Master Classes & Workshops
Monday, June 9, 2025
*Indicates workshops that may be included with a Festival Pass. Please note that Master Classe are NOT included with passes and must be purchased separately.
WORKSHOP
Mastering Performance, Presence & Influence
Facilitator: Oscar Hines
MONDAY, JUNE 9
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
MATCH Gallery
$20 Class Fee*
This interactive, high-impact workshop is designed to help actors, directors, and producers refine their on-screen and on-stage presence, communication skills, and storytelling techniques. Through Live Interactive Coaching, by a renowned Communications Expert, participants will learn the secrets of charismatic performance, voice control, body language mastery, and industry influence to captivate audiences and land bigger opportunities.
WORKSHOP
So You Wanna Act?
Facilitator: Curtis Von
MONDAY, JUNE 9
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Matchbox 1
$20 Class Fee*
Audition prep workshop.
WORKSHOP
Playwrights Workshop: Creativity, Imagination, and Structure
Facilitator: Thomas Meloncon
MONDAY, JUNE 9
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Matchbox 1
$20 Class Fee*
Provides attendees with basic information on the craft of Playwriting: Elements and Structure of script development.
WORKSHOP
Directing New Talent: Maximizing Performance with Inexperienced Actors
Facilitator: Cleo House-Keller
MONDAY, JUNE 9
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
MATCH Gallery
$20 Class Fee*
This workshop aims to equip early career directors with the skills and techniques necessary to effectively work with inexperienced actors. Participants will learn how to build trust, communicate effectively, and create a supportive environment that encourages actors to deliver their best performances.
Poet Se7en
MASTER CLASS
"Poetry Chose Me"
Facilitator: Se7en, The Poet
MONDAY, JUNE 9
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Matchbox 3
$60 Class Fee
Join Se7en the Poet for an inspiring session on purpose, power, and the calling of the spoken word. More than performance, this master class explores how poetry becomes a path to healing, leadership, and impact.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
WORKSHOP
Improve Basics with Can't Tell Us Nothing
Facilitator: Amechi Ngwe
TUESDAY, JUNE 10
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Matchbox 3
$20 Class Fee*
Each scene you perform in improv is unique and will be funny, insightful, and moving in its own way. CTUN will walk you through some exercises that reflect how we like to approach the world of scene building, character creation, and some basic tools to make improv simple and fun.
WORKSHOP
The 3 P's of Auditioning Techniques
Facilitator: Vickie L. Evans
TUESDAY, JUNE 10
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Matchbox 1
$20 Class Fee*
This dynamic and interactive class equips aspiring and seasoned performers with the essential skills to master the audition process. Through the framework of the "Three P's"—Presentation, Performance, and Punctuality—you’ll learn how to make a lasting impression from the moment you walk through the door.
WORKSHOP
Bank of America Financial Literacy
TUESDAY, JUNE 10
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Matchbox 4
$20 Class Fee*
WORKSHOP
Paula Wilson Arts Administration
Facilitator: Paula Wilson
TUESDAY, JUNE 10
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Matchbox 3
$20 Class Fee*
This session provides an overview of arts administration—the business side of the arts. From marketing and fundraising to operations and programming, participants will get a crash course on all the non-related aspects that are needed to ensure the show goes on.
WORKSHOP
So You Wanna Act?
Facilitator: Curtis Von
TUESDAY, JUNE 10
11:30 AM to 1:00PM
Matchbox 4
$20 Class Fee*
Proven tools to get the role, selecting the right monologue, creating a bio/resume, headshots, audition preparation, and delivering the most explosive audition possible.
WORKSHOP
Auditioning for Musical Theater
Facilitator: Dr. John Cornelius, II
TUESDAY, JUNE 10
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Matchbox 2
18+
$20 Class Fee*
Best practices for best outcomes. Sharpen your vocal and acting skills for musical theatre auditions. Learn how to make strong choices and stand out with confidence. Perfect for beginners and experienced performers alike.
WORKSHOP
Behind the Scenes:
Audio, Digital Scenery, and Lighting in Theater
Facilitator: Covenant Communications
TUESDAY, JUNE 10
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
MATCH Gallery
$20 Class Fee*
Join Covenant Communications, industry leaders in theatre technology for over 24 years, for a dynamic workshop exploring the technical side of theatrical production. This session will provide practical insights into modern tools and techniques used in audio engineering, digital scenery, and professional stage lighting.
Participants will receive expert instruction from top-tier professionals and an audience Q&A. Whether you're a theatre student, technician, educator, or enthusiast, this is a valuable opportunity to elevate your technical understanding and network with experienced professionals in the field.
Recommended For: Emerging and experienced stage techs, students of theatre production, educators, and theatre artists interested in behind-the-scenes innovation.
MASTER CLASS
Reel Life with Novi Brown: How To Uplift Women As We Climb
Facilitator: Novi Brown
TUESDAY, JUNE 10
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Matchbox 2
$60 Class Fee
Enjoy an interactive masterclass with actor and producer Novi Brown as she invites you to ask REAL questions about being a woman in the entertainment industry, on how to build community and make your way towards owning your own voice.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
WORKSHOP
The South is Poetry
Facilitator: EJ Baptiste
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Matchbox 3
$20 Class Fee*
Participants will explore the cultural and historical contexts that shaped Southern poetry and delve into the works of celebrated poets like Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Natasha Trethewey, Robert Penn Warren, and Nikki Giovanni. Through guided readings, group discussion, and hands-on writing exercises, attendees will gain a deeper appreciation for the unique voices and perspectives that have emerged from this vibrant region.
WORKSHOP
The Amazing Audition: Become Your Friendly Neighborhood Hired Singer
Facilitator: Errin Hatter
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
MATCH Gallery
$20 Class Fee*
Make your auditions more successful by learning some updated tools to help prepare for community or professional setting. In this workshop, attendees will create or modify the tools needed to have a successful audition before entering the room to the audition room. Attendees will receive a digital template and other digital items to improve or begin their audition package. Time permitting, there may be time to evaluate volunteers who desire feedback.
WORKSHOP
Acting and Writing from a Culturally Safe Place
Facilitator: Andre Minkins
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Matchbox 1
$20 Class Fee*
The purpose of this Acting and writing workshop is to illuminate fundamental techniques in acting and writing that will cultivate and enhance the creative talent of each student. Through these various techniques the students will engage in exercises that will progressively develop their skills through concepts that deal with culturally relevant perceptions and objectives as it relates to human behavior in general.
WORKSHOP
The Inner Stage
Facilitator: EJ Baptiste
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
MATCH Gallery
$20 Class Fee*
Designed for both writers and actors alike, dive deep into the minds of characters in this transformative theater and film workshop focused on the psychological aspects of character development. Participants will explore techniques to understand and create complex characters by delving into their psyches, motivations, and emotional landscapes. This workshop is designed to enhance abilities to create authentic, believable characters by drawing on psychological theory and practice.
Lauren Anderson
MASTER CLASS
The Dancer's Path: Breaking Through in the Entertainment Industry
Facilitator: Lauren Anderson
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Matchbox 3
$60 Class Fee
Through the lens of her dance career, this dynamic talk explores what it takes to break into and thrive in the entertainment industry. Open to all creatives, the session offers real-world insights, lessons on perseverance, and inspiration for anyone pursuing a path in the arts.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
WORKSHOP
Acting and Writing from a Culturally Safe Place
Facilitator: Andre Minkins
THURSDAY, JUNE 12
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Matchbox 1
$20 Class Fee*
The purpose of this Acting and writing workshop is to illuminate fundamental techniques in acting and writing that will cultivate and enhance the creative talent of each student. Through these various techniques the students will engage in exercises that will progressively develop their skills through concepts that deal with culturally relevant perceptions and objectives as it relates to human behavior in general.
WORKSHOP
The 3 P's of Auditioning Techniques
Facilitator: Vickie L. Evans
THURSDAY, JUNE 12
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Matchbox 3
$20 Class Fee*
This dynamic and interactive class equips aspiring and seasoned performers with the essential skills to master the audition process. Through the framework of the "Three P's"—Presentation, Performance, and Punctuality—you’ll learn how to make a lasting impression from the moment you walk through the door.
WORKSHOP
To Present or to Represent? That is the Question.
Facilitator: Tazeen Zahida
THURSDAY, JUNE 12
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Matchbox 1
$20 Class Fee*
In this thought-provoking session, Tazeen Zahidi explores the tension between presenting truth and representing identity within the creative process. How do artists of color navigate the expectations to "represent" their communities while pursuing personal expression? What is gained—and what is compromised—in the act of representation? This conversation invites participants to reflect on authorship, authenticity, and the politics of visibility in performance and storytelling.
Perfect for playwrights, directors, actors, producers, and students seeking deeper insight into the complexities of creative identity.
Jason Dirden
MASTER CLASS
From Stage to Screen
Facilitator: Jason Dirden
THURSDAY, JUNE 12
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
MATCH Gallery
$60 Class Fee
Dirden’s innate ability to deliver complex characters that are universal to the human experience is deeply embedded in his pedigree. Growing up watching his father and older brother engulfed in the arts, prompted his passionate pursuit of storytelling. In an industry driven by will and determination, a word often intertwined in defining Dirden’s entertainment footprint is FEARLESS!
Friday, June 13, 2025
WORKSHOP
Acting and Writing from a Culturally Safe Place
Facilitator: Andre Minkins
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Matchbox 1
$20 Class Fee*
The purpose of this Acting and writing workshop is to illuminate fundamental techniques in acting and writing that will cultivate and enhance the creative talent of each student. Through these various techniques the students will engage in exercises that will progressively develop their skills through concepts that deal with culturally relevant perceptions and objectives as it relates to human behavior in general.
WORKSHOP
My First Movie
Facilitator: Joan Montreuil
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
MATCH Gallery
$20 Class Fee*
Understanding Film Basics, Scriptwriting Skills, Production Techniques, Critical Analysis, and Team Collaboration.
WORKSHOP
Building Your Own Table: Power of Producing Musical Theater
Facilitator: Alric Davis
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Matchbox 3
$20 Class Fee*
Alric Davis, Founding Artistic Director of The Sankofa Collective teaches a workshop for adults about understanding the role of a producer in theatre, including overseeing all aspects of a production from vision, collaboration, pre-production to post-production.
WORKSHOP
Mastering the Business of Acting
Facilitator: BEAZ Talent Agency
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Matchbox 1
$20 Class Fee*
To equip actors with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively secure representation, communicate professionally with agents, and understand industry expectations. This session will provide actionable insights on how to navigate the business side of acting and elevate actor’s careers.
WORKSHOP
Jokes, Drama, & A Little Bit of Therapy
Facilitator: Ibukunola Rojugbokan
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Matchbox 4
$20 Class Fee*
Writing from personal experience is one of the most powerful tools a writer/artist can use, whether crafting stand-up comedy, poetry, plays, or monologues. This class is designed to help participants transform life experiences into emotionally resonant and impactful stage pieces. Through hands-on, immersive activities, they will write, laugh, and perhaps even cry as they develop their craft.
Dr. Malik Yoba
MASTER CLASS
Why Are You On The Planet? Unlocking the Power of Personal Story
Facilitator: Dr. Malik Yoba
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
MATCH Gallery
$60 Class Fee
Actor • Director • Entrepreneur • Educator • Philanthropist
Malik Yoba is a 3x NAACP Image Award-winning actor, known for his breakout role in Disney’s Cool Runnings and his iconic portrayal of Detective J.C. Williams on New York Undercover. With over 50 film credits and numerous television roles—including Empire, Designated Survivor, and Why Did I Get Married?—Yoba has built a powerful legacy in entertainment.
Beyond the screen, Malik is the founder and CEO of Yoba Development, a real estate and education firm that merges community revitalization with social impact. He has launched initiatives like The Real Estate Mixtape and I Build NY, creating youth-focused educational pathways in architecture and development.
Saturday, June 14
WORKSHOP
Passion Meets Profit: Strategies in the Age of AI
Facilitator: Toni Simmons Henson
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Matchbox 3
$20 Class Fee*
Discover Your Passion, Master Problem-Solving, and Transform Your Ideas into Income.
WORKSHOP
Stage to Stage: Successfully Navigate the Festival Circuit
Facilitator: Toni Simmons Henson
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Matchbox 3
$20 Class Fee*
This dynamic workshop is designed for aspiring and established theatre creators to showcase their work at festivals. In this interactive session, participants will explore the intricacies of preparing a show for festivals, from selecting the right events to crafting compelling marketing strategies.
Dr. Brély Evans
MASTER CLASS
Everything They Don't Teach You in Acting Class:
Understanding the Business of Show Business
Facilitator: Dr. Brély Evans
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Matchbox 1
$60 Class Fee
Brély is an entrepreneur and leader, she utilizes her platform to edify, empower, and encourage others to live out their purpose through perseverance, ambition, and passion. Water Walkers Worldwide was founded on these key principles to inspire others to get out of the boat of fear, and to walk on water towards their dreams.
WORKSHOP
Houston Arts Alliance Grant Workshop
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Matchbox 4
$20 Class Fee*
Need funding for your next creative project? This fast-paced, informative session offers a clear roadmap for navigating the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) grant process from start to finish. You'll learn how to strengthen your application, avoid budget missteps, and confidently manage your grant once awarded.
This session covers:
HAA eligibility requirements
Grant writing techniques that win
Budgeting tips that avoid red flags
What happens after you’re awarded
Payment schedules and timelines
Final reporting guidelines
HAA expectations and support resources
FTBAF COMMUNITY FUNDAY EVENT
Line Dance Competition
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
MATCH Gallery
FREE ADMISSION with Registration
Get ready to step, slide, and spin! The Fade To Black Arts Festival brings the energy with our first-ever Line Dance Competition. This lively showdown invites dancers of all ages to bring their best moves to the floor. Free and open to the public—come dance, cheer, or just enjoy the rhythm!