” The Map- an actors guide to on-camera acting”

Recommended *** Most Chicago theater-goers know the name Stef Tovar. He is one of the founders of Route 66 Theatre Company, and has played major roles in both dramas and musicals at Marriott Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, The Paramount Theatre, Timeline Theatre and various others. We have also seen him on our television screens and in a few films. I have known Stef for a number of years and have watched him do work that i could not even imagine him doing. Each time, he far surpassed my expectations.

Awhile back I heard that Stef was working with other actors. He was teaching them techniques in order to get past the front door in auditioning, both live and on tape. Yes, even before the pandemic changed our lives, there were times that film technique could be a key in getting a role or even a commercial.

Let’s face it, an actor wants to act. Sure they would love to land the lead role in a 6 week run at Steppenwolf, or Lookingglass or The Goodman! Yes, they would love to do a road show for a Broadway series! But the key is acting and getting seen, so commercials are great and doing TV shows is not only great while doing the shoot, but rewarding for many years to follow.

Stef has taken his experiences, positive and negative and put them into a book that is filled with humor and stories about his ups and downs, that serve as examples to learn from.

The book is an easy read and will fill in the holes ( so to speak) for young actors who have taken class after class. I recall my days as a student at The Goodman Theatre School ( part of the Art Institute, back in the 60’s). While I learned a great deal, it was once I got on a real stage and worked with directors on their projects that I truly learned about the life of an actor. Between doing “summer stock” and “off-Loop” shows as well as a few “cabaret” clubs, I learned a great deal more than in the classroom. Stef takes a closer look at this and shares his various experiences as he works towards honing his craft ( even better).

The book is indeed a valuable tool for those who are considering a life in the theater ( or any part of the arts), but even if your career path changes, the information learned from Stef and his book can only be a positive for any choices you make in life. It is well worth the read! Stef even includes a resume sample. As we all learned from “A Chorus Line”- “Who are we anyway. Are we our Resume?” in the theater, you are to start, but then you get to show your talent and with Stef’s help, you may be the one that says “I think I got it!”

The book is published by Applause Theatre and Cinema Books (Applausebooks.com) ISBN 978-1-4930-6093-1

www.stefTovar.com