Riant Theatre’s Writers & Actors Retreat Cruise From Nyc To Orlando, Florida & The Bahamas, Sunday, April 12th - April 19, 2024

Riant Theatre’s Writers & Actors Retreat Cruise From Nyc To Orlando, Florida & The Bahamas, Sunday, April 12th - April 19, 2024

Have you ever just wanted to get away and focus on yourself and your craft in a beautiful serene environment? Well if you’re an artist you’ll find that it’s important to take the time out to nourish your soul, body and mind. With the Writer and Actor in mind, we created the Riant Theatre’s Writers & Actors Retreat Cruise.

Sail away with us on the NORWEGIAN BLISS CRUISE to Orlando, Florida and the Bahamas for a 8-Day Cruise Departing from NYC on Sunday, April 12, 2024 and disembarking on Sunday, April 19, 2024 in NYC.

During our Retreat you will have an opportunity to participate in several events*:
• Bon Voyage Networking Cocktail Party on Saturday, April 11th at a host hotel (TBA).
• Book Signing Event, Swag Bags, Guest Speakers will talk about Producing & Writing for the Theatre in NYC;
• Welcome Aboard the Cruise Cocktail Party;
• Writing Seminar for playwrights, screenwriters and novelists;
• Read scenes from your play or novel to the group;
• Actors read TV sides for Casting Directors;
• Do your monologue for an Agent whose clients are currently working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional theatres, international and national tours, cruise ships, episodic TV and feature films;
• Select an Acting or Singing Workshop and work on audition monologues or songs; and
• Participate in morning Fitness Exercise Classes.

An EVENT PASS is $250.00 per person. To buy an Event Pass click here.
* Events are subject to change.

The Riant Theatre’s Writers & Actors Retreat Cruise on NORWEGIAN ESCAPE (Ship) from Sunday, April 12th – April 19, 2020.
Mini Suite: $1,778.31 per person / Double Occupancy
Balcony Rooms: $1,648.31 per person / Double Occupancy.
Interior Rooms: $1,118.00 per person / Double Occupancy.

All bookings include FREE Unlimited Open Bar.
Special Promo: You can reserve your room with a deposit of $100.00. The balance is due by December 12, 2018.
Contact James Saunders of JS Marketing Group & Travel at 917-816-3577 or
Register online by clicking here.

Cruise Ports: Embark New York (New York); Orlando & Beaches (Port Canaveral); Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas); Nassau (Bahamas); Disembark New York (New York).

Cruise Ports: Sunday: At 3pm Depart - Embark New York (New York). Welcome Aboard Cocktail Reception (Open Bar), Meet and Greet and Book Signing Event. Swag Bags;
Monday: At Sea. Participate in a morning Exercise Class with Nadine Carey. Participate in the Diversity Script Writing for Film and Theatre Workshop (10am-11:30am) with Tina Chapman DaCosta, Filmmaker and College Professor. Developing Your Brand Seminar (11:30am – 1pm) with Margaret Emory, agent from SW Artists. Also get feedback on your Picture and Resume. Singing Technique and Performance Workshop (3pm-5pm)with Nadine Carey, Vocal Coach and College Professor;

Tuesday: 1pm until 9pm - Orlando & Beaches (Port Canaveral). Visit nearby Kennedy Space Center for a day of inspiring and educational exhibits. Amuse yourself at any one of the world-class theme parks. Or spend the day watching alligators from an airboat;

Wednesday: 10am until 6pm - Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas). Stroll along soft, white-sand beaches and enjoy the many activities we have to offer. Snorkel and see underwater delights, kayak in crystal clear water, then get revved up on a WaveRunner adventure. The fun is endless here. Grab a bite at out new 8,500 square foot beach buffet and simply relax in your private beachfront cabana. This tropical paradise is just for you. Take advantage;

Thursday: 8am until 6pm - Nassau (Bahamas). From the waterfront to the end of Bay Street, you’ll find some of the best duty-free shopping and a charming mix of architecture, both old and new. But there’s plenty to do besides shopping – swim with the dolphins, try your luck in a casino or snorkel with colorful fish;

Friday: At Sea. On Camera Technique (10am-11:30am)with Margaret Emory, agent from SW Artists. Script Review & Readings (11:30am – 1pm)with Tina Chapman DaCosta. Acting For Commercials (1pm-3pm)with Erica Palgon, Erica Palgon Casting & Beyond, Casting Director. Workshop Scene Study for Film and Television (3pm-5pm)with Patricia R. Floyd, Actor, Director and Writer.

Saturday: At Sea. Workshop Scene Study for Film and Television (10am-11:30am)with Patricia R. Floyd, Actor, Director and Writer. Acting For Commercials (11:30am-1pm)with Erica Palgon, Erica Palgon Casting & Beyond, Casting Director. Singing Audition Technique Workshop (11:30am – 1pm)with Nadine Carey. Performance Showcase: Singers, Monologues, Poetry, Spoken Word and Scenes. (3pm-5pm);

Sunday: Disembark at 8am in New York (New York).

Margaret’s will also have copies of her 2nd edition book - ASK AN AGENT available for purchase and signing.

Formerly a legit agent at Dulcina Eisen Associates, Margaret is currently representing actors for film, TV and theater AND building the commercial and voiceover department at SW Artists, a theatrical talent agency in New York City. SW Artists is a franchised agency representing union and non-union talent: Seniors, Teens & Young Adults, Musical Theater Performers, Actors for On Camera Commercials, Voice Overs, Theater, Film & TV, TV Hosts and Public Speakers. Limited freelancing with an eye to sign. The second edition of Margaret’s book ASK AN AGENT was released last month and is also available on Amazon.com!

Workshop modules include:

Developing Your Brand - how to make an impression the minute you walk through the door. Evaluation and advice from a seasoned professional on how to locate and market your essence in a competitive winning position. Who are you? What do you do? How can you compete? What is it that separates you from others and makes you the unique, marketable talent you are? These questions addressed and answered by 20+ veteran industry professional Margaret Emory, author of highly-successful ASK AN AGENT available now in its second edition.

Participant Size: 32
Workshop Duration: 90 Minutes

On Camera Technique - For commercial and TV/film auditions, learn simple technique to win the job. Learn how to translate theatre skills into the medium of on camera in a fun-filled exploration. The workshop covers commercials, voiceovers, film and TV copy, procedures, expectations and delivery.

Particpant Size: 16
Workshop Duration: 120 Minutes

Script Review and Readings with Tina Chapman DaCosta, College Professor, Filmmaker and Computer Engineer

In this follow on workshop from “Diversity Script Writing for Film & Theatre,” participants will bring excerpts from their scripts or story ideas. Discussions will focus on the critical elements needed for developing dramatic narrative scripts, such as story development, structure and character development. Participants may have their script read in class. Participants will act as readers for each other’s scripts and offer critical feedback. Participants who want their scripts read in class, are expected to bring enough copies to provide one for each character plus two additional copies for the instructor and narrator/scene reader. Scenes should be no more than 10-pages. Participants will receive constructive feedback to further develop their script or story idea.

Participant size: 12
Workshop duration: 120 minutes

Playback Theatre with Tina Chapman DaCosta, College Professor, Filmmaker and Computer Engineer

Playback Theatre (PBT) is a form of improvisational theatre where participants share personal stories around a common theme that are enacted on the spot by Playback Theatre actors and musicians. Whether you’re an actor, singer, musician or interested in learning the PBT forms, this workshop is fun, highly interactive and helps us know each other better. Participants will be introduced to basic PBT forms, e.g., pairs, fluid sculptures, perspectives or cast story, and expected to try them out. Participants will also volunteer as storytellers and have their stories enacted. Acting experiences isn’t required but helpful. Wearing comfortable clothing is recommended.

Participant size: 16
Workshop duration: 90 minutes

Tina Chapman DaCosta has been called a “renaissance woman.” Tina has worked as a Diversity Consultant, College Professor, Filmmaker and Computer Engineer. Tina is the Director of Diversity Theater at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in the Office for Diversity and Inclusion. RIT Diversity Theater is a college wide program for faculty, staff and students that presents interactive learning workshops using theatre and film within the context of diversity and inclusion education and community building.

Tina is the recipient and presenter of several grants and conference presentations for advancing Diversity and Inclusion initiatives using theatre-based methods, such as The Forum on Workplace Inclusion conference presenter (2018), RIT President’s Grant (2017), Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence Grant (2017-2022), Community Summit on Race conference presenter (2017), National Science Foundation and ADVANCE RIT Connect Grant (2016), and International Museum and Theater Alliance (IMTAL) conference presenter (2015). Tina wrote, directed, and produced several films and plays. Tina’s latest film project, BRICK BY BRICK, a feature length film about the life of Elza “Buddy” Cannaday, the first licensed and bonded African-American contractor in Cleveland, OH, is currently in post-production.

Participants will have an opportunity to analyze and perform a scene and receive positive, nurturing critique in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Requirements: All levels of experience accepted. Please bring a picture and resume if you have one. Bring three copies of the film or television scene you would like to work on. It should be 2-4 minutes long.

Participant Size: 16
Workshop Duration: 90

Patricia R. Floyd is an actor/director/writer proudly hailing from Detroit, MI. She is a two-time AUDELCO Award winner. She served as Guest Director in Residence at Stamford Theater Works where her directing credits included: A Lesson Before Dying, Crumbs for the Table of Joy, Blood Knot, A Walk in the Woods, Medal of Honor Rag, Intimate Apparel and Bee-Luther-Hatchee. She appeared in two episodes of the HBO mini-series Show Me a Hero and recurred as Judge Rochelle Desmond on Law and Order. Her recent television appearances include: Jessica Jones, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Elementary and Orange is the New Black. She has been in several films including: Thirty Years to Life and has roles in two films awaiting release, Bikini Moon and The Incredible Jessica James. Some of her favorite theatrical credits include: The American Menu, A Raisin the the Sun, The Raft of the Medusa and Munched. She is a veteran voice-over actress and audiobook narrator. She is a three-time Golden Earphones recipient from Audiophile Magazine. Ms. Floyd has worked as a guest director/instructor at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the New York Film Academy and is a Lifetime Member of the Actors Studio.

Singing Technique and Performance Workshop with Nadine Earl Carey, Singer, Actress & Vocal Coach

Sing your heart out and enjoy vocal freedom. This workshop will work on vocal technique for 30 minutes followed by participants performing a song with feedback. Technical exercises include breath management, resonance, flexibility, range, articulation and posture. Singing a song of their choice, participants will apply the techniques to their song and experience vocal freedom by allowing the song to flow through their body, without tension, and letting their artistry shine.

Participant Size: 16
Workshop Duration: 120 Minutes

NADINE EARL CAREY is a remarkable soprano with an extraordinary stylistic and expressive range. Her operatic roles include Adele in Die Fledermaus, Oscar in Un Ballo in Maschera, Frasquita in Carmen, Mrs. Jenks in The Tender Land and Madame Goldentrill in The Impressario. She appeared in Porgy and Bess at The Metropolitan Opera. Her musical theater credits include: A Little Night Music, Ragtime, Lost in the Stars, A Grand Night for Singing, Closer Than Ever, A…My Name is Alice. Ms. Carey has been featured as a festival artist at the Canandaigua Lake Chamber Music Festival, the Music-on-the-Lake Festival in Canada and the Women in Music Festival at Eastman School of Music. She appeared with the Garth Fagan Dancers in the world premiere of Famous Orpheus, Oyamo O’s reggae version of the Greek myth. Ms. Carey portrayed Sojourner Truth in Freedom Under The Stars and Anna Douglas in A Circle of Friends, programs that tell the story of the abolitionist movement in Rochester, NY. She has performed on the Music In Midtown Series at the CUNY Graduate Center, The Hudson Guild Theater Production of The Sleeping Beauty and Romeo and Juliet. Her acclaimed show, I Feel A Song Comin’ On- The lyrics of Dorothy Fields has delighted audiences throughout the United States. She is currently on the voice faculty of City College of New York. She has been on the voice faculty of Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus) Rochester Association of the Performing Arts and the Hochstein School of Music (Rochester, NY) She is a Board Member of National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS-NYC)

• A focus on honing in on and trusting YOUR creative ideas and details.
• Owning, facing and using your fears and nerves in a smart, clever and effective way.
• Making the best use of nonverbal improv.
• Get a comprehensive understanding and clarification of expectations of directors and producers, as it relates to acting in commercials, as well as overall professionalism.
• Addressing common mistakes in auditions and how to avoid them.
• Work on all types of commercial copy – spokesperson, promos, multiple person scenes, extensive copy with specific blocking, copy with little or no dialogue.
• Playing it safe vs making smart bold choices.
• Give yourself the edge in auditions by being in the know of the most recent ads airing and observing the tone of the ads.

Participant size: 17
Workshop duration: 90 minutes

‘This workshops is a learning experience. It is not an employment opportunity. When the workshop is over the Casting Director teaching this workshop will not be taking home, nor be given access to your headshot, resume or any other of your promotional materials.’

Erica Palgon, ERICA PALGON CASTING & BEYOND

Casting Director for all types of films, commercials, voice-over, TV, webseries, theater, and reality casting. Erica works with all types of talent…improve/sketch/comedians, hosts, storytellers, writers, singers, musicians, influencers, voice over and beyond.

Erica has worked on the casting of films “Hedwig And The Angry Inch,” “Shortbus”, “Series 7,” “Great World Of Sound;” “Just Like the Son” with Mark Webber and Brendan Sexton III, “The Project” with Michael Stahl David and Matt Servitto, “Doomsdays” with Leo Fitzpatrick, “Hannah Has a Ho Phase” with Kate McKinnon, “C Street” with Dylan Walsh, Don Stark, Michael Gross, Jessica Blank and Grainger Hines, “Dark” executive produced by Joe Dante, starring Brendan Sexton III and Michael Ecklund, dramatic feature “Hudson Tribes” featuring Godfrey, Sherman Howard, Liz Larsen, Owen Campbell. Short films “Visit 57” directed by Kate Phelan; and a hilarious short film “Murphy Crib, featuring an ensemble of creative female comedy talent.

Erica served as casting consultant for 2014 Shorty Awards, the awards for best content in social media, attaching Natasha Leggero as host and presenters Matt Walsh, H. Jon Benjamin and Gilbert Gottfried. She is very proud of her casting work for “Unlocked The World of Games Revealed”, a docuseries about the video game industry. The cast of celebrity correspondents includes Sean Astin, Tom Arnold, Michael Rooker, Matt Walsh, Penn Jillette, and Zelda Williams. Erica also completed casting on a comedy series for TruTV’s Late Night Snack, titled “Blank meets Blank,” cast a home renovation team for a new series HOMEMADE.COM for A&E and FYI, hosts for HISTORY CHANNEL and dating show “Date Night Live” for LIFETIME. Her other TV and web credits include FULL FRONTAL with SAMANTHA BEE, SESAME STREET, HSN, PBS, TV LAND, BUZZFEED as well as a new series “West 40s” for Comedy Central writer/director Mark Sam Rosenthal.

Erica also cast several hilarious promos for COMEDY CENTRAL for Amy Schumer Show, The Daily Show, The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, South Park, and Tosh.0. She has extensive commercial casting credits among them Sobe ad for the Superbowl; Booking.com commercial and ESPYS video, (both which aired during 2016 ESPYS Awards show), Geico, Google, Target, T-Mobile, Wheat Thins, Nature Made Gummies, Kellogg’s Lord and Taylor, Chevron, Volvo, Panera Bread, HGTV, voice-overs for Boar’s Head, T-Mobile, TJ Maxx, and Citibank. Over her 20 years in the business, Erica has worked with and learned from top commercial and film directors, including John Cameron Mitchell, Tom DiCillo, Jesse Peretz, Matt Aselton, Phil Morrison, Jeff Preiss, David Gordon Green, Pam Thomas, Kinka Usher, Frank Samuel, Dewey Nicks, Mark Pellington, Mark Tiedemann, Fredrik Bond, Stacy Wall, and Morgan J Freeman. Erica’s reputation and skills also caught the attention of renowned ad agency GREY Advertising, whose casting department hires her regularly to prep and cast for their top clients, over the past 9 years. Jobs include Pringles, Febreze, Olive Garden, TJ Maxx, Longhorn, Hasbro, Abreva, Emergen-c, Trulicity, Canon, Advil, Panadol, Ad Council, Radio Shack and Breath Right.

Sunday, April 12th at 8:00 PM | Price: $250.00