Hey! We're (kind of) in the same boat here. Zdirector recommended me to them, and I got an email back from James Gibson, their artistic director, in regards to coaching. We've been in contact on and off for the past month, and I'm meeting him this Saturday at a rehearsal in VA. I almost went to Maryland for those auditions this past week.

Anyway, I was wary at first too, but z looked into it for me, and they just seem like a really good group of people.

Small world

how did your auditions go?

I'm actually not auditioning, I'm just meeting with James to discuss private coaching. I was going to go and sit in on the auditions in Maryland.

How did yours go? Congrats, by the way

all in all i was really excited afterwards, and felt that i did a great job. Only time will tell if i am what they wanted. have you moved to dc yet?

Well good luck

I'll actually be in DC by the middle of August. NW, specifically.

Any feedback from working with them?

I start really working with them in a couple of weeks but I did find some close friends that have worked with James and everything seems to be good as far as reputation is concerned. If you want more details all I can say is that I've talked frequently with the troupe as well as people that have nothing to do with the troupe but know the people behind it and have good things to say. I'll let you know as things progress and you can send me a PM if you want.

Yes. I did a play in NYC this past summer, Cafe Playa Moon. This is a bogus troupe as far as I could determine, and they still owe me money. I really believe it's one guy running a scam. That's all I can say. Except that I did work with a group of very talented actors. But I see the "troupe" is back into advertising in NYC for actors. Take care.

Yes. Worked with OT this past summer. Group still owes me money. Badly planned off off Broadway production. Severe lack of rehearsal space and lack of dedicated director/author. I really believe it's a one man scam. I would strongly advise avoiding getting involved with this "organization" if there actually is one.

were you an understudy? could you elaborate a little more. I'm about to start working with them and we are traveling all over the place for rehearsals so I want to know what i'm getting into before I start doing 15 hour work days.

My last reply went right back to Ocean Troupe. If you want to speak with me use the phone. Cell 201-410-3160. Ed Sheldon

I have friends in this troupe and I have communicated with them today to find out about this. It is too bad that Ed Sheldon is not giving the straight facts. It seems he is upset because the troupe had some outdoor rehearsals, which all the cast was told about from the beginning, and he could not adapt to that. It also is not a one-man troupe. They have many members including several producers, and a host of really well qualified actors and advisors. As for dedication, I know the director and he is one of the most dedicated people in this business. Get your facts straight, man. Oh yes, one more thing. Apparently a couple of the actors tried to cancel ticket reservations and made bogus reservations because they were not feeling confident about getting their lines right. Isn't that slightly unethical, and unprofessional,to cancel tickets for your own show when you are supposed to be part of a company working together to achieve a successful run?

As far as I can tell, Ocean Troupe (aka Ocean Players aka OceanTroupe) is not running any casting notices with Back Stage at this time -- so it's difficult for us to confirm their current legitimacy.

However, Ocean Troupe does appear to be contacting various actors via Back Stage's talent database -- so I'm going to research the company further in order to make sure that they're not using our system as part of a scam (some inquiries from our readers noted that it was strange that a company based in GA is contacting actors in the Northeast U.S., but we there is yet no indication that this is a scam or spam, and from what I understand Ocean Troupe has put on performances in NYC before, and thus this could be legit).

Please continue to post your opinions, feedback, and insights regarding Ocean Troupe, and I'll take all of your posts under serious consideration.

More info about the Troupe is available here:
http://groups.google.com/group/oceanplayers

thank you,

Luke Crowe

National Casting Editor

BACK STAGE

I am also supposed to be doing a show with Ocean Troupe . any other info on them?? Mathew...how did you like doing your show??

I know its been almost 9 months since this has been talked about, but anybody have anymore information/experiences with Ocean Troupe?

Thanks!