“Training for Another Career/ Commercial Acting” is a creative class designed for energetic Older Adults, taught by Linda Jacobsen. New students learn the tools to actively seek agents, and many of the experienced students book commercial acting jobs. Examples of some of the success stories are as follows:
· Norma Wells has appeared in twelve commercials, advertising products and restaurants, such as Peppermint Patties, Maxwell House Coffee, Outback Steak house, and MacDonald's.
· Aki Otsuka has shot at least eight commercials, such as for Gatorade, MTV, Time Warner Cable, Loyola Marymount College, San Miguel Beer, George Lucas Star Wars Video Game, Cellular One, and for the Washington State Trial Lawyer Association.
· Bea Bernstein's repertoire includes Verizon, Glasco Pharmaceutical Co., Transamerica, MTV music videos, ESPN sports station, and Bea recently played a gabby grandma character for a Cable TV Station.
· Larry Collins has performed in countless student films and shot three commercials. His third commercial is for Jack in the Box.
· Gayle Wilhite acted in a commercial for Synoptic.
· Mollie Walsh was featured in a Cox Communications commercial.
· Terry R. Black recently shot a commercial for SCAN.
· Jokki Peyer won a KLCS -TV VIC Award for her costume designing skills that she demonstrates in the class recitals and videos.
· Jackie Lee appeared on several News broadcasts for winning two trophies for her body building expertise at the Muscle Beach Labor Day Contest.
There is no guarantee that students who enroll in the commercial acting will get an agent and/or acting jobs; however, the opportunities are there if the students persevere, do the footwork, and believe in themselves. The class is made up of fun-loving, creative, adventurous, supportive people who share their special talents, improve their acting skills, gain confidence by performing, and have a good time.
