Great Groups was founded in 2006 with the mission to provide a series of community based discussion groups where individuals with specific interests can get answers to their most pressing questions. All correspondences are provided directly to email accounts, not posted on a public forum. This allows members to get the answers they need without the onslaught of advertising and unnecessary gossip.
The addition of seminars (in the works) will allow our members the experience of coming together in an environment where they can both learn and socialize.
Letter From The Founder
Dear NY Actor,
When I was growing up, I had a close friend named Eric Kantor. We met because of our love of theater, performing as kids in Guys and Dolls, Bye Bye Birdie and West Side Story. As friends, we shared a unique bond and taught each other the important ideas of communication, learning and support.
As adults, our friendship grew when I began stage managing on and off Broadway while Eric worked on the Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. As we found our way professionally, we realized the importance and excitement of connecting like-minded people when they had something special to offer each other. We began living and working by the motto “you two should know each other,” using the same lessons we learned as young friends. ”You two should know each other” ignited various aspects of my career.
Over the past twenty years, I have worked as an actor, stage manager, producer and director, winning an Emmy Award for my work. My career has taken me from the summer stock circuit to regional, Off–Broadway and Broadway theater to television. For ten years, I produced The Drama Desk Awards, working with such performers as Harry Connick, Jr., John Lithgow, Chita Rivera and Angela Lansbury. As a director, I created the Dedication Ceremony for the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C. as well as the THANK YOU BROADWAY celebration at Alice Tully Hall. As a theatrical stage manager, I have worked on such productions as Showboat (Rebecca Luker and Elaine Stritch), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (David Cassidy), How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying (Matthew Broderick and Megan Mullally), Personals (Jason Alexander and Dee Hoty) and Oleanna (Bill Macy and Treat Williams). As a TV Stage Manager, I have had the honor of working on the TONY® Awards (10 years), Broadway on Broadway® (15 years), MTV Video Music Awards® (8 years), The Closing Ceremonies for 2002 Olympics, and President Clinton’s Inaugural Ball in 2000.
Sadly, Eric died of AIDS in 1992. GreatGroups.info and NYActors is a tribute to him and our concept of connecting special people with each other. And now it’s your turn.
Great Groups and NYActors is a group you can join to share knowledge and information as well as receive it. NYActors offers communication, learning and support for a newly created community of actors. Whether you have been doing the acting thing for years or you are brand new to the business, we welcome you to our family of people “you should know."
Sign up today.
Ask questions. Trade tips. Give support. Get ahead!
Join us,
Lauren Class Schneider
Founder and President of GreatGroups.info
WE LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING YOU AHEAD. If you have any trouble signing up please don’t hesitate to call: 425.417.4870 or e-mail: help@greatgroups.info
