Renowned talent scout to give talk in Southeast Missouri

He has worked with and influenced the careers of some of Hollywood and Broadway's biggest names, and Thursday he'll be in Perryville, Mo., talking to young people about what it takes to succeed in the entertainment industry and in life.

Talent scout Peter Sklar, who claims Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Jessica Parker and Mischa Barton as some of his proteges and discoveries, said in any line of work, self-image and good mental and physical health are critical.

"Who you are, how you feel is reflected in how you carry yourself. It's what people see first thing," he said. "The most unhealthy, most unhappy people are unemployed."

He said in addition to taking good care of the body and the mind, young performers need to learn to be comfortable with who they are.

"Casting directors are turned off by fake," he said.

Sklar said he encourages young performers to be well-rounded and as educated as possible.

"Nobody likes a dumb actor. Projects aren't going to be about you," he said. "You need to be able to adapt to all roles and projects and be believable."

Sklar said whether it's acting or dancing, casting directors are looking for healthy, confident performers people want to watch.

"A bright, healthy, confident kid can make more. People want to see them," he said. "When that personality shines through, it really makes them unstoppable."

He said the performers who succeed in the entertainment industry are happy and well-adjusted. He said it isn't Hollywood or Broadway that makes people unhappy. The performers that become troubled are unhappy before starting their careers, he said.

Before establishing Beginnings Workshop as a training facility for young performers, Sklar studied concert piano at New York's Juilliard School of Music. He also holds a master's degree in education from Harvard University, with a concentration in adolescent development in counseling.

Sklar will be speaking at the The Dance Center in Perryville, and its owner, Kathi Wolf, said she has several dancers that have dreams of performing professionally.

"This gives my girls the opportunity to hear the reality of the industry, the expectations," she said.

Wolf said it's important for young performers to be exposed to as many opportunities as possible.

Sklar has several rules for those attending his presentation Thursday. Nobody under the age of 6 is allowed to attend the lecture, with or without a parent. Everyone younger than 18 must appear with at least one of their parents. He said coming with a friend's mother, another family member or any other adult is not allowed. Once his presentation begins, no one else will be admitted.

Sklar's presentation will start at 7 p.m. Thursday. The lecture is free and open to the public, but reservations are required.

For more information or to make reservations, call The Dance Center at 573-517-7727.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

243-8600

Pertinent address:

118 Perry Plaza, Suite A, Perryville, MO