the core of your character. What makes him/her tick? What are his/her habits? What makes them, them? If this sounds a lot like researching, than you’re right. Cranston says, “As an actor you need to be sensitive, to be open, to be able to observe people and study human behavior.”

So, building a character can be as easy as people watching and learning a new skill. However, don’t limit yourself. Experiencing things that your character has experienced will give you building blocks that are essential to creating a character that is relatable and real. So, read books, travel to new places, learn new skills, and study as many people as you can.

Finally, there are two things that Cranston said that really struck me that I want you to consider as you contemplate your next audition. One, “Confidence is king.” Second, “Be open to change.”

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It's time for the 2017 Arts Awards Celebration!

4/2/2017

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It's always a pleasure to honor just a few of the artists, volunteers,businesses, audience members and other supporters of the arts during the annual Arts Awards Celebration. We so hope you can join us!  Check out the details, below...
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The Ames Community Arts Council will host its annual Arts Awards Celebration on Sunday, April 23 at 1:30 p.m. at the Octagon Center for the Arts [427 Douglas Ave., Ames]. The public is invited to join the Arts Council in honoring those who have supported and encouraged the arts through their extraordinary actions and exemplary service to the Ames community. This event is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be served. Music will be provided by an ISU Entrepreneurship class offered by James Boninette, Jamband II. Musicians include Matt Wendland, drums; Jonah Degeest, piano, Dev Thaker, guitar; Elijah Feurhelm, saxophone; and Andrew Vogler, bass.
 
The following awards will be given:

Hazel Hammer Cherished Volunteer: Tara Gartin, nominated by the Story Theater Company
Hazel Hammer Cherished Volunteer: Rae Reilly, nominated by Worldly Goods
Bill Pelz Spirit Award: Jim Coppoc, nominated by Ryan Sheeler
Distinguished Board Member: Tom Mohr, nominated by the Ames Choral Society
Art in the Workplace: Alluvial Brewing Company, nominated by Jim Brockpahler
Local Treasure: Jonathan Sturm, nominated by Roger Berger
Art Educator: Molly Nagel, nominated by Mark Widrlechner
Lifetime Achievement: Carole Horowitz, nominated by the Ames Children’s Choirs
 
The Ames Community Arts Council is supported in part by the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA). For more information about this event, visit our website: www.amesart.org.

Some of the awardees from 2016! 

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New Semester, New Interns! Meet Carrie...

2/11/2017

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It's another introduction to another great intern who we are very excited to work with this semester.  Carrie brings a wealth of experience and excitement to the position, and we're looking forward to her helping us to develop our website and create our newsletter.

Hello, my name is Carrie Spring. I’m 28 years old, and I’m finishing my senior year at Iowa State University. I have been in and out of college for 10 years, and I’m stoked to finally be finishing up in December. I’m graduating with a double major in Public Relations and English. I was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Once people figure out I’m not from Iowa, (I blend in, what can I say?), they usually ask me why I came to Iowa, of all places. It’s a complicated story, but once I was 18 I wanted to be independent, so I moved 1,600 miles away. I have loved every minute of it here. There is no other place like it.

Over the past 10 years I have worked my way up from being a cashier at Kohl’s in 2007 to being a manager and a jewelry sales associate at JCPenney. My job is mostly sales and part manager, but doing retail has definitely given me some valuable skills I am going to need in Public Relations.

When I’m not working, my hobbies include playing video games. I’m a gamer at heart. There is nothing quite like being able to hop on a game  and play with your friends while releasing all of your pent up frustrations by playing World of Warcraft. It’s a great way to take yourself out of your own life and be transported into an entirely new one. Being a gamer can get you a bad reputation from time to time, but to me video games are art. It’s one of the reasons I love them so much. Before I was a gamer, I was really into performing arts. Throughout my childhood and teenage years I was active in choir and drama. I even picked up color guard for my high school marching band, McQueen High School Lancer Marching Band, my junior and senior year of high school.

In no particular order, my performing arts activities have included being in a large choir, being in a small women’s acapella choir, drama, and marching band. My marching band highlights have included marching at the Fiesta Bowl in 2006 and winning fifth place in the nation, and winning first place at the Nevada State Marching Band championships in 2005. It is something I miss every day.
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There is nothing else quite like art. It’s how you represent yourself to the world and I have noticed throughout my life that art really speaks to people. It’s not only something you enjoy, but it’s also something that helps you through hard times. You can really connect with art on a personal level, and this is what makes it so appealing. It’s why I joined the Ames Community Arts Council as an intern. My goal is to help people connect with art so they can bring meaning, healing, and passion to their own lives. 

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Five Reasons You Should Attend "Toast Your Local Arts!"

2/5/2017

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Our members are Artists and supporters of the arts, non-profit organizations and businesses that have come together as the Ames Community Arts Council since 1976. We are dedicated to building a sense of community and helping artists succeed. We believe that participating in the arts--as audience members, musicians, actors, dancers, writers, makers, volunteers, and more--enriches our lives and our community. There is a place for everyone in the Ames Community Arts Council.

By attending the Toast Your Local Arts Council! fundraiser on Friday, February 17, you are helping us to continue to live our mission of celebrating the arts in Ames.

Here are just a few of the reasons you should be there:

1. Your financial support of the Ames Community Arts Council is critical to our success. It’s no secret that in our current political climate, truly local support of our artists, arts organizations, and arts advocacy groups is increasingly important. By pledging your support, you will assure that we can continue to build more resources and opportunities to support the incredible creative community we have in Ames.

2. A strong arts presence is good for your community. University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that a high concentration of arts in a city leads to higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare, and lower crime and poverty rates (1). As such, the Ames Community Arts Council strives to assure that artists thrive in Ames. Your financial support allows us to do what we do.

3. The arts drive economic growth. Nationally, the typical audience member spends an average of $27.79 per person, per event, beyond the price of admission (2). The Ames Community Arts Council promotes the events of our members to over 600 individuals each week through our e-newsletter and other social media outlets. By spreading the word, we are helping to build audiences, and increasing the success of the individual events while also increasing economic impact. Your engagement in our social media outlets, the events of our members, and this year’s fundraiser, assures the continued positive economic influence of the arts in Ames.

4. Our members are your friends, family, and neighbors, and they are incredibly talented, too. While we won’t have any live performances this year, we will be highlighting our members throughout the evening and giving you just a taste of what they, as individual artists, ensemble members, and local businesses, add to our cultural fabric. Your presence proves that what they do is important to you.

5. It will be a lot of fun! The planning committee has been working hard to create an event that is laid back, and quirky, and that will be a good time for everyone! We’ll have food, drinks, crafts, music, and well…TOAST. Carb loading for the arts is always good, right?


*** *** **** ***
This event is supported by the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau Community Grant Program and the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA). Additional promotional support has been provided by KASI-AM – News Talk Radio, Ames.
If you would like more information, please contact the Ames Community Arts Council by calling 515-233-6110, e-mailing [email protected], or visiting the website, www.amesart.org.
 
(1) http://blog.americansforthearts.org/2016/03/04/10-reasons-to-support-the-arts-in-2016, pt. #8
(2) www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/pdf/information_services/research/services/economic_impact/aepiii/national_report.pdf, pg. 9
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New Semester, New Interns! Meet Erin Parro

2/5/2017

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Join us in welcoming a new crew of interns to the Ames Community Arts Council!  These amazing students assist with everything from publicity and marketing to website design and crafting.  We couldn't do what we do without their help!  Today's intern is Erin Parro.  She is a Junior at Iowa State, and we are thrilled to have her!
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​Hi my name is Erin Parro. I am a junior studying public relations and international studies. I am from Grayslake, Illinois, which is about 45 minutes north of Chicago. Some of my favorite things to do are running, cooking and traveling. Traveling is by far my favorite thing to do. I think some may say I’m addicted to it. So far I have been to 13 countries over four continents in a little over two years. In the fall of 2015, I studied abroad through the program Semester at Sea. Through this program, I was able to travel around the world visiting a number of countries all while living on a ship. Before my study abroad in college, I was able to take a trip to Europe my senior year of high school and again right after my freshman year of college. Through traveling, I have been able to broaden my horizon to the vast cultures and customs around the world. It is interesting to travel to all of these places and learn about the history, savor the food and talk with the locals about what makes each country so unique. As I have come home from my travels, I always get the question, “what is your favorite place you have been to?” I think through my open-mindedness, I have enjoyed something about every place I have ever been. It is about finding the beauty and the good in all places and people. Two of my next adventures I have planned is to study abroad my entire senior year, one semester in Europe somewhere and Thailand the other semester. 

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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Our Headquarters - Worldly Goods

10/5/2016

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The 2016 Ames Area Studio Tour will be Saturday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 9 from noon to 4 p.m.  Over the next few weeks we'll introduce you to our artists and attempt to give you a small glimpse of what you might see when you visit their studios.  We hope you are able to join us!  
Find more information here.

Worldly Goods - Studio Tour Headquarters  [223 Main St., Ames]
A non-profit, fair-trade store, operated by volunteers
Right on Main Street, Worldly Goods will serve as the headquarters for the Ames Area Studio Tour.  Staff and volunteers will be on hand to help visitors navigate the event, from understanding how a studio tour works to knowing just exactly where to go.  They will also have treats!

Worldly Goods appreciates the Studio Tour for being a great way to showcase local artists while helping people to meet and have real conversations with artists.

While on the Studio Tour, take time to check out the store.  Worldly Goods is a fair-trade shop that promotes fair trade income and fair trade practices. Visitors can learn the stories of the stores’ artisans, whose works are sold in the store. The items you find there represent all sorts of art with a very international flair.

Don’t be afraid to stop by and ask any questions you may have! 

Learn more about Worldly Goods and the Ames Area Studio Tour by visiting our website, here.

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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Meet the Artist - Brendan Zimmermann

10/2/2016

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The 2016 Ames Area Studio Tour will be Saturday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 9 from noon to 4 p.m.  Over the next few weeks we'll introduce you to our artists and attempt to give you a small glimpse of what you might see when you visit their studios.  We hope you are able to join us!  
Find more information here.

Brendan Zimmerman [1593 Xavier Ave., Ames]
Brendan Zimmermann started woodworking when he was only 5 or 6 years old with his grandfather. They loved trying to make small wooden boats together, and though the boats would always sink, his passion for woodworking stuck with him.
 
Brendan originally came from Solon, Iowa and went to college at Iowa State, graduating with a BS in general business. Although the degree had nothing to do with woodworking, it helped quite a bit as Brendan started his own business, Stone House Woodworking.
 
Before Brendan’s career in woodworking, he was a computer modeler. This computer modeling taught him a lot about how things fit together and how best to build things. Even now, to be more precise, he designs most things he builds on the computer before cutting the lumber.
 
Brendan’s woodworking consists of simple lines and subtle curves. He likes to look to architecture and nature to inspire aspects of his furniture, especially color and grain. He also enjoys looking to other furniture makers and artists. Using design cues from them is great way to stay relevant and expand his work.
 
Brendan believes his success is a result of his confidence in his craftsmanship. To be a truly gifted woodworker, you have to try to improve each day and not just be content with the pieces you’re able to make today. A slight sense of dissatisfaction and constant need to improve drives your craft. 
 
Brendan’s favorite project continues to be a set of chairs he did when he first tried producing furniture. He loves this project because after making the chairs he could finally call himself a furniture maker, a proud moment for him.
 
The Studio Tour guests visiting Stone House Woodworking can expect sawdust on the floor and cold beer if they’d like. Brendan hopes the guests will be interested in the process, in tooling, in the materials, and in the methods that make woodworking so unique. He hopes guests gain a real understanding of the time and effort these projects take.
 
To learn more about Brendan Zimmermann, Stone House Working and the Ames Area Studio Tour please click, here.

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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Meet the Artist - Letitia Kenemer

9/29/2016

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The 2016 Ames Area Studio Tour will be Saturday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 9 from noon to 4 p.m.  Over the next few weeks we'll introduce you to our artists and attempt to give you a small glimpse of what you might see when you visit their studios.  We hope you are able to join us!  
Find more information here.

Letitia Kenemer [226 Northbrook Cir., Ames]
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Letitia Kenemer spends her days working as the Workspace Coordinator in ISU’s Memorial Union and managing the MU’s Fine Arts Program, where she rotates several art exhibits each year throughout the building. This role also allows her to recruit artists, install the art exhibits and create related programming.
 
When she’s not working at the MU, Kenemer creates her own unique and distinct artwork. She describes her art as fitting the category of mixed media assemblage.
 
“I am a collector of objects, always searching for small items that look or feel interesting to me.  I give order to discarded or forgotten items, reintroducing them to the world in a new way with a new identity,” Kenemer said. “Finding ways for these treasures to interact is a constant process.  Moving, rearranging, adding, subtracting…these assemblages are a work in progress until I feel that everything is in the “right” place.”
 
Kenemer graduated from ISU with a degree in visual studies. She worked at the Octagon Center for the Arts before returning to the university.
 
When asked what inspires her to be an artist, Kenemer said “making things is part of who I am.”
 
“Since I often work with found objects,  I’m constantly inspired – it’s time that makes it hard for me. I’m inspired by seeing other artist’s work that resonates with me.  I can find a rusty piece of metal in the street while walking the dog and be inspired,” Kenemer said.
 
As a loyal advocate for the Arts in Ames, Kenemer is excited to be a part of the 2016 Studio Tour. She said any time there is an opportunity to support the arts, either by participating or attending, she makes it a priority.
 
Kenemer lives in Ames with her husband, Hugo, who is also an artist, and their son Harvey.

For more information on Letitia Kenemer and the Ames Area Studio Tour please click, here.

 

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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Meet the Artist - Melissa Stenstrom

9/27/2016

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The 2016 Ames Area Studio Tour will be Saturday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 9 from noon to 4 p.m.  Over the next few weeks we'll introduce you to our artists and attempt to give you a small glimpse of what you might see when you visit their studios.  We hope you are able to join us!  
Find more information here.

Melissa Stenstrom [507 Main St, Suite 1, Ames]
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Melissa Stenstrom is a custom jeweler based in Ames. She received her bachelor of fine arts and her masters in art education from Iowa State and now owns and operates Melissa Stenstrom Fine Jewelry. She’s been in the Main Street Cultural District since 2009 and also teaches art classes at Des Moines Area Community College.
 
Melissa’s shop isn’t full of mass produced items, and that’s by design. Instead, she wants an intimate experience for her customers so they can choose what styles best suit them. Though her shop may not have the world reach of large jewelers, customers can have peace of mind knowing her materials are safe and ethical.
 
Melissa doesn’t have a favorite piece because that changes with each new creation. She’s really proud when a customer comes in and they can collaborate to make that perfect piece that is true to the customer’s vision. That’s mainly how her practice has changed over time. She’s continues to evolve to do more for her customers.
 
Her latest artistic challenge has been outside the world of metalsmithing and jewelry. Having recently received a new camera as a gift, she’s taken to photography and has been trying to photograph her jewelry for her online presence.  Photographing jewelry is harder than it looks, as the image just never looks as good as the piece does in person.  But, she continues to get better and admits to practicing on her cats a lot!  You can check out her photography on Instagram @stenstrommelissa.
 
Melissa says no item in her studio is truly indispensable for basic metalsmithing work, but many are needed for elaborate jewelry work. She doesn’t need much preparation for her craft. The morning routine consists of making coffee, feeding the turtles, and getting back to project she was working on.
 
Melissa wants visitors on the Ames Area Studio Tour to know she’s here to make their next custom jewelry piece and explain the process behind it. She also hopes that the guests will share something they’ve learned from the other studios, because she’s excited to host a tour stop but also wishes she could go on the tour herself!
 
For more information on Melissa Stenstrom, Melissa Stenstrom Fine Jewelry, and the Ames Area Studio Tour please click, here.

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2016 Ames Area Studio  Tour: Meet the Artist - Dan Marks

9/18/2016

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The 2016 Ames Area Studio Tour will be Saturday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 9 from noon to 4 p.m.  Over the next few weeks we'll introduce you to our artists and attempt to give you a small glimpse of what you might see when you visit their studios.  We hope you are able to join us!  
Find more information here.

Dan Marks [2307 Timberland Rd., Ames]
Bright colors, electric, dream-like, expressive – And that is just a start in describing the work of Dan Marks. The local acrylic painter, who is a graduate of Columbia College in Missouri, knew as early as 1st grade that creating was what he wanted to do. “I paint for myself,” he said in his description of growing up as an artist.
 
Starting out, Marks worked with a variety of media, using materials like nylon, aluminum, plastic, and more to create 3 dimensional paintings. What exactly is a 3D painting? Marks described it as a complete mix of materials, shaped into a setting, where paint is the primary medium.
 
In his current work, however, Marks’ focus in media has shifted to acrylic paint on canvas. “I like painting an experience,” said Marks in describing a series of pieces depicting small towns and settings all over the country. “I don’t like to place people in the setting so that the viewer can feel that they are there by themselves. It is all about their experience and being in that place,” he said.  
 
While Marks mentioned how much he looks to the work of Van Gogh, Larry Rivers, and many more, the local artist gave some good advice himself. “Always be evolving. There is no right or wrong way to paint,” he said.
 
In participating in the Studio Tour next month, Marks is most excited to share his work with visitors, inviting them into his home, which is like a gallery in and of itself. “Since I paint for me, all I can do is hope they like it,” he said.
 
Learn more about Dan Marks, his work, and the Ames Area Studio Tour by visiting our website, here.

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About Us  |  Members  |  Calendar  |  Contact  |  FAQ  |  Blog  |  Admin

The Ames Community Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded through memberships, donations, and grants, including the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA).

© 2025 Ames Community Arts Council
Our Mission:
The Ames Community Arts Council is dedicated to celebrating the arts in Ames. To this end, we strive to bring people together through the arts, and to increase arts awareness, collaboration, participation, and education.​

Mailing Address:
PO Box 1842, Ames, IA  50010
Email Address:
[email protected]
Phone:
515.259.0494
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