ACTORFEST® New York sends our thoughts and prayers to the Americans in the Gulf Coast.

Back Stage® Presents the 14th Annual ACTORFEST® NEW YORK October 29, 2005 9am - 5pm New York Marriot Marquis 1535 Broadway

New York, NY (August 31, 2005) - ACTORFEST® NEW YORK 2005 is an opportunity for actors to PROACTIVELY improve their career. ACTORFEST®, "a trade fair for actors and actresses" (New York Times) is the country's most significant conference dedicated to bringing together the business's most influential agents, casting directors, managers, producers and directors with actors.

ACTORFEST® is an opportunity for actors, from across the country, to learn from experts, essential career planning in regards to film, TV, theatre and other performing arts disciplines. Career Seminars, moderated by an entertainment industry professional, include Auditioning for Film & Television: Warming Up to Cold Readings; Switch Hitters: Actors Who Work Both Stage and Screen; Pursuing the Indie Film Scene: The Actor's Angle. Attendees can interact with agents, casting directors, managers and niche professionals in Focus Sessions such as Be a Smart Actor; Getting an Agent: You Have a Say in the Matter; Stage & Screen Auditions: Insights & Tips; The How's, Why's, and When's of Joining the Unions; Making It in Voice-Overs; How to Prepare for a Sitcom Audition; Breaking Into Daytime Drama; How to Make a Positive Impression with a Casting Director.

The Free Exhibit Hall, a place for actors to mingle and network, consists of over 90 booths of industry professionals from all aspects of the business from acting services and coaches to web development.

A portion of the proceeds from ACTORFEST® go to Adopt-a-School, a joint program with Inside Broadway™, Broadway's Not-for-Profit Educational Organization. This program was initiated, by ACTORFEST®, four years ago to support New York City's public school children by promoting arts in education and building relationships between individuals, groups, corporations and their local communities.

ACTORFEST® (www.backstage.com/actorfestny) When: Saturday, October 29 from 9am - 5pm Where: New York Marriott Marquis (Times Square, 1535 Broadway, 5th floor). Cost: The Exhibit Hall is FREE and open to anyone. A package of classes is $45 and includes one Career Seminar and one Focus Session. Registration and Information: www.backstage.com/actorfestny, 646.654.5706, actorfest@backstage.com.

Back Stage, the industry's foremost informational business resource for the aspiring and established actor, is proud to present this unique event, which provides career resources and encourages career development for individuals pursuing the performing arts.

Sponsors: FOCUS FEATURES, National Sponsor; JETBLUE AIRWAYS®, Gold Sponsor; PROCTER & GAMBLE PRODUCTIONS, producers of As The World Turns and Guiding Light, Silver Sponsor; INSIDE BROADWAY™, Benefit Sponsor.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.backstage.com/actorfestny. ACTORFEST® New York is produced by actor/producer Jeff Riebe, the Career Seminars and Focus Sessions are produced by Back Stage Editor-in-Chief Sherry Eaker. They can be reached at 646.654.5706, actorfest@backstage.com. Press contact is Katie Rosin, Kampfire Films Marketing and Public Relations, 917-562-5670 or krosin@kampfirefilms.com.

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About the Author

Katherine Rosin has been working in the New York film and entertainment industry since 1995. Ms. Rosin is thrilled about joining the team of her most recent clients: Our Name is Mud, a paint-your-own pottery studio and national ceramics merchandise distributor; FAD, a production company which provides motion content for various venues; "Fitness for Wellness", a fitness DVD, and Actorfest, a one-day event for actors to help them take control o