Steven Sabel

Steven Sabel's Twist On The Trade: Get Ready For Your New World

The world has forever changed. There is no doubt about that. The world changes all the time. The world of entertainment changes all the time. The most successful artists have been the ones who have been able to consistently adapt to those changes, adjust their approach, redirect their strategy, and provide the new required content. … Continue reading Steven Sabel's Twist On The Trade: Get Ready For Your New World

Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: The Connections We Make

When not practicing government-mandated social distancing, actors tend to be some of the most social people you can find, both on and off the job. From standing in line to audition at a cattle-call, to table reads, to rehearsal processes, the entire world of creating theater or cinematic art requires actors to be “social.” Add … Continue reading Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: The Connections We Make

Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Social Theatre

I’ve never been big on social theatre. Not that I don’t think that theatre can and sometimes should make people think, but I’m a classicist who believes in subtlety. No one ever changed their mind about much of anything by being hit over the head, or force fed with a message. The best way to … Continue reading Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Social Theatre

Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Too Many Hats...

So many of us in this industry wear a lot of hats. Most of us have multiple descriptors after our names in our email signatures, social media bios, and website home page descriptions. “Steven Sabel, producer, director, designer, actor, writer, podcaster, and publicist.” Sheesh! Pick one already! The truth is, many of us wear many … Continue reading Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Too Many Hats...

Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: To see what I have seen, "The Auditions"

Here it is, as promised. The auditions version of some of the strangest, most outlandish, and downright horrible things I have seen. In preface, after producing and/or directing 138 productions, I have watched thousands of auditions. Some simple math puts it at around 10,000 monologues I have witnessed. Many of them were well prepared, well … Continue reading Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: To see what I have seen, "The Auditions"

Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: To have seen what I have seen…

Last month I briefly mentioned some of the outlandish experiences I have had as a producer/director and actor. As I consistently hold true, I never say I have seen it all, because that is the best way to have the theatre Fates send you something new and beyond belief. However, my column last month left … Continue reading Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: To have seen what I have seen…

Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Do The Show That You Know

This week I will open my 128th full-scale production as a producer/director. The group of artists working on this post-modern adaptation of Euripides' “Trojan Women,” will become the 128th group of artists to hear me say – at every rehearsal and performance to come over the next three weeks – one of my most famous … Continue reading Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Do The Show That You Know

Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Tailor Your Career

Either your mother lied to you, or she was just flat out wrong. Though her intentions may have been the best, and her motives without suspect, nonetheless the damage has been done and you will only compound the problem unless you listen to this advice. Your “book” will be judged by its cover. In a … Continue reading Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Tailor Your Career

Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Content Equals Character

We were all recently reminded that it was Martin Luther King Jr. who famously dreamed of a world where we would all be judged by the content of our character, but in our industry, artists are judged rather by the amount and quality of their generated content. Content equals character in a world where online presence is often … Continue reading Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Content Equals Character

Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Get Resolved

A new year, and everybody is talking, tweeting, posting, snap-gramming, and insta-chatting about their New Year's Resolutions. I find it ironic that we wait until Dec. 31 to get resolved about things in our lives which obviously need resolving every other day of our year, but are then ignored. When it comes to your craft, … Continue reading Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Get Resolved

Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: A Head Above The Rest

Most head shots are horrible. Mine is. My headshot is a perfect example of a number of things that are wrong with most headshots. Before I get into all that is wrong with my headshot, and many headshots I see on a regular basis, let me give you the really lousy and lazy reasons I … Continue reading Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: A Head Above The Rest

Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Just Getting Warmed Up

Just Getting Warmed Up Welcome to a new monthly column which I hope will add some perspective to our trade – sometimes new, and sometimes perhaps tired out from over stating, but yet somehow still needing to be stated again and again. I have been a student of this craft for most of my … Continue reading Steven Sabel's Twist on the Trade: Just Getting Warmed Up

Beware the Audition Gremlins!

Many an actor has been derailed from doing his or her best at an audition by what I call "audition gremlins." These little monsters are treacherous, relentless, and merciless. Producers and casting directors are most keenly aware of the nasty habit that audition gremlins have of rearing their ugly heads on audition days. We see … Continue reading Beware the Audition Gremlins!

Steven Sabel has more than 30 years experience in theatre production, including more than 20 years in production management. He is an award-winning producer and director with more than 130 successful productions to his credit. He also served for 12 years as a community journalist and newspaper editor, and he has 17 years experience as a theatre arts instructor for adult actors and younger students: www.bardforkids.com. His independent production company, STS Productions, has produced successful theatrical ventures in a wide variety of venues for more than 20 years. In 2010, Steven founded the Archway Theatre, where he serves as producing artistic director. As the founding artistic director of the Redlands Shakespeare Festival, Steven managed the creation and foundation of the organization from the ground up, and served as both artistic director and executive director of the thriving organization for nine successful seasons.

Writer: Steven Sabel