%20copy.png)
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Keynotes, Guest Lecture, Master Classes
“Business of Acting in the Digital Age” by Walid Chaya, SDC, SAG-AFTRA
Created especially for performers by a diverse actor with a successful business background, Walid Chaya brings a unique take on navigating today’s entertainment industry, focusing on "Business of Acting in the Digital Age" and ways for actors to get ahead in the world's largest film and television market.
Jump-start your acting career with savvy business tools and resources every professional actor should know about with Walid Chaya, Associate Member of the Stage Directors Choreographers Society, SAG-AFTRA Actor and Director of Actors Connection LA.
From how to find representation to connecting with casting, Walid breaks down the relationships between industry professionals that can impact an actors journey and introduces a hands-on routine that helps actors run their career like a business, while still enjoying artistic freedom and creativity.
Discover modern ways to package and pitch your materials to get noticed and receive a reply when contacting directors, producers, casting directors, talent agents and personal managers. Understand the differences between these professionals and learn how to take your photos, resume, reel, social media and special skills and package them to serve you best when pitching yourself.
To book Walid for an event, please send an email to walidchaya@gmail.com.
Topics of Discussion
Biography
Walid can be seen on TV in Madam Secretary (CBS), Blacklist: Redemption (NBC), The Looming Tower (Hulu) and in theaters/on-demand for his supporting role in the feature “Skin”, based on the Oscar-winning short film by the same name. Walid also produces his own work, his new short “Driving Ms. Saudi” is an official selection of nearly a dozen festivals, currently competing in the festival circuit.
Walid is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors Choreographer Society and alumni of The American Theatre Wing's SpringBoardNYC directors program, founded by the Tony® Awards. He has directed New York and Regional productions including the Off-Broadway premiere's of Law & Order: NRU (2017), We Are Monsters the Musical (2015) and the DC premiere of Disney's "High School Musical" Live on Stage (2008). He is also the founder of DC's Moonlit Wings Productions (voted "Best for Families" by Washington Family Magazine) and CEO of Broadway in Beirut, enhancing the entertainment scene and production value in the Middle East. Most recently, Walid received the “Diversity Scholarship Award” from Upright Citizens Brigade LA.
After seven years in New York, Walid relocated to Los Angeles and now heads west coast operations for Actors Connection. Actors Connection is the leading education and personal development studio for actors founded in 1991 with headquarters in LA, NY and ATL. Walid also coaches and connects emerging performers with the finest casting directors, talent agents and personal managers. He speaks at various studios, schools and universities and his clients can be seen in commercials, TV, film and theater nationwide.
