Olivia Oguma (she/her): is an NYC based actress whose credits include – Broadway: Yellow Face, Mamma Mia!, A Christmas Carol, Les Miserables, Disney’s High School Musical (1st National). Off-Broadway: Letters of Suresh (Second Stage), Addressless (Rattlestick), Hello From… (Playwrights Realm), Luce (LCT3) Emotional Creature (Signature), The Imaginary Cuckold (Moliere in the Park), BFE (Playwrights Horizons), The Dispute (NAATCO). Regional: Vietgone (Cincinnati Playhouse), Brightest Thing in the World (Yale Rep), Miss You Like Hell (LaJolla Playhouse), Emotional Creature (Berkeley Rep), Snow Falling on Cedars (Portland CenterStage), Spelling Bee..(Philadelphia Theater Co & Papermill Playhouse) HAIR (Two River Theater), Miss Saigon (NCTheater). Film & TV: This is Where I Leave You, Strangers with Candy, Like Father, “Instinct”, “FBI” “Odd Mom Out”, “Younger”,“Law & Order”, “The Good Wife” “The Big C,” “Great News”, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”. Olivia is the co creator/writer/host of DisOrientalism, an Asian American variety show which has a residency at Joe’s Pub. Olivia is on faculty at A CLASS ACT studios in NYC and has also been on faculty at Abron Art's Center. She has guest taught at the POLK County High Schools in Florida, Random Farm Kids, Hoboken Dance Academy and Broadway Training Camps of Sonoma, to name a few.
The Art of the Perfect Monologue with Olivia Oguma
Begins Saturday, November 8th
Finding great monologues can be one of the most challenging parts of preparing for general auditions or EPAs. This course takes the guesswork and frustration out of the process, offering actors expert guidance in discovering material that highlights their unique essence and range.
This course is designed to help actors discover monologues that truly showcase their unique voice, strengths, and individuality. Through personalized guidance and one-on-one exploration, the instructor will draw from her extensive library of monologues to help each student uncover a piece that feels authentic and alive. Students will be encouraged to move beyond overused anthology selections, instead finding material that sets them apart in auditions and performance.
In addition to curating the right pieces (two contrasting), students will develop the tools to break down monologues into beats, analyze text for deeper meaning, and refine their interpretive choices. By the end of the course, actors will not only have two powerful, well-suited monologues ready to perform, but also the skills and confidence to select and shape their own original material in the future.
WHEN and HOW: This collaboration will run for six weeks meeting on Zoom.
DATES: Six Saturdays beginning November 8th at 1pm EST/10am PST.
11/8, 11/15, 11/22, 11/29, 12/6, 12/13
Classes run Saturdays 1-3:30pm EST/10am-12:30pm PST
COST: $300-500 (sliding scale—please read below)
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Suggested Cost:
To create intentional space and support for BIPOC attendees, we ask that you pay in light of your financial privileges and with a JEDI spirit (!)
Here are a few guidelines:
$500 – you have reliable sources of food, shelter, and transportation; are employed or financially secure; have regular access to healthcare and savings; can spend recreationally at your discretion (e.g. enjoy a concert, new clothes, a great meal). Paying the full amount also means you are able to support a BIPOC actor with limited resources who would like to join this course.
$400– you have debt that sometimes compromises stability with food, shelter, and/or transportation; are employed; have some access to healthcare and savings; can spend recreationally.
$300 – you are under- or unemployed and/or for other reasons (e.g. healthcare, shelter expenses), you have very limited resources.
Contact us anya@weareurbanhaiku.com if you cannot afford to pay full price but would like to discuss payment plans, work-exchange/trade opportunities, or other options.