Way Off Broadway Theatre Brings Camera Acting Workshop to Prattville

An award-winning assistant director with nearly two decades of professional on-set experience is coming to 203 W. Fourth St. on April 11 to teach local performers what the camera actually demands, and it is not what works on stage.

Way Off Broadway Theatre will host a three-hour "Acting for the Camera" workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Prattville Cultural Arts Center's Martha Wilkinson Theatre. The class is led by Maggie Ballard, described by the City of Prattville as an award-winning assistant director who draws on nearly two decades of on-set experience to bring practical, professional knowledge to the classroom. It is open to participants of all ages and experience levels, and registration is required.

Ballard's curriculum addresses the specific gap between theatre and screen: camera awareness, eyeline, hitting marks, and the micro-performance techniques that register in close-up but would disappear past the second row. Participants will work through scene study, cold readings, and on-camera exercises, with dedicated attention to self-tape preparation, the format that now drives most professional and regional audition pipelines.

"This is an incredible opportunity for our community," said Martha Wilkinson, Theatre Coordinator for Way Off Broadway Theatre. "Maggie brings a level of real-world experience that you simply don't often have access to locally. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your skills, this workshop offers valuable tools and insight into the film industry. She's also incredibly funny and creates a supportive, encouraging environment for learning."

Participants should bring a short prepared piece if they have one, or come ready for cold readings and on-camera exercises provided in the room. The skills covered — frame awareness, subtle performance for the lens, and understanding the technical workflow of a professional set — apply directly to paid commercial work, school film productions, and the independent film projects increasingly shot across the River Region.

WOBT is the City of Prattville's cultural-arts arm and has expanded its arts-education programming in 2026 with workshops and classes aimed specifically at teens and adults. The camera workshop is part of that push to give local performers access to professional-grade instruction without a drive to Birmingham or beyond.

No experience is required to attend. Because of the hands-on format, capacity is expected to be limited, and the city encourages early registration. Cost was not listed in the city's announcement; contact the Cultural Arts and Special Events office for tuition details before signing up.

To register, call 334-595-0850 or visit the City of Prattville's website. For questions, contact Mynecia Steele with Cultural Arts and Special Events at 334-595-0851, or Theatre Coordinator Martha Wilkinson at 334-595-0854. The workshop takes place at the Prattville Cultural Arts Center, 203 W. Fourth St.