Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Woods-Robinson.
Julie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I got my degree in Drama from New York University. During freshmen orientation week, I met my future husband. We have worked together as actors, actor/director, actor/coach for all of our working life — nearly 20 years now. In 2011, we began taping and coaching other actors’ auditions for film and television projects out of our house in Orlando. In 2019, we expanded to teaching group classes in rented rehearsal spaces. By 202o, we opened a brick-and-mortar acting studio in Orlando, FL, only to come face-to-face with the pandemic! Despite the world shutting down, we were able to not only stay open but also grow the business through our online community of actors called “MOST” or “Masters of Self-Taping,” virtual classes, and assisting actors in building their home studios. Now, Book From Tape has a thriving community of actors all around the world. We are thrilled to have been able to open a second studio here in Roswell and become part of the community here in GA.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Well, opening our Orlando studio on the eve of the pandemic was a huge challenge. Not only were we unable to bring people into the building for a length of time, but also our entire industry shut down. Productions were canceled, and people moved away or quit the business. It was a hard time for everyone in the entertainment industry.
Then, as luck would have it, we opened our Roswell studio on the eve of the writer’s strike and then the actor’s strike. We supported the strike wholeheartedly, but the impact on our studio was steep. Auditions ceased, and actors became discouraged. Luckily, we have persevered twice through massive shutdowns of our industry — fingers crossed that the next one will be a long time off!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As I said, I am trained as an actor first. I am a member of Actor’s Equity and have been blessed to have been a part of many shows, including my primary role as Nemo in Finding Nemo: the Musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
I also have my MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences from the University of Central Florida and have done a lot of directing for and with young people at notable theaters such as Orlando Repertory Theatre (FL) and First Stage (WI). I am currently working as a teaching artist with the Alliance Theatre and the Fox Theatre here in Atlanta.
I specialize in puppetry, devising work with young people, and acting based on movement techniques. I love to coach people to make their dreams come true!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success looks like having a fulfilling career — one that affects positive change in people — that supports me enough to allow me to invest time and energy into my family and my life outside of work as well. I’m still shooting for the moon on that one!
Pricing:
- 30 minutes of audition taping/coaching – $38.96
- 45 minutes of audition taping/coaching – $58.37
- 60 minutes of audition taping/coaching- $77.78
- 4 week classes- $200
- 6 week classes- $300
Contact Info:
- Website: bookfromtape.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bookfromtape
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bookfromtape
- Other: linktr.ee/bookfromtape
Image Credits
Jordan Woods-Robinson
