The first ever Tampa Bay Theatre Festival took over downtown Tampa the final weekend of September. One of the highlights was an actors boot camp with Hollywood star Tasha Smith.

Tasha Smith in action, coaching actors at Stage works on Aug. 30, 2014. Credit: CHIP WEINER
Tasha Smith coaches actor Sameya Smith on presenting a monologue. Credit: CHIP WEINER
Tasha Smith calls a time-out as actors prepare scene work. Some were openly weeping as they got into character. Credit: CHIP WEINER
Tasha Smith answers questions before students present monologues. Credit: CHIP WEINER
Tampa Bay Theatre Festival sign. Credit: CHIP WEINER
Tasha Smith’s workshop took place at Stageworks, a professional theater in the Channelside district of Tampa. Credit: CHIP WEINER
Founder and director of the Tampa Bay Theatre Festival, Rory Lawrence, answers questions. Credit: CHIP WEINER
Actor Ronald Wilford learns by doing at Tasha Smith’s Actors Boot Camp. Credit: CHIP WEINER
Participants practice one on one. Credit: CHIP WEINER
Andrea Sistrunk and Dian Languedoc participating in a regain your power practice dialogue at Tasha Smith’s Boot Camp. Credit: CHIP WEINER
Actor Sameya Roundtree presents her monologue. Credit: CHIP WEINER