by Dean Bakopoulos, Executive Director, Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts

"Just tell us when and where, and we'll be there." That was the instant response from Emmy award-winning actress and director Joan Darling and her husband, screenwriter Bill Svanoe, when they heard we were creating a school for the arts at Shake Rag Alley in historic Mineral Point, Wis.

Since that conversation four years ago, they have come to Mineral Point each summer, bringing with them a group of talented film, television and theater professionals. And they have created a fantastic, week-long program of workshops in acting, directing, auditioning, screenwriting and filmmaking that rivals any in the country, says Sandra Scott, Shake Rag Alley board president and an old friend of Darling and Svanoe. "These are people who have had a great deal of success in their work, recognize how fortunate they are, and believe in giving back. We are incredibly lucky they have chosen our community to contribute their time and expertise." The 2008 Stage and Screen Workshops will take place Aug. 2 through 8; detailed information is available online.

"We love coming to Wisconsin," says Darling. "The students here are the best—eager, receptive, appreciative. And the range of talent we have encountered here has been extraordinary."

Darling, considered one of the finest acting coaches in the country, will be traveling to Mineral Point after her annual stint at Robert Redford's Sundance Institute, where she has served as creative advisor for the past 16 years. Her long list of credits includes such favorites as "M*A*S*H," "Mary Tyler Moore," "Doc," "Magnum P.I.," "Spielberg's Amazing Stories" and many others.

"The acting classes I've attended at Shake Rag Alley have been amazing learning opportunities for me," says Elizabeth Palzkill, a 2008 graduate from Mineral Point High School, who has been accepted into the theater arts program at New York University starting in the fall. "Studying with Joan Darling and Kerry Shear has given me the inspiration, encouragement and confidence to follow my dream."

Elizabeth's older brother, Michael, is a cinema major at Denison University in Ohio. "It was great having the opportunity to learn about the film industry from real professionals," he adds.

One of those pros was Peter Bogart, who has worked with nearly every major movie studio in Hollywood, working his way up from assistant director to executive producer on films such as "The French Connection," "Midnight Cowboy," "Blue Lagoon," "American Gigolo," "Dangerous Minds," "Ace Ventura," "Lake Placid," "ConAir" and many others. Peter will show three of his films on three separate evenings: "Beverly Hills Cop I & II" and "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," followed by a Q & A session on the making of the films.

Dr. Fred Cummings, a retired consultant from Mineral Point, has no aspirations for filmmaking. He just enjoys a good movie. "I am greatly looking forward to sitting in on Peter's movies again this year. He's a lot of fun and has some fascinating 'war stories' about what really happens behind the scenes."

Filmmaker John Hanson chooses to call Wisconsin home, even though he travels the world creating fine documentaries and other films. John will teach Independent Filmmaking: From Script to Screen, and will also show his Cannes award-winning film "Northern Lights" with a Q & A session following the film.

Actress Judy Kerr spent much of her time on the popular TV series "Seinfeld" as acting and dialogue coach to Jerry Seinfeld, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander and guest stars such as Bette Midler. Kerr also authored a bestselling book called Acting as a Career. At Shake Rag Alley, she will teach students how to work effectively in front of a camera, as well as present her highly sought-after acting career workshop.

Madison West High School drama teacher Holly Walker attended Kerr’s workshops last year. Says Walker, "I couldn't believe I was able to experience an L.A. professional workshop in Wisconsin. It was great to work with people who really knew what they were talking about. I incorporated the techniques I learned into my teaching this year when directing 15- and 16-year-old students, some of whom had never acted before. They ended up winning several state competitions."

Kerry Shear is a Strasberg Institute instructor and TV and stage actress. She will return to teach sense memory, an acting technique. Shear was in Mineral Point just a few weeks ago with her good friend, character actor Wilford Brimley, to perform the play "Love Letters" as a benefit for Shake Rag Alley's art education programs.

Award-winning screenwriter and playwright Bill Svanoe will again teach Writing for Stage and Screen. "It's exciting to see the progress of some of these students. One who attended last year has been developing a screenplay which recently won a major competition." Svanoe will also premiere his newest play, "Lost and Found," at the Mineral Point Opera House on Friday, Aug. 8.

New York director/writer Blake Bradford and fighting buddy Matt Klan, a stage choreographer, will teach stage combat and will also present a Combat & Comedy Show open to the public on Aug. 3.

Other classes during the Aug. 2-8 Stage and Screen event include Meisner acting classes for beginners and advanced students led by actor/director Jeffrey West and Creating a One-Person Show taught by writer/actor Mike Wiley, who will also perform his original play "Jackie Robinson: A Game Apart," a one-man show which will be offered free to the public thanks to a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council.

Check the Shake Rag Web site for full details on workshops and instructors at www.ShakeRagAlley.com or phone 608-987-3292.